This is my first submission to the Japan Blog Matsuri! The theme this month is ‘what do you find most unusual, crazy or strange about Japan?’.
Now, there are so many unusual, crazy and strange things about Japan however, for this post, I want to move away from the obvious and extreme ‘crazy Japan’ and bring to your attention some mainstream wackiness.
Inspired from GetMeABucket, I nominate the ‘oga kuzu-bako’ (or ’sawdust bin’) as an unusual, crazy or strange thing about Japan.
Oga Kuzu-Bako at Omotesando Station
A more appropriate interpretation for the ’sawdust bin’ is ‘vomit station’. It is a dedicated metal bin, located on the platforms of train stations in Japan, that contain readily available sawdust that aids as an absorbant for commuter hurl.
To me, this is strange and begs the question. Obviously, the barf bins were installed on train platforms due to high instances of passenger puke. Is the message that commuters on trains in Japan are alcohol intolerant or just hard drinking salarymen?
A special thanks to Gakuranman for hosting this month’s matsuri.
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Wow–this is really interesting. Such a lo-tech solution for a hi-tech society. Fascinating.
@nateola, i think that they are writing an iphone app for it now. the ralph remover.
I think that app like that will probably void the warranty
With all the drinking expected of a Japanese salaryman, this only makes sense…
LOL, great addition to the matsuri. I am having trouble narrowing down mine!
Thanks Laurel. It is hard work narrowing down just one unusual, crazy or strange thing about Japan. Too many to choose from.
This must be a Kanto thing or something. I’ve never noticed them in Kansai… and I ride the train a lot. I’ll have to be on the look out for them.
We just use old newspaper when someone pukes at the bar I work at. It’s only the Japanese that will just let it flow onto the floor and even after that the puker’s buddies will keep on keeping on like nothing happened while I’m down there slopping up some half digested karaage. FUN!
Great post!
You can probably find it next to the kebab stand