Over Packaging of Souvenirs
A single sweet is individually wrapped, then put in a box, then placed in a bag... generating a lot of trash.
In Japan's souvenir culture, many travelers are surprised by the "politeness of the packaging." When you buy a box of sweets, each sweet inside is individually wrapped, arranged in dividers, placed in a box, and then even accompanied by wrapping paper or a bag over that. Not a few people are surprised, wondering, "Do they wrap it this much?"
In Japan, souvenirs are not merely products, but are highly valued as gifts that express "consideration for others" and "gratitude." Therefore, the beauty of the appearance, a sense of cleanliness, and the special feeling upon receiving it are emphasized, resulting in a very strong focus on packaging. It is also a characteristic unique to Japan that many products are individually wrapped so they are easy to distribute at workplaces or schools.
On the other hand, some travelers feel that "it creates more garbage" or "isn't it a bit excessive?" Especially for people coming from countries with high environmental awareness, Japan's packaging culture might seem quite unique.
Nevertheless, behind that politeness lies Japan's unique culture of hospitality. Looking at the souvenir section and feeling that "even the packaging is a part of Japanese culture" would be one of the interesting experiences.
