Waiting is a national pastime and there are long lines & crowds everywhere in Japan which tend to impede ones ability to get things done in a brisk manner.

Take the efficient train system, it may be on-time but you will have to spend some time waiting to catch the train and if you have to make more than one connection, well, you will have to wait more than once!  Now don’t get me wrong, I love the rail system in Japan but oftentimes a commute can be frustratingly slowed down by all of the time spent waiting patiently in line for the next train.

Shopping is another one of those things which despite it’s seeming simplicity can take a little longer than expected.  Retail shops in Japan are usually well staffed and while finding what you are looking for is not always that easy, there are often many people available to help you.  After carefully selecting your merchandise you may feel as if the hard part is over but be sure to leave yourself some time.

Paying for your purchase is often the start of another round of waiting.  That’s right, you will receive your change and then be asked to move to the side while your package is being wrapped.  The result is usually a quite and elegant package that is wrapped, bagged and then bagged again so as to not damages the first bag….but did you know that in some stores they even give you a claim ticket so that you can continue to browse while they wrap your purchases?

Many people waited 40 minutes in line to get a doughnut at Krispy Creme in Japan when it first opened and even when heading out for a fun evening at a local matsuri (festival) you will find crowds impeding your every move at times.

The people in the crowds and lines in Japan are rarely unruly but their sheer mass can really slow you down!

This is my entry into the Slow Times in Japan April Japan Blog Matsuri hosted by What Japan Thinks.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Shibuya Toyoko Line, Platform, 03-21-08, Crowded