In some ways Japan has not yet left childhood. You have the comics, the anime, the pen cases, and all other manner of bright colorful objects of childhood that are quite commonplace in the adult world. But one thing I think is truly amazing, is the seat saving.
Between cafes like Starbucks or restaurants ( using the term loosely) like McDonald's, you might find yourself hard pressed to find a seat. In Japan it is natural to go and scout out the situation and reserve seating or a table by placing a personal item upon the furnishing. Marking your territory. This lets everyone else know that that seat is claimed. This personal item may be a cell phone, a handkerchief, or even a purse. The amazing thing for this is not that they save the seats as you would for a childhood friend in a cafeteria, it is that all other people respect that and will not relocate their items or worse take them. They simple recognize that someone has prior claim and will move along.
Interestingly, when visiting another country, say Korea, they might still do the same thing to save their seat; however, Koreans are not so big on doing this and will line up first, order, and seat scout later. Therefore, unless the item is very evidently a personal item, like a purse, they (the Koreans) will sit down anyways wondering who the hell left their handkerchief there. Thus making the Japanese tourist later retrieve the item from the now occupied seat and find a new one.
There is exactly one stool in this picture that is not on reserve.
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