Value Village

600 questions for when you are stuck or curious on a trip to Japan

What people who come to or live in Japan usually misunderstand. 600 questions, all with sources. If reading does not settle your question, you can send a request to people on the ground.

Everything here is a draft (before legal review; sources not yet verified). Answers on beauty and health will not be published until checks under Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act are complete.

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100 questions

Q. What do people get wrong about pilling (bobbles) on clothes? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about washing knitwear? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about caring for leather shoes? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about reading care labels in Japan? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about drying laundry indoors? Clothing
Q. In what order should I do the seasonal wardrobe change (衣替え)? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about washing denim? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about yellowed white shirts? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about washing sneakers? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about storing bags? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about jewellery care? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about looking after a watch? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about using fabric softener? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about ironing? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about moth repellents? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about closet humidity? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about winter static electricity? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for a down duvet? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about washing a down jacket? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about colour running in the wash? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for silk? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about storing shoes? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for hats? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about shrunken knitwear? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about when to replace socks and underwear? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about folding clothes and choosing hangers? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for umbrellas? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for glasses? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for coats? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about caring for rainwear and waterproof clothing? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about caring for and storing boots? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about washing swimwear? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about caring for scarves and gloves? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about cleaning the washing-machine drum? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about how much detergent to use? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about using a tumble dryer? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about problems with dry cleaners? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about UV-protective clothing and parasols? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about drawstrings on children's clothes? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about storing a kimono? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about washing blankets? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about looking after a suit? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about getting creases out of shirts and jackets? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about protecting a leather bag from rain? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about using a fabric shaver (lint remover)? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about looking after a belt? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about sunglass lenses and storage? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about underarm sweat marks and yellowing? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about smelly shoes? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about putting on and lacing shoes? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about washing towels and towel smell? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about caring for Japanese school uniforms? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about jeans sizing and shrinkage? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about insoles? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about clothing collection and recycling in Japan? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about Japanese clothing size labels? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about sewing on buttons, hemming and other repairs at home? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about washing sportswear and its smell? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about heavy bags and the strain on the body? Clothing
Q. What do people get wrong about reading the fabric composition label on clothes? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about keeping reusable shopping bags clean? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about using laundry nets (mesh washing bags)? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about hanging out laundry (drying faster, avoiding creases)? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about choosing a washing machine (top-loader or front-loading drum)? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about stockings and tights? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about looking after a necktie? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about looking after wallets and small leather goods? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about looking after a leather jacket? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about looking after fur, shearling and faux fur? Clothing
Q. What are the common misunderstandings about deodorising and antibacterial sprays for clothes? Clothing
Q. How should I care for and store a pearl necklace? Clothing
Q. Can I wash a cashmere sweater or scarf at home? How do I make it last? Clothing
Q. How do I wash and dry linen clothes without shrinkage and creases? Clothing
Q. Can I wash a pillow? How often should I wash the cover and the pillow itself? Clothing
Q. Can I wash a backpack or tote bag? How to do it at home, and what to watch for Clothing
Q. Soy sauce, oil or blood on my clothes — what should I do on the spot? Clothing
Q. Is cold water fine for laundry? What changes if I use hot water? Clothing
Q. Vacuum storage bags for futons and winter clothes: is there anything I should not put in them? Clothing
Q. How much of a shoe can be repaired? When should heels and soles be replaced? Clothing
Q. Mould on clothes I had put away. Can I get it off, and how do I stop it in the closet? Clothing
Q. Why won't the dark grime on shirt collars and cuffs come out in a normal wash? Clothing
Q. Can I wash a yukata at home? How do I fold and store it? Clothing
Q. Should I wash secondhand clothes before wearing them? What about smells and mites? Clothing
Q. Down or synthetic fill — which is warmer? How to choose a winter coat in Japan Clothing
Q. Are "heat-generating" thermal base layers like Heattech really warm? What if they dry out my skin? Clothing
Q. How strictly do I need to follow Japanese dress codes for weddings and funerals? Clothing
Q. Do "non-iron" shirts really need no ironing? How are they different from ordinary shirts? Clothing
Q. Washing my child's uwabaki every week is a chore. Is there an easier way to get them white? Clothing
Q. How do I spot a fake designer bag or garment? Will customs seize one I bought online from abroad? Clothing
Q. Should I wash new clothes before wearing them? Clothing
Q. Clothes I bought online don't fit. Can I return them? Is there a cooling-off period? Clothing
Q. Which clothes pick up less pollen, and how do I keep pollen out of the house? Clothing
Q. My synthetic-leather bag or shoes are peeling and sticky. How long do they last? Can it be prevented? Clothing
Q. Cotton, polyester, rayon, wool… how do I choose clothing fabrics? Clothing
Q. How do I choose shoes that won't hurt my feet? Tips for trying them on Clothing
Q. Can I wash curtains? How often, and how do I stop them shrinking? Clothing
Q. The seat and elbows of my suit or uniform have gone shiny. Can it be fixed? Prevented? Clothing
Q. How should I wash bras and underwear so they last? When should I replace them? Clothing
Q. Can I hem trousers myself? What do shops charge? Clothing
Q. How do I pack clothes for a trip so they take less space and arrive uncreased? Clothing