It’s basically impossible to learn about Japanese culture by reading things in English. For some reason, Japan brings out the worst kinds of cynics and misanthropes, all of whom feel the need to dispel anything positive that’s said about the place. In my experience, many businesses in Japan go beyond customer service and provide what I would characterize as hospitality or the kind of consideration that could only be repaid with goodwill and familial loyalty. Not to say that they are infallible: I bought a knife from one of the oldest blacksmiths in Kyoto and he flat-out forgot my order until we bothered him a month later. Damn good knife, though.