it's not life that matters but the journey...

I asked my husband your question, since he's Japanese and I'm not - he wasn't sure, but he thinks that it's okay to eat in public. I've seen people eating on trains, and kids are always eating when they're walking or waiting for trains. eating is a big deal in this country, and I'm sure with the older generations, there are some customs and rules - like not having your elbows on the table, or putting your chopsticks a certain way when you're done eating (if you put them in a certain position, it indicates that someone has died!)... but with the younger generations, it's pretty much anything goes, as far as I can tell.

Japan is a really funny place sometimes:)

*hugs*