This might seem a bit odd given the differences in culture from where I’m from, New Brunswick, Canada (though some aspects of culture are surprisingly similar), and Japan … but I’ve never experienced any culture shock in Japan.
I’ve certainly become a bit embarrassed when I’ve encountered difficulties with the language as my Japanese isn’t perfect, but no more embarrassed than when making a mistake in French with my fellow Canadians.
I’ve noticed that there are differences in how things are done, and cultural attitudes such as:
When buying a large item such as an engagement ring putting the money in a neat envelope rather than flipping through a large wad of cash from the wallet.
Female staff cleaning the mens onsen when men are still inside.
Not using the cellphone on public transport (or at least being exceedingly quiet about it) ← I love this one, wish we had it back home and in the UK where I spend half my time
etc, etc
When I’ve encountered something new about Japanese culture, and how people interact it has always been greeted with thoughts of ‘oh, that is how it is done here, best try to remember that’ rather than surprise, disorientation, apprehension, discomfort, etc.
On a more general note on my personal experiences with culture shock, despite spending much of the last 10 years abroad, the only case where I can recall it occurring was visiting Newport News, Virginia, right from the airport and continuing through the 2 weeks I was there.
The exceedingly run down and dirty cab to the hotel.
The fake city centre with empty four lane roads, pavements without pedestrians, that cleared of people after work.
The sprawling suburbs separated by 4 to 6 lane roads lined endlessly with chain stores and no crossings for hundreds of metres. Everyone in cars and not another person in sight on foot.
A quiet chap reading a book at a sports bar (the only nearby watering hole) being harassed for reading a book.
These left me feeling disoriented, and shocked. The other places I’ve lived in (Germany, Japan, England) or spent time in (Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Ukraine)? Not so much.