While more prevalent in the countryside and in small neighborhoods than in major cities, you can often find unmanned produce stands in Japan that operate on the honor system. The staffless vegetable stations are seen as a way to support lower cost purchase of fresh produce farmed by local farmers, and usually have a drop-box for money that passerbys can use before picking up their desired fruit or vegetable from a locker or sometimes even an open box.

Twitter user yucchosan (@yucchosan) recently found a unique twist on that concept that has brought a smile to the face of many online. While out and about, yucchosan passed by a neighbor's garden and noticed a batch of aojiso (green shiso) leaves with a note posted above them on the outer wall of the neighbor's house.

Yucchosan Tweeted that they assumed the note said "please don't take these", but upon closer inspection, was pleasantly surprised to see that was not the case.

Source: @yucchosan

The note above the batch of leaves reads:

"There are green shiso leaves.

If you'd like to,

please, please, help yourself!"

"I thought it was just a note saying not to take them, but this made me so happy."

Source: @yucchosan

The neighbor's generosity floored a great deal of people on Twitter, with many finding it not only a kind gesture, but also a great way to help people in the neighborhood get to know one each other, with replies like the following:

"This is so kind. I love the how they repeat "please" in the note, like they really want you to take them!"

"Aojiso grows really fast, and if you don't take them soon, the leaves will become hard. This is so generous."

"They want everyone to enjoy them so they don't go to waste."

"Not a lot of neighbors talk to each other these days, this seems like a great way to make friends."


By - grape Japan editorial staff.