Posted: 5/30/2012 | may 30th, 2012
Updated: 8/5/2019 | August 5th, 2019
Last month, I explored Japan for three weeks. As you know, I was extremely excited. I had high expectations for a country that I had for many years dreamed about seeing.
And when you have high expectations, you can be quickly disappointed.
But Japan didn’t disappoint — it exceeded my expectations.
I liked Japan! Loved it beyond anything I expected. The food, the people, the architecture, the culture — it was bliss.
Just exactly how much did I like it? let me count the ways:
1. The gorgeous Temples as well as Zen Gardens
The temples of Japan are beautiful. The bells, the Zen gardens, the bamboo, as well as the torii gates truly do instill a sense of peace as well as serenity. finest of all? You can discover them all around the country, from huge cities to rural towns. If I ever settled down, I’m going to produce one of these in my own garden.
2. The tasty Sushi
Sushi was one of the things I was a lot of looking ahead to eating while in Japan. After all, Japan is the birthplace of sushi. To be totally honest, even the worst sushi I had in Japan was still as great as the typical sushi I’ve had somewhere else in the world. That’s exactly how great it was!
The sushi trains (those bit conveyer-belt sushi shops) even had fantastic toro (high-quality tuna)! as well as the very best sushi? The Michelin star, drain-your-wallet kind? So good, it makes you cry tears of joy. The flavor, the soft texture, the damp rice — heaven. I’ll be going back to Japan just for a lot more sushi!
3. The Politeness
I couldn’t get over exactly how amazingly polite everybody was. people went out of their method to be helpful. While getting lost trying to find my Couchsurfing host, a person walked me all the method to the address to make sure I got there. as well as a safety card who spoke no English just walked me to the ATM since he couldn’t describe the directions.
There was always an offer of helpfulness at the smallest indicator of confusion. There was always an apologetic “sorry” — even the signs, when letting people understand something was not allowed, began with “sorry.” There is just a courtesy as well as helpfulness that permeates the spirit of Japan.
4. The Friendliness
The lady who ran out of her home to speak with our excursion group. The guy who let everybody take 1,000 photos of his dog. The college trainees to whom I provided English lessons. The owner of the noodle shop who spoke no English however wished to have a fake game of baseball with me when I told him I was American. The old couple who just smiled at me while I ate at their sushi restaurant as well as provided me a thumbs up whenever I stated oishii (“delicious” in Japanese). The guy who assisted me location my buy in Japanese as well as was shocked when I understood the names of fish in Japanese. everybody was just useful as well as really friendly.
You don’t discover that type of authentic generosity in lots of places.
5. The strange Boyfriend/Girlfriend “Service”
While in Osaka, my Couchsurfing hold took me to the nightlife area as well as we did a bit people-watching. There on the street were young guy as well as women dressed in poor pop-star attire chasing down rich guy as well as women in buy to be their “friend for the night.”
And I don’t indicate in a sex worker type of way. They are just paid for their business (and even purchased stuff!). Strange, right? (How come nobody pays me to hang out with them?)
Apparently, they make as much as $1,000 USD for this per night, as well as there’s no expectation of sex at all! This makes the listing for one reason: it’s fascinating. Talk about something that is culturally Japanese! I might sit there on the street with some popcorn as well as enjoy as women as well as kids dressed like anime characters chase after sugar daddies as well as mamas who may get them drinks or poor outfits.
6. The awesome Bullet Trains
Bullet trains cut nine-hour journeys down to 2.5 hours. That’s what a lot more of the world needs. Spacious, clean, fast, as well as semi-perfect — they just requirement Wi-Fi as well as electrical outlets. They aren’t incredibly cheap, however if you get a Japan Rail Pass you can trip around the country on a budget plan as well as save a ton of money!
There are likewise great deals of other inexpensive methods to get around the country, too!
7. The walkway Vending Machines
You are never a lot more than 10 feet from a vending maker in Japan. anywhere you look, two or three machines are lined as much as provide you whatever you requirement — beer, sake, water, chilly tea, clothing, cigarettes, as well as much, much more!
Even on tiny, small-town streets without a spirit in sight, you would see the glow of one of these machines. You’ll truly be able to discover them everywhere!
8. The crazy Fashion
I like the crazy as well as goofy attire people wear in Japan. From the greasers to the Harajuku women to traditional, kimono-wearing locals. You can truly see the entire spectrum of fashion right here — for much better or worse! I indicate here’s a picture of people I saw in Tokyo:
Different, huh?
9. The Multipurpose Train Stations
When is a train station not just a train station? When it’s a Japanese train station! In Japan, train stations aren’t just for trains, they’re likewise for malls, supermarkets, big restaurant areas, as well as office buildings. You can quite much discover anything at train stations here, which is truly practical if you’re running late or failed to remember something at home.
Talk about utilizing area effectively.
10. The World-Class Service
Asian countries always have much much better hotel service than in the West, however Japan takes it to one more level. I left my bags out someday as well as they were given my room. Towels were brought up just since they believed I may requirement extra. At the standard hotels, my bed mat was set up at dinner as well as taken away while I had breakfast. hotel owners wave you good-bye. whatever is finished with a bow. everybody is helpful. American hospitality is great, however even we might discover a thing or ten from the Japanese.
11. The Japanese Onsens
I’m not a fan of bathhouses. sitting around naked with a lot of people isn’t my thing. I provided the Japanese onsens a try, however there were just as well lots of naked guy for me.
However, I did venture out when they opened very first thing in the morning to have them to myself. I have to admit: sitting in a hot bath with a bit waterfall near you is quite damn relaxing. I want one in my house…if I ever get a house.
12. The Sake
Japanese rice white wine is one of my preferred alcoholic drinks. The smooth taste, the fine finish, the fruity flavoring — mmmmm. It makes for the best accompaniment to Japanese food. benefit in Japan doesn’t taste much better than anywhere else in the world; there’s just a lot more of the great stuff (a truth I took full advantage of!).
I particularly took pleasure in exactly how you might get complimentary benefit samples at stores!
13. The modern Toilets
Leave it to the Japanese to turn a basic toilet into a technological marvel. There you sit down on a warm seat, while music is playing, as well as (sorry for getting graphic) have a jet of water come as well as laundry you from the front or back. You can likewise discover toilets that spray perfume too. It’s quite incredible as well as I hope these catch on around the world!
***
As I enjoyed the sunrise over Mt. Fuji toward the end of my trip, I dreaded leaving Japan. Japan exceeded all of my expectations, as well as I only scratched its surface. What wonders did I miss? What other tricks does Japan have to offer?
From Hokkaido to Okinawa, my mind darted to all the sights on my listing I didn’t get to see. I already long to go back. Within a day of leaving, I had withdrawal. like a bullet train, Japan had sped to the top of my preferred countries list.
I’ll be back soon to go to Japan.
And, when I do, this listing will definitely get longer.
Looking for travel ideas for Japan? Well, considering that this very first trip, I’ve been back a few a lot more times. inspect out my thorough guide to Japan as well as all the major cities in the country. I cover whatever you requirement to know.
Book Your trip to Japan: Logistical ideas as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a inexpensive flight by utilizing Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two preferred browse engines since they browse web sites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses as well as inexpensive hotels.
Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will secure you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s detailed security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it lots of times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:
Safety Wing (for everybody below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the very best business to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Be sure to inspect out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It is available in 7-, 14-, as well as 21-day passes as well as can save you a ton of money on high-speed trains!
Want a lot more info on Japan?
Be sure to go to our robust destination guide on Japan for even a lot more planning tips!