Top 5: The Best of Japan

Japan is a wonderfully strange place. Only recently have Western influences started to have any kind of affect; for the most part Japan retains its unique balance of rich history and tradition against the highly modern and technically advanced. What truly makes Japan special is the respect for detail, quality, and simplicity that goes into all things.

Below are my 5 favorite things about Japan:

1. The Food

Oh-my-oishii. The food in Japan is out of this world, and that isn’t just limited to sushi. There’s a sense of pride and attention to detail that goes into every dish – so be it udon or unagi (eel), you can be sure that the chef is a master of his trade.

2. The Respect

Walk into any Japanese establishment and you’ll have been welcomed, thanked, and bowed to more than 20 times within a few minutes. Japanese culture thrives on respect and kindness for others.

3. Cute Everything

Japan is well known for its kawaii culture. Simply put, everything is adorable.

Cat Cafe in Shinjuku

Food as an art form

Maid Cafe in Akihabara

The cutest pair of best friends you ever saw

4. The Convenience

Life in Japan is nothing if not convenient.  The railway network is highly efficient, and you can expect your train to arrive exactly as scheduled 99.99% of the time.

Shinkansen Bullet Train

Photo by midorisyu

Vending machines practically outnumber people in Japan- the official ratio is 1 machine per every 24 people!

How well does your vending machine know you? These high tech, touch screen vending machines use facial recognition to make a recommendation based on each customer.

5. The Cleanliness

Japan is a very clean country. There is zero trash on the street (and for that matter, zero trash cans). Hand towels are given at the beginning and end of every meal. When someone is sick, they wear a face mask to prevent spreading the illness to others around them.

Photo by David A.

And finally…

Let’s just be honest – going to the toilet in Japan is an adventure in and of itself.
 
 

And luxury like you can’t even imagine. These toilets not only wave, they sing, massage, warm, cool, spray, and about anything else you could possibly ask for.

 

What do you love about Japan?