Japan Thus Far

When I was back home a lot of people were very surprised when I said I was going to go to Japan for a while and explore the place. I was constantly hit with

"Oh my God, Duane I heard you're going to Japan?!? do you have work lined up?" or something along those lines that I ended up just saying to people when they started in on the questions
"No I don't have work lined up, I don't speak Japanese, I have no friends or family in Japan and I've never been there before, no." I couldn't understand why this was such a big deal to so many people and honestly, I still don't. Some things have been harder than expected, some things easier. I didnt think I would like the city but it was so incredibly different to what I'm used to that I'm actually hoping to go back to Tokyo and stay there for a few weeks if not a whole month.

Communication - The communication barrier can cause minor inconveniences but you just accept it for what it is and move on. Don't be so hell bent on one specific option, explore a bit. I've met some pretty cool people and seen some amazing sights. I've not even been here for a full 2 months yet but I'd like to think that I've seen some of the best things Japan has to offer but I'm not even close to being finished. I must also note that not as many people speak English as I thought they would. English has been in the school curriculum for some time now but it would appear that people remember the English they learned in school about as well as I remember the Italian and french I took.

Manners - Good manners have always been very important to me and it's amazing how polite almost everyone here is. I've been lost a couple of times and people go out of their way to try and help you and on that same note if I see someone who looks to be a foreigner and I think I can help them I ask if they need some advice. Hell, as I was leaving Kyoto there were two people from Ireland on the bus ad they seemed totally lost. I asked where they were heading and when they said they were trying to get to Arashiyama I explained that they were on the wrong bus and that this finished at Kyoto station but then recommended they bike to Arashiyama and showed them the best route on my phone, they were very happy and I like to think that I helped them enjoy a day in Kyoto a bit more.

Food - I'm allergic to shellfish so I have to be careful what I eat over here considering how prevalent seafood can be in their diets but that hasn't stopped me from trying some of their foods and for the most part, I have been very impressed. The food culture of Japan is truly amazing, from the simple snacks like dango, to their method of having 3+ bowls all on the tray and you go from one bowl to the other. Japanese Curry, Dango, Takoyaki, Nabe, Udon, the list is truly endless. Even their western based meals are done in a totally different manner at times. I had a truly fantastic steak back in Tokyo which was cooked to perfection but in thin slices so that It could be eaten with chopsticks. It was served on a bed of vegetable and a second bowl of rice and a third bowl of salad was provided with the meal. Hiro took me to a tonkatsu place where it was 500 yen for a bowl of rice, cabbage and tonkatsu but if you asked you could get 2 free bowls, one giant bowl of shredded cabbage and one of rice. it was hugely filling, cheap and delicious (seriously I took a photo of the tonkatsu sauce cause it was that delicious. I plan on buying some when I get the chance)

Use of Space - Japan seems to utilise space significantly more efficiently than we do in the west. though I see the bonus of it, the system is simply too cramped for me. Especially when the doors are a literal head to short.... (I've hit my head more times than I care to admit while walking around the cottage here in Shalom No Mori... mainly, though not limited to, when I'm half asleep. I like my open spaces and open house designs and the Japanese style simply doesn't do it for me. I would like to see how the larger traditional houses are but I'm not sure when I will get an opportunity to see one to the extent that I would like.

Public Transport - Probably the biggest difference with the public transport here is that it is so incredibly quiet. not the trains/bus itself but the people. You can get on a train that's so packed you are crushed up against other people but not a single person will speak. It's magnificent.

Biking around - Biking in the main cities is so incredibly easy. especially in Tokyo but even in Kyoto once you get used to going down the back alleys it's so much faster. it would take me 30mins on the bus to get to Kitaoji from my apartment on the bus but if I went via bicycle it would take 13-15mins at a relatively slow pace. it's not only faster and more cost efficient it was great cardio, which I normally hate but this was actually enjoyable so that's a hell of a statement.

I'll be expanding on the list when I get more time, which I've just run out of. All in all Japan has so far been an interesting place and I look forward to seeing more of it.