Japan

Since coming to Asia, Aaron and I have wanted to go to Japan. Forty eight countries comprise Asia, and we have only been to 4 of those countries. Now that I’ve just returned from Japan, I can say I’ve been to five! Some of our next Asia travel destinations include: Tibet, western China, and Singapore.

I honestly didn’t study up on Japan before I went. My good friend Tom, from middle school days, was waiting for me when I arrived, so I didn’t have to stress about doing anything alone. This small factor made a big difference in the comfort level of my trip. This is actually the first time I’ve traveled to visit someone in Asia. All other travels have been raw and do-it-yourself.

Maeli and I flew into Fukuoka, Japan on a Friday afternoon. Fukuoka is a small international airport in southern Japan. We paid $22USD for one bus ticket to Sasebo, Japan. The two hour bus ride was all scenic once we got out of the city of Fukuoka. I marveled at pine forests, something I dearly miss from my days of living in the Pacific North West. The Japanese tiled roofs were a cozy sight set alongside neatly trimmed bonsai-style trees. The terrain was rolling, covered in the changing dress of autumn. Red dots spotted the otherwise deep green mountainsides.

Once in Sasebo, with population of a quarter of a million people, Tom was a more than gracious host. He took us to a mountain top, to the nature park/zoo, to the famous Sasebo burger joint, out for sushi, to a real hibachi restaurant, to temple grounds, and to a large shopping arcade/street market. We only had two full days together, but we made the most of it.

It’s hard not to make sweeping comparisons and generalizations about the places you travel to. I found myself constantly taking notes. Here are a few of those sweeping observations:

1. Japanese are the most mannered Asians I ever met.
2. Japanese philosophy is “build something meticulously” whereas the Chinese cling to “build as fast and cheap as you can.”
3. It’s true…Japan is very expensive.
4. Don’t forget to bow, and then bow some more. You can never be too polite.
5. Japanese love gadgets and comfort. I never sat on a warm toilet seat until I went to Japan.
6. Japan is VERY safe.
7. Japanese like small portions, be it food, vehicles, or living spaces.

I was sad to leave Japan. I felt like there were so many more parts to see and secret places to discover. Japan very much felt like a well kept secret. I look forward to returning someday with Aaron. If we do go, I hope we fly into Osaka airport and then take the bus to Kyoto. I dare not fly into Tokyo without first seeing “old Japan”, which is best seen in Kyoto. And anyway, this country girl might get lost in a city of over twelve million people.