The more I travel the less exotic the world feels. But places like Japan have remained in the exotic realm, a place I wasn't sure I'd ever visit. We planned this trip with our dear friends the Stephensons, adding to the long list of amazing travel experiences we've shared together as families. It was an incredible 10 days of explorations and experiences that gave us a really good overview of Japanese culture. We spent the first three days in Tokyo, then a further six days in Kyoto with daytrips to Hiroshima and Miyajima as well as to Nara. We finished off the trip with a quick stay at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort enjoying a day and a night at Tokyo Disney.
Japan is unlike most anywhere we have been before. We are chipping away at our Asian travel list having been to a few places in southeast and also central Asia, but just like any world region you realise how unique each culture is when you take yourself there. Japan is easily the most unique place we have visited, a lot less like any other place we have experienced so far. A very quiet culture, the people are so reserved and subtle in all they do. Everyone is quiet and calm, no shouting, no loud telephone conversations on the train, no shoving and racing around or loud chatter really anywhere. So clean Japan feels like a lesson in extreme sanitation. Whether it's the medical masks that many Japanese wear, or the cleansing wipes and antibacterial gel found in nearly every public space or the overuse of plastics to safeguard all (but the planet), you feel as though you could eat off the train floor! I think Japan might be cleaner than Singapore, which is a tough standard to beat. Above all the people are respectful. They show respect through all they do, the mannerisms of social interaction as people bow in many contexts to one another or handing people things with great care, always with two hands. It's all very careful, intentional and full of respect. I think they must think the rest of the world are barbarians in even moderate versions of western behaviour. By comparison we are so loud, pushy, open and changeable. I think we can learn a lot from the Japanese here. Though I also see the downsides to such a reserved culture. They are also very prescriptive, and taking different options of what is offered is virtually unheard of and not catered to. While this makes for good efficiency, and a simple way forward with few misunderstandings, I wonder how this stifles creativity, how this frustrates personal preferences and how it prevents freedom of expression. As with any culture I take the good with the bad and learn what I can from it.
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