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| Meiji Jingu - Yoyogi Park - Harajuku |
I admit, Japan is not the cheapest place to travel. It's not known for it's over the ocean bungalows, or lost civilizations, and sometimes the mind numbing amount of people you have to shuffle through the subway station with can indeed be super overwhelming.
So why then?
Japan Brings Me Back
I like Japan for both practical and abstract reasons. First of all, I grew up with Japanese anime, variety shows, and dramas. My childhood was filled with all types of Japanese references, culture, food, humor, and romance that I get from watching tv and reading comic books. Even though there were a lot of Taiwanese shows or dramas from Hong Kong too, I think I naturally gravitated towards Japanese shows because I could relate to them more. As I grew older, Japan got on my bucket list, and it wasn't even the touristy Japan that I wanted to see and experience (like the temples in Kyoto...etc.), but the "daily life", in a way, portrayed in the shows I watched.
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| Breakfast from Tsukiji Market |
I wanted to feel the summer heat as described in Shaman King, and ride the Yamanote line like I read in Slam Dunk (yes they're all old comics, stop trying to deduce my age). I was extremely interested in the culture that fostered the characters I loved and the people who created these amazingly addictive stories.
So when I get on a train in Tokyo and hear the station manager's broadcast, I am brought back to the many movies and drama I've watched. When I smell the yakitori grilling on the street and hear the sounds of festivals coming from the temples, I feel as if I'm one of the characters from my favorite stories. Everything seems so familiar even though I've never seen them before, and everything feels like home even though I've never been there.
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| Tokyo Tower |
I Love Rules & Structure
One of my favorite Youtuber describes Japan's rules as "less flexible", and in my experience, that's definitely the case. It doesn't matter if it's an actual law or just a sign put up by a vendor, people in Japan tend to follow it. Another video I've watched before surveyed some random Japanese people on the streets of Shibuya about what they disliked about foreigners and many of them mentioned the fact that foreigners often don't follow rules or bend them to suit their own needs. It got me thinking, that perhaps they're not so much "forced" to follow rules but actually values them.
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| Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo |
A really great thing that comes from this is that Japan has an extremely low crime rate. 5-6 year old kids often commute by themselves and I've seen crates of eggs left in front of an unopened restaurant in the morning before it opened. I've heard that people leave their bikes unlocked and almost always, when you lose something, it will be taken to the lost and found. This is quite different from many countries where pickpockets are more prevalent, and this gives me a sense of relief that makes the trip go a lot easier, especially when you don't know anybody or speak the language.
I believe this rule following behaviour also led to the culture of being more explicit. For instance, there is usually a predetermined price, various deals/discounts, and their parameters / requirements listed on web sites or brochures already. No bargaining is ever needed, from groceries to souvenirs, there's no need to worry about being ripped off or needing to deal with hidden fees. All you have to do is be willing to do the research and pick the variation that suits you best.
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| Zojoji, near Tokyo Tower |
Japan also loves their processes and procedures. To ensure that everyone is treated fairly, everyone needs to go through the same process. This is seen across most things you do each day, from the method of ordering a bowl of ramen to instructions on how to operate the toilet, there is no shortage of instructions and manuals that teaches people how to correctly follow rules.
I Feel Independent
When I went to Bali I relied mainly on taxis and drivers. The traffic was quite hectic, and I was never sure if the price quoted to me was the right one. In North America, I usually resort to car rentals for convenience sake, or public transportation if I'm trying to save money. However, public transportation does not always get you where you want to go and often requires a lengthy amount of time transferring .
In Japan, especially in the cities, there are trains / buses that run frequently and gets you from any point A to any point B without too much hassle. I feel completely independent and comfortable that I am able to get anywhere I want without needing to rely on other people or use expensive alternatives. Of course if you travel a far distance, the prices starts getting exhausting, and if you are in the country-side, the buses might not be as straight forward. But for me, a regular tourist that frequent major cities and major sights, getting around is always a breeze.
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| Il Bar @ Bvlgari, Ginza, Tokyo |
In the end, I keep returning to Japan because it's a place where I feel relaxed and at ease. I feel safe no matter where I go, and I can trust the rules and processes to ensure I'm treated fairly. Sure, Japan's got issues of their own, but I love the food, the culture, and I can get around freely. For someone on vacation who just wants a place filled with cool things to explore, it sounds like the perfect place for me.
Love.
