BIG tiny World Travel

It’s been a few years since we first visited Japan, but that trip was a huge milestone for us. It was Aaron’s first overseas journey, and it was a real dive into the deep end.  It was the first major trip we took since our honeymoon (for which we had the assistance of a travel agent), and it was the first time I visited a place that did not speak my native language.

These 12 days are probably also largely responsible for the travel bugs that now fully infest our lives.

We learned a lot about travel and about ourselves with that trip, and we will always hold it in our hearts as that first little wanderlust nugget. These are some of the things we miss about Japan.. and some we don’t.

Things We miss:

1. The cleanliness
2. The utter lack of crime and constant sense of security
3. The manners/respect/(not-so-)common courtesy
4. Honesty and integrity with everyone – no one is out to scam you; no one will steal your things
5. Omnipresent vending machines – with hot drinks
6. Standing on one side of the escalators to allow others to walk on the other side (honestly, this just makes so much sense)
7. No expectation of tipping
8. Sane/non-intrusive homeless population
9. Heated toilet seats
10. The fun train station tones

11. The expectation that most people walk (run) or bike
12. The orderly lines to board the trains (allowing for others to get off first) – the fact that we haven’t figured this out yet marks us as inferior beings
13. Awesome sushi track delivery
14. Entertaining English
15. Washlets
16. Incredibly reliable and frequent trains
17. Amazing food wherever you look

18. Designated outdoor smoking areas (that are easy to avoid) and the societal discouragement from smoking elsewhere
19. Everything is cute!  From the maps and no smoking signs to graffiti and food
20. JMTV – I could have this playing in the background all the time (though the videos would be understandably distracting)
21. Cats EVERYWHERE

Things We don’t miss:

1. The crazy/impatient drivers (though we have plenty of those here, too)
2. The packed trains
3. Bicycles on the sidewalks
4. The need for so much cash
5. The lack of language fluency (which I could change)
6. Less respect for women
7. High-pressure society
8. Smoking in the restaurants
9. The general disregard for the environment

Return trip bucket list (in no particular order):

1. Cat Island(s)
2. Go back to Fushimi Inari Shrine (during the day)
3. Go back to the Arishiyama Bamboo Grove (during the night)

4. Mt. Fuji
5. Witness a street festival (Tanbata, etc.)
6. Spend a day wandering in yukata/kimono
7. Stay with a Japanese family for the day-to-day experience
8. Hiroshima for the history
9. Okinawa
10. Go to a true onsen
11. Owl cafe
12. Have a watermelon on a Japanese beach

Final Thoughts

I seriously thought about what might have been my “most memorable moment,” but I really couldn’t come up with anything specific.  Every day was a unique and exciting experience.

Overall, it was (of course) an incredible trip that has left us memories for a lifetime.  We will go back, and the experiences there have already reshaped our lives.  I can’t encourage others enough.  Go to Japan.  You won’t regret it.

What do you miss most about your favorite destination?

Psst… do you love reading about Japan?  You might also enjoy these:

• 5 Lessons Learned as a Foreigner in Japan
• How to use Japanese Squat Toilets: Avoid Accidents and Go Like a Pro
• Cat Cafes in Japan

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