An Ode to Japan

Everything may look the same from above, but what is happening on the ground is something you need to feel, touch, see, and examine. Take Tokyo on a Tuesday afternoon at 4:15. The business district, which has already started to shed its usual commuters due to the upcoming holiday. A peaceful, quiet area filled with main train stations, commercial buildings, designer shops, and beautiful eateries resting on the 9th and 10th floor. Our first crosswalk we were met with a red walking man. We were standing ten feet from it, in what was the smallest crosswalk we had ever seen. To our left, a gentleman. Our right, a student. Everyone patiently waiting. There was no car in sight. No cyclist. No truck. No curve that had a sign in Japanese akin to the “hidden driveway” type aspect you may see here. However, the red walking man stayed that way for ten seconds. Alex and I looked at each other. “I guess they don’t walk on red,” I softly exclaimed. “Oh, yea that’s a thing here. I read about it” Alex promptly responded.

That was our first welcome to Japan moment and there were so many to count and way too many to write about.

I wish I could write in detail about more of them. Like the elevators that definitely don’t have sensor motion and will continue moving whether your hand is there or not. The toilets that have heated seats and a nice bidet if you’d like. The utensils or lack thereof. A plethora of immaculate public bathrooms. A cash heavy environment – have your Yen ready and be ready to do some quick calculations in your head to minimize the change in coins. The quietest trains and even quieter bars. No water to drink unless requested, but tea? Tea is your water, and it comes before, during, and after every meal. For me, that was a major plus. Big tea guy.

I wish I could say anything bad about the place. The people are more polite than you could envision, but couple the politeness with methodical preparation and organization.

Looking down on Tokyo, it all hit me. It may look the same as other cities. Just as farmland in Austria looks like farmland in Texas. But what is happening on the ground is entirely different, which warrants exploration. Warrants understanding what a different culture is like. Learning from it – the cleanliness, the quietness, the respectfulness, the trustworthiness – and understanding why it is done that way. A group-like mentality and approach that puts good service above good tips. There is only great service. And there are no tips allowed. You are welcomed into a community that wants to welcome you. Limited judgement, loads of appreciation.

I loved Japan. I loved Tokyo. It is a beautiful place. With beautiful people – for how they approach the world. We can learn from it.