I felt like taking a break from my usual articles that detail my crypto (mis)adventures. Reminiscing about Japan was a natural choice for me because I lived there for two memorable years as an Assistant Language Teacher with the Japan Exchange Teaching program. Most notably, this was how I met my wife-to-be. She’s Japanese, so I have managed to remain connected to Japan and all its quirky idiosyncrasies all these years. 

I will attempt to include authentic insights accumulated from navigating the Japanese society so that I can provide you with fresh perspectives that are not available in run-of-the-mill travel articles. Do let me know if I have succeeded in the comments below.

1) Japanese’ Relationship With Food

One thing that was hard for me to adjust to was its numerous food-related TV programs that bombarded my consciousness. I am ashamed to confess that I judged the Japanese people for being shallow enough to be so obsessed with food. However, as I understood Japanese people, I realised what a fool I was. 

Foreigners have the impression that Japan is a homogeneous society, which is partially true because Japanese people follow social norms conscientiously, almost to a fault. However, when it comes to food, each of its 47 prefectures has signature dishes that cannot be found easily elsewhere. This is because Japanese people are by nature ‘kodawari’ (pay close attention to small details) and leverage the climatic conditions specific to their prefecture to prioritise the growing of certain foods. For example, Kumamoto Prefecture is known for producing the most number of tomatoes in the whole of Japan. Expect to savour delicious tomato ramen while you are in Kumamoto.

Beyond fulfilling your palate, food in Japan represents how the Japanese people are unified with Mother Nature and are committed to doing their prefecture proud by producing drool-worthy agricultural products. It exemplifies their personal pride and professional dedication.

2) Japanese’s Wild Festivals

The popular stereotype of Japanese people is that they are shy and stoic people. I agree with this stereotype to a certain extent as the Japanese are brought up on the notion of “omoroyari” (consideration for others). As such, they may hesitate to share their opinions openly, for fear of hurting other people’s feelings. However, when the Japanese people are interacting with people they know well, they noticeably shed their inhibitions. This can be best illustrated in summer when the entire country explodes into life with its wacky and boisterous festivals.

No matter where you go, you will be greeted by a riot of noise and colour as the Japanese do possessions on elaborate floats, dance to catchy tunes on the same beat and compete with one another in an amazing show of athleticism.

Summer is notoriously hot and humid in Japan, so this is perhaps why the Japanese people go on the offensive in their festivals in a bid to prove that they will not be defeated by the sweltering heat. In any case, travel to Japan in July and August if you can so that you can witness this extravaganza of unbridled joy and energy!

3) Japan’s Harmony Between Tradition and Technology

Japan is a land of contradictions. On one hand, it clings persistently to its rich history, with samurai houses and castles wonderfully preserved. On the other hand, it charges relentlessly towards the future and implements technological initiatives that are hard to find elsewhere in the world. Case in point: Robots are ingeniously used as service staff in many retail outlets in Japan. 

Hence, in Japan, I find that several relationships with time occur simultaneously in the same place. It is memory-driven because its youth employ time-honoured techniques to keep traditional crafts and delicacies alive and flourishing. It is also dream-driven because its latest buildings make good use of technology to project a surrealist and futuristic look. 

It is interesting for me to observe how the Japanese people straddle the past and future so effortlessly. I’m sure a trip to Japan will be a revelation for you too. Who knows, it might just be the impetus for you to examine your own relationship with time.