There’s a lot to like about Japan.
For one thing, English is everywhere. If your Japanese is like mine — I know sushi and teriyaki and that’s about it — you’re fine. Every sign, label and street name is posted in English as well as Japanese. Everyone speaks English or at least enough to answer simple question and they are eager to chat with you.
The women are gorgeous. They’ve figured out that the sun is not good for their porcelain skin and carry the most beautiful lace-trimmed and scalloped umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun — not the rain. I wanted one of the umbrellas until I found out they run a cool $200. (Update, our shopping revealed they can be had for $25, but I talked myself out of buying one when I tried to figure out how to get it in my suitcase.)
It gets light early here. When I woke up at 3:46 — thank you jet lag — it was light.
The people are orderly and polite. Even in a city like Tokyo — with more than 38 million people — there are no unruly crowds, no people bumping into each other and no yelling and screaming. People are down right nice. They bow to you whenever you speak to them and treat you like you are some kind of special.
Tipping is considered in poor taste. They pay their service people enough so you don’t have to tip them to compensate for a low hourly wage. What a novel concept! Waiters and waitresses in our hotel actually ran to retrieve requested items.
Tokyo is more modern than most major US cities. Before World War II, fires got rid of most of the buildings. After World War II, well — we all know what we did to each other. Now, if a building is old, they simply tear it down and build a new one. No renovations or remodeling. They like new and shiny.
They have the most incredibly high tech toilets I have ever seen. They warm your seat, spray water and do all kinds of things I don’t understand — because this is one item I have found that isn’t labeled in English. Oh yeah, they put the toilet in its own little room, as I found out when I went in our bathroom and said to Kelly, “where’s the toilet?” She had already found it across the hallway in its own little compartment.
Tokyo is one of the cleanest places I have ever visited. The streets are spotless and I haven’t seen one bit of litter — anywhere.
Public transport is amazing and easy to navigate. Well, especially if you are traveling with Kelly Thomas, the wizard of directions, maps and finding your way. We bought a 7-day rail pass in the US and it will get us all around the city and to Kyoto and back. The trains run frequently, are air-conditioned, clean and color-coded so you know which line to use. Again, English is everywhere and even announcements are made in English.
The Japanese have planned well for disabled and handicapped folks. There are plenty of elevators, ramps and every street has raised pathways to help the blind navigate streets and road crossings.
These guys have thought of everything. Most restaurants have these cute little baskets or bins that sit under your seat or behind it to hold your purse and shopping bags. No oversized purses taking up space in your lap or on the floor. And by the way, it is safe enough in Japan that you don’t have to worry about purse snatchers!
Wi-fi is everywhere and it is free. America, take note.
Iced tea is as good as anywhere in the South! I’m in heaven.
