Any one have something good to say about Japan?

With so many threads "Hating" on Japan, I thought a thread of things we like might be in order.

Having lived in Asia for over 8 years, I have had the opportunity to visit and live in Japan off and on throughout that time. Although being a Westerner in the East can be confusing, a little weird and sometimes very frustrating, it was also the best time of my life.

Japan can be summed up very easily for me. Clean, friendly and amazing.

I found the people so friendly, especially the seniors that a smile was the norm. Asking about the food, culture and history from the local grandmother in the small convenience store down the street will always elicit a broad smile.

The smile thing is something I will always remember as public displays of anger or frustration is often met with smiles from the people around you. At first I thought that they were laughing or sneering at the foreigner having a difficult time but later found that a smile is THEIR way of being embarrassed at witnessing the situation.

It was my turn to be embarrassed.

So much pride and honesty as well. One experience is that since tipping after a meal at a small restaurant is not considered normal, the first time a left a tip on the table, I was chased down by an old man (owner I found out) with my tip in hand. He thought I left it by mistake.

So many different types of foods! I never knew so many types of seafood or veggies existed. Prepared with a care and pride that is second to none. Although I did miss a nice 16oz T-Bone at times, I find now that I miss the occasional night out at the local Sashimi restaurant. And they don't shovel it down then leave.

A meal out can last for hours! Eat, drink, socialize, eat and drink some more. What a great way to spend an evening...Loved it!

The cities were among the cleanest I have ever seen...anywhere! I have traveled all over Asia, Canada and the US and I have never seen such clean streets. A cigarette butt would not be on the street for more than 30 minutes! Amazing.

Loved Asia a lot and even now I miss it occasionally. My favorite souvenir is my Korean wife...LOL

Speaking of that, the Women of Asia are among the most beautiful I have ever seen...and Japanese Women...WOW!

BTW, noticed that a lot of the "Haters" out there don't seem to have been any closer to Japan than their TV set. Not all, but a lot.

Anyway, just thought that at this time, we could dwell on a few positive things about a nation in dire straights right now rather than a lot of the negative things I have been seeing here.

reply to post by jude11


Been there done that. Nothing bad to say. The people are great and very polite and treat amercans way better than we would treat a visiting Japanse.


I spent alot of time over there in Yonazawa way up north, Kashiwa which is near Mabashi and Noda which is near Idogwedia forget the speeling so dont quote me its been a couple of years about 2.

I can honestly say the experience was one I will never forget. I was treated like royalty.

Originally posted by Rocky Black
reply to post by jude11

 

Been there done that. Nothing bad to say. The people are great and very polite and treat amercans way better than we would treat a visiting Japanse.


I spent alot of time over there in Yonazawa way up north, Kashiwa which is near Mabashi and Noda which is near Idogwedia forget the speeling so dont quote me its been a couple of years about 2.

I can honestly say the experience was one I will never forget. I was treated like royalty.

Yeah, I was also treated like royalty almost everywhere I went. Mostly among the seniors tho. The younger generation (not all) seem to have learned disdain for outsiders in some areas. Especially the larger Metro areas where it is completely Westernized.

When I return I will stay to the smaller areas for the friendliness, food and being able to experience the older culture on a real level.

I wasn't aware there were a proliferation of ' Japan Hate' threads. Pretty disturbing, if true

Anything good to say about Japan ? SURE. It's a great culture. Very interesting

And for something ... one thing .. 'good' to say about Japan, it's this, imo --- Japan has successfully resisted the 'multiculturalism' that's been foisted by the Usual Suspects (who've excluded themselves of course) upon the rest of the dumb world

Japan is proud of its unique culture and intends to keep it unique. Japan for the Japanese. That's their right and I applaud them, even though it might have prompted the Usual Suspects to punish Japan via alleged quakes and tsunamis

Sure, lots of good things to say about Japan

Their design principles, for instance. Minimalist. Serene. Peaceful. Pleasing to the eye and soul

Another good thing about Japan ? Ok. I admire how they think long-term. Japanese potters, for example. They store away clay to be used by their grandchildren

Another good thing about Japan ? Ok. Their diet. Until they began sampling garbage western foods, the Japanese were almost cancer free

Another good thing about Japan ? Ok. Their courage. They're brave. They live in one of the most hazardous regions on earth, yet no matter how many times they're flattened and lose their families, they rebuild with minimum fuss. They're stoic. Fantastic

Another good thing about Japan ? Ok. Their demeanor. They're formal. They're disciplined. They practice self-control. They control their emotions. They're polite and don't foist their emotions on everyone else. They smile politely in the face of barbaric ignorance and rudeness. They consider it a personal failing if they give way to emotion, if they react to other's rudeness. It's admirable. We could and should learn from them

Another good thing about Japan ? Ok. Their organisation. They're in the process of installing massive tunnels beneath their major cities at HUGE expense, in order to protect vital communication, energy and water sources in the event of natural and other disasters. They just plod on, doing it all, with minimum fuss and fanffare, while tsunamis and earthquakes and floods rage around them. They don't give up and they learn from experience and observation. Which leads us to another good thing about Japan -- they're smart

I could go on all day with good things about Japan

Something good to say?....gooood luck

I have toured Japan several times. The people there always treated me so gracious.
The food, the culture and the serene temples are something I look forward to taking in again sometime in the future.Such a beautiful place.

Also I ate fuku fish in Fukushima. Not sure if that counts for anything.

I love sushi?

reply to post by jude11


I wasn't aware of any threads bashing Japan, those must be some sad people. I was stationed in Yokosuka Japan aboard the Kitty Hawk from 1999-2002. I remember being excited because my mom had worked with people from Fujitsu so I had always wanted to check the place out. I was nervous because I was going to me moving to a foreign country for several years and I had only been out the country once to Mexico.

The bus that took us from Narita airport to Yokosuka arrived at base late I think like 10pm then we waited for taxi's to take us to our ships. It was weird sitting in what was 14 hours ago the drivers seat to me but the passenger seat in Japan. The cabbie obviously had experience shuttling around FNG's he told us a little bit about the city etc.. then told us before he dropped us off don't tip unless your in a bar and they have a tip jar otherwise it's insulting. I followed that rule until I saw a homeless man, the only one I ever saw in Yokosuka at that. I tried to give him 500 yen which was roughly 5 dollars at the time, it didn't work out well.

I also remember that the Japanese LOVE to party, like dance on the tables party which was shocking at first since the media portrays them as completely shy and reserved at all times. It's one of the few countries where you can walk down dark alley's and be safe. They also seem to be one of the few countries on the planet that still have respect and honor ingrained into them. I never once saw or even heard of anyone underage buying liquor,smokes,or porn from any of the many vending machines.

great people, i know quite a few here in the states and they make great neghbors, allways quiet and respectfull

never been to japan but would love to go, with so many people there it seems like its a realy clean country, im sure they have there slums (what city dont?) but have never seen any pictures



my heart goes out to all the people in japan!!! im sure they will bounce back stronger then before!!




be safe people

reply to post by Silverado292


Yes, I found the patying to be way too much for me. Couldn't keep up with them!

As for the safety, I remembering being so shocked watching kids playing in the alleys and streets sometimes at night with no adults around. I was angry at first assuming that no one cared but found out later that it's quite normal for this to happen as they don't seem to have the creeps preying on kids like in the West. Dunno.

I imagine it does happen but not on such a large scale as to put the kids on lockdown when the sun sets.

reply to post by jude11



Here's a funny story, Absinthe at least when I was there was legal and sold in bars. Well one night a few buddies decided it would be fun to have several drinks of Absinthe and pineapple juice after a few of those we then decided in our infinite wisdom that would be a great time to do 2 shots of habu sake a piece. I don't remeber leaving going down stairs into another bar meeting some girl I had never seen before and leaving, not with her though.

What I do remember is waking up in the backseat of a Skyline with two very tattooed guys on either side of me. The first thought through my head was "Great somehow I pissed off the Yakuza and I'm going to die." The guy on my right said "Hey you're awake" I said yes and asked where we were going. They then said I ended up 50km from base with no taxi or train ticket and they were and they were taking me back to base. They pulled up close to the gate, this was pre-911 and I got out of the car. They said I should definitely go to sleep I agreed, they then left but I didn't end up going back to base but I'll end the story there.

I wanted to add that their tap water tastes like bottled water, it's very good drinking.

reply to post by jude11



Thats very true and thats why a lot of people I met that had families did their entire 20 years, minus stateside training in Japan. They all said they did it because they wanted their kids to be in a safe environment, not to mention the best base schools were located there. I didn't realize Yokosuka was close to half a million people it felt like a town of maybe 50,000, the early morning was very quite and peaceful it was really nice walking down the street.

Life for many would have been very different without Nintendo's and Playstations. I know I have owned more than one of each through my life.

Originally posted by woodwardjnr
Life for many would have been very different without Nintendo's and Playstations. I know I have owned more than one of each through my life.

Ok, I do have to say that my only real complaint is Karaoke. It's everywhere over there and aauuuggghhhh!

There, I said it....LOL

Imho they are role models. I mean look at how there is no looting or anything of that nature. And the fact they don't seem to hold any grudges due to fat man and little boy. In light of the recent tragedy, they are simply fkn resilient, calm like a bomb


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ANIME!!



If you don't love anime, just watch Bakemonogatari and then you will, or watch YuYu Hakusho both will make you love Japan/anime!

I plan on visiting Japan sometime in the next 5 years(I was going to stay a month this June but the damge may take a few years to be completely back to normal). I honestly can't wait.

Secure

They make awesome swords, and great monster movies.

Never been there, but the few Japanese folks I've met were very friendly.

Dig that Green Tea! Yeah!!

We get a lot of japanese tourists and students, even through the conflicts here when most others were in absentia. They have NEVER caused any trouble, neither do any Germans for that matter. Most other of the human species in part, seem to have some kind of chip on the shoulder. I guess some of the hate rants can be seen on youtube feedbacks relating to the big earthquake, most of those replies are in english.