Our final night in Japan has been spent stuffing our faces, after "happy hour" drinks, at the buffet here at the Narita Hilton. We have been in Japan almost 12 days and I think it is far to say that we have all loved the place. The things I have loved in particular:
1. The people first and foremost. Unbelievably polite and gracious. They queue better than the British. They are not loud or rude. The bowing is extraordinary, whether it be the conductors and attendants who push the food trolley on the train or the entire staff of Isetan Kyoto, who bowed this morning en mass as Tess and the kids entered the store as it opened.
2. The snow. It is fantastic.
3. The food. Although certain sushi is incredibly expensive. I can live without the green tea too.
4. The trains. The Shinkansen is great but the wide view limited express trains we caught were also brilliant, and with much better views than the "bullet" trains.
5. Isetan/Sogo etc. The food halls put David Jones' in Sydney to shame and leave anything on offer in provincial England in the shade.
6. The beer. I have been reminded how much I like Kirin on tap.
7. The cleanliness. The streets are free of rubbish and dog poo, you are given moist towels to clean every time you eat anywhere (or get on the Shinkansen).
8. The onsens. Liberating to get your kit off and sit in hot springs and not worry about doing so as none of the locals care a hoot about what you look like when you have shed your clothes.
9. The hills and mountains are everywhere and in many places come right down to the sea. The countryside is very beautiful.
10. The locals' obsessions with silly things like waving cat toys, manga and pachinko.
With so much to like would I want to live here?
I don't think so. I am spoilt in having a house with a large garden. Here, virtually everyone has to live on top of each other. The fact that the Japanese are so polite and do not swear or belch or blow their nose in public would also be a bit of a challenge for me !
There is a lot to admire here. The ingenuity of a nation to adapt where most of the land cannot be used easily is impressive. Their ability to live in such a crowded country with such decorum and mutual respect. The warm welcome and overriding friendliness we have experienced.
I will want to return.
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