A future forward nation. Review on Japan, General

“Good afternoon !” welcome to Japan “ were the first words I heard from a Japanese security personnel as soon as I got into their airport. I was taken aback because in my foreign tours to other countries I never experienced such kindness. Moreover, Rumor had it that Japanese people are standoffish and only spoke in Japanese. This is a misconception about them. Japanese people in general are very nice, polite and do speak English in big cities.

Some of the salient features of Japan I noticed during my visit are:

1.World’s best technology:

a) Their Shinkansen( ultra- fast bullet trains) I used to travel in for going between Osaka and Tokyo. The departure time form Osaka to Tokyo is 8.47, the trains pulls into the station effortlessly at 8.45, passengers board in queue and the train departs at 8.47, precisely on time. Amazing punctuality, tremendous efficiency ! . The ride is silken smooth with pin- drop silence inside ,except sweet wishes like‘Ohio gazaimas’: Good morning , and announcements in Japanese and English.

b)Another interesting aspect was the electronic vending machines, dispensing almost any product from whisky to under garnments). What’s worth noting apart from the machines being high high-tech is the attitude of the people. I have never seen teenagers hanging around these machines for booze. I doubt if Indian culture has the maturity to keep the teenagers away from such temptations.

2.Beautiful land : Nearly 70% of the Island nation is covered by mountains and hills. Lowlands and deeply indented bays with good natural harbors decorate the mountainous terrain. Mount Fuji is a picture perfect spectacle displaying poster perfect scenes at all times. If you are trekking freak you can even climb it.

The Pearl bridge or the ‘Akashi shaib’ bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world .When lighted up in night it looks like a string of pearls. It a treat to the eye.

I stood in awe when I visited some of the beautiful botanical gardens. The smell of burning incense and complete serenity were inspiring.

Shopping in Japan is very enjoyable, I spent my evenings hanging around near these high rises and the punk rock stores. There are not many pubs , but Hard-rock cafes in Osaka and Tokyo are worth a visit. Many watering holes had one staircase with Led Zeppelin’s huge posters of ‘stairway to heaven’ near the entrance.

I dunno what really happens there but I saw blonde(dyed), Yuppie type boys & girls in high spirits, practicing their college English go up and down the stairs.

3)Interesting Culture : Japan’s rich cultural and traditional heritage, their social manifestation and cultural expressions of art are fascinating. One intriguing aspect is their language. It has many letters and Chinese symbols called ‘Kanji ‘each stroke in the writing has a certain order a direction and a purpose.

They basically eat rice and always use chopsticks. It is sight of amazement to watch them grab a shrimp, a seaweed, a ginger root and the rice etc., simultaneously in one fast motion and put them neatly in the mouth. I had a tough time doing that with dropping. But I suggest this art should be mastered coz’ their food is wonderful.

Learn some conversational Japanese to find yourself the right train and restaurant. You often get to hear cool looking school kid say ‘guy jean’ (stupid foreigner) if you approach them on street for directions. Kids use internet on cellphones and see maps for directions.

I really have nothing negative to add on Japan. Hope you are encouraged to visit Japan after reading this, my ‘anniversary at MS ‘ review.

Arigato gazaimas. !