lifestyle

9 random reasons to love Japan

73 Comments
By Michelle

A few months ago, RocketNews found the top 25 things in Japan most likely to blow foreigner’s minds. This time, we asked foreigners (all men) to tell us what makes Japan such a great place. Those surveyed came from France, the United States, Tunisia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Malta and Ireland.

Ranging from seemingly mundane to large-scale societal characteristics, readers explain why they love Japan.

1. The image of Japanese people being polite held true even at the airport immigration check point.

Visitors to Japan were impressed by the courtesy and politeness of Japanese airport officials. When entering other countries, many travelers have faced unpleasant immigration officials with scowling faces who haphazardly toss back passports without so much as a smile. Having interacted with hoards of unfriendly airport workers, it is refreshing to find that those representing the entrance to Japan are so pleasant.

2. The yakitori shops are amazing

“Cheap and delicious! What more can you ask for?” said those surveyed, referring to the grilled chicken kabobs famous in Japan. Yakitori shops usually feature counter-seating which adds to the quick, cheap-eating atmosphere, although high-class sit-down yakitori restaurants exist. A favorite drinking snack, each skewer of chicken costs around 100 to 200 yen. If you’re looking for something grilled, meaty, and cheap, look no further than yakitori.

3. Police officers and government workers don’t act like they are better than the people they serve

We’ve all experienced it: the police officer who treats you like a criminal; the government worker who seems hell bent on making your paperwork filing process as unpleasant as possible. But many foreigners were relieved to find that interactions with these notorious government officials in Japan weren’t so bad. Police officers are said to be very polite and government workers seemed to do their best to expedite transactions.

4. The food is so good! Japanese chefs are like artists.

Famous for having a delicate hand and a focus on utilizing the natural flavor of ingredients, Japanese chefs are praised around the world for their simplistic cooking style. Presentation is also a very important aspect of Japanese cuisine, adding an artistic flare to already delicious dishes.

5. Japan has a strong moral value system

A man from Singapore commented that many people from his country are in pursuit of the 5 Cs (condominium, car, credit card, cash, and career). However, in Japan, many people live by a different value system: the 4 S’s (service, social, sustainable, share). From creating a plentiful life to fostering a prosperous society, the Japanese moral value system aims to create cohesive social order.

Whether you agree with Japan’s value system or not, it’s undeniable that Japan has achieved a surprisingly safe environment. I have personally lost a wallet containing the equivalent of $1,000 in Osaka, one of Japan’s largest cities with a population comparable to that of Chicago. Both the wallet and money were returned the next day. There are many stories of this kind. A woman leaves her purse on a train, purse rides train all day. A man loses his wallet, finds it warming the bench he left it on several hours earlier. These stories are more than old wives tales.

6. Edamame is delicious

“It’s so simple, but it’s the perfect pairing with a beer. Awesome!” says everyone who’s ever had the pleasure of eating edamame during a night of drinking. Described simply as “boiled, salted soy beans,” the Japanese word, edamame, is well-known all over the world. Even Beyonce is rumored to be hooked on these little green beans.

7. Japanese are tactful when it comes to discussing money

Many people in Japan don’t flaunt their wealth and very few ask about other people’s income. It’s not that Japanese people are disgusted by wealth; it’s just not a high priority for many people.

8. Excellent personal hygiene, no littering

Many foreigners commented that they appreciated the cleanliness of Japanese people. Almost everyone displayed excellent personal hygiene and streets were litter-free.

9. People are very patient and show restraint even under the most stressful situations

During the Tohoku Earthquake that shook Japan in March 2011, images of displaced workers walking home in an orderly line were splashed across screens all over the world. Before and after pictures of gaping holes carved into asphalt by the shaking ground earned praise from abroad for Japan’s speedy repair work. Japan’s most recent earthquake is one of many examples cited by foreigners as a testament to Japan’s perseverance and restraint. In addition, most office workers must work overtime and ride a crowded train home every day. Although it’s uncomfortable, Japanese workers are never seen complaining about their unpleasant commute. “Their restraint is amazing! Are they aliens?” commented one expat.

There’s sure to be exceptions as Japan isn’t quite the utopic society that many envision, but there is still something very special going on in Japan. From edamame to surprisingly pleasant government workers, our readers have shown us that there are many reasons to love Japan.

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


73 Comments
Login to comment

People are very patient and show restraint even under the most stressful situations. AND THEN as a way of relieving that suppressed stress and their troubles they kill other people or themselves.
-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If you test two big cities - eg Paris and Tokyo one after the other - fast - the diffs become clearer - I mean that people are nice - and nasty - in very different ways. Life is better, and worse - in very different ways. Theres something, someone to love - pretty much everywhere.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wouldnt agree with number 3. The police are lovely. Government workers though....hit and miss. Lots of jobsworths amongst them. The post office in particular has some very anal people, very strict on the letter of the law and all that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In Tokyo, every eating place I've wandered into to eat serves excellent food and drink. I have never been disappointed and it's like on every single trip to Tokyo I've discovered a new good place to eat to add to those I had found on earlier trips!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Great article. I visit Japan whenever possible, and this article accurately sums-up why. I've found Japan is a beautiful country with wonderful people and culture.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Police officers and government workers don’t act like they are better than the people they serve I feel that there is the same sense of privilege but "Japanese are tactful" "and show restraint " so you don't notice so much, at first.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i agree to all mentioned.... but "Excellent personal hygiene"? uhmmmm..... no?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The problem with "Japan is great" articles is that they often act like Japan is unique in having on positive thing or another, when there's invariably some other country with the same upside. Fortunately, the writer avoids this trap.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

5, #8, and #9 i would think otherwise. For the rest are pretty much alright.
0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan seems like a very touching country. Very welcoming with an open heart. I have heard that they don't like foreigners, but there has been a lot of evidence to counteract such a statement. I myself do not think that they don't like foreigners. I feel as though they like people to know of them and their culture because ,in general, it is beautiful. Who wouldn't want to show others, no matter how small, true beauty? Those who have had bad experiences, I would just call it a bad day. Not to mention, you cant expect a country to be perfect in every way because their is no such country. I think its enough to receive kindness, and that's how you should remember Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

that is a very touching story, lovely. thanks for sharing that. I am glad that many posting understand the wonderful nature of Japanese culture and people. That will prevail i am sure.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I took mt son to Japan this year and we had lots of funny stories to tell but one about politness will remain with me for a long time, we were in a shop called Mitsoskoshi in Niigata, we was bying some expensive chop stick and other goods, after we had paid for then a shop assistent approched us and told us we could get the tax back as we were foriners,she escoted us to another floor we sat down and waited, then the floor manager asked us for our passports, but our passports back at the local hotel, so my son run back and returned with them, then we found out we was just under the limit for tax exemption, their was lots of humble appoligies and embarest faces. I was not to put out so we carried on with our visit, later on that evening this shop assistent had found out where we was staying came into the resturant and apoligised again and gave us a gift of tea and biscuits, we told her not to worries and thanked her. Where else would you get that sevice from ?? you have got NO chance in the UK>

2 ( +3 / -1 )

i ment eel.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

what about ell yakitori? is it good i heard it was . i wanna try it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

i would like to experience japan someday. but as the saying goes if it sounds to good to be true it probably is. i do know that here in the us litter is one of many problems. we have roadkill and poop to watch out for when your walking around. the townships don't cleanup dead animals ever and people do not clean up after their pets. i am embarrassed at how disgusting people here actually are. if what they say is true japan has pride in what people see and how they are seen as a country . there was a story in the us were a little girl found a half eaten squirrel an tried to do the right thing and bury it and is now battling bubonic plague. very sad story.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

hmmm,well i used to travel alot specially between africa middle east and asia,only went to japan for a month and loved it still loving it , the most hospitable good peoples on planet earth is udoubtly japanese. their culture is vers fine,business,social etequte are just so awesome never in my life i have imptressed so much as japan, indeed a very tranquil society with a touch of class regardless of finincial stautus or ethinic groups, may god bless japan

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have never been to Japan, but since I was a child I started to learn a bit about Japanese culture and customs. I wish all Mexicans would be as organized, respectful, clean, and polite (ok most are polite) as Japanese peoples. Keep dreaming.

Still, there are some aspects that Japanese should work hard on: prostitution and easy access to sex material and child pornography, and high suicide rates.

Nevertheless, I still consider Japan as a nice country for living.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A wonderful and very revealing thread. I agree with the positive posts. The negative posters and comments, just about everyone, reveals not negatives about Japan but sad lack of courtesy and manners on the part of the poster, sorry to say, please excuse me, i do not mean it as a personal criticism, just an observation. I have lived in Europe and the USA as well, and know what is common in both, and sadly none compare to Japan and the marvelous individual and cultural courtesy and respect that allows millions of people to live in very close proximity to each other and in families, a number of people in a few rooms, in constant daily contact, yet the practice of manners and courtesy allow and support great personal space and grace. Same for public spaces, trains, and busy cities and towns. In the end, people still can and do care a lot and practice close friendship and intimacy of a different sort from the West which is often overly aggressive, overly personal, and embarassing to a sensitive person. I am very glad Japan is Japan ,and that some realize and appreciate this and can therefore enjoy it along with Japanese.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I'm from the Southeastern part of the U.S., which is justifiably known for being polite (to a fault), but my fellow Southerners could still learn a thing or two from many of the Japanese I meet in my visits.

All the bowing and thank yous in the shops make me feel like my business is really appreciated. Which makes me feel appreciated in general and really makes a good day that much better.

I can't help but wonder the origins of number 8 (personal hygiene), considering how rare it is to see soap or paper towels (or air dryers) in washrooms. Very common here in the U.S., don't know about Europe. Not much littering, sure, but personal hygiene? Why do you think everybody prefers bowing to shaking hands?

Whenever I visit Japan, whether it's for a week or a month, I never want to leave. Fascinating food, great sweets, great music, cool cars and motorcycles, awesome public transportation system, and amazing friends. The kind of friends that will travel for hours just to spend an afternoon or evening with you. The kind of friends that will walk with you to the local 7-11 in the pouring rain just so you can buy an iTunes card. As much as I miss Japan itself when I'm not there, missing my friends even overshadows the fascinating country.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

too funny this one

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

There are some seriously wrong stereotypes being passed along here. Maybe tourists eat this stuff up but the reality is TOTALLY different.

Japanese people are no better nor worse than people in any other country in the world.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Burakumin: "Japanese girls wearing uber-short skirts even in 15-degree weather"

Hear, hear! And boots!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I agree with #9! Was eating lunch with two people in a Tokyo restaurant, and I was so thirsty kept on drinking water and asked the man at a restaurant repetitively to filler-up please! I went up to him like 4 times and his facial expression showed no sign of irritation.If that happened in Seoul,Korea I may be given a scowling look.By the way, I am Korean and from what I observe in my stay in Korea and having dealt with Korean people, I think Japanese are more polite than S Koreans. I ask all Koreans please smile more often to everyone!!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Japan is one of the great nations in the world it is very conservative on the outside, but if you know what you are looking for it is extremely liberal.

It is a great paradox.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

" Japan has a strong moral value system"

The interesting thing about Japan is that you have little chance of getting mugged, and you'll probably get your wallet back if you lose it. But the small percentage of ratbags are reallly scum - like the ore ore scam callers.

And Japanese will lie to you in many situations, but they'll do it with a bow, a smile and very polite language. I actually prefer that than having to worry about getting mugged.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

" In that respect the Japnese are like the British used to be before Diana Princess of Wales died... something happened to the British psyche then. "

Interesting..

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"I like the fact that its socially acceptable to drink a strong can of chu-hi on the train coming back from work."

Not on my train line.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Thunderbird2Oct. 09, 2012 - 03:55PM JST

Japanese are tactful when it comes to discussing money

Tell that to the bloke I saw in a white suit with bling everywhere... or the muppets cruising in their flashy Mercs and American land barges.

I said practically the same thing. Though I tend to find that women's accessories (perhaps mens too, thought not many in my area fit it) and destination and frequency of vacations are the main ways of flaunting money.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I like the fact that its socially acceptable to drink a strong can of chu-hi on the train coming back from work. Then again, I never used to need a stiff drink after work before I came here...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I like the fact that there are lots of Indian restaurants here, and in some of them the flavour has not been altered to better suit the Japanese palate.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

1. The image of Japanese people being polite held true even at the airport immigration check point.

Yes, I agree with that.... even the copper looking through my passport and asking why I'm in the country even though I was just asked that by the uniformed cutie who looked through my luggage ^.^

2. The yakitori shops are amazing

Used to like Yakitori until I discovered they also serve gizzards, lungs, hearts... etc from the chicken. Kind of put me off. Rather not eat entrails.

3. Police officers and government workers dont act like they are better than the people they serve

As I said, coppers are polite in my experience - luckily apart from being asked for my passport the only contact I've had with them is to ask for directions.

4. The food is so good! Japanese chefs are like artists.

Depends on what you're eating. My ex makes the best Yakisoba I have ever tasted... way better than anything I've had in a restaurant. Okonmiyaki is also best from a stall at a shrine!

5. Japan has a strong moral value system

Mostly agree. However, morals can slip, and you get the stories we see every day on JT.

6. Edamame is delicious

Agree 100%

7. Japanese are tactful when it comes to discussing money

Tell that to the bloke I saw in a white suit with bling everywhere... or the muppets cruising in their flashy Mercs and American land barges.

8. Excellent personal hygiene, no littering

Mostly agree, but I've been on trains sitting next to guys with BO... and at least one person has farted on a train... woof! Not pleasant.

9. People are very patient and show restraint even under the most stressful situations

Agree. In that respect the Japnese are like the British used to be before Diana Princess of Wales died... something happened to the British psyche then. So the Japanese are like my relatives haha

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Nope, never. Maybe some of you look like villains?

Unfortunately, some of my colleagues with darker skin (latinos/blacks) seem to have been targeted for some reason. I wouldn't say they look like "villains" - but sadly some of the cops here have had that image I guess. I guess I am fortunate in being fair with blue eyes and had no trouble. A couple of my friends are Chinese and Korean - they too have never been pulled up and carded in 10 years here.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

10- Japanese girls wearing uber-short skirts even in -15 degree weather.

C'mon JT blokes - you know you agree!

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Let's not generalise too much here. Agree with some of the points though: I do enjoy receiving loads of bowing and respect in the shops here - I admit it is a boost for the ego! Better than having coins thrown at you by staff in other joints overseas!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

the girls are very friendly

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Higher proportion of short skirts?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Patrick Smash, ditto for me. Over 10 years of marriage and dozens of flights through Narita; not once was I allowed to stand with the wife and kid in the Japanese line. Same goes for when I alone traveled with child. Now that I know some get a free pass, I'm even more frustrated!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Being forced to stand in the gaijin line.....

Wow, really? The first time Mr cleo and I left the country and returned after getting married, he sailed through the Nihonjin line at Immigration and I stood in line for about 45 minutes with all the other furriners. When it got to my turn and the official checked my name and spousal status and checked out hubby standing waiting for me, he was very, very apologetic and told me that in future I should go through the Nihonjin line - which I always have, whether travelling alone both on a spousal visa and after getting PR, with Japanese-passport-holding kids in tow and with hubby. Never had any problems at all. Even get a few smiled o-kaeri nasais.

Same going the other way, mind - Mr cleo with his Japanese passport goes with me through the European passport gate, no problems.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Since the people surveyed were impressed by the nine points quoted above about Japanese society, one can assume that those people experienced the opposite in their own countries.

I wonder what experience people have on the following points in their own countries:

Politeness of airport officials at airport immigration check points.

Availability of cheap and delicious fast food.

Superior attitude of police officers and government workers.

Food just dumped on a plate, or arranged aesthetically.

Unsafe environment. If you lose a wallet, its contents are regarded as a "donation" by the finder.

Availability of good beer "otsumami" such as Edamame.

Attitude toward money and income.

Personal hygiene. Street litter.

People are impatient and soon panic.
1 ( +1 / -0 )

Does Oyaji urinating against any convenient wall count against the Hygiene or the Littering category? The littering part gets me too, although tourists are not likely to venture into industrial areas like port of Kobe where it can be a common sight.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Polite to tourists coming in and out of Japan, not so much to those with re-entry permits and accompanying dual citizenship children, in my experience.

This is one of my few negative experiences about this country actually. Being forced to stand in the gaijin line with my Japanese passport holding toddler son. I tried to line up with my son in the empty Japanese line once and they forced us back - The official told me in not so polite Japanese "ダメ、ダメ、フォリナーはあっちだ!"

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The image of Japanese people being polite held true even at the airport immigration check point.

Not the re-entry permit line!

Police officers and government workers don’t act like they are better than the people they serve

Only American sorry!

Japan has a strong moral value system

On face value yes, just don't dig.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

They have rules for everything and Manual for life. Nothing to be amazed.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@ number 9. How about all them Japanese people I see walking out of the toilets without washing their hands. Where is the hygeine there ? I see it all the time and think ughhhh I wouldn't want to shake hands with you let alone receive any type of food from your hands :( As rest of the things I say its 50/50.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Maybe I look dignified..? In 20 years I've always been treated really well by police, city office officials and immigration people. They've almost been too nice...!

Do some of you have tattoos on your foreheads, permanent sneers and fidget a lot or something?

Actually, everyone in this country is nice to me. I'm starting to get worried.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Reason number 10: It's not China.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Although some might find the Japanese politeness too much and fake (A gaijin friend of mine for example!), but I find it very genuine. After two years living in Japan with out any trips abroad, I had a business trip to Germany and the first thing I felt was that everyone (in public places) is being so rude!!! Prior to that I took the politeness for granted but ever since that trip I value this aspect of living in Japan so much!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I was actually trying to find something to disagree with here, but it is all pretty much accurate.

Despite some annoying quirks, Japan really is a great place to live.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Very much agree with all of the above.

I was particularly impressed when going through the metal detector at Narita, my shoes triggered it. Someone brought me a pair of slippers, took my shoes to the scanner and I was thanked for my patience! Can't imagine TSA in Chicago doing that...

Also, best French cuisine ever outside of France. Might even compare very well with what you find in France...

And those Tokyo girls can definitely dress classy and understated at the same time...

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Japan is cool! But sometimes I want to scream~~~~

We’ve all experienced it: the police officer who treats you like a criminal.

Except when you are riding a bicycle. During that time, you are a considered a criminal/terrorist (yeah, that was the claim by one cop who stopped me) until proven otherwise. I was only stopped once in The States and the cop even radioed in for me to hear the description of the suspect. He didn't look like me! lol

immigration officials

I have never had an issue with the immigration officials here. They have always been polite and straight forward without any crummy attitude.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

One week was not enough :( 1, 4 and 8 i agree with. They're also polite: first day we arrived a business type stopped and gave directions to the two foreigners who were looking at a map; the last night 3 office workers who had missed the last train showed us a nice bar, we left at 6am and that was my last hangover. Tokyo seemed clean enough, that impressed me as well. And quiet, mostly, much more quiet than i'd expected. As for the other points i dunno.

On the down-side those squeaky girly annoying women who'd come up to you in Akihabara with pamphlets for massages and what not were really annoying. That and this weird (to me) tendency of women pretending to be 13yos... kinda inciting pedophilia. All other japanese sex "deprivations" don't really bother me one bit but, Japanese women... please be womenly, not childish.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Cleo, it's Badge 213. Poorly spotted by you.

Ooops.

Well spotted, Simonbd.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Cleo, it's Badge 213. Poorly spotted by you.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I feeling very comfortable traveling to Japan. It's clean and safe.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I think it's a good list, not exhaustive but all the points ring mostly true to me. Food is good for what it is, but anything Western style is crazily expensive. Beer is also pricy.

Combinibento, try US immigration as a non-citizen some time :-) Though it's the security theatre that is the biggest pain there. Does anywhere else in the world still do that crazy shoe thing? On landing, I usually get out of Narita inside 15 minutes, which is impossible anywhere else in my experience.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Well spotted, Badge123!

We’ve all experienced it: the police officer who treats you like a criminal;

Nope, never. Maybe some of you look like villains?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I like living in Japan, but I'm kind of sick of Japanese food. I love good sushi, don't get me wrong, but I'm sick of the bland bread, white, nutritionless rice and expensive vegetables. Since I don't eat meat, only fish, sometimes it's very hard to find good, healthy food... I'm not sure what I'd eat if I was a pure vegetarian.

But yeah, I do love that the culture is usually honest and polite. There are exceptions - and I've dealt with them, mostly crap for being a foreigner like being kicked out of places, denied apartments, treated like an outsider, etc. - but I feel very safe living in Tokyo and the "lost wallet" is a great example and also true in my experience.

I don't think it's fair to villainize Japan or praise it as the best country in the world, either. I think it's a great place to live, not perfect at all, but there are definitely less pleasant places we could be.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I'm surprised that no one here or even the Japan Today staff have notice that the cartoon image currently being displayed is of Chinese police not Japanese ones. The uniforms and even the Chinese characters are not Japanese.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

We’ve all experienced it: the police officer who treats you like a criminal;

Funnily enough, I've only experienced that in Japan. Being white in charge of a bicycle has never been due cause for suspicion in any other country I've been to.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

I have the opposite experience regarding the immigration thing. I once forgot to fill in the box asking for the amount of currency I was carrying and got lambasted by the passport-stamper. He shouted, "Zis izu offisharu documento!!!" And going back to the US...perhaps I'm lucky, but the guys there are always polite with a nice "Welcome back." And apparently the "no littering" observation comes from someone who has never been to a Japanese beach.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Have to agree with most of the points here except the littering. If the little ojisans did not clean up every morning, this place would be a trash heap. And after living in Tohoku, I find the Kansai area people to be less polite. Just my observations.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

so these were all men and nobody mentioned Japanese women? Odd. also things like edamame being delicious is just plain shallow. Finally, number 7 is also nonsense.

Moderator: But that's not your choice. Please post something pertinent to the story, such as what you like about living in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I was waiting for some bright spark to answer - Yumi, Miyu , Miyuki, Eriko, Rie, Youko, Hana, Mana, and Kana.

Seriously, Japan's the best place on Earth. The "no litter" answer surprised me though.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I love Japan for many of those reasons. Especially their politeness, morals and especially what was left to the end. How they persevere and deal with a disaster such as the Tohoku earthquake. A perfect example of how people should behave in the aftermath of a disaster rather than rioting and looting.

I also strongly agree with the airport staff that I've dealt with anyway being rather polite.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I like takyubin, convenience stores, vending machines, the relative safety of being able to walk along any street or through a park at night without feeling anxious, the friendly service of staff in the hospitality industry and a hundred other things I don't have time to list here.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

I love it that it's clean and safe. Domestic violence aside......

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I love the fact that the people are mostly polite. Even in the most stressful environment(mostly). I love the weather. I love the geography....holy hell, I am starting to sound like Mitt Romney.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I think you could add - for men at least - the hordes of beautiful women on show. Particulary come the summer months.

22 ( +25 / -3 )

"From creating a plentiful life to fostering a prosperous society, the Japanese moral value system aims to create cohesive social order."

Had to laugh, the only two that seem to be true are 2 and 6

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

Of course the Haters will nitpick this list to death and find exceptions everywhere, but in general I think the list is accurate and fair, with many of the reasons I enjoy living here so much.

14 ( +21 / -8 )

Well, I do like Japan - not, perhaps, a fashionable sentiment here on JT at times, but I'm not embarrassed to say it. Like all places it has it's quirks, some distinct and at times bemusing/infuriating, but for me these are drowned comprehensively by the good stuff, a couple of which are listed here.

20 ( +20 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites