Japan: What I Learned

5. Shinto & Buddhist religions are combined

I learned that Shinto was the ancient religion of Japan known for its spirits called “kamis” that were forces of nature or parts of the landscape. Buddhism originated in India and began to influence China, then began to influence South Korea, and then around the 6th-8th century, it came to Japan. To make peace with the two religions, they said that the Shinto kamis were Buddhist deities. When we went to the Senso-ji Temple, which was built in honor of the deity of compassion, it was right next to a Shinto pagoda shrine honoring three men. Shinto and Buddhism are in harmony and are connected to one another.

We saw many small shrines in neighborhoods. When at a shrine or temple, it was the custom of followers to throw a coin, clap twice, bow, and clap again.

4. There are so many types of Japanese cuisine

I didn’t realize that Japan boasts of many types of cuisines. I found some sources that said there are 30 types of Japanese cuisines. Of course, there were numerous ramen restaurants and entire aisles full of various versions of instant ramen. We enjoyed soba noodles and an amazing beef curry udon soup. I bought much sushi at convenience stores, and at the fish market we had amazing types of sushi. We also tried the Japanese version of a hot pot, called shabu shabu.

But our favorite experience was the Izakaya. An Izakaya is similar to a British pub, where people eat, drink, and enjoy talking to each other. From a quiet street, we walked through the fabric Noren and doorway to a buzz of energetic conversation and laughter. Customers and servers alike greeted us as we sat down at a horseshoe bar-like area, facing the other customers. As we watched others walked in, they were also greeted with warmth and joy. We found out that the menu was written beautifully on posters covering the wall, each of the Japanese characters looking like an individual piece of art. The owner gave us little glasses of hot sake, and the other customers offered us cheers by shouting, “Kanpai!” The owner gave us complimentary dried squid, and we ordered a rice dish and sashimi. We talked to the people sitting next to us and enjoyed our meal. When we and others left, the entire restaurant vocalized well wishes with a wave and smile.

3. Drinking green tea is a significant part of the culture

As a tea drinker, I was delighted to see green tea everywhere in Japan: in vending machines, convenient stores, and restaurants. When we arrived at a restaurant, we were served a small clay mug of hot green tea or cold roasted green tea. Green tea holds a significant part of Japanese history: drinking it was a ritual for samurai warriors.

As we were walking to a garden, we passed a tea shop that advertised a tea ceremony. We walked in, and they quickly apologized because they only took reservations. We started to leave and then they stopped us and said they have space for two. We walked up some stairs to a beautiful space. The owner’s daughter wore traditional clothing and gave us a deep bow. She talked us through choosing our mugs for the tea – they were family heirlooms ranging from recently made to over 300 years old. I couldn’t believe that I could drink from a mug that is older than my country. She scooped hot water from a pot, then added oi ocha green tea powder, using a traditional whisk to mix and froth the powder into the hot water. She presented the mug to me and bowed deeply. I took the mug in both hands, and I learned that it is customary to rotate the bowl clockwise out of respect. It was such a joy to participate in such an ancient Japanese tradition.

2. 7-Eleven is actual heaven in Japan

“What was the highlight of Japan?” friends and family commonly ask me. When I tell them it was 7-Eleven, they give me a confused, “What?!”

When most think of the 7-Eleven convenience stores in the US, many think of junk food that includes donuts, chips, and slushies. In Japan, it is the complete opposite. Japanese 7-Eleven stores are pristine and orderly with healthy, ready-made foods like salads, sushi, steamed rice, and seaweed triangles. It was amazing to pick up a quick, healthy snack like salmon over rice at 7-Eleven. There are frozen vegetables and multiple kinds of rice crackers. There’s 7-Eleven-brand wine for 3 USD. As if that were not enough, the cashiers are kind, giving your money back with both of their hands, which is a gesture of respect, and bowing politely as they say a kind thank you. They gave chopsticks, spoons, and anything else we might need to enjoy our chosen food. There was hot water for ramen, and the cashiers could even warm up your food if requested. The 7-Eleven shops in Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Thailand are similar to US stores with junk food, but the Japanese 7-Eleven is in a class of its own.

Interestingly enough, Japan has around 25% of the world’s 7-Eleven stores. They were almost at every corner, and it was fun to sample unusual dishes and snacks. We went daily, picking up a healthy lunch, dinner, or snacks for a few dollars. The availability of such healthy food and the irony that all of it was 7-Eleven brand made it such fun. Oh thank heaven for 7-Eleven (in Japan)!

1. The toilets in Japan are amazing

The second reason I tell people that I loved Japan was because of the toilets. Not only were they unbelievably clean, they had so many features that it was hard to keep track of all of them. In every single toilet, there were heated toilet seats. As if that weren’t enough, every toilet had a built-in bidet that had options to adjust the water pressure and accuracy. This isn’t the European bidet with a hose, this is already built into the toilet and hands free. They also had a disinfectant spray so you could wipe off the toilet seat before and after using it, and they also had a setting where you could disinfect the toilet bowl. There was a button for nature sounds to drown out any unmentionable sounds.