Hi, it’s Derek from Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi. My last blog post was on things that I like about Japan. This blog post is on more things that I like about Japan. Let’s get started!
Mix of the Old and New
I love the mix old old and new which Japan offers. An example is a pretty traditional rice paddy next to a modern high-rise building. Or a lady wearing a traditional kimono in a crowd of people wearing modern Western-Style clothing. This mix of the old and new makes Japan quite special.
Kimono
I love kimono, the traditional clothing that all Japanese people wore for over 1,000 years before the introduction of western clothing to Japan. These days, Japanese normally wear Western-style clothes but Japanese kimono are still worn by some at special times . Examples are weddings and Coming of Age Day when women turn 20 and officially become adults. It’s always a nice surprise seeing kimono-clad women in a crowd of people wearing Western-style clothes. They are colorful and pretty and a nice reminder of Japan’s history.
Spring Blossoms
There are a variety of spring blossoms in Japan. Cherry blossoms are by far the most popular. As the cherry blossoms in April coincide with the start of the school year, the start of work in companies for new employees and the start of the fiscal year, they signify the start of new things for Japanese people. You can read a blog I wrote on cherry blossoms by clicking here! Over the years, I have had many cherry blossom events with Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi students. You can read about a big one my English school had with other Smith’s schools and watch a Youtube video on it by clicking here!
Autumn Colors
I love the Japanese Maple leaf color change here in November. It is so pretty. I have had several Maple leaf color change events with Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi students. You can read about one of them by clicking here!
Food
Another thing that I love about Japan is the huge choice of food. You can enjoy both traditional Japanese dishes and also Western-style dishes. There are some Western fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and KFC as well as other restaurants offering foreign food like Italian and Chinese restaurants. Conveyer-belt counter sushi shops such Kappa-Sushi ( かっぱ寿司) offer tasty sushi at low prices and are fun and are something I recommend foreigners try in Japan. You can read about some of my favorite Japanese dishes by clicking here!
Great Public Transportation System
A great public transporation system makes moving around easy and pleasant. I do not have a car and I don’t need one. I use trains and buses. Smith’s founder Mark Smith wrote a nice blog on public transporation which you can read by clicking here. I especially like the trains in Japan. They are so punctual and convenient!
Amazing Cleanliness
I love how clean Japan is compared to other places in the world. Jim from Smith’s School of English Sagamihara wrote a nice blog on that which you can read by clicking here!
Come and See For Yourself
Those were more things that I like about Japan. Come to Japan and see what things you like here. I’m sure there will be plenty!
Derek
Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi
I couldn’t agree more. Good one Derek.
Thanks Jim!