I like

Sadly, this is the last day of our vacation in Japan but I can't help think about how much I like it here. I kept saying to Nick during our visit that my impression is so different than what I thought it would be. Here's why.

I like the way everyone walks, rides bicycles or takes the train to get around

and that they have parking lots for bicycles.

I like how you don't have to tip at restaurants and you get the bill immediately and leave when you feel like it with no sense of rushing.

I like the unspoken rule of no eating, drinking or talking on cell phones while on public transportation.

I like how polite, respectful, considerate and thoughtful people are.

I like the shiba dogs everywhere and now I want one!

I like how everyone eats fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I like how you don't see any overweight people or need bariatric chairs.

I like how they illustrate menu items with fake food that looks exactly like the real stuff.

I like how you can walk alone and not be afraid of being mugged or attacked even though you are carrying a lot of cash since Japan is a cash society.

I like Washlets.  No details here, but trust me, you'd like it, too!

I like how people don't walk around eating or drinking.  You eat or drink whatever you buy in front or at the place where you bought it.  Then, you give the place your trash to throw away because there are no trash cans anywhere, yet no litter or garbage on the ground.

I like milk tea with tapioca balls or bubble tea.

I like the way neighborhoods play music at dusk to tell children to stop playing now and time to go home. In Nick's neighborhood, it's always at 4:00 pm.

I like the seahawks

as long as we don't eat around them.

I like the bullet train or Shinkansen, which it's called in Japan, since they don't like using confrontational words in their language - another thing I like.

I like the Japanese oranges

and the special way you eat them.

I like Mt. Fuji.

I like the way 90% of the people are middle income so you don't see any homeless people living on the streets or any million dollar yachts in the port towns.

I like the 7th inning stretch at baseball games... or more like the 7th inning launch (of balloons, that is)

I like the app that tells you when there's an earthquake.

I like how long lines or massive crowds of people alway move quickly and nobody panics and everyone is still happy and polite.

I like how the bottom floors of every department store is a market of the most delicious food (and the top floor is always restaurants)

I like how taxis are so clean and you sit on lace.

I like all the uniforms people wear from train workers, taxi drivers, parking attendants and they like to wear white gloves.

I love the apple juice that tastes like you just bit into a fresh apple.

I like being one of the thousand people who cross the street at each light cycle in Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.

and I love the shopping!

Japan, we will be back another day.