Japan Musings

Japan Musings

When I decided to travel to Japan, it was the place I thought would be most out of my comfort zone.  As it turns out, that is not true.  Tokyo was easy to navigate and brimming with vegan restaurant choices.  The biggest problem I have had is whether to walk on the left or right!  It turns out that the hordes of people will walk right at you no matter which side you are on. Its a bit like being caught in a stampede with nowhere to hide!

Since I was anticipating some difficulties with the language barrier and directional challenges, I booked us on a Colette Tour.  There are many advantages to a tour and I am finding the best one is the people you meet. Our tour is composed of people from Australia, New Zealand, America, India and the UK.  These people are so friendly and welcoming. No matter who your table partners are, you can count on a stimulating interlude.  Last night I enjoyed my conversation with a couple from Liverpool England. We discussed growing up around the Beatles and since the man is part of the National Trust he recounted the story of Yoko Ono buying John Lennon’s home and donating it to the National Trust and how Paul visits his childhood home every time he is in the area. This man’s accent is so charming and I feel like Paul is right in the room.  I thought I traveled a lot and everyone tells me I do, but this couple just got back from driving Route 66 for three weeks, without a plan! They have been all over the world and recounted many travel stories for us, whetting our appetites for future journeys.  On the way out of dinner, we encountered a group from New Jersey. The woman’s cousin had done the windows for one of Trump’s buildings. Upon completion, Trump called him in and pointing at each window told him he had not wanted that particular glass. He told the cousin he would only give him half payment for the expensive job. The cousin quietly gathered up his contracts and papers and sued Trump for the whole amount and he won!  We then had a rousing conversation about the state of our government. It felt good to share my outrage about the state of things with like minded folks!  The people from India are vegetarians so we are connecting about that.  A tour exposes you to many different viewpoints and experiences and I am feeling entertained by our interactions.

I have some observations regarding the Japanese people.  The Japanese people pride themselves on cleanliness.  The public bathrooms, restaurants, subway stations and cars, and streets are immaculate!  During a driving rainstorm, we watched a man in a uniform sweep the individual leaves up that were falling from a nearby tree. He was out there for an hour insuring the ground was tidy!  Strangely though, nary a trashcan can be spied in the whole of Japan! People take their trash home with them. Our teamaster stored her trash down her beautiful komono’s sleeve so that she could dispose of it in the privacy of her own abode.

Another inconsistency involves the wearing of masks.  All over Tokyo you will see citizens wearing them.  Even some teenagers in a crowd will be using these white masks. I suppose it’s to prevent disease from spreading.  If they are trying to avert germs, why then is there never soap provided in the public bathrooms? I don’t think just water will cut it when you have to do a number two!!! 

The Japanese people have a very strong work ethic.  They work long hours and may even spend the night in the office. Often they commute an hour each way to work. The subway stations are like mini cities where people can procure all their meals.  You can rent a girlfriend, a wife or grandparents here for a day or longer.  They just don’t have time to date and even having sexual relationships is not so common here.  The Japanese identity is wrapped up in the job performance and even children feel the pressure of succeeding.  For this reason, suicides rates are high here.  On the other hand, there are no guns,  little crime and you feel safe wherever you go.  I wonder if a safe life is a good enough exchange for all this work pressure and group identity culture.

These stark differences from our American culture are spurring an avalanche of conversations and making me really think about the importance of balance in one’s life.  This is a concept we learn in macrobiotics and it is really coming to the forefront in my observations of Japan.

Next blog will be about the food of Japan.