After living in China for a year it was interesting to travel to Japan for two weeks because of how similar and different it is! At times I felt like I was in China – for example, the Japanese language contains traditional Chinese characters and (no offense) but the people look similar. But Japan is so incredibly different! Though parts of the language look the same, Japanese sounds more fluid and romantic. The people are warm and helpful, always quick to say konichiwa (hello) or arigato gozaimasu (thank you). Even the chopsticks are different, small and delicate at the tips rather than one fat stick in China.
Here are some other notable aspects of Japan:
The toilets! They do everything!
Wash, Clean, Flush, Heat, even play music!
“There’s a vending machine for that!”
Cold drinks, hot drinks, snacks, beer, ice cream, even disposable cameras!
Or order a meal:
- Choose what dish you would like to eat. Press the button.
- Insert money.
- Take the printed receipt.
- Take a seat and wait for your meal to be served!
Cats are featured everywhere :)
Markets!
Fresh seafood!
Pickled everything!
And can we please talk about the FOOD! :) Incredibly fresh, umami flavors, perfect portions, and perfectly designed!
Yudofu lunch (everything tofu!)
Seriously one of the best meals of the week!
Matcha everything!!
Sake tasting – I have now acquired a palate for hot sake!
Tempura at it’s best
Picnic lunch: okonomiyaki (pancake of sorts filled with egg, vegetables, and oyster sauce), and a cold can of Suntory or Asahi
For the love of Udon
Oyakodon Assembly:
1 bowl of rice. 1 pot of chicken stock. 1 plate of goodness (chicken, scrambled egg, green onion, mushroom, garlic, ginger, seaweed, lemon).
Add plate of goodness to the rice bowl. Pour broth over everything. Add lemon juice.
Perfect flavor combo!
Takoyaki making!
Takoyaki is a pancake-like batter filled with squid, seaweed, pickled vegetables and other delicious things that Westerners don’t eat often :)
Just like making Danish aebleskiver!
And…the epic sushi train! A truly life changing experience!
So what’s not to love about Japan!?