My interest in Japan started with Toonami and when I realized Sonic the Hedgehog also originated in Japan. I religiously watched Toonami after school. You’d think I’d be more into anime since I loved Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon as a kid, and then watched Inuyasha and other early [adult swim] late night anime as a pre-teen, but I’m actually incredibly picky about what I watch and most modern anime does not cut it for me. I never wanted to go to a convention or get into cosplay. I never wanted merch or collectibles. I was never the "weeb" stereotype, but I would say I fit the Japanophile label. (I’m obsessed with The Apothecary Diaries, however—but still no desire to buy merch!)
Anime was more of a gateway into learning about Japanese culture. I’m more interested in learning about daily customs, history, and ways of life than pop culture. Omamori, urawaza, honne and tatemae. Concepts that the western world sort of has, but not as structured. A lucky rabbit’s foot could be seen as sort of omamori, but it’s the whole system behind the different types of omamori and the vast number of shrines and temples where you can collect different types that’s interesting to me, as well as how you’re supposed to dispose of it after one year! Next year I could take the time and effort to mail the omamori I purchased this year to the shrine I bought it from and I know it would be properly burned for me. That’s what I love about Japan.
| Habits after studying abroad and multiple trips: |
|---|
| hang drying part of my laundry (on a Japanese laundry hanger) |
| cleansing before taking a bath |
| using an exfoliating cloth in the shower |
| always keeping katsu sauce, Kewpie mayo, rayu, shichimi togarashi, katsuobushi, short grain rice, etc, on hand |
| outside only shoes; inside only shoes, socks, or slippers |
| ritualistic or mindful cleaning, incense burning |
| using a parasol, (bucket) hats, when too hot and sunny |
| always have an umbrella, a handkerchief, and an eco bag |
| making yakisoba in the summertime, nabemono in the wintertime (appreciation of seasonal foods) |
| ducking / bowing with an outstretched hand to get through crowds |
| keeping trash in my bag until I get home to my trash can |
| using a sobakawa pillow sometimes to cure neck problems |
| Stores I visit / items I always buy: |
|---|
| Vending machines: milk tea, mugicha, houjicha, green tea, Pocari Sweat, corn soup |
| Conbini (Lawson or Natural Lawson): mix sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, anpan, custard pan, cakes, pudding, jelly (fruit or coffee), monaka ice cream, onigiri (sake, hijiki, umeboshi), vitamin jelly, Chu-Hi, Kirin beer |
| Cheap stuff: 3 Coins, Lattice, 390 Mart |
| Not-as-cheap stuff: Plaza, KIDDY LAND |
| Everything you could ever need: Loft, Hands |
| Good smells, feminine: Afternoon Tea, Lupicia |
| Non-Japanese Food: hole-in-the-wall pizza and Indian restaurants |
| Fast Food: McDonalds for an Ebi Filet-O, MOS Burger |
| Bulk quantities, refills & easy gifts: Don Quijote |
The positive of a culture that is focused on harmony and collectivism is that systems work and people are cared for.*
One of the most obvious examples being the train system. So much trust in each individual employee to do their part, so that the schedule is followed, and so passengers get to work or where they need to go on time. There are many types of businesses that I love visiting in Japan that would not work at home in the United States because they would be vandalized or customers would not follow rules. I am obsessed with Japanese design sense from a user experience perspective (e.g. how conbini inventory is managed) and how there’s seemingly a gadget or tool to solve any possible problem you could have—and a lovely salesperson to sell it to you. Fast fashion, makeup, skincare, stationary, gifts, snacks, candy, and so on, are a much higher quality than what I can buy at home. It’s impossible to not come home with a suitcase full of omiyage.
*And I do not ignore the darker side either. I have been harassed on the street, but I would still prefer walking alone late at night in Japan versus at home. (Guns are illegal.) You can find litter and overflowing trash cans, there are English menus with higher prices, fake politeness if you can spot it, hidden homeless camps, a lack of mental health resources, and a purposeful complexity to keep Japan mostly Japanese. I am not made for Japanese corporate life and wouldn’t be able to keep up with social expectations, especially not as a parent, so I would stand out. I think if I were able to not worry about money or residency, I’d actually thrive in an environment where I’d never fully blend in, since I don’t have high social needs. I already don’t fully blend in and intimidate people here in America! Also as an autistic person I’m very good at picking up new rules and rituals.
I did attempt to move to Japan after loving my study abroad experience and a separate vacation the summer after, but I stopped interviewing for jobs (to be an English teacher, of course) after the Great Earthquake and chose grad school instead. Since then, I’ve been to Japan four more times and it’s difficult to leave each time. I would love to be able to live there for an extended period of time so that I could explore more of the smaller cities. This last time I heard “do you live here?” instead of the usual “your japanese is good!” and I am still having trouble processing what that means!
