Japan is one of those unique places in the world.

Before leaving for Japan, a lot of people asked me: “Why did you choose to go to Japan?”

I honestly didn’t know how to reply. After all, I really didn’t know why I chose that destination.
All I knew was that I “felt” that it had to be the destination.

Well, after 15 wonderful days around Japan, I finally know how to answer the question: “why should you go to Japan at least once in your life?”

1. The Peaceful Atmosphere

No matter the city you decide to visit, you’ll always find a peaceful atmosphere behind a corner.
It might be a temple, it might be a garden, it might be a pond.

You feel peace everywhere in this country. And it involves you so much that you really do find a certain inner peace. It can last for the time of your trip, but often many people bring it back home, miles away.

2. People are more than amazing

Japanese people are often almost completely unable to speak English fluently and they certainly have body gestures completely different from any other culture.
But if you might think that all of this can prevent them from trying to help you at any time and in any situation you find yourself, you are completely wrong.

And here people have such a high respect for the private life that is far away from any possible imagination.

Manners are so important in Japan, that you can expect to be treated with respect and as royals wherever you go.
Make sure you read up on the local customs and adhere to any social rules..if someone bow after speaking to you, remember it should go both ways!

3. Food is more than Sushi

If you think that going to Japan you’re going to stuff of sushi, forget it!

Food in Japan is definitely much more. You can taste seafood in almost every way, especially cooked!

And you know that amazing Kobe beef so fucking expensive?
Well, it’s Japanese.

I have two simple suggestions: taste everything you find, because even what looks sooo bad, it’s definitely amazing!
And, especially in the big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto, which might be a bit More expensive, don’t go for the fancy restaurants in the main streets. Go for every kind of restaurant where you can find locals and even better, taste all the street food 🙂

4. Culture is immense

Do you know how many temples a city in Japan can host? Whatever number you thought, at least double it.

No matter what district, city, village or place you are in, all you have to do is turn around a corner to find a religious or cultural place.

And even if they all look the same at first, you’ll gradually discover the wonderful differences between all the places you’ll visit.
You might also think “That’s enough, I’m not going to enter into the next temple.”
But then, you will find yourself again moving silently between walls, reeds and ornaments of every sacred place where you can enter, strictly barefoot.

5. Efficiency is everywhere

If you have always thought of being efficient at work, or in your life, then go to Japan and then you’ll tell me if you still think so.

I do really believe that the Japanese are not only efficient, but they are like that without thinking about it.
I mean, public transports are on time. Every corner of the city is clean. If you go in a restaurant, even if they don’t understand a word of English, all still works great.

How is it possible? I think it’s just dedication. Yes, dedication is the key word.

6. Anyone can be child again

Especially in Tokyo, being a kid again is a matter of a second. Walking through the cities, not only are there games everywhere, but also people will remind you of comics, games and manga of your childhood!

You will find buildings, entire shopping malls, where each floor is dedicated to a particular type of games!

And for once you won’t feel stupid going around with a giant puppet of Mickey Mouse in your backpack or dressed as Sailor Moon through the streets of the city!

7. You’re gonna leave there a piece of you and you’ll come back again

Japan is like that: politely, silently and almost without you can notice it, i

t will get a piece of yourself.
Because this country will give you so much, so that you will yourself give it a piece of your heart.

And one day, you’ll come back to try to get it back. No way!

Japan is like this, magnificently beautiful. Whoever was there just said goodbye with a “See you soon, Japan!”

井の中の蛙大海を知らず。  –   A frog in a well does not know the great sea.