So what is it? 👹🍣🎎 Wonderful Japan

When I am asked what I like best here in Japan, I always have to think anew and to search for a good answer. Sure, there are so many things I like and enjoy, but I can't answer what is the best. Japan can be old and new, and loud and quiet. It has a bit of everything, and for me there is also this exotic touch, which completes the whole package perfectly. The overall experience may not be perfect, which is especially noticeable when you spend a little longer in the Land of the Rising Sun. But that's how it is in all other countries, and over time I've accepted that and learned to deal with it.

Above all, the constant noise, and all those bright and garish colors really get on my nerves. This exaggerated cuteness, which is worshipped all around the country and which has become a weird and false standard. Unfortunately, you can't completely escape this strange concept, as you encounter it almost every day, especially when you want to take part in public life. Here in Japan, this also includes television, which in my eyes has an even greater significance in the everyday life of most people than in my home country. In many households, the television seems to be running continuously, even when visitors are there and especially during meals. And there, on TV, it's also too loud and too bright, which just seems to rub off on people. It's probably a cycle, or similar to the chicken and the egg question. Well, it seems to be quite similar in other East Asian countries as well, the louder and more colorful the better. And the more important one seems to be.

But okay, I don't have to participate in this ritual and I really try to avoid it. Over time, I've found my little havens where I can find both relief and inspiration at the same time. Those are places most people seem to not want to pass by and that's why I have my peace and quiet there. Well, too bad for them and good for me.

It's probably these places that are most important to me here and mean the most to me. And since I've been here in the country for a few years now, I now know exactly where it is beautiful and where I want to go. And meanwhile I am the one who tells the people around me where they should go and where there is something to see. Sometimes I have the feeling that I have seen more of this country than many locals. At least I seem to see and perceive many things with completely different eyes and therefore I can establish a completely different connection to some places. Sometimes more and of course often less intense.

Most of the things are no longer unknown to me, but I have still kept my curiosity and can therefore still discover a lot of what I did not know yet. And from time to time I still feel that special feeling that surrounded me when I was still new here in the land of the rising sun. It was a long time ago, and I am glad and grateful to have found something like a second home here. It was not foreseeable before, but fortunately it has turned out that way. Although, as I said, I can't answer exactly what it is that I like so much here. I think it's a lot, so I can overlook or tolerate everything that bothers me. And that's something I can build on.

And yes, sometimes Japan is just cool.