Reflections on Japan – 1 week in

It’s already been a week since I’ve been in Japan and reflecting back over the last week, here are my top observations:

1. Japan is a really clean and industrialized
2. I fail miserably at using chopsticks. So much so that a restaurant I was staying at gave me a fork and spoon. Don’t worry, I’ve been working on using them and slowly getting better everyday.
3. The people of Japan are super nice, formal and respectful. I’ve been amazed by this – especially coming from Amerca!
4. Japan has a major bicycle culture! All the cities I’ve been to far have had many Japanese people riding.
5. Japan is a cash society. This has been one of my only pet peeves of the country. Most places, with the exception of train stations seem to take credit cards. I feel like I stepped back 10 years.
6. Japan is a very beautiful country – the landscape is a bunch of lush, green mountain sides.
7. Most things are translated into English.
8. Sadly, western culture has made its way into  Japan culture. Seeing McDonalds and Starbucks every two blocks gets old afterwhile.
9. Japan has so much history! Like Europe, Japan’s history goes back over 1000+ years.
10. Buddhism, has majorly influenced Japan, which is reflected by the multiple temples all over the country.

These are my top observations from being in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima so far!