Japan

I have received many requests for asking how is the life in Japan. Without much pictures, I doubt I could tell you much.

Here, people believe in manners and respect. No matter which shop you walk into, everyone bow and express their welcome; when you walk out, they bow and express their thank although you might just go in and out within seconds, buying nothing. However, I have witnessed a case that a pregnant women standing in train while no one willing to give away their seat.

The currency used here mostly coins. There are ranging from one yen to five hundred yen, which is about RM 15. It is quite troublesome to carry these coins in my pity wallet. It could be easy stuffed.

The most interesting part is the differences in the restaurants. For most of them, you walk in and queue up in front of a vending machine. Until your turn, just insert coins and select the food you want to have. Then, collect the changes and draw the ticket or receipt from the machine. Next, you pass the ticket to the waiter then they will serve it to you. The water is free. However, they serve only cold water even in these winter days. It`s not uncommon that the place provides no seat. You just take your food while standing.

Around these time, Japan is a dry, cold country although the winter is over. The temperature ranging from 9 degree Celsius to 18 degree Celsius in Tokyo area. Sun rises in the early morning and the dark comes about four afternoon everyday.

At my place, sakura session has past. It is quite unbelievable to observe the sakura trees in front of my stay changing its dress overnight. Now, the branches are dressed with new young leaves. Have to wait until next year for Ohanami. There is a common proverb in Japan, which describing the people who eat, sing, and chat during ohanami rather than enjoying the view of sakura blossom.