Pictures of Japan make me sad

[Brooker]

...because I miss it. It's not even that I wish I was back there. I'm happy where I am now. But I'm sad that that time in my life is over because it was such a wonderful experience. I felt so alive while I was there. Everything was such an adventure and I felt like everything I did was part of a grand story that would be told for years to come, like I was writing history. I was living in the moment and everything felt right. Times like that are few and far between and must be treasured.

 

[misa.j]

I agree completely.
I often say that I don't miss Japan, but when I look at pictures of the places, my Japaneseness comes out and make me think of how I lived there.

I feel the same way about the time when I came to the states which changed my life forever. Without that experience, I would not have been what I am now, and the memories will always be bright.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

It Never Leaves You !!

It's been 35 years since I was last in Japan, but it still seems like yesterday. Those 2 years were so SPECIAL they will be my fondest memory I take with me to the grave. I hope everyone who wants to go makes it, it's the trip of a lifetime!

Frank

 

[Keiichi]

Ahh, yes, fond memories stories from the old peeps.
I'm gonna be studying abroad for a year in about a month from now, so I hope I can make good memories too, and take lot of pics and look back on it someday. ... when I'm old too.

Keiichi

 

[Jungle Boy]

Never been myself but it is my life long dream. When we used to live in the woods the thought of Japan kept me sane and going everyday. I used to walk up our driveway every night to watch the sunset and wonder what people were doing in Tokyo that morning....

I still stop at the park where I know live pretty much every single night and watch the sunset and think of Japan. I hate to think how I will feel once I've actually been there and know what I'm missing.

 

[Davey]

agree, i am in japan at the moment and i will be living in japan next year, but i have it with australia, i travelt there for 9 months and i just really love it. would love to go back there in the future, when i see pictures of it, it really gives me a double feeling, i am happy i was there, and spent such a great time there ( being 18 first travel alone, for 9 months) but other way i miss it when i see places i walked, the beach just 2 minutes from the hostel, the hi how ya doing mate thing...

but yeah, maybe i shouldn't go back, maybe i should keep it as a great expierence, if i would go back, would it change my feeling..... ?????

understand what you mean!!!! love traveling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mars Man]

Wait a second people, let me run over to the dozo (the thick, mud-walled storage building that I've been remodeling now for some three slow years) and take down my bottle of Suntory. My sentiments to you all !! Like I said once before, been here some 20 years and have no plans to be packing out soon, so. . . But I did make it back to visit my parents and sisters in '92, and considered making it a 'going back home' thing, but kind of broke out in a rash, an 'I-don't-fit-in-any-more' rash, and just HAD to come back !! (The bun in the oven at the time, helped out in making it become reality, I'd have to admit)

You know, it's strange, but I have those same feelings that many of you spoke of, just by looking at pics from here in the past. So I'd say smoke's opening thread was really the kind of 'play back' I love to toast to. here's to all of your lovely memories and bright futures to come !! Salud, Amor, y Dinero !!!

 

[Brooker]

but yeah, maybe i shouldn't go back, maybe i should keep it as a great expierence, if i would go back, would it change my feeling..... ?????

I went back for a brief trip a while ago and it didn't change my feeling at all.

 

[Maciamo]

Brooker, I understand your feelings. I have had similar experiences with other countries where I have lived (I can't with Japan, as I am still there). But I found that the best way to avoid nostalgia is to go forward and maybe go and live in yet another country. This way you will create something new and unique one more time, and you will be able to aquire another dimension to your memories/comparisons between your birth country and Japan.

The more countries you live in (even for just a few months), the clearer your feelings will become. There will be a sort of hierarchy for various things (food, people, language, accommodation, entertainment...) between all those countries.

If I include India, where I did not really "live", but travel around for 5 months, I have "lived" in 8 countries. I often have flashes of my experiences in each country. But now I don't feel sad or nostalgic as I felt after 1 or 2 countries, because I tell myself that the world is huge and there are so many more countries where I want to go and maybe live. Even in the same country, moving to another city or region can be a great change, especialy after coming back from a very different country in between.

Isn't there any other country by which you are attracted ? Don't hesitate, we only live once ! (and it's easier to adapt when we are still young).

 

[Silverpoint]

It's been 35 years since I was last in Japan, but it still seems like yesterday. Those 2 years were so SPECIAL they will be my fondest memory I take with me to the grave. I hope everyone who wants to go makes it, it's the trip of a lifetime!

Uncle Frank (if I may call you that). Please forgive my curiosity. You clearly have a great fondness for Japan, and some happy memories of being here. Furthermore, you continue your interest in the country through this forum (and no doubt in other ways too).

My question would be, why is it that it's been 35 years and you've never been back? I really don't mean this in a cynical or negative sense. I'm just interested in why given your great affection for the country, you prefer to keep it as a distant memory, rather than as somewhere you would like to return to.

 

[Mike Cash]

Piling onto Silverpoint's post.....Uncle Frank, I believe you are well enough thought of here on JREF that were you to decide to visit Japan there would likely be some of those of us who actually reside in Japan who would offer to put you up for a while.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

More Excuses Then Reasons ?

I find myself fearing I will ruin old memories; Japan just won't be the one I remember? I would want to find old friends, but might not be able to , or would find bad news on their lives or death. I hate sitting still for more then an hour or so, it would be about 20 hours of flight from Maine. I've always been a workaholic and hate missing work for more then a few days.
I could list a million more dumb reasons, probably lack of money would top the list. I do think I may pay to have my ashes scattered somewhere in Fukuoka after my death if it can be done? Thanks for the kind words & thoughts; I love my Forum family !!

Uncle Frank

 

[Pachipro]

But I'm sad that that time in my life is over because it was such a wonderful experience. I felt so alive while I was there. Everything was such an adventure and I felt like everything I did was part of a grand story that would be told for years to come, like I was writing history. I was living in the moment and everything felt right. Times like that are few and far between and must be treasured.

It's been 35 years since I was last in Japan, but it still seems like yesterday. Those 2 years were so SPECIAL they will be my fondest memory I take with me to the grave. I hope everyone who wants to go makes it, it's the trip of a lifetime!

I understand both your feelings completely as looking at pictures, personal pictures, movies or TV shows brings up such a swell of emotion at times that I sometimes have tears in my eyes for reasons I cannot explain - and I visit at least once a year!

Maybe it's because I crossed over into adulthood while there and ended up staying there for a decade and a half and consider it my home. The four years I spent at college there I wouldn't trade for anything and would practically give anything to live those years over again. They were so special. There were so many experiences and good times. Life was good. Everything was not always "peaches and cream", but the good times far outweighed the negative and, like you said, experiences like that must be treasured.

 

[Kara_Nari]

Wow, I can say I miss Japan, and that I loved my time there, but I dont deep down in the depths of my heart miss it. Perhaps it was because I wasnt 100% sure I was going there until the actual day, or that I was only there for a mere few days?
Instead of missing it, im really looking forward to going back in December. This time I will go to Tokyo, and see things, instead of sleeping, eating and drinking.
Reading your guys posts, is making it all the more exciting however.
People are always asking me if I miss home, but I can honestly say no. I miss things that are easier to get there than are here, but other than that I havent really been away long enough to miss any specific people.
When I was in Thailand, I missed Korea, but not NZ.