Things you hope will never change.

What is it you love about Japan and hope will never change? There has been much random criticism flying around lately, which conversely brought to mind things that I should be thankful for here. It can be anything; intangible or something as basic as pocky.

I was on my way home last week and noticed a crowd of people surrounding a newly erected house. From a distance, it looked like the town mob chased some people up onto a roof. Then, the people on the roof started chucking bags of mochi into the air. Everyone went crazy. Old ladies shoved kids out of the way, people ran around shouting for more, housewives fought each other. Generally speaking, it was pure pandemonium. (I got three bags of mochi! Old women are no match for gaijin-san!) To the uninitiated like me, this is known as Omochimaki. (Or so I was later told by my girlfriend.) It's a tradition to do this when a new house is built. Anyways, the brings me to my point: I love the community here. I've seen more community here in Japan than I have anywhere in the states. Sure we had a few block parties when I was growing up, but nothing like this. The local community sponsors a huge amount of events, from earthquake and safety meetings, matsuri, night watches, kids events, etc. Even when I was living in Osaka, most people knew their neighbors really well and often met at places like the local cento. I hope this tight kind of community stays around for a long time.

On a serious note, I hope Japan never gets rid of its vending machines. I'm addicted to can coffee.



Also, I'm aware not all of the local communities are as strong as the ones I've lived in. Compared to life in Chicago (where you might not even know your neighbors names) the difference seems huge to me.
Anyways, let's here about what you hope stays the way it is in Japan. And don't tell me you just hope Japanese girl's legs stay skinny.

i hope my girlfriend retains that awsome laugh of hers, and i never get tired of the way she says aishiteru.



but on a serious note ive never actually been to japan *yeah, im so bad, hang me now* but i guess everything, japan's fine the way it is, there's some issue but then again, you should hear my passionate rants about tony blair and his government screwing over scotland and britain in general ^ ~ ^;

i like japan because its the birthplace of my g/f, i like my country because it just seems perfect to me, bar the odd bump in the road.

hopefully i will gain proper first hand experience of japan, then i can make a more valid opinion, but from what i know its okay, just another country.

and yes, i hope japanese girls (at least mine) amways remain non-fat (wont say skinny, because thats harsh).

I hope the JR system will remain the same , a hundred years from now. I adore the Japanese railways ^^!!

I hope Japanese boys will never grow beards .

I hope Nikuman and pizzaman will keep on selling.

Mad -- good topic!!!

I also appreciate the strong sense of community, and I love the vending machines. In our recent visit, I noticed the absence of liquor and beer vending machines that were common when we lived there, but I love the fact that one can obtain hot or cold beverages from the same machine. Now, being back home, I miss the coffee in a can.

Another thing that I love about Japan is the general level of civility and politeness of the people. Critics may say that this is mostly superficial, but I find it refreshing to walk into a public building or a store, and receive offers of help from the people who work there rather than an a sneer and an attitude of "yeah -- what the f*** do you want".

I also love the superb mass transit system. I hope that Japan never lets this fall into a state of decay in favor of the automobile.

I agree with everything Bob said!
I also really like the fact that there is an appreciation for good music; the pop scene is huge of course, and there are also a lot of people who listen to and promote art music. :music:

The local community sponsors a huge amount of events, from earthquake and safety meetings, matsuri, night watches, kids events, etc. Even when I was living in Osaka, most people knew their neighbors really well and often met at places like the local cento. I hope this tight kind of community stays around for a long time.

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Nihon wo minai uchi wa 'group, community spirit' to iu na ne....

Seriously, though, I agree completely. Even living in an apartment, someone is always there who knows my friends, is willing to help out in an emergency; and it is neverly overly friendly or intrusive, just a very comfortable level of concern. The festivals, of course, probably the major reason to love the lifestyle....

Mad_pierrot,

I enjoyed reading your post!


It was good that you were assigned to a small town. Omochimaki is not something you see in the big cities. Especially in the public housing projects ("danchi").

duuuuude aiite here are some things I think sets Japan apart from the rest of the world, and things that represent my mentality and social ideals.

1.Japan's incredible immersion with technology and incredible architecture
2.Japanese people's social mentality (more progressive and not prudish like in the states...ie very tolerant to sexuality, drugs)
3.Efficiency!!! From the workforce, to trains, and even toilets! Nothing that couldn't be improved has gone undone!
4.Japanese peoples strong sense of respect

I think that about sums it up for me...for the time being anyways. ☝

I hope that Japanese would remain as friendly as they had in my last visit.

Things I like and hope don't change about Japan....

-The trains, I love `em!
-Everywhere is clean and safe.
-Japan's affection and curiosity about The West.
-Japanese food. I hope it never becomes more Westernized.
-The squat/sit that Japanese people often do.
-Construction workers with really baggy pants and towels around their heads.
-Vending machines and convenience stores with items I like.
-Izakayas, a great place to socialize.
-Karaoke, still as popular as ever.
-Hot towels with meals.
-Using chopsticks.
-Trustworthiness.
-Old people on bicycles.
-Internet cafes with food and drink.
-Rentable band rehearsal rooms.
-Their new found interest in soccer.
-Nomihodai/tabehodai (all you can drink/eat)
:nihonjin:

The trains
Safety
Conbini culture!!!!!

Mmmm, those festivals or cultural events are very important for people to appreciate what they have, and I hope they will never fade. Historical buildings and symbolic statues should be kept from harms, too.

Good food, of course. ;-) So I can eat as much as I want when I go there next time.

Brooker said:

-Everywhere is clean and safe.

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This one I actually disagree with, but it is your post so I won't say anymore!

I have to agree on these two though!:

Brooker said:

--Izakayas, a great place to socialize.

-Nomihodai/tabehodai (all you can drink/eat)

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