Uchite
後輩
- 16 Jan 2006
- 136
- 7
I miss so much about Japan! I don't know where to start. 
From the flight over on JAL (enjoying the wonderful service on this airline) or Continental, seeing Japan in the early evening sky, to arriving at Narita Airport, then seeing the familiar luggage pickup area.
Then going to catch the Kesei Skyliner to Nippori and then riding the train to whereever. Then while riding the train, just being in Japan the train, hearing and speaking the language, checking out the people (women more specifically!), hearing the announcments on the train for this station and that station, the little music played at the stations, then getting off at my stop and smelling Japan! The smell of the ramen shops, the yakitori stands, the cool fresh air in winter, and making my way to whereever I am staying.
Next, depending on the time of day (usually night when I arrive) going out for a mandatory Asahi Super Dry :81: and bowl of ramen or yakisoba.
Then to bed in a cozy warm futon on a tatami, with the all familiar smell of a traditional Japanese home or Inn. :futon:
Waking up to the joy of knowing I am in Japan.
Eating a breakfast of fish, rice, and miso shiro. Grabbing a coffee out of the machine on the street.
Going out in the daytime just about anywhere. There is never enough time to go everywhere I want to go, so I have to keep going back!
Just go. Anywhere. Ebisu, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, it's all good.
Lunch in the afternoon at a restaurant and reaquainting myself with ordering food in Japanese.
Grabbing a Mitsuya Cider or Pocari Sweat out of the machine on the way to the train station. Or getting one of the many Calpis drinks available.
Walking through the busy streets and just taking it all in. Asking directions to be just about always acknowledged, helped and even brought to the desired location! Going to all the record stores, music stores and electronics shops.
Going to Ginza. Just to look mostly!
Going to Asakusa!
Riding the train home in rush hour. Call me crazy, but when visiting I actually usually enjoy this, even though I am claustrophobic. As long as it is not too crowded. It is an experience like no other. Just as long as the train does not break down and runs fine.
Stopping at the local 7-11 or Daily Store to pick up some pizza flavored chips and Asahi beer! Or getting the latter simply off the street out of the machine.
Coming home and feeling relieved to be home. Turning on NHK and seeing what's up. Still can't believe I am in Japan, yet the language I hear and people I see on the TV affirms this fact.
Seeing old friends and making new ones.
A delicious dinner whenever offered usually at the home of a kind, welcoming home of a family and/or friend or family of a friend. Ramen, udon, yakisoba, yakitori, katsu-don (preferably chicken), sukiyaki (which I sometimes allow myself in Japan, despite being a semi-vegetarian who does not have the discipline to be a full one), sashimi, sushi...or just about anything else being offered. If this is not available, the local shops and stands on the streets always have something very worthwhile and delicious. So does 7-11!
Sitting under a kotatsu and having sake.
Going to sing karaoke with friends and enjoying hear them sing. Being able to "perform", and not taking it too seriously. :sing:
Going out to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ueno, or any other happening areas where there is always something to do and many someones to see. 
Catching the last train home and very happy that I don't have to drive myself home and don't have to worry about any possible checkpoints or DWI's (which fortunately, I have never encountered or had). Or if I do miss the last train, finding some all-night place or places to go and making my way home at sunup. Just as long as this happens downtown!
Getting home safely and sleeping peacefully!
Waking up in the morning feeling good!
Going to watch traditional events such as Sumo , Martial Arts, Taiko Drumming, and any other traditional event or activity of Japan.
A nice ride to the outskirts to Hakone, Izu, Shimoda, Fuji Yoshida, Nikko, Kamakura and other places is always wonderful, but most wonderful on a clear sunny day.
Taking the Shinkansen!
Could be going anywhere...Kyoto , Nara, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, even catching another train to go further on down to Kyushu . Or up north to Fukushima!
Going to stay in a minshiku, getting in an onsen when it is cold outside and eating a wonderful dinner and putting on a yukata just taking it easy and totally relaxing!
Going to shrines, temples and mountains. Eating the eggs right from the mountains in Hakone!
Riding the Shinkansen or train back and looking at Mount Fuji and other sites again while taking pictures or simply enjoying the view.
Riding a bicycle through the streets.
Jogging around anywhere where the air is clean.
Meeting new people and making new friends.
Riding the train back to the airport knowing I have to come back soon. And feeling so lucky to have been able to come to Japan.
Seeing Japan from the night sky as we leave the ground.
I could go on and on and on...
From the flight over on JAL (enjoying the wonderful service on this airline) or Continental, seeing Japan in the early evening sky, to arriving at Narita Airport, then seeing the familiar luggage pickup area.
Then going to catch the Kesei Skyliner to Nippori and then riding the train to whereever. Then while riding the train, just being in Japan the train, hearing and speaking the language, checking out the people (women more specifically!), hearing the announcments on the train for this station and that station, the little music played at the stations, then getting off at my stop and smelling Japan! The smell of the ramen shops, the yakitori stands, the cool fresh air in winter, and making my way to whereever I am staying.
Next, depending on the time of day (usually night when I arrive) going out for a mandatory Asahi Super Dry :81: and bowl of ramen or yakisoba.
Then to bed in a cozy warm futon on a tatami, with the all familiar smell of a traditional Japanese home or Inn. :futon:
Waking up to the joy of knowing I am in Japan.
Eating a breakfast of fish, rice, and miso shiro. Grabbing a coffee out of the machine on the street.
Going out in the daytime just about anywhere. There is never enough time to go everywhere I want to go, so I have to keep going back!
Just go. Anywhere. Ebisu, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, it's all good.
Lunch in the afternoon at a restaurant and reaquainting myself with ordering food in Japanese.
Grabbing a Mitsuya Cider or Pocari Sweat out of the machine on the way to the train station. Or getting one of the many Calpis drinks available.
Walking through the busy streets and just taking it all in. Asking directions to be just about always acknowledged, helped and even brought to the desired location! Going to all the record stores, music stores and electronics shops.
Going to Ginza. Just to look mostly!
Going to Asakusa!
Riding the train home in rush hour. Call me crazy, but when visiting I actually usually enjoy this, even though I am claustrophobic. As long as it is not too crowded. It is an experience like no other. Just as long as the train does not break down and runs fine.
Stopping at the local 7-11 or Daily Store to pick up some pizza flavored chips and Asahi beer! Or getting the latter simply off the street out of the machine.
Coming home and feeling relieved to be home. Turning on NHK and seeing what's up. Still can't believe I am in Japan, yet the language I hear and people I see on the TV affirms this fact.
Seeing old friends and making new ones.
A delicious dinner whenever offered usually at the home of a kind, welcoming home of a family and/or friend or family of a friend. Ramen, udon, yakisoba, yakitori, katsu-don (preferably chicken), sukiyaki (which I sometimes allow myself in Japan, despite being a semi-vegetarian who does not have the discipline to be a full one), sashimi, sushi...or just about anything else being offered. If this is not available, the local shops and stands on the streets always have something very worthwhile and delicious. So does 7-11!
Sitting under a kotatsu and having sake.
Going to sing karaoke with friends and enjoying hear them sing. Being able to "perform", and not taking it too seriously. :sing:
Going out to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ueno, or any other happening areas where there is always something to do and many someones to see.
Catching the last train home and very happy that I don't have to drive myself home and don't have to worry about any possible checkpoints or DWI's (which fortunately, I have never encountered or had). Or if I do miss the last train, finding some all-night place or places to go and making my way home at sunup. Just as long as this happens downtown!
Getting home safely and sleeping peacefully!
Waking up in the morning feeling good!
Going to watch traditional events such as Sumo , Martial Arts, Taiko Drumming, and any other traditional event or activity of Japan.
A nice ride to the outskirts to Hakone, Izu, Shimoda, Fuji Yoshida, Nikko, Kamakura and other places is always wonderful, but most wonderful on a clear sunny day.
Taking the Shinkansen!
Could be going anywhere...Kyoto , Nara, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, even catching another train to go further on down to Kyushu . Or up north to Fukushima!
Going to stay in a minshiku, getting in an onsen when it is cold outside and eating a wonderful dinner and putting on a yukata just taking it easy and totally relaxing!
Going to shrines, temples and mountains. Eating the eggs right from the mountains in Hakone!
Riding the Shinkansen or train back and looking at Mount Fuji and other sites again while taking pictures or simply enjoying the view.
Riding a bicycle through the streets.
Jogging around anywhere where the air is clean.
Meeting new people and making new friends.
Riding the train back to the airport knowing I have to come back soon. And feeling so lucky to have been able to come to Japan.
Seeing Japan from the night sky as we leave the ground.
I could go on and on and on...
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