I have ben in Japan 5 times, up to 7 weeks mostly.
To be correct, I did it slowly via China, Korea, then Japan, and it still seems to be a good way, as for cultural understandings and making friends from these countries in Berlin first. It just happened alright, when I was ready.
My granddad has been in China, but my artist's interest was more into Japan. So it became a longterm wish, that took an interesting unexpected path.
Now I am having trouble with long journeys (healthwise), but it is still very alive, and one never knows in the future. . .right?