First, I will start this post by quickly listing all of the things I will miss most about Japan:

  • The food – Japanese food is awesome, no further explanation is needed
  • The heated toilet seats and kotatsu tables (heated table with blankets) – they are awesome when it is cold
  • The architecture - efficient houses, beautiful temples, sky-high pagodas, who wouldn’t miss it!?
  • The Japanese gardens – they are so breathtaking, I cannot begin to explain how peaceful it is to relax inside of a Japanese garden
  • The cleanliness – almost everywhere I go in Japan, the streets look very well kept and the streets are virtually trash free
  • Japanese TV – I love anime, so that is obvious, but the game shows are so awesome! (even though it is still difficult for me to understand everything)
  • The sense of safety – wherever I go in Japan, I always feel pretty safe, no matter what time of day or what area
  • The public transportation – it is nice having practically ubiquitous trains, buses, subways that are almost always on time
  • The people – everyone that I have met here has been so incredibly friendly and helpful; I can spout so many stories of how generous and helpful everyone here has been!
  • The mindset – perhaps the thing I will miss most about Japan is the mindset of everyone. Being in Japan has exposed me to a new way of thinking that I really like. I think Japanese people have more of a general respect for everything including other people, the cities they live in, the environment, animals, etc
A Few of the Most Important Lessons Being in Japan Has Taught Me
In the context of sustainability, I have learned numerous lessons from Japan. Of course, I have learned about a few different methods of organic farming. Besides the most standard organic farming methods which merely abstain from pesticides and fertilizers, I am also familiar with the “Natural Farming Method” and “Kyusei Nature Farming” (used in conjunction with Effective Microorganisms) (see previous posts for further explanation). I have discovered the “Chisan Chishou”, “grow locally, consume locally” movement that encourages citizens to buy from local growers and pay more attention to the environmental impact of their food choices. I have seen firsthand how the Japanese mindset promotes efficient use of resources while also minimizing waste. I have realized the convenience and environmental impact of an efficient and widely available public transportation system, as well as the importance of walking and biking for errands instead of using the car.  I have found that the cars in Japan get much better mileage than the average American car, though that is a little bittersweet. It is fantastic that there is technology that allows us to get such great gas mileage and reduce greenhouse emissions, but it is very disappointing that is is not more widely available. I am sad to say that I have become more aware of the impact of money and politics on the environment and I hope the world makes a shift more towards selfless concern for the environment and away from profit.
Moreover, after being away from my family, friends, and comfortable routine, I realize how important it is to not take things for granted. People tend to get used to their friends and family and get bored with their seemingly monotonous daily schedule, but when they leave, they may realize how special it all is. Even those things once thought of as boring become precious. I have realized that I must actively try to remember how lucky I am. I am so fortunate to have met such amazing people in my life, to be at a university that I love, and to get the opportunity to have such amazing experience like traveling abroad so young. I will try to show my love and gratitude to all those around me, so they can always know that I am grateful for everything.
Even more, I have realized how similar we all are. People always talk about “culture shock” and getting used to adapting to a new way of life. Yes, the Japanese way is very different from the American way, and maybe it takes getting used to for some people, but I think that more than anything, traveling to Japan has shown me how similar we all are. There are many differences in the way Americans and Japanese people think, but I have noticed even more things that we have in common. It is difficult to explain, but I think that going abroad shows us there are many commonalities in the way all people act, and we are not really as different as we sometimes think.