I miss 7-11…
I just got back from nearly 3 weeks in Japan, and I already miss it. The joyful memories come back in flashes; feeding the wild deer in Nara (the bruises from their bites only lasted a week!) Dotonbori in Osaka with its incredible food and an experience that made Times Square look mild. Climbing a gajillion stairs to see wild monkeys in Kyoto. The tranquillity of Kaga, and the history in Kanazawa. Eating at a delicious one-man restaurant in Tokyo run by a chef who lost his voice to cancer, communicating with pointing and writing.
One of my favorite parts was being able to immerse in a culture I’d only ever read about or seen in movies. I love taking public transportation when I travel; nothing shows you how a place really works quite like it!
In New York getting on the subway can feel like being part of an ever expanding amoeba. In Japan, commuters actually let people off the train before trying to board. They stand on the correct side of the escalator (left or right, depending on if you’re in Tokyo or Osaka), with a consistent step between people. When one of our bullet trains was delayed, the connecting one even waited for us. Amtrak would never!
While the MTA recently rolled out new gates to reduce fare-evasion, many of the subway gates in Tokyo are just…open. No barrier or person is stopping you from strolling through, yet everyone scans their pass, doing their part for the social contract.
I also seldom saw anyone rushing or running. As I get back into my daily routine, I’d like to find moments to slow down, both mentally and physically. And don’t get me started on the public restrooms, which I’m still not over!
My trip wasn’t all culture and transit; I brought home plenty of clothing, stationery, ceramics, lacquerware, and a literal suitcase of snacks, so don’t worry, my takeaways aren’t all intellectual. One culinary take-home is that I’ve started making my own onigiri!
Oh, and if you’re wondering, 7-11 is an entirely different store in Japan. A place of snacks and wonder and delicious egg sandwiches, a place I will dream of returning to as soon as I can.
