Unexpectedly longer than I planned. It was different. I went to a super good hotel and super good area. Met random people from online. Visited a proper temple not the usual tourist area. Tried quite of bit of restaurants.
There were a mix of random people, definitely not people I would've met otherwise. You never know how random people are going to be, so I'm glad there were
no super high energy people. Trouble follows those kinds which I don't want nor desire.
I got to do impromptu Japanese/English Karaoke in a GTR as part of my whole meet random people venture. GTR is the best car obviously! Got to visit some little piggies. Experienced a, somewhat interactive, art light show at TeamLab Museum. A unique experience since art changed from time to time and from room to room. Visited a Buddhist temple and experienced an enlightening sitting down for their 30 minute chant. I clearly got lucky and made it there without knowing it was going to happen. I just walked in and then sat down to relax then the chants started to a clearly confused me, but I soaked it in like I knew it was going to happen. Head was clear after that and contemplated things. Was I going to turn Buddhist? Ha, no. I visited multiple temples, but this one was the most immersive as the others were tourist temples.
I was able to walk around at night through random neighborhoods and not care. No cops asked for "papers please" even though they have every right to and could for no reason. In fact, unexpectedly, they bowed/nodded from time to time. It's a much needed change of pace and attitude from Murica.
Setting little kids, little girls really walk around in a train station without a guardian is definitely a shocker. It's also indicative of the level of trust they have in society with regard to respect of humans. It's just not a normal sight anywhere in America.
I think one thing you learn to appreciate is charisma. Charisma comes naturally with people as long as they are around the same energy level. I mean the kind of charisma that follows upon putting effort to getting to know people. There's no forced niceties, no expected smiles on meeting, nothing. It's all natural.
You could say I was fish out of water, so I was able to utter a little Japanese but typically enthusiastically, so I was asked repeatedly if I knew how to speak it. I've no problem with pronunciation as acknowledged by whoever hears me (Taxi driver said it was beautiful), I just don't have a big vocabulary nor understanding of building sentences. Hotel dining staff did humor (too much to their enjoyment) my Japenglish and sought to inject Japanese where they felt they could. It's not the kind of interaction nor sustained interactions you'd expect, but it happened. I think it broke them from some monotony of their job considering it was a very much western hotel on their land and also its the way I sound/project the words. Just enthusiastic, hard for me to not be.
Pretty sure all of the chefs for the Michelin star restaurants smiled because of the way I would say supaaa oishii or umai. I have to blame anime for the emphasis. Pretty sure anyone who spoke Japanese smiled at my fish out of water noob confidence and emphasis. Chef, staff and food at Oniku Karyu was the best.
I got sick enough to extend the trip. I stayed in the hotel for that extended time for 2 reasons: recovery and not get sick again so I could leave the country. Pretty sure it was because I was on the train/subway for an extended period of time more than I ever would be and for the first time in like 6 years. I should've stuck to taxis like I planned on.
Negative Portion START!
I have newfound detest-ability for Americans and the culture that breeds disrespect. I already find those who are bottom feeders and deadbeats detestable, but upon experiencing a city, a nation where respect is held in high regard, where you are not constantly bombarded by media reports of crime, lack of safety, thievery and all the other negative bs. I find Americans who bring their trashy behavior to their travels detestable. America and its systems is a product of its own shit such that I have far less respect for it since the trip. I always had a belief that a city with density would always have detestable elements, but it's uniquely an artifact of disrespectful cultures, lax governance and a crappy upbringing.
Negative Portion COMPLETE!
Moving out of America wasn't something I considered seriously as it is nice to dream, but certainly is something I say would be more than worth it. You still need to find your kind of people wherever you go, but I imagine much easier if you find respectful people in a proper culture.
Moving to Japan would be a culture shock for anyone from America. The bits of culture, behavior expectations and language barrier are more than enough to send you back home. I personally wouldn't move to Japan. Great experience in Tokyo, but I think you have to be there from birth to fit in properly. True dedication is needed.
I would definitely recommend going and being respectful. Respect is paramount. It includes learning basic Japanese greetings, numbers, words and trying to understand some spoken Japanese. Whatever you do or think is OK in America, do not do in Japan that includes arguing with cops or any security. Show your passport and whatever else they need if asked don't give anyone a hard time. If you land in trouble because of your stupidity given their extreme patience, you will be given a really really hard time. Just do what is asked and move on.
Respect is paramount. It is paramount. It's my kind of society, but I still wouldn't move there.