I was able to travel to a lot of countries in my high school/college days and out of all my travels Japan is my favorite country of them all. My dad went on his mission to Tokyo and wanted to go back and visit. I had just graduated from high school and after taking Japanese in high school I really wanted to go try out my Japanese speaking skills.
Growing up we had six Japanese students stay with us. My parents have stayed in contact with one of them, Mikako. We met up with her and her family. Japanese people are seriously the most gracious people on earth. If you tell them you like something they’re wearing they will literally take it off their back and give it to you. My mom found that out the hard way… Mikako’s mom gave my mom one of her necklaces, and no you can’t give something back when it’s given to you.
One of the things that I love about Japanese people is their traditional values. No one locks up their bikes, no one talks on their cell phones on trains, no one eats in public areas, no one tips (my favorite), and no one throws their trash on the ground. Japan is amazingly clean.
Tokyo station. Almost every man wears a white shirt and tie to work.
Asakusa gate.
I make it a rule to always try foods at least once. This is my sister and me eating ika (squid) at a shabu-shabu style restaurant.
Mikako’s parents gave my sister and me kimonos.
The Diabutsu (Great Buddha) in Kamakura. It has survived many tidal waves. It was built in 1252. It still amazes me that I have seen something that old. 
I have been on many city’s train systems and Japan’s are by far the cleanest. We always saw them being cleaned.
Ready to get on the shinkansen (bullet train).
Ikebukoro, Tokyo. My dad taking in all the nostalgia.
Girls still wear their kimonos around town.
Our shabu-shabu meal. I ate some weird nasty food there.
The Tokyo temple.
The Tokyo skyline.
I love Japan. Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me!
