Observations from the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan

1. Cities like Tokyo are crowded. But driving in lanes and as per set rules and as mandated is a given. Indiscriminate cutting of lanes, tailgating and such like are not seen. Disciplined driving avoids honking and aggression.

2. Through the nine days of travel in Japan, I did not come across a single dented or unclean commercial or private vehicle. Keeping things clean is an article of faith with the Japanese.

3. Japan is obsessed with queues. You will find them not only queuing up for public transport but also for entry into retail stores, cafes, restaurants, Konbinis and ticket counters. This ensures complete order and speed.

4. Japan is globally recognized as the anime capital of the world, with Tokyo serving as its beating heart. Within Tokyo, the Akihabara district is the ultimate epicenter of the culture, functioning as the legendary "Electric Town" and global hub for anime, manga, and otaku entertainment. It is a country obsessed with Anime.

5. In commuter trains and metro transport it is not uncommon to find commuters in deep sleep, sometimes resting their head on the shoulder of the person sitting next to them. This is not frowned upon and I didn't see attempts to wake them up or shove their head away. It was a commuting community that respected the needs of another.

6. I perceived quite a bit of difference between old and new generation Japanese in their daily interaction. Those of the earlier generation are more respectful and polite than the new generation 'kids'. True the world over, but when it comes to Japan, you don't expect such things to change.

7. The awesome network of public transport and connectivity gives a tourist complete flexibility and control over the schedule. Trains, metros, buses and ferries are all seamlessly connected.

8. The accuracy of Google Maps is of incredible assistance to visitors. The complete capability of Google maps to the fore in Japan. I found immense help from Google Maps and the directions were cent percent accurate.

9. The Suica card, which I obtained free from the airport, is a heaven-sent for visitors and locals alike. The ease of topping up, it's wide range of uses and ease of use ties up the card to public transport and convenience stores.

10. The crown jewel of Japan is the Shinkansen. Japanese Railway is the pioneer in high speed rail technology. Shinkansen reaches speeds of up to 320 kph with safety and punctuality as its companions. The first corridor between Tokyo and Osaka was opened in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. It was a dream come true using the Shinkansen services between Tokyo and Kyoto and Osaka and Hiroshima.

11. Safety is non-negotiable in the Japanese scheme of things. It was a common sight to see safety inspectors posted at construction sites to warn the public of possible hazard and also cordon the area with cones and tape. The safety inspectors are togged out in full safety gear and wield a fluorescent baton. In the traditional Japanese manner, they bend at the waist, apologising for the inconveniences caused to the public!

12. Vehicle parking lots are carefully marked with adequate intra vehicular distance. However, care is taken to avoid waste of space. Vehicles are always parked with the nose in front to facilitate easy exit.

13. Even a short visit to Japan makes you 'attached' to Japanese traits, habits and items of daily use. One such is the Japanese toilet. I had heard about the science fiction like toilets. But using them was quite some experience. In the first place, the toilet seats are temperature controlled. Initially the wide array of controls overwhelmed me. There was one to control the temperature of the seat, another to control the strength of the spray, another for direction of the spray, another to clear the nozzle and yet another to operate the drier. Yes, it is a complete washing machine experience in the toilet. To top it all, there is also a control in public toilets where private noises can be masked by playing music! Some flush tanks also double up as wash basin. I miss the Japanese toilet.

14. Density of population in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, etc makes the cost of living space very high. The creative and innovative genius of the Japanese make use of the limited space by developing multitasking living and working spaces.

15. Pollution is not an issue in Japan, at least the towns and cities I visited in the 9 days. The air is clean and tap water can be drunk directly without filtration. Ponds, streams, lakes and Rivers are so clean that one can see right up to the bottom of some of them. Responsible people ensure a sustainable environment.

16. The unofficial national sport of the country is Baseball, while spectator interest in soccer has exploded in the recent past. Basketball is another sport where audience and youth participation has increased considerably in the recent past. Besides, traditional sports like Sumo wrestling and martial arts like Judo, Kendo and Karate are popular too.

17. Japanese skin texture is to be seen to be believed, particularly women. Their cheeks are like reflective glass sheets, on which you can skate. Whether it is their DNA or the magic of beauty treatments, it is hard to tell. Talking about beauty treatments, the most noticeable shops in Japan are those selling beauty products. The industry is so active that most visitors fill their bags with various products to gift and also use for themselves.

18. Japanese are so finicky about punctuality that I felt it was almost of pandemic proportions. They apologise for a delay of even a minute. Announcements are made at train stations. Commuters can even get a printed late arrival slip from train stations so that employees can present it to their organisation. They lay great store in being 'on time' and not even 'in time'.

19. You will walk miles without coming across garbage cans or disposal bins. Yet the streets are clean, nothing strewn around. In Japan, people carry trash with them for as long as they find an appropriate disposal point. Most convenience stores have them. Civic sense is not only part of the Japanese DNA but is  reinforced through education and societal behaviour.

20. Japan has automated underground parking garages for bicycles. Despite the excellent pubic transport people live to bicycle to work, shopping and for leisure. To ensure utilisation of space, orderly behaviour, safety and convenience the local administration operates underground bicycle garages.

21. Public smoking is banned in most parts of Japan. While it's is banned for the public good, smoking is not altogether banned either. Local administration has built designated smoking enclosures, where the smoke nuisance is contained and the non-smoking public are not inconvenienced.

22. Politeness of the Japanese in their interactions with others is a matter to be admired. Dignity of the individual and societal harmony is very evident. Perhaps, it has something to do with the influence of religion. More than 95 percent Japanese practise Shintoism and Buddhism, which are passive in their very nature.

23. Drivers of public transport buses besides performing the normal service of driving and ensuring fare collection also make announcements from time to time about safety, stoppages, etc. But what really moved me was the assistance that a driver gave to a wheelchair passenger. At the bus stop where the passer got on, the driver parked the bus, got off the bus and arranged a ramp at the entrance and helped the passenger in. When the passenger had to get off, the driver helped him get off too. Impossible even to visualise in most countries.

24. The vast array of food and its varieties are mind boggling. Japanese love their food, are innovative and creative in its presentation. People wait in queues outside restaurants serving their iconic recipes. Street food is the best way to experience the range Japanese cuisine has to offer, be it hot meals, seafood, desserts, barbeque, etc.

25. One of the major conveniences in Japan is the ever-present Konbinis or Convenience Stores. It is said that there are more than 50,000 convenience stores in Japan. The most popular ones among them are 7 Eleven, Family Mart and Lawsons. One can rely on them for fresh food, bakery items, drinks, liquor and much more. The sheer range is mind-blowing. Some of them provide hot water to make soups and noodles. The only restriction is that one cannot have food inside the store. Each of the convenience stores also is known for their signature food and pastries. These stores helped me to sample local fare at affordable prices without having to pay top dollar in swanky restaurants.

26. Most food joints and small retail outlets still deal in cash. Considering the level of automation in Japan I found it extremely strange that cash is still king in much of Japan. As compared, the extent to which digital payments have developed in India, is a matter of tremendous pride.