Most of us come here because of anime or manga. But I was never into that. Naruto is cool, and I love Pokemon. But I'm not like these supernerds that come here on a pilgrimage. I think Japan is cool for cooler reasons.
Here's what I love about Japan and its culture:
1. Kissa Ten
It's a coffee shop, but in a time machine. You walk into what could be your grandma's living room, with the furniture and knick-knacks. People are smoking-- inside. If it's before 11am, you get buttered toast, a hot coffee, and a hard-boiled egg. For 500 yen.*
2. Sento
A public bathouse. Also from another time. You get to dip into different hot tubs amongst a bunch of naked old Japanese men. If you're lucky they'll talk to you. In the sauna. Which is over 100 degrees celsius. Then you do the cold plunge. And then back again. Do that a few times and you won't complain that weed isn't legal here.
3. Karaoke**
You don't know how to use the machine. It looks like it was pulled out of Area 51. Someone will help you. You'll hear someone sing Bon Jovi. Everything else is foreign, but you can feel it. You try to sing the English parts. Everyone is happy. All you can drink. $20.
I would also add convenience stores, trains, fast food, arcades and maybe sharehouses to this list. But for now this is a good start.
* Roughly 3 dollars.
** This started for me in Taiwan in the form of KTV, but guess what, it's from Kōbe.
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Enjoy!