See wonder. The man’s daughter, the hero of this novel (me)
got Japan. The verb ”get” is very appropriate here since she not only simply
reached Japan but also obtained it as an unexpected new experience. Enlightening
trip professionally, humanly, touristically. Undoubtedly unforgettable.
If I had intentionally observed my account of experiences told to family and friends, I’d realized that some details had been curved more than others.
If I had intentionally observed my account of experiences told to family and friends, I’d realized that some details had been curved more than others.
Japanese attitude
Three notions come into my mind when speaking about Japanese
people: courtesy, thoroughness, humbleness. I was lucky to meet the Japanese in
their own country not only on the
streets of Tokyo but also in the coutry and not only as a tourist but also as a
business partner. This mixture shaped my impression jointly. Their discipline
on every field of life is respectable.
Tokyo Subway
This discipline is the most eye-catching for an outsider (they
call foreigners ”gaidzsin”) and perceptible when using public transportation. TOKYO,
as the largest metropolitan area in the world with its 12 million (!)
inhabitants (Hungary’s population is 10 million) is absolutely overcrowded. On
reflection we have to admit that discipline is a must. Each member of the
rolling crowd knows well how to behave and how to position themselves in order
to avoid any bottleneck. However, they have rules to keep while using elevators
or steps that is very simple: always move on the left giving the chance for the
faster passengers to overtake you without any problem. If Japanese attitude is
spellbinding, their sybway system as well. As of 2013, the entire network of Tokyo Metro and Toei has 290 stations and
13 lines. The Tokyo Metro and Toei networks together carry a combined average
of over eight million passengers daily. I can confirm, we tried and used several
times and felt our sense of locality quite poor in the labyrinthine underground
passageways first but after a couple of days I found it so logical and was able
to orientate myself easily. Anyway, willing people always occured when needed.
Japanese Gardens
Japanese gardens are traditional gardens that create
miniature idealized landscapes and actually they were developed under the influences of the Chinese gardens. The gardens of the Emperors and nobles were designed for
recreation and aesthetic pleasure, while the gardens of Buddhist temples were designed for contemplation and meditation. As for me, they delight
my eyes and make me stop and think.
Shinkansen, the Super Express
If you asked me what caused goosebumps for me in Japan, the
answer definately would be: shinkansen. The shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. The
maximum operating speed is 320 km/h outside the town. Test runs have
reached 443 km/h for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world record 581 km/h
for maglev (magnetic levitation) trainsets in 2003. Japan was the first
country to build dedicated railway lines for high speed travel. We have
travelled by shinkansen, but the real great experience was for me to see the very
first one to skim away in front of me while standing on the platform. It was
too fast, whizzed and disappeared at once. And my chin fall. And I didn’t
want to beleive what I actually saw. And I felt the goosebumps on my arms what’s
more I needed to check in real because all were unbelievable.
I could sing the praise of Japan on and on but where to
finish? I could write about the mysterious Mt. Fuji that I expect to show much
more from itself next time, about the earthquake-proof largest Tokyo Sky Tree tower
with its high speed elevator even if we saw nothing from the look-out part because
of the fog, about the unapproachable Imperial Palace, about the intended device
built in those spotless intellectual lavatories, about how they handle umbrellas, about the 10-course (or so) round
table business dinner or about our ”shabu-shabu” business lunch featuring thinly
sliced beef and vegetables boiled in water and served with dipping sauces.
I saw too many good things to enumerate here and tooo many treasure
remained that tempt me to return to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Let me lay down that I knew nothing about Japan before this trip. Once the trip was realized, I rushed into the library and borrowed all Japan-related books to get to know and feel closer them and their culture and – I definately wanted to learn eating with sticks prior to reach the country. This trip set something going inside… When we reached Narita Intl. Airport, I remember that big poster on the wall saying: TOKYO WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART. I officially report, it did… Hai!
