What is it?
Ever since I first stepped foot in the country of Japan back in February 1989, I have felt a unusual strong longing to live here. People ask me what is it that you like so much about Japan, and I have to say it is a very difficult question to answer, and I am not sure if I even have an answer.
Let me digress, when my family and I were living on the outskirts of Houston, we never really liked it there. I enjoyed it about 20 years ago, but the way it got built up and overcrowded, the enjoyment of living there quickly vanished and a longing for the country life became stronger and stronger.
Back in August of 2006 we all had went on a vacation to Arkansas, we were all over the state from Little Rock to Mountain View. We were astounded by the beauty of Mountain View, with it’s country life and mountains, and started talking about moving out of the big city to a more rural place.
The discussion developed over a few months and my wife said why don’t we move to Japan. The discussions and contemplations started, and we quickly agreed that we didn’t want to live in Tokyo, so we started looking on the outskirts in the more suburban areas. The discussion progressed until we ended up with a decision that took us a long way from Tokyo, in fact about an hour and a half flight from Tokyo to the far Northern Island of Hokkaido.
It was like a light bulb went off and something that I had not even considered became a obsession to achieve. Ok! Getting back to where I started with this post, the first time I came to Japan was when I was a member of the United Stated Navy, and I first arrived in Okinawa. After spending only a few days there we was back on the ship, on our way to Honshu (mainland Japan).
We pulled into the port at Yokohama, and the excitement of arriving in a new country was overwhelming, what was the land like? How were the people going to accept us? What different animals and plants were there? Tons of thoughts went through my mind as I started a new chapter in my life.
As we got settled in at our new home at Camp Fuji, Japan (literally situated on Mount Fuji) I was anxious to get off base and explore my new surroundings and interact with the local people. I was quickly told by others that if I didn’t speak Japanese, I should not go off base…. What!!! Nonsense!
After about a week I managed to get familiar with the base and how things operated and found myself with some free time. Some friends and myself exchanged some American money to Yen and took off on foot outside of the base. It was exhilarating to take our first steps off base, we were like kids in a candy shop with no budget, eager to explore.
We ended up taking a bus into the nearest town of Gotemba, and walking around the town and learning our way around. We saw other military personnel and was able to ask them questions when we needed a little help, but as far as the locals, there was no communication, other than the frequent stares we received.
I quickly got started in learning enough of the language to ask directions, buy items, etc.. and our weekly explorations got further and further from the base until we were traveling an hour and a half away to Tokyo. Tokyo was an amazing place, the sights and sounds were a sensory overload, but exciting nonetheless.
I found myself falling in love with every aspect of this country, and a uncanny feeling that somehow I was not just a outsider looking in, but a actual part of it at some point in my existence. After spending about 2 years in Japan and then heartbreakingly having to leave, it took me 17 years to get back.
What is it that I like so much about this place? It’s not just the people or scenery, not just the food or the language, but it’s even the mundane. Every aspect of this place appeals to me, the people are warm hearted and kind, the country is very safe, the sights are beautiful, the food is great, the culture is fascinating, architecture is amazing the religions are inspiring. I don’t know what the answer is that makes me love it here so much….. I just do!
If you want to see more pictures of the place I now call home, visit my Flickr Site.
I think there are probably many people that feel the same as I do, and if you can give me an answer of why you love Japan, I would like to hear it. Take Care All.
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Comments
I’ve been to Tokyo twice and loved it, although I did get homesick being on the other side of the world. The people are just so nice, and I love the dichotomy between the ancient and the modern.
I enjoyed your post and hopped over to your Flickr site. It is a beautiful country. I have always longed to visit China and Japan. Maybe one day. Thanks for sharing your memories and photos.
Human beings have different reasons for living in a particular place. If you ask the question, you may hear people say, “my family has lived here for generations,” “I got a job transfer,” or “my partner’s job is based here,” or “I don’t know.”
Then, there are those people who are drawn to certain places for reasons that defy words, reasons they are unable to explain. These kinds of people function based on intuition, feeling and energy attraction that isn’t visible or understood by everybody. You may have been living where you are now in a past life or have some inexplicable impulse to go there.
Japan offers the lure of the exotic. I associate it with profound, inner peace, culture, nature and in essence, another dimension.
I have no clue what this is, but it’s a beautiful serene picture.
Hope all is well in your part of the world. 
HUGS
Debs-E
Why don’t you write about the things you love about Japan when you are out in the country. And then just upload them when you get near an internet connection.
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dropping my EC here. You’ve got such very very beautiful photos.I checked out your flickr and I fell inlove with your job.I tried copying the little stream photo so I can make it my screensaver but it won’t allow me.hahaha attempted to steal your masterpiece lolz..