Forgive me if I lose count, but this must be the twentifith post (and may be the last post) about Japan! I guess I just can’t get enough. My Japan trip has finally come to an end but the all the experiences have been unique. This definitely is a must visit place in your lifetime.Japan, I will hold you in my heart, in my mind and soul for things I have learnt!

 Japanese are extremely civilized and sensitive. Manners and custom are an important part of many facets of Japanese life.

For example:

• It is a custom to take off your shoes before entering a Japanese house, some restaurants and hotels will also require you to do this – there is normally a separate place to put your shoes.
• When meeting people you bow and depending on the time of the day you wish them Ohayou Gozaimasu (good morning) Konichiwa (good afternoon) Konbanwa (Good evening) Oyasuminasai (goodnight).
• When you address someone you should use the suffix “-san”, so Mr.Sagar becomes Sagar-san.
• Before eating it is customary to put your hands together and say ‘ita-daki-masu’ (I will partake) and afterwards ‘gochi-so-sama-deshita’ (that was delicious).

  The amount bowed depends upon how much respect the person bowing wishes to convery

I am impressed with the aesthetic sense of Japan. I could see art everywhere as I moved around the country.

• Food is displayed artistically outside the restaurants to help you visualize the portion size and delicacy you have ordered.  
• The Japanese gardens are very artistic and elegant.
• The Japanese art of ikebana (flower arranging) and bonsai  art of growing trees in pots by pruning them so they resemble miniature, old trees. 
• Origami-The traditional Japanese art of paper folding.

The skyscrapers are the epitome of the advance technology, Japan is known for.

 Perhaps no country in the world is better prepared to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis than Japan. The giant rubber pads and embedded hydraulic shock absorbers make modern Japanese buildings among the sturdiest in the world. 

 Though people here do not follow a religion, they are still united and stay in peace. Buddhist teachings and their faith in Shinto reinforces the idea of peace.

 The garbage disposal system is a very complex one:  It requires sorting your garbage into several semi-transparent bags before you want to trash it.There are several categories into which you have to sort your garbage- combustible, on-combustible, recyclable, cans, pet bottles etc. After you sort your garbage in different categories you have to take your garbage to the collection point by 8:00 in the morning on the proper collection day…phew! 

 Japan’s high speed trains (bullet trains) are called shinkansen and are operated by Japan Railways: Running at a speed of 300km/h, the shinkansen is known for punctuality (most trains depart on time to the second), comfort (relatively silent cars with spacious seats), safety (no fatal accidents in its history) and efficiency.

My special thanks to Alex and Keiko-chan, Yao-chan , Itagakisan & Shihochan for making our Japan trip a memorable one!!