Japan in March — Records of Roam

Japan was magical to me. It was unlike any place I had been, and it quickly became my personal favorite place I’ve ever visited.

Japan’s population is 98% Japanese. Although this homogeneous demographic make-up means a lack of diversity for those who are raised here or live here, it means something particularly special for those who visit. You feel completely immersed in Japanese culture.

It’s also incredibly safe. For the first time, I could experience travel the way I imagined it would be; I could walk down the street, let my guard down, and truly just explore and experience a new place. And Japan isn’t just a “new” place, it’s a drastically different culture where I don’t know the language and can’t attempt to translate it.

It is an orderly country. We didn’t see garbage on the streets, or homeless. We were often the only non-Asians, especially in the beginning of the month before more Western tourists arrived. As a country that was left untouched for 200 years, during a time when mass immigration and spread of culture was happening, Japan offers a unique experience; it's like a preserved culture capsule in a world that’s becoming increasingly intertwined.

Things we noticed (and loved!) throughout Japan included:

Superb Shopping! Wow, the Japanese love to shop. You could find anything you needed, and things you didn't even know existed. There were fancy department stores, massive malls above train stations, and unique, fashion-forward boutiques. Jeff and I both agreed we'd bring an empty suitcase with us the next time we visit Japan so we can bring home more goodies!

Amazing Food. Yes, the sushi was incredible. The first bowl of ramen we had was by far the best bowl I'd ever eaten, and our discovery of tsukemen ramen was a highlight. We tried new dishes like okonomiyaki and takoyaki and encountered unfamiliar textures and flavors. We also loved the food markets we visited throughout Japan, and even the grocery stores had quality sushi and takeaway meals.

Sake & Whiskey. We've loved experiencing new wine regions during our travels and trying new wines, but Japan was not one of those destinations. We did, however, get our hands on plenty of their rice wine, sake. Japan is also gaining a reputation for producing great whiskey, and we discovered a new favorite: Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky.

Respect & Patience. In such an orderly country, the sense of respect was evident. The streets were clean, and everyone patiently and politely waited their turn, whatever the circumstances. We never saw anyone jaywalking (except us!), and the only impatience I encountered was my own.

Old Jazz Bars. This was an unexpected delight. In every city we visited, we discovered old bars that felt like your grandparent's cozy living room, with an elderly Japanese bartender serving drinks while spinning old jazz records on vinyl.