Japan Baby!

[We have arrived in Japan!  It has been a whirlwind of sightseeing and amazing food.  It is hard to believe that a country that is so close to Korea can be so different.  While there are similarities the differences are noticeable enough to make me pause and remember that I am just not in Korea anymore.  There will be much more to come later to chronicle my time in Japan but here is a little to get me started.]

Top 5 differences between Korea and Japan

1.  Fathers are MUCH more a presence.  In Korea, dads seem to come out on weekends to spend time with their children.  In Japan, dads are everywhere.  They seem to spend much more time with their children during the week. 

2.  The Japanese have taken a page from the rest of the world and drive on the opposite side of the road.

3. Whoever invented vending machines is now ridiculously wealthy largely due to the Japanese.  Everything and anything is sold in vending machines.  When I say anything I do mean...ANYTHING.  A few of the noteworthy are: alcohol, bugs, swimsuits and underwear

4.  In Korea swimsuits are not generally worn at the beach.  It is becomming more popular with the younger generations but is still not widely accepted.  In Japan swimsuits are worn by all age groups.  Bikinis included.

5.  The Japanese do not maintain eye contact.  If you happen to make eye contact with someone they will immediately avert their eyes.  This happens in Korea but is taken to a new level in Japan.

We will go to Nagasaki on 7/25 and will stay until 7/28.  There are many things on our to-do-list so we will see if we manage to cross them all off.  Included in the list is Oura church (I have started buying rosaries for my mom in every major city I visit), Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park, Asias 2nd largest ferris wheel and so much more! 

With 6 more days in Japan...there is more to come!