What People Miss Most About Japan

Many Brazilians and other foreigners spend years in Japan and then have to return to Brazil or their home countries for work, family or other reasons. When that happens, it is often the small everyday things that stay in your mind the longest.

In this article, we look at the things people usually miss most after leaving Japan. They are the details that turn a place into a routine, and routine is exactly what people tend to remember later.

Places People Miss in Japan

Cities and neighborhoods - There are countless places people end up missing, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Akihabara, Osaka, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Hokkaido and Okinawa.

Ofuro - Many apartments and houses in Japan have a bathtub, and that alone is enough for people to miss it after they leave.

Climate - Some people get used to Japan's cold winters and snow, so returning to a hot and dry climate can feel much rougher than they expected.

Japanese bathrooms are modern, clean and practical almost everywhere, including public ones.

Service and first-class attention in many parts of the country, no matter where you are or what kind of store or business you visit.

Train stations - Fast, comfortable and connected to the whole country through an enormous rail network.

• Standardized sidewalks and streets without potholes.
• Wet towels in restaurants and cafes to clean your hands.
• Cash on delivery for some parcels and purchases.

Japanese Food People Miss

Hanbaiki - Vending machines that sell almost anything, even in deserted places, are something many people miss deeply.

Food - There are countless varieties of meals, sweets and snacks. It is hard not to miss at least a few of them.

Convenience stores - Who would not miss efficient 24-hour konbini, where you could buy almost anything at any time?

Onigiri - Simple, tasty and cheap food.

Everyday Life in Japan

Safety - One of the main reasons people struggle after returning to Brazil is the loss of that peace of mind. Walking around at any hour with money and a phone in your pocket without worrying about robbery or violence changes the way you feel about daily life.

Decent salary - Despite the high cost of living, many people miss earning a more comfortable salary than they had back home. The minimum wage in Japan varies by prefecture, and for some people that difference makes a huge impact.

Silence - Many people miss that quiet feeling, where you can sleep during the day without constant noise from cars, music or loud neighbors.

Education - You will miss it a lot. Really, a lot.

Japanese language - Sometimes you get used to words like gomen, yoroshiku, daijoubu, otsukaresama, arigatou and hai, and they start slipping into your speech without you even noticing.

Taking shoes off - This is another habit that many people only realize they miss after they return home.

More job opportunities - For some people, the chance to find steadier work is one of the biggest reasons Japan stays in their memory.

There are many other details that could be mentioned. It is hard to describe even 10% of what people miss about Japan. Leave a comment saying what you miss most, or what you think you would miss most if you ever left.