“In a few minutes, we will be starting our descent…The weather in Narita is clear, with a temperature of 15°C.”

As first-timers in Japan, my husband and I were more than thrilled to hear that announcement on the plane. We were so looking forward to experience what other travelers have been raving about: Japan is beautiful, and so much more.

Imagine our excitement when we finally arrived after months of anticipation, especially given the Japanese Embassy’s advisories on limiting visa applicants and longer processing times caused by the recent surge in tourist visa applications. Never mind that our original tour plan had been changed, leaving us only five days to explore and savor Japanese culture. We were determined to experience everything we could.

Clean, green, and hi-tech 

Refreshing urban greenery

In a nutshell, Japan is clean and green.

Trees abound everywhere, even in highly urbanized Tokyo. It’s so refreshing to see so much greenery amidst towering buildings. Lush trees in various shades of green and flowering plants dot the city’s landscape, contributing to cleaner air and a cool outdoor breeze, clearly showing Japan’s commitment to preserving its natural environment and promoting urban greening.

Outside the capital, more trees and mountains greet our eyes, making the long commute an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Streets and roads are litter-free, with not so much as a candy wrapper to be seen on the pavement! Public trash cans are rare, reflecting an emphasis on personal responsibility for cleanliness, particularly waste management. People are expected to carry their trash until they can dispose of it properly, usually when they get home, as Japan’s organized waste disposal system involves sorting various types of waste for efficient collection and recycling. We can only sigh wistfully: Sana all. 

Japan is also known for high-tech home fixtures, such as toilets. You’ve likely heard of or seen them on TV—toilets with heated seats and a variety of buttons for all your needs. 

Hotel bathrooms are generally easy to navigate because of instructions in English, but public restrooms are a bit challenging. There are many buttons, making the toilet confusing to use; sometimes the flush button seems to be missing.

At one restaurant, for instance, I was next in line to use the restroom and the person inside was taking an unusually long time. It turned out she was struggling to find the flush button and was pressing every button available. The bidet thus continued to gush water, wetting the floor and parts of her clothes. She was embarrassed at keeping me waiting, but I managed to help turn off the bidet. When it was my turn, I discovered that the controls were quite complicated. I had to put on my reading glasses to ensure I was pressing the correct button!

But public restrooms are clean and always stocked with flushable toilet paper. It took me several restroom visits to realize that the sign actually encourages flushing the toilet paper, contrary to such signs in the Philippine setting. Japanese technology has developed toilet paper that easily dissolves in water to prevent clogging. However, other paper products like wipes must be disposed of in the trash bin. Again, our sigh: Sana all.

Kei cars

Kei cars are regulated vehicles commonly used in Japan. These cute, mini automobiles are popular in both urban and rural areas. Short for kei-jidōsha, which means “light vehicle,” a kei car is known for fuel efficiency and affordability. Owners also enjoy lower tax and insurance rates, plus it’s very practical, especially in navigating narrow streets and tight parking spaces.

But who needs private vehicles when there is efficient mass transportation? We didn’t get the chance to experience commuting, but we saw how extensive is the public transit system. Notable are the driverless (because computer-operated) trains, and the hydrogen fuel cell buses that reduce carbon emissions by emitting only water vapor! Another laudable eco-friendly innovation.

Seatbelt use is mandatory for all passengers, including on buses. Our guide, Amanda, would shout “shītoberuto” (seatbelt) before the tour bus departed. A fellow Pinoy tourist exclaimed, “There is [a seatbelt]?!” 

“Of course!” Amanda replied in disbelief, puzzled why the simple request seemed like a tall order.  

Kindness, tidiness

The Japanese people are generally kind. I asked a few locals for directions, and they were very helpful. Some even checked their phones to make sure they were providing the exact location. Sometimes, they will even show you the way, and not just point you in the correct direction.

And because there is a strong sense of social order in Japan, it is regarded as a safe place. I accidentally left my digital camera in a toilet cubicle in the Asakusa Temple compound, and found it still there minutes later. Despite the bustling crowds of locals and tourists, it seems that everyone is influenced by Japan’s culture of honesty.

And the Japanese tidiness is made obvious in their habitual cleaning up after a meal. Food courts typically have a designated area for returning trays with used plates and utensils. The hotels we stayed in also adhered to this practice, especially during the breakfast buffet. 

According to Amanda, the Japanese place great value on cleanliness and order because of their deep respect for the environment. They believe that every element of nature—such as trees, mountains, and rivers—is sacred and therefore should be protected and cared for.

But it’s not as though all we did was marvel at how everything in Japan seems perfect, and sigh wistfully at the differences in its culture and ours. 

Of course, we did not pass up the chance to experience some tourist must-dos: We crossed Shibuya’s busiest intersection, not once, but three times. Took photos with Hachiko, Godzilla in Shinjuku, and Gundam in Odaiba. Shopped for pasalubong at Don Quijote. Splurged a little at Uniqlo and Gotemba Premium Outlets. Personalized our cup noodles at the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama. Ate ramen and takoyaki, and sipped matcha.

Majesty

But the best part and the most memorable for me was seeing Mount Fuji.

We traveled for hours, hoping to see Mount Fuji near Lake Kawaguchi, but cloudy skies frustrated us. We woke the next day to the same overcast skies, and we prayed for a chance to glimpse its beauty. Just as we were leaving, disheartened, it appeared, but so briefly, in all its majestic glory! A magical moment. And then, just like that, it vanished behind the clouds. Fuji-san, arigatou gozaimasu!

As we settled into our seats for the flight home, I could feel my legs and feet aching from all the walking we did. I dozed off, with happy memories to cherish and a hope to return someday.

Within hours we heard the announcement: “In a few minutes, we will be starting our descent. …The weather in Manila is clear with a temperature of 35°C.”