Japan - our thoughts ...

We are now well and truly on our way home. We have just had 2 bus trips - one from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo (traffic horrendous, e.g. 12 km took 1 hour! We then got the Airport bus to Narita Tobu Hotel which is where we are right now.
This will be the last Footprint for our Japan adventure. We thought (really to prompt our memories in the future) we would highlight some things that have made this trip so special.
Once again, thanks so much for allowing us to share our journey with you.
Here's our take on Japan -
The Japanese are polite, kind, conforming and honourable people.
The Japanese babies and toddlers are absolutely gorgeous.
There are no rubbish bins in Japan and absolutely no litter.
If there's a complicated way of doing something, the Japanese will do it!
Japanese love announcements and in lifts, on trains and buses, at train and bus stations there are announcements constantly - often 2 announcements at one time!!
The public transport system is efficient (to the minute) and fabulous!  The Icoca and Suica cards are a god-send. You load them with Yen and just swipe them on trains and buses. No need to purchase tickets or pay for any transport. The cards can be used at stores as well.
Matcha is part of the green tea plant and Japanese people love it! Matcha smoothies, ice cream, chocolate, etc.
Cheers in Japanese is 'campie'!
Kaideki meal - lots of different small courses.
Before eating - it is polite to say "itadaki masu" which means you are grateful for the food provided.
Food in Japan is much less expensive than in Australia (especially restaurant meals).
Toilets in Japan - talk about Hi-Tech! Some lift their lid as you enter the toilet, most flush automatically, there are inbuilt bidets (we love them!), there is a panel of options that you choose to operate for flushing, various bidet functions, etc! Amazing!
We have been very surprised by the Japanese terrain. 70% of Japan is uninhabitable because of very steep hills and high mountains.
So it's sayonara from your Pals, Kerrie & Roger xxRead more