Big in Japan

Colorful neon lights, large LCD screens and a massive amount of people welcomes every

new traveler to the Land of the Rising Sun; at least, it is the thoughts engraved in peoples mind.

It isnt false. At its peak, nothing less than 2,500 people pace the Shibuya crossing at the

same time creating absolute chaos; a chaos much different than what you could expect in American

cities, a respectful chaos. Some goes to work, some daydream about the next piece of clothing

theyre ready to buy, many get ready to wait hours for a picture with Hachiko, the statue of the

dog that made millions of people cry and inspired the famous movie Hachi: A Dogs Tale, but

all of them are amazed by the immensity of the surrounding.

Japan, like other East Asian countries, holds a vast population in a relatively small

perimeter. According to the United Nations, Greater Tokyo is the most populated metropolitan

area in the world with 37.8 million people. On the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower

sits an outdoor observation deck that can't be missed. Spoiler alert, what you sight is miles and

miles of concrete; maybe not very attractive said like that, but genuinely fascinating once there.

This fact can also be observed, not only from the highest buildings but also from the ground. The

streets of the capital are the owner of innumerous commerce. Not a speck of dust separates each

building, and every square foot has its utility. A high majority of the edifice has up to four floors

without counting the basement, and they are all used to serve food, drinks or merchandise. Daijiro,

our guide, and my father's business partner brought my family and me to this small restaurant

seating a maximum of 20 people on the second floor of an old, not too appealing construction.

Very intimate, the owner, his wife and their daughter are not only the waiters, but they're also the

chefs, and the landlords of the first and third floor. It was an absolutely mind-blowing experience.
Starting the dinner with a beer after a long flight, Daijiro ordered one of the few things Japanese

eats with their drinks, squid. Served cold in a liquid sauce, I only ate one, and it was enough.

Tokyo overflows with captivating destinations.

Fan of Japanese pop culture, the Robot restaurant will satisfy your love for it. This

performance is the most iconic experience you could ask for. Pictures of tons of celebrities garnish

the walls of the entrance setting their status like none other than the most famous attraction in

Tokyo. Make sure to get your tickets quickly; it doesnt take long until theyre out of it. Situated

in Shinjuku, the nightlife district, the Robot restaurant transports you to another world. It all starts

with the few stairways illuminated with thousands of neon lights. Once seated, you enjoy a unique

dance show. Performers act a war between 10-foot robots, princesses, and other mythical creatures.

Also, the dancers arent wearing much more than what it takes to cover the essential part of their

body. Warning, people, including myself, are often inhibited, and it looks like it makes the show

even better. The ambiance is electrifying as it is a non-stop action show from the beginning to the

end. A few breaks are much needed, not only to buy more alcohol but mainly because the spectacle

is overwhelming. Smoke is coming off robots, music is so loud that it is impossible to hear

whatever the person next to you is saying, lasers are flying from the ceiling in every direction, and

dancers are screaming letting us know the battle isnt something to play with. Also, the Robot

restaurant is a perfect place to meet new people. Sitting next to me was three siblings from

Australia coming to live the same experience as me. It is amazing how foreign land can create ties

between people who never met before. The fact that we were both travelers to an unknown country

automatically created a conversation.

Innovation is at the center of Tokyos culture. Amusement parks are hard to install in a city

where land is lacking. The solution involves an area where they succeed, technology. The VR Park
Tokyo in Shibuya uses virtual reality at its finest. You put on your headset and let science do the

rest. In a matter of seconds, you could be behind the wheels of a sports car, being the next Aaron

Judge, walking the squeaking floor of a haunted house, or bungee jumping in the jungle. The VR

Park Tokyo isnt the only one using the new technology to its advantage. No more than nine other

spots only in the city of Tokyo are benefiting from VR as an amusement park.

Nonetheless, entertainment covers only a minimal part of a trip to the land of the rising

sun." The country of more than 125 million inhabitants perfectly mixes future and history.

Spiritually and culturally rich, Japan's abundance in temples and shrines will surely charm all its

visitors.

Jump at any time on one of the high-speed bullet trains, and cities like Kyoto, Nara or the

Mount Fuji are only a few hours away. The train riding at approximately 200 mph combines speed,

but also luxe and comfort.

Known for its famous environmental protocol, Kyoto also carries a numerous amount of

spiritual buildings making it a must for any travelers. Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines from

centuries ago still sit up and kept in perfect conditions. From those, the Kiyomizu-dera stands on

top of a picturesque hill where a 10-minute walk into a steep little street with hundreds of

restaurants and souvenir shops awaits you. Once arrived at your destination, youve reached the

highest point of Kyoto, making the view irresistible. The Kiyomizu-dera temple figures as one of

the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Close to Kyoto and also famous for its temples and shrines is Nara. History says that a

Shinto god arrived in the city on a deer. Since then, more than 1,200 deer wander in the city,

occupying parks and religious monuments. At the entrance of the Todai-ji temple roams hundreds

of deer ready to get feed by the thousands of tourists visiting the famous Buddhist treasure. Some
have learned to bow when carrots are offered in return. In the building sits the 50 feet Buddha

statue weighting at 500 tons. A truly fascinating religious piece that dates back to the 1500s.

Jumping in another spiritual sphere is a growing experience. The two-day tour of Kyoto

and Nara organized by Sunrise Tours keeps you busy the whole time. You immerse yourself in the

Buddhist and Shinto religion by visiting approximately five temples and shrines each day. Our

guide, a 70-year-old Japanese man wearing a Harley-Davidson hat, an old checked button-down

and tapered jeans not only taught us the whole history of the religious buildings, but he also quickly

reviewed the basis of the Japanese language. Even though I could only understand a word out of

two of his English, what I understood worth the trip.

In truth, Japans cultural richness makes it a perfect country to visit. From its great food to

its spiritual soul, from its electrifying nightlife to its most famous attractions, the Land of the

Rising Sun wont ever disappoint you. This very appellation comes from the Chinese who saw

Japan, their neighbor, has the closest country to the sunrise. It is for this reason that they start

calling them Nippon, or the Land of the Rising Sun. It already has been 1,400 years since the

first time China named them like that.

For the Westerners, Japan isn't the direction where the sun first shows his face. For the

Westerners, the United States has been, for a long time, the older brother you are looking at with

admiration, the sun to their challenge. However, one thing differentiates both countries, their

culture. Respect is an important value for Japanese; respect for the people, respect for the

environment. Tokyos streets are as clean as a whistle, even though garbage cans are on the path

to extinction. This respect is known to come from the deepest roots of their culture, a culture that

makes Occident foolish. The Japanese culture praises a collective population. Actions are driven

by a collective result, not a personal one. It worships "we" as a society, not "me," something that
we aren't used to, here, in the Western hemisphere. More and more, the idea of individual success

tops the collective effort eulogized in the very document that gave America its independence. From

bowing the bus driver for his time to the bus driver bowing every passenger thankful that they

chose his company, respect for individuals is seen in every action in Japan. Culture shock is a real

concept. Directly after the honeymoon phase, it is followed by a time of adjustment, then

acceptance. The culture shock shakes everything you believed in, and sometimes, it is a good thing.

I think that America has a lot to learn from the Japanese. Going back to a more collective ideology

would only help a more than ever selfish society. This specific reason only gives more arguments

in favor of a trip to the real "land of the rising sun."