November

It's finally cooler and the tiny Japanese maple leaves are turning. Most of the trees are evergreen, so the deciduous reds and oranges are at infrequent intervals. Within this context, I keep marveling at the roses, yes, roses, blooming beautifully. That's a sight I've never seen in November.

The 15th marked a celebration called Shichigosan, translated as 7-5-3. Children ages 3, 5 and 7 years old are brought to the temples and shrines to give thanks for their growth and wishes for their well-being. The kids are dressed in fancy hakama or kimono and pray before the alters while holding long, thin red and white candy, which brings good luck.

Shichigosan is a custom that began in farming villages where children often died young.

The 23rd is a national holiday, Kinro kansha no hi, or Labour Thanksgiving Day. I've read that it's a holiday for honoring labour, yet one of the Sony guys invited us to a harvest festival, which feels more like a true Thanksgiving. His family's farm and neighboring farms are hosting an entire day of fun and food. I'm sorry we didn't plan our Thailand trip differently so we could go!

Things I appreciate

Things I appreciate

The politeness. There is such much respect built into the culture. I can see how the Japanese orderliness is really just a way of being respectful to your neighbor. Everyone knows what to expect.

Safety. On their way to school, young children use public transportation, cross major roads and walk narrow streets with no adult companions. This isn’t to say there isn’t adult supervision, because everyone seems to keep their eye on the kids. My two have a lot more freedom to do things on their own here then they do in the states.

Doing a job well. People really take pride in their work. If there are five guys working a road construction project, all five are working – happily working. The attention you receive from the service industry is superb. Gas station attendants clean your car while pumping your gas, then stop traffic so you can merge back on the road, all with a bow and a flourish.

If the garbage truck is supposed to come at 1:30 pm, that’s when it comes.


Things I don't understand

The banking system – for a society so reliant on cash, they sure make it hard to get it. Banking hours are 9 – 3 pm and ATMs close (yes, close) by 6 pm weekdays and all day Sunday and holidays.

Kids bouncing around cars without seatbelts. You’ll see mom’s driving with a toddler on her lap and kids in the front passenger seat crawling all over the place. I just can’t get used to it.

High school exams. I wouldn’t want to be a Japanese high school student taking exams that will determine the course of my life. No room for late bloomers. The funny thing is, once you get into university, it’s clear sailing. Companies hire you based on your interview and your school, not on your studies.