Dec 15, 2019 – Dec 15, 2020
In honor of our Japanniversary this month, here’s a list of the most important lessons I learned this year. We weren’t able to make all of our wildest dreams come true this year, but we have had the incredible fortune to spend this crazy year in a beautiful country. Andrew and I really tried to (safely) make the most of it. Thanks for following along!
1. Always check your boots for hitchhikers
Ok, I didn’t grow up particularly “outdoorsy.” But like many people around the world this year, Andrew and I spent a lot of time exploring the great outdoors. Hiking, biking, stomping around in rivers, having picnics, etc. I learned the incredibly important lesson to check my clothes and body for forest junk and debris one fateful hike when what I THOUGHT was leaf junk in the ankle gap of my boot turned out to be A LIVE FROG. Yes, I screamed. Yes, I cried.
2. Ibaraki Airport has free parking
If I had a nickel for every time one of our local friends, both foreign and Japanese, reminded us that Ibaraki Airport has free parking… I would have several nickels. We haven’t done much flying this year, but think of all the money we could have saved on parking if we did?? Anyway, if you haven’t heard, Ibaraki Airport has free parking.
3. Barely passable survival Japanese
Maybe this is less of lesson and more of a mediocre accomplishment. You can absolutely survive living/traveling in Japan without any knowledge of Japanese. But it does really, really help to have at least a basic level of understanding. I started taking Japanese lessons a few months before we left Ohio and have continued with varying levels of commitment since we arrived here. I have a leg up on reading comprehension from 5 years studying Mandarin, but Japanese is, uh, kind of hard to learn. Between lessons and full immersion living/working here, I know Andrew and I have both become more confident. Neither of us is particularly “good” at Japanese, but we sat the N4 exam in December (fingers crossed we passed).
4. Everything in Japan is top 3 (but nothing is #1)
Travel to Japan and you will inevitably be treated to one of Japan’s top three bowls of ramen. Maybe one of the TOP THREE nighttime views of Japan tickles your fancy? You could even be lucky enough to see one of Japan’s TOP THREE limestone caverns. Or maybe one of Japan’s TOP THREE architectural gardens is more your speed? Don’t you dare try to see the number one architectural garden though. I mean, good luck even finding it.
5. Get there before 10am
Ok, this is a really hot tip. Japanese tourists tend not to wake up or show up places before 10am. I don’t know why, but definitely take advantage of this if you are trying to see any important sites around Japan.
6. Never bite off more raw squid than you can chew
It is really chewy, somehow also creamy, and you might have to spit it into a towel or napkin when you hope no one is looking. Also, invest in a hair mask or ultra-moisturizing conditioner for the winter months if you don’t want to be stuck untangling a rat’s nest in your hair while you try to chew said raw squid.
7. How to exit conversations about American politics (sometimes)
I did not expect this to be as much of an issue as it has been, but MAN do strangers love to talk about politics when they hear you’re American. I’m reasonably well-informed and I think have an above-average understanding of American politics, but I am by no means an expert. I don’t have an opinion on EVERYTHING. I’m pretty sure no one wants to talk about Trump-san while they chew on overcooked chicken liver. Please, if you’re a non-American reading this, we’re happy to discuss like… The Queen’s Gambit or whatever other Netflix show is popular right now.
8. Spider extermination methods (several)
You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Andrew spraying spiders with white vinegar in his pajamas. It is a special treat.
9. Japanese pizza has corn on it
Maybe you can’t see the corn. Maybe you think the pizza doesn’t have corn on it. It does.
10. Grieving together
We’ve all had this experience this year. As I am writing this, Andrew and I have been very fortunate not to have lost any close friends or family members to Covid-19. But it hasn’t been easy to spend this year on the opposite side of the globe as our friends, families, and country experience the pandemic. We’ve grieved holidays missed, trips canceled, dreams that didn’t come true. The most difficult challenge for me as I considered moving to Japan, was leaving my senior kitty, Oscar, behind. At 13(-ish) years old with underlying health conditions, I couldn’t consider putting him through the rigorous medical processes required to bring an animal into Japan, not to mention the long international flight. So, I found a home for him with my brother and crossed my fingers he would stay healthy while I was away. Hearing about his passing made me feel like an absolute failure. I miss him so much. I am very thankful to have Andrew with me to help me through this.
11. If you want to send cartoon character condoms to your friends (AS A JOKE) you will have to explain the word “condoms” to the woman at the post office after you fill out your customs form
And if you wimp out and make your husband do the explaining, he will be mad.
12. Sometimes you have to spend $25 on grapes
Also known as “money doesn’t exist in Japan.” If you’re going to have a once in a lifetime experience, it is not worth it to stress about how much the grapes cost. Trust me. Order the $10 ice cream that comes with several tiny cups of liqueur. Spend $80 on wagyu. Yes, this is dripping with privilege, but if you are fortunate enough to have this privilege don’t waste it worrying about spending a little more on train tickets than you’d like. Go to the place, do the thing, be open to the mystery. EAT ICE CREAM COVERED IN EDIBLE GOLD.
Thanks again for following along with us this year! Once the holidays have passed, I promise to get caught up on posts about our recent travels. Stay tuned for: Akita to Aomori by train, Okinawa by RV, Toyama to Ishikawa weekend road trip, and our road trip of Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka. See you next year!
