7 Reasons Why Living in Japan is Cool

Just a few observations from our first days in country. These are in no particular order.

1. Vending machines, everywhere you go, vending machines. We’re not talking about Pepsi vs. Coke. Coffee, fruit drinks, sodas, something confusing called water salad, soups. All in a can, all in a vending machine. Hot drinks, cold drinks. Living in harmony all in the same machine. And in the category of why don’t we have these in the US…liquor, condoms and umbrellas of course.
2. Music playing, heated toilet seats.
3. Plastic food models to help passerbys visualize restaurants’ culinary offerings. Perfect for confused gaijin with limited Japanese vocabulary.
4. Individually packaged, warm, damp napkins available at fast food eateries.
5. McDonald’s (not that we eat there) that looks more like a chic cosmopolitan restaurant than a greesy fast food joint.
5. Real one-stop shopping, groceries on aisle 1, cars for sale on aisle 2.
6. Convenience stores that are truly convenient. Pay your utilities, ship something, and grab a bite to eat. 7 Eleven’s here aren’t like back home, they have a huge variety of top quality, tasty food on the go. Sorry no Slurpies.
7. Kitchen gadgets galore. Wanna a hard boild egg in the shape of a star, this is the place for you. I’m in heaven!