Japan vs USA: What Surprised Me After 5 Years Away

Back to Japan After 5 Years: Feeling Like a Solo Tourist

Hello. This is Suzuki from Eco Drive.

This time, I’d like to talk about the differences between Japan and America that I noticed after returning home after a long absence.

Having lived on the US West Coast for about 20 years, I usually return to Japan with my family once every three years, but this time it was a solo trip after 5 years.

This time I had many opportunities to travel by train in Tokyo, and I was able to travel from a different perspective as a “tourist” than usual.

I’d like to share the fresh feelings, surprises, and discoveries I experienced visiting Japan after such a long time.

Check out the video version here!

I’m talking with LA tourist spots in the background, so please take a look.

Seeing Tokyo Streets as a Tourist

When I usually return to Japan, I mainly travel by car and often visit my parents’ home, but this time I stayed mainly in Tokyo.

By using trains to travel alone instead of relying on family and relatives as I had done before, I personally experienced the convenience and efficiency of Japan’s public transportation.

This experience allowed me to rediscover the unique values and charms of Japan that are easy to overlook after living abroad for many years.

Also, I was once again moved by Japan’s convenience from a foreign traveler’s perspective, and the unique cultural landscape where tradition and modernity blend together.

Through what I felt and learned on this solo trip, those living in Japan might also find hints for rediscovering Japan from a different perspective and providing better hospitality to visitors from abroad.

Clean Public Spaces

What particularly impressed me after returning to Japan was the cleanliness of public spaces.

I was especially amazed by the cleanliness of the restrooms.

I headed to the restroom immediately after arriving at Haneda Airport, and I was impressed by how incredibly clean it was.

Living in America, you get used to dirty public restrooms, but they’re completely different from those in Japan.

Of course, it wasn’t just the restrooms – looking at the entire city, it was surprisingly clean, to the point where you’d think there wasn’t a single piece of trash on the roads.

I felt this was due not only to the efforts of Japanese cleaning staff but also to the high morals held by each citizen.

Definitely Cleaner Than 20 Years Ago

Twenty years ago, I remember Tokyo’s streets being cluttered with cigarette butts and scattered bicycles, but this visit completely dispelled that image.

Seeing how clean the entire city is maintained, I once again feel the high level of consideration for public spaces in Japan.

It was a good experience to realize the difference from America where I live and to confirm Japan’s aesthetic sense.

This cleanliness provides a comfortable environment for visitors, and I realized once again that it’s one of Japan’s unique charms.

Different Road Quality Between America and Japan

What I felt after returning to America from Japan was the difference in road quality in America.

American roads are full of potholes, and the condition is particularly terrible after it rains.

Due to poor drainage, rainwater peels away the road surface, and it gets worse when large trucks pass through, expanding the holes.

After the rain stops, they just pour concrete to fill the holes, resulting in patched-up roads.

Freeways Are Free, Which Is Appreciated, But…

Especially the freeways – while I can’t complain since they’re free, they’re bumpy and difficult to drive on, and trash can be seen scattered around.

When you think about it, you can really appreciate how well-maintained and clean Japanese roads are.

Such differences between America and Japan greatly affect quality of life, I think.

America has its own merits, but when it comes to public infrastructure, Japan definitely has more thorough management and cleaning.

I feel this is one of the good aspects of Japan that I’d like America to adopt.

Stable Service

Every time I return home, I think Japanese service is always stable and wonderful.

Whether at restaurants or convenience stores, the customer service was very polite everywhere I went, and I could feel warmth.

On the other hand, in America, service quality can vary greatly depending on the person.

If you’re lucky enough to meet a good person, you can have a wonderful experience, but if not, the response can be blunt and the quality of work often feels sloppy.

This is a big difference from Japan, and I feel that consistency in customer service in America’s service industry isn’t as strong as in Japan.

Japanese service puts customers first in every industry and provides heartfelt hospitality, which is why it receives high praise both domestically and internationally.

If America could incorporate more of Japan’s service spirit, I think it could further improve customer satisfaction.

The Food Really Is Delicious

Every time I return to Japan, I’m moved by the excellence of the food.

Japan is overflowing with delicious food everywhere you go, and I’m very proud of this as a Japanese person.

What particularly surprised me on this return was the evolution of convenience stores.

There was a rich variety of rice balls with new flavors to try, the prepared food section was well-stocked, and daily meals became something to look forward to.

The prices are reasonably set, making you want to pick things up without thinking.

Personally, I enjoyed the wide variety of puddings, and as a pudding lover, choosing one each time was fun.

Living in America for a long time, it’s easy to forget the excellence of Japanese food culture, but every time I return home, I can rediscover the richness and deliciousness of Japanese food.

These experiences give me more reasons to deeply love Japanese food culture and make me look forward to my next return even more.

You Can Buy Regional Items at Antenna Shops!

Walking through the streets of Tokyo, I noticed the existence of antenna shops.

I had never seen such shops before, but they were specialty stores handling regional products from places like Shimane and Ehime prefectures, providing a fresh experience.

While it’s possible to purchase online, being able to pick things up directly in physical stores was very convenient.

The stores were filled with intriguing niche products that you might not search for online, as well as fresh vegetables shipped directly from the regions, making it fun just to browse.

Learning About Regional Charms Through Antenna Shops

The charm of these antenna shops lies not just in providing a place to purchase products, but in allowing direct experience of the culture and food of each region.

You can easily try rare regional specialties, making daily shopping and meal times even more enjoyable.

Every visit inspired me to cook, and I thought it was a wonderful idea that lets you feel Japan’s rich food culture up close.

Antenna shops can serve as valuable bridges connecting rural areas with cities.

Through these stores, I thought more people might discover the hidden charms of various parts of Japan and find opportunities to support regional characteristics and industries.

I plan to upload the second half of the article later, so I’d be grateful if you could check it out.