Second in a series: things I'll miss about Japan

Well, the move is really happening. My last day at work is March 2 and then I leave Japan on March 31. As the reality of what I am doing is setting in, I'm trying harder and harder to focus on the good things about my last few years here so that I'll say goodbye on happy terms. I'm finding it helpful to continue to jot down the things I'll miss. (None of which have been about work... so far, hahaha!) So here come three more:

Uniqlo


I may as well be sponsored by Uniqlo at this stage. Almost all the clothes I own come from there, and you cannot beat them for simple, good quality, inexpensive casuals. And they are far and away the best place for foreigners like me who don't fit the traditional Japanese size templates. The mothership in Ginza is currently being renovated and will open just before I leave as the world's biggest Uniqlo store. Luckily I'm not a compulsive shopper or I'd be planning to clean the place out before I send my shipment back to Ireland.

Japanese presentation


The attention to detail and thought that goes into presentation in Japan boggles the mind. Appearances count for so, so much over here. I will miss how even a 6-euro fast-food dish like the one above will be served with thought, care and artistic flare. However, I also now know very deeply how much effort and discipline is required to achieve these Japanese standards of quality. I will not dwell on the (many) times I have been scolded by a superior for not folding a piece of paper correctly or stapling a report in the wrong place, and don't even get me started on the deficiencies in my stamping technique. But these negative associations aside, living here makes you really appreciate quality and precision.

Open spaces





I bet you never thought anyone would say that about Tokyo. But to be honest, the city is extremely well served with parks and plazas and places to enjoy the outdoors. Here is just one example I passed through today by the Imperial Palace. All the people who come to Tokyo expect thronging streets, mad neon-filled crossings, and buildings packed one on top of the other. And the city has all that in spades. But the longer you live here and the more exploring you do, the more places you will find that allow you to get a bit of space outdoors. I think it must be because homes are so tiny - people would go really crazy if there weren't some public areas to get away from it all.