Another World:Japan
Imagine an island in the middle of the ocean, with not one, but three different alphabets and thousands of symbols. And what’s more, all three alphabets are used together in Japanese writing:
Kanji: Made up of 2,136 characters and logograms, where each character represents a word or concept. For example: 山 (Yama) – Mountain / 水 (Mizu) – Water. Kanji defines the meaning of words.
Hiragana: Used to complete grammatical elements of words. It has 46 characters, each representing a sound (a syllable), similar to our alphabet. For example: ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you.
Katakana: An alphabet used for foreign or specialized words in Japanese. The sounds are the same as Hiragana, with 46 characters, but the writing style is different. For example: コンピュータ (Konpyūta) – Computer. バナナ (Banana) – Banana.
Rōmaji is considered an additional alphabet, used for writing Japanese words in the Latin alphabet. It’s mainly used by foreigners learning Japanese or in technology (like keyboards). However, it’s rarely used in the daily lives of Japanese people. Examples: Sushi, Tokyo, Kyoto.
Why did I tell you all this? Because, in my opinion, a nation having such a variety of writing systems speaks volumes about both the Japanese way of thinking and how writing shapes human perception. Thanks to their diverse alphabets, they can easily express the meaning, emotion, and context of a word. It’s almost impossible for someone who learns thousands of Kanji characters not to improve their memory and patience. In fact, some studies suggest that learning complex writing systems like Kanji strengthens the brain’s visual and linguistic processing areas.
The complexity of the language has elevated the Japanese approach to communication to a deeper level, fostering their flexibility in both language and thought, as well as their aesthetic sensitivity and perceptive abilities. This, in my opinion, is so deeply reflected in everything—from their cuisine to their public transportation, their toilets, and even their bookstores—that it’s like a journey through their entire way of life.
As someone who once thought Japan was overrated, I now find it fascinating how a country with no significant underground resources besides its brains and fish, one that has suffered two atomic bombings (what could be worse?), and has endured countless earthquakes and natural disasters, displays such resilience, patience, and ability to live harmoniously in society. Their ability to stay "in the flow" is truly remarkable.
Even though they have embraced modernity and capitalism, their steadfast commitment to tradition is what sets them apart from other nations. Just think about it: if you took away money and power from America, what would be left? But Japan has such a deeply rooted culture!
When it comes to Japanese culture, the most striking aspect is how they distinguish respect from obedience. Being respectful and showing respect—starting with themselves, to one another, to traditions, nature, temples, buildings, objects, food, everything—is deeply ingrained in their way of life. Respect, influenced both by their religion and as an integral part of their culture, has become the cornerstone of their society.
You feel this so strongly, especially if you haven’t lived in such a culture before. Some examples that immediately come to mind: when trains are delayed, the driver gets off at the station to personally apologize to waiting passengers; the conductor bows and greets passengers when entering and leaving each carriage; the absolute silence in public spaces; their incredible cleanliness; the importance they place on personal care; not speaking while eating or speaking in hushed tones, and much more.
Even in Tokyo, a city with 40 million people, or at the famous Scramble Square, where 2.5 million people cross daily, you’ll find yourself not bumping into anyone while crossing the street.
One of the things that surprised me the most was their metros and elevators. They are incredibly crowded, yet completely silent and odorless! Their high hygiene standards start with personal care. Many people bathe multiple times a day, and traditional Japanese baths, onsens, are frequently used not only for cleanliness but also for relaxation. According to a local friend of ours, they are very sensitive when it comes to scents. For instance, if you’re going to a restaurant, wearing a heavy or overpowering perfume is avoided because it can overshadow the smell of the food, which they find unpleasant.
Japanese cuisine also reflects this sensitivity. The food is generally light, easy to digest, and consists of items like fish, vegetables, and rice. Heavy spices or strongly scented dishes are rare, so you often notice delicate, fresh, and clean aromas everywhere. As the saying goes, “You are what you eat!”
And here’s an interesting fact: it seems that, like Afro-Americans, this race also has a genetic "advantage." Studies show that Japanese people, along with other Asians, are more likely to have a mutation in a gene called ABCC11. This gene affects how sweat glands function and plays a role in body odor production. It has been found that the likelihood of having this mutation is higher among Asian individuals.
Make it stand out
Another important aspect worth mentioning is the concept of luxury and comfort. In many parts of the world, the idea of luxury and extravagance has become intertwined. I once read a definition of luxury: "Everything that enriches us spiritually and mentally." The finest materials, the highest quality craftsmanship, and the most meticulous design.
In Japan, you can truly feel this sense of luxury in so many aspects. The fruits, desserts, meals you eat, the trains you ride, the bookstores, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, even the toilets—everything exudes a sense of refinement. In my opinion, they are unparalleled when it comes to human-centered designs and solutions.
For example, in restaurants, they provide baskets to prevent you from placing your bags on the floor. In restrooms, if a mother comes alone with her child, there’s a special seat to secure the child, allowing the mother to use the facilities comfortably. For smokers, there are enclosed booths on the streets so they don’t disturb others (smokers are treated almost like they’re being penalized!). And their toilets are world-famous—you can listen to music, sit on a heated seat, or even illuminate the bowl if necessary (though I’m not sure that’s really essential!).
Beyond these modern comforts, they have preserved their cultural and material heritage exceptionally well. They recognized the value of heritage long ago—not whether it’s good or bad, but simply its importance. Marketing guru Tom Goodwin has a wonderful quote: "In marketing, you can create anything, except heritage."
Leaving aside the touristy aspects, Japan continues to protect and cherish its thousands-of-years-old cultural traditions, samurai legacy, tea ceremonies, impeccably maintained temples, traditional kimonos, preloved shops, and 1,500-year-old sumo wrestling, among many others.
Marketing guru Tom Goodwin has a wonderful quote: "In marketing, you can create anything, except heritage."
It’s no secret how hardworking and determined the Japanese are as a nation. They take the concept of doing their job well so seriously that I’ll never forget an incident from a few years ago. While the Gulf Bridge was being constructed in Turkey, a Japanese engineer took his own life because he held himself accountable for the cables breaking. No matter the circumstances, it’s unimaginable to me how someone can give up on the gift of life…
On top of that, they are incredibly meticulous and pay great attention to detail. You can observe this in many areas, from art to cuisine, daily life to technology. Speaking of technology, when you ride the world’s fastest train—which I like to call the “ground airplane”—you’re not just impressed by its speed but also by its comfort and cleanliness.
These trains are almost never late. The average annual delay is reported to be just 36 seconds!
This train, called the Shinkansen, is Japan’s high-speed train. It travels at a speed of 320 km/h yet remains remarkably quiet. The nose of the train is designed similar to an airplane to reduce air resistance. In one of Bahar Eriş’s books, she mentioned designs inspired by nature and wrote that the Shinkansen’s low-level sonic boom reduction at tunnel exits was modeled after the kingfisher bird’s beak. I absolutely adore kingfisher birds, by the way!
Sure, you might not wait for a train in Japan, but there are so few things you can do without waiting in line! Waiting has become so ingrained in their culture that, apart from tourists, it seems no one is in a hurry. They’ve even designated some elevators exclusively for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with children or strollers—very thoughtful of them! Of course, since the buildings are often quite tall, no one dares to take the stairs. Naturally, this leads to long queues in front of elevators.
Since it’s a vertical city, most restaurants are located on the upper floors of buildings, which makes finding them quite challenging. Thankfully, there’s Google Maps to help! Once you find the restaurant, you first wait for the elevator. Let’s say you manage to reach the 7th floor—now you’re waiting at the restaurant entrance. Then, you wait for your meal. In short, you just keep waiting and waiting!
For someone like me, with limited patience, living here would be truly challenging. But for a limited time, it’s not a big deal! 😊
Make it stand out
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And finally, I spent the last weeks of 2024 and the first days of 2025 on the other side of the world, in Japan. A land of speed, flow, culture, food, and crowds—a completely different world that left me with memories that were at times surprising, at times inspiring, and at times truly enviable.
As soon as I returned, I found myself dreaming of going back already. After all, without dreams, everywhere feels distant to the heart...
To be continued…
Cheers,
Betty.
