Before coming to Japan, I used to imagine life in Japan. I researched various aspects of Japan, such as what kind of country it is, how Japanese people live, and their way of thinking, on the internet. Among the various things I researched before coming to Japan, what left the biggest impression on me was the Japanese maple trees and cherry blossoms. I thought it was like a dream to be able to study abroad in such a beautiful country.
And on April 11, 2016, I arrived in Japan. As soon as I arrived in Japan, I looked around and became very happy. There was no litter at all, and furthermore, it was equally quiet day and night. I wondered why Japan is so quiet.
One day, while I was taking a walk along the Sumiyoshi River, I saw an 82-year-old man riding a bicycle. I was surprised and wondered why Japanese grandfathers are so energetic. In my country, an 82-year-old grandfather cannot ride a bicycle at all. One month later, when I went to work, I also saw a 74-year-old woman riding a bicycle, so I was surprised again. I thought about it many times. Why are Japanese grandfathers and grandmothers so energetic even as they age? What could be the reason? As I did more research on the internet, I started to think that the reason they stay energetic even as they age might be because they maintain a healthy diet. The average life expectancy of Japanese people is the highest in the world. I hope that the elderly in my country can be as energetic and capable as the Japanese people.
Another thing that surprised me was the etiquette on Japanese trains. In Japan, before getting on the train, passengers stand aside from the doors, and they wait for everyone to get off first. I cannot see such a scene in other countries. I think it’s a wonderful habit. Also, Japanese trains are absolutely punctual.
In my country, trains do not come on time. If the people in my country could be as punctual as the Japanese, life might become even more convenient.
I plan to continue studying in Japan in the future. There may be more surprises in the life ahead in Japan. I’m looking forward to what else will surprise me.