50 Things I love about Japan

CNN recently released this article: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/visit/best-japan/worlds-greatest-city-50-reasons-why-tokyo-no-1-903662


50 Reasons Why Tokyo is the World's Greatest City.


There's a ton on there I haven't done and a handful I had never heard of, but are now on my list of things to do. SO. I thought I should create my own list of why I love Tokyo/Japan so much. It took me about 30 seconds. Here it is... in no particular order:

1. Trains. They're fast and funny and you can almost always catch someone sleeping with their mouth wide open.
2. Sumo. Awesome.
3. Sushi. Best around.
4. People trying to speak English. I have to love and appreciate the efforts made by all.
5. Engrish. I have to love and appreciate the written efforts made by all.
6. Ramen. Not the same thing as the $0.18 packs you used to eat in college. 100 X's better.
7. Gyoza. Heavenly little dumplings. I once told my young English students that this was my favorite Japanese food which erupted in giggles. "Gyoza is Chinese silly!" (Who knew?)
8. Sake. Yum-o.
9. Karaoke. SO MUCH FUN. You even get tambourines and maracas. Who can have a bad time when you have those in your hands?
10. Anime Maid Cafe's. Seriously. They wear maid outfits and serve you expensive coffee and desserts, while you watch other patrons record their voices as popular anime characters. 
11. The Parrots. It's a Japanese Beatles Cover band; and one of my favorite things about Japan.
12. Yokota. Home sweet home. :)
13. Mt. Fuji. It actually turns me on sometimes. 
14. Cherry Blossoms. I've never even seen them bloomed here in real life but I know they're beautiful.
15. Plum Blossoms. Hot pink flowers on a tree? Pretty!
16. Shrines. You have to wash your hands first. It's a whole experience. Real cool.
17. Bells you can ring at shrines. Say a prayer. Ring a bell. I still don't fully understand... but I like it.
18. Chu-hi's. Cocktails in a can. Genius.
19. Ordering the wrong thing off a menu but still getting something delicious. It happens.
20. Bikes. Everyone has one. And they have bells and small children on them.
21. Walking. It doesn't sound stupid anymore.
22. Taxis. They'll get ya where ya need to go.
23. No Tipping. 
24. Lights. The city is bright. And I like it!
25. Cement. Everywhere. But it's beautiful.
26. Skiing. Incredible snow here!
27. Beaches. Not quite the same as the beaches in Florida but awesome in their own way.
28. The sun protection. Everyone wears sun screen, arm protectors, floppy hats, sun glasses. Long pants and sleeves. Year round. Even when it's balls hot outside.
29. The beauty products. I love going to onsens and trying new things out. My beauty regimen now contains a collagen lotion, and a blemish balm. Can't even read the directions. But I'm addicted!
30. 500 piece yen coins. It's powerful.  
31. Kebabs! Nothing better late at night on the streets of Tokyo!
32. Melon Soda. Super popular and super delicious.
33. Hello Kitty. She's everywhere.
34. Dancing Elvis' in Yoyogi Park. Hysterical. 
35. Giant snow fall. I hate snow. But love love love the prettiest and biggest snowflakes you've ever seen!
36. Department stores. I love to wander them and see new Japanese inventions.
37. Tatami mats. Take off your shoes. Sleep on the floor. It's an experience.
38. Kimonos. I'll never tire of seeing people wear them.
39. Yukatas. You can wear them around the hotel. You feel very cultured in one.
40. Onsens. Heavenly little nude bath houses. Weird the first time. Then just fun.
41. Vending machines. Everyone. With hot drinks, cold drinks, underwear, cigarettes and porn.
42. Bean Throwing Festivals. The first day of spring prominent men and women of towns throw beans and oranges at the crowds at shrine's. If you catch them, you will have a lucky year. I caught beans. Cheyenne ate them. Hope she enjoys her luck.
43. Mochi. Rice steamed and beaten into a pasty doughy substance thing. 
44. Bean Paste. It's an acquired taste, but it's basically red (kidney?) beans mushed up and you add sugar and then stick inside mochi... or other things. It grows on me each time I eat it!
45. Strawberries. The biggest and most delicious you've ever seen!
46. 100 Yen Stores. The most fun way to waste your money on crap you don't really need in Japan!
47. Heated Toilets. Need I say more? 
48. Apple tea. Delicious!
49. Rest stops. The neatest you've ever seen. Complete with those heated toilet seats, shops, food courts and hot dog stands. They're pretty cool!
50. The people. The friendliest, most polite and some of the warmest. My favorite thing about Japan. 

Sayonara,

Chelsea