Guest Blog: Amazing Experiences in Japan
Sarah Parsons, of consulting business Japan in Perspective, reflects on her recent Satogaeri Project visit to Gunma, Japan. The visit is undertaken as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme.
I have just got back from my trip to Japan and, needless to say, had many amazing experiences. Being a white female in Japan, I was subject to a few stares, comments and attention. More so outside of Tokyo. Some of it was very welcoming and was a good opportunity to talk to people. People stopped us in Gunma to ask us where we were from. They shook our hands and then give their opinions on the UK. Needless to say, football and rugby came up quite a bit! Not so welcome was the Japanese man who walked past me declaring to all that I had a “splendid” figure whilst modelling it out with his hands! People were generally very eager to help and offer assistance if I looked confused (it still happened even though I know the culture very well).
Enjoying a Japanese breakfast
It was touching to visit a local Japanese breakfast café in the suburbs of Tokyo. A lady there remembered both me and my order from the previous year. Apparently she never has any other foreigners go in there!
Bonding experiences
Bonds were formed chatting to a lady whilst we sat in the volcanic waters of Ikaho Hot Spring resort. I told her what I thought of Gunma Prefecture. When she saw me at breakfast the following day, she made sure that I was seated in the correct place. She also made sure my gown was on in the correct way (which did involve some form of discreet undressing in the breakfast room… but never mind).
Visiting Japan always provides memorable and seductive experiences for the tourist. They are indeed well known for their “omotenashi” or hospitality towards visitors although the implications of this can feel very different once you become a long-term resident. Their attitude towards foreigners and understanding of foreign cultures can be complex. At least things have moved on since the experiences of the French workers in the mid 19th century at a Silk Mill I visited, who struggled to employ any local girls since they thought the red wine they drank was the blood of the Japanese females!
For this trip, I was able to enjoy the experience with fresh eyes and enjoy the hospitality as their guest. I have indeed come back laden with many gifts and fresh insights and can’t wait for my next trip!