Sugoi Japan - Images of Japan

A country which should be in every person’s itinerary is “Japan”. You might have heard about its ubiquitous vending machines, or state of art toilets and their Manga, but my images includes some other facets of Japan and Japanese lifestyle. As I used to walk down from the railway station to work I used to take my time to absorb what I saw around. The Japanese mothers riding the “Mamachari” bicycle and taking their kids to nursery or kindergarten, is an image which I recollect fondly. Japan should showcase the “Mamachari Bike” world-wide and they would be surprised by the response it gets!

The typical and smart school uniforms of school going kids was the next thing which captured my imagination.

The most striking feature of the school going kid’s attire is the hat. Also you will be surprised to see Japanese kids commuting alone in the metro from school to home and vice –versa. Perhaps the low crime rates and the Japanese culture is responsible for this phenomenon. It seems if a kids gets lost in Japan it will not be a problem to ask a stranger for directions as Japanese folks are very helpful by nature. The Japanese school bag – also called randoseru- also is pretty striking and very characteristic part of Japanese culture. It is said Grade schoolers across Japan carry leather backpacks or “randoseru” (ランドセル). Randoseru, which comes from the Dutch word “ransel” or “backpack”.

This is probably the first in the series of blogs I will write on Japan. Its an asian country which is very both modern and traditional at the same time . Its modernity is showcased in its ultra-modern infrastructure . The traditional aspect is showcased in the customs of the Japanese society, its handicrafts, customs and array of gardens and shrines.