Foreigners who live in Japan for a long time and then return to their home countries often miss many things about Japan. Here are a few examples from foreigners interviewed by Madame RiRi.
Nikuman
Nikuman (Steamed buns with meat filling) and Mont Blanc Cake (Frenchman, 39)
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki (Savory pancake with various ingredients), Takoyaki (Octopus dumplings), Pocky (Biscuit stick coated with chocolate, strawberry, etc), and Pocari Sweat (Japanese sports drink). There are so many yummy things in Japan! I miss them… (Irishman, 33)
Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, amusement arcades, gyudon (bowl of rice topped with beef), and “real” sushi. (Korean)
Japanese TV & Ads
Japanese advertisements, Japanese TV programs and convenience stores. But I don’t miss crowded trains in the morning in Tokyo. (American man)
Funny TV commercials, all foods in Japan and karaoke. Quality of Japanese foods in America is much different from Japanese foods in Japan. (American man)
Cleaniness
Cleanliness in Japan. I often found people cleaning up in Japan. There is no dust on products on the shelves in Toys”R”Us in Japan. On the other hand, there is a lot of dust and garbage left in public places in America. (Man from Seattle)
Kotasu
Kotatsu. I love kotatsu, especially when there is a group of us trying to keep our feet and hands warm. (American man, 61)
Karaoke
Karaoke and seafood. Japanese karaoke is the best in the world. (American man)
Ramen
Ramen, Jiaozi, fried rice and cold Asahi beer. I love all things in a ramen restaurant. They are awesome! (Danish man, 30)
Sapporo ramen (Canadian, 39)
Calpis
Calpis water and hot canned drinks (French man)
Momiji Manju
Ramen, Momiji Manju (Maple leaf-shaped steamed bean-jam bun), bookstores, shrines, and cold drinks from vending machines. I couldn’t do without ramen. By the way, I think that Evian (bottled water) in Japan tastes different. (Man from Belgrade, 30)
Creap
Creap (Cream powder for mainly coffee), Vermont Curry (Japanese curry sauce) in udon (wheat flour noodle), aroma of coffee when I enter a café, middle school and high school uniforms, and Japanese people’s surprised reaction when I speak Japanese. (American)
Anpan
Anpan (Japanese sweet bun filled with red bean paste), 100 yen conveyor belt sushi, convenience curry, and yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant (Canadian man, 30)
Ear Picks
Ear picks, relay broadcasting of sumo, Tokyu Hands in Shibuya, Sensoji (Ancient Buddhist temple in Asakusa), automatic doors in coffee shops, sento (communal bath house), Buddha statue in Kamakura, many buildings in Ginza in Tokyo, Sony Building in Ginza, easy train transfers. There are so many great memories in Japan! (Chinese)
Convenience
Vending machines, people wearing uniforms, convenience stores, stylish cafes and beautiful Japanese women. (American)
Shochu
Shochu (clear liquor distilled from sweet potatoes, rice, buckwheat, etc.) I live in Kagoshima Prefecture which is famous for shochu. I didn’t like it before; however, I love it now. (New Zealand woman)
Environment
Environment in which I don’t speak English, my grandmother, Japanese fashions, unique culture, technology, supermarkets and great customer service. (Canadian man)
Politeness. (American man)
Miso Soup
Breakfast of miso soup, rice and umeboshi, lemon water, ramen, onsen (hot spring) and sento, yukata (casual summer kimono), convenience stores, Japanese department stores such as Tokyu Hands, products in Muji, transport facilities, politeness, warm toilet seats, smell of tatami and incense, TV programs, coworkers and friends. (German, 37)
Senbei
Senbei (rice crackers) and furikake (Dried food sprinkled over rice). I can buy ramen in Asian markets in my home country. (Danish woman)
Bright Lights
Bright lights in stores, taiko (Japanese drums), ramen, trains and the custom of drinking tea instead of water. (English)
Source: MADAME RiRi
Comments
Sexy, well-dressed babes. Even ugly girls are doable if they have great hair.
We lived in Northern Honshu for 3 years and I miss the kindness of the people. Also, the convenient vending machines in the most remote of locations.
The food, the safety, the efficiency (trains, buses run exactly on time), the way everything works, Japan’s outstanding service industry, izakayas, neons, the vibe of the city, easy to get home after a night out etc…
Against – concrete rivers, incessant noise pollution, cramped space, ugly buildings etc
Cleaniness, environment, politeness, SAFETY!
And the sound of Japanese.
J’aime vraiment votre blog, j’ai vraiment aimé cet article
You’re successly made me desperate man…