Some favorites in Japan:

* This is the most beautiful city in the world! At least its easy to think so when walking, taking the bus or cycling around Kyoto´s various quarters. The lush green mountains, endless streams of water, Japanese style houses and gardens or shrines that pop up almost every corner... it can be quite breathtaking.

*Gion. The old Geisha quarter is where I usually wind up on my walks around town. It´s hard to describe the feeling you get walking through there. While a big part of the quarter has been rebuilt and is relatively modern there are so many old shrines, temples and houses - it´s almost like taking a trip to the past. The old Japan I love so much. Walking along the thin river running through it, complete with ancient looking, simple stone bridges and Cranes in the water, hoping to spot a Maiko or even Geisha, treading the impossibly narrow, dark streets, it´s truly magical.

*The practice of bowing your head in greeting. I bow to almost everything and everyone now, even other foreigners. I find it shows your humility and respect for other people, which I must say is very refreshing.

*Sliding doors. I love seeing people go into a restaurant, bar etc. of a Japanese style, extremely narrow building and sliding the doors closed behind them.

*The fact that here, you answer to society, not God. Threaten people with the idea of hell and they will just do as they wish and repent on their death-bed. Or confess every now and then and feel better. Here, if you do something wrong you put shame upon yourself and your family and society will shun you, which is extremely serious in a culture such as this.

*Japanese tv! Oh the madness! I just learned that they dedicate about 67% of their broadcasting to entertainment - leading to a very happy tv owner. Not a very enlightened one, mind you, but happy. ^^

*Everything is so damn cute... Everyone - and I mean it - has one or all of the following hanging from their person, phone, ipod etc: bells, good luck charms, small figurines from a particular anime or manga, big balls of feathers, long soft tails, sparkly diamonds, stuffed animals, stickers or some other decoration. Even the police are equipped with shining light sabers.... ^^

*The weirdness.... example of the day: It´s very common and accepted that men read pornographic manga on the trains on their way to work or back home... no matter what age.

The night sky, kotatsu tables, screeching girls and guffawing guys, shop clerks shouting Irasshaimaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee at you as you walk past (welcome, come in), barbie doll girls, freaky hair styles, engrish, company names like "Lucifer" (I think that was a restaurant), and "Relocation Brain System" (wonder what goes on in there).... I could go on for days. I love Kyoto. :)