Enchanted Again by Asia

Asia is so much fun in a way that Europe never can be. No matter where we’ve been it seems people in Asia just like to have fun and don’t mind being silly and always do it with a big smile. It’s totally not the image you have in your head, but it’s the truth!

This trip was no different, we had a fantastic time meeting people all over Taiwan and Japan which was incredibly fun. Let’s take a look at some of the fun things we saw on our trip.

Nothing but smiles in this gondola! The two aunties were so sweet that they even offered us good luck oranges from their New Year’s stash.

Then later at the top of the Taipei 101 tower we found different stages for people to take pictures. This one was the garden setting. We were unconvinced but there was a line of people waiting their turn for a picture!

In Tokyo we had heard rumor of some cherry blossoms so on one day we headed to Yoyogi Park to see for ourselves. We did not, however expect to see this. Someone had brought their sweet baby and a table in order to stage some photos in front of the cherry blossoms. Fun!

There is also a culture of hospitality in Asia that you don’t find other places. For example, ask a cashier where something is in a store and they will immediately jump up and RUN to show you where the item you’re looking for is located. Even if it is outside the store (like an ATM).

Below we had gone to the restaurant of our Taipei hotel for breakfast. You know how sometimes when you get out of a hot shower, rush to get ready, and then never seem to cool down? This happened to me and so I was fanning myself with the menu. Within minutes the host came over with this battery operated fan and set it down in front me. Now that’s service.

Someone was thinking here too. The cookie stuck into the ice cream below is used as a spoon, and is sturdy enough to make it through the entire cone. Then when you’re done using it you eat it like a cookie. Fantastic! By the way, this is green tea flavored soft serve. Mmmmm.

Many toilet stalls in Japan had these really thoughtful devices. They could even be found in metro station bathrooms. You really don’t need to fear using a public bathroom in Japan, they are extremely clean.

We thought the idea of an umbrella rental located in the metro stations was brilliant. It can rain suddenly and without warning in Taipei and so these can be quite handy. For a mere NT$20 (about 65 cents) you can rent an umbrella for the entire day.

This really is life advice and it will never steer you wrong, especially the polite to others direction.

Seems like we should all follow the above sign’s sage advice, along with the next piece of advice below.

Once you have clean hands, good manners means a good castle. Not wrong.

Also good manners means no shouting in the elevator. Has to be said.

Speaking of signs, this will give you some insight into the gigantic size of the metro system in Tokyo. There is nowhere you can’t go by train in Tokyo.

But don’t be intimidated – every station has a unique number and there are apps to help you navigate. Also make sure you read the earlier post about the SUICA card, it’s a life saver!

A real life version of musical chairs.

There also was a weird obsession with the carnival game where you maneuver a claw to grab a prize. These little shops were everywhere, almost like it was a mania.

New on this trip was the controls put on smoking. Used to be that you could smoke anywhere and everywhere but *cough* no longer!

This created a weird dynamic where there are outdoor smoking rooms thronging with smokers at all hours.

This could be our future. They have a demographic problem in Japan where the birth rate is not high enough to replace aging workers. So entry level jobs are going unfilled. Below was our experience at Denny’s.

No host – you got a printed number at the door, no waiter – you entered your order in the terminal at your table, which also meant self serve drinks. There were just three people working in this Denny’s – a dining room attendant, a bus person, and a cook.

Same thing at Family Mart (like a 7-11 and immensely popular). This is a self-checkout machine for customers to use rather than standing in line for the single cashier.

One day in Osaka we were looking for the closest 7-11. So I went to Google Maps and looked.

It found 19 within a mile of our location. That’s not counting all the Family Marts or Lawson’s (another convenience store chain). The Japanese seem to LOVE convenience stores.

Also convenient were these washer/dryers in a couple of the hotels we stayed in. ¥600 for 5kg of laundry. The machine was preloaded with detergent and also was a dryer. Load the washer, insert your coins, press go and about 90 minutes later your laundry was done.

Have you ever seen an escalator like this?

How about an elevator with this many buttons?

This is a That’s. A Honda model of van. Not sure what a That’s is like inside but it looked nice!

We found ourselves in a kaleidoscope store. Makes you dizzy, right?

All they sold were different kinds of kaleidoscopes, and this kind gentleman was out front making them.

When was the last time you even thought about a kaleidoscope?

Let’s talk about some food things we saw, starting with these strawberries.

I’m sure these are lovely strawberries, but they are $12 for just six of them. Yikes.

We always love looking at and trying snack foods in other countries. We gave these a pass, however.

This is a dish that can be had all over Japan, but originated in Osaka. It’s called okonomiyaki and it essentially a pile of cabbage with a batter that is poured over it and then flavored however you’d like it.

Jeff got a veg okonomiyaki that they then squirted two different sauces onto. It’s kind of a mess but is beloved. I’ll also tell you that you’ll walk out with your clothes smelling of a griddle. Fair warning.

This is a delicious lemony yuzu chuhai, a distinctly Japanese cocktail that is made from a low ABV liquor mixed with yuzu juice. Yuzu is a relative of the lemon, usually only found in Japan.

Incredibly refreshing and highly recommended!

Just look at these oysters!

Gigantic oysters from Hiroshima bay. They are known for their size and are usually grilled.

Just look at these carrots!

Incredible, and lined up to be cooked with something.

If you do go to Japan, make sure you stop in to 7-11 and try one of their egg salad sandwiches.

For realz and so good!

In your travels, remember this.

Our experience is that a genuine smile will open any door!

Xie xie and arigato gozaimasu for joining us on this trip to Taiwan and Japan, we really had a great time and hope you did too!

Love + Peace

Alex+ Jeff