Japanese Episode 1 My Favorite Things in Japan The 3 Best Things About JAPAN

Yes, everyone, welcome to Aya's Matcha Talk. Today is our first episode, so I was thinking, what should we talk about today? Everyone watching this channel are people learning Japanese, right? And I suddenly thought—what made you decide to start learning Japanese? Maybe I might like Japanese food, or maybe Japanese anime, or perhaps I might even have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Anyway, no matter what the reason might be, I think we all generally feel that everyone likes Japan. Well, since we're at it, I thought it would be fun to share with everyone three things about Japan that I personally love. Today, I'll talk about the three things I like most about Japan. Before that, let me tell you about my background—I was born and raised in Saitama, a place located just above Tokyo. You were born and raised in a super rural place surrounded by rice fields, huh? My parents were very strict and not open-minded at all, so they had absolutely no interest in things like going abroad—those were the kind of parents I had—but I was a girl with an extremely strong desire to go overseas. After becoming a university student, I went abroad to study in Canada, then went to South Korea, and through work-related reasons, I went to Qatar in the Middle East. And then, I actually had a little experience going to the Netherlands using a working holiday visa, also known as a "wahori." You know, through that experience, I really became aware of what's great about Japan. Since coming back to Japan, I've realized there are so many things about Japan that I never noticed before, and I'd love to share them with everyone. I think the first thing is its convenience—what makes it special isn't just that it's convenient, but that it's incredibly convenient. I really think Japanese life is so convenient. A typical example is convenience stores—everyone loves them, and I'm no exception. Once you've experienced a convenience store, you can never really let go. That experience and those memories... That's why I completely understand the feeling of that foreigner who said they miss Japanese convenience stores after visiting Japan on a tour. I've lived abroad and when I temporarily returned to Japan and went to a convenience store, I was moved—how convenient everything was! You know, convenience stores aren't just for buying food and drinks—they can do all sorts of other things too, right? For example, since there's an ATM, you can withdraw money anytime, anywhere, and since it's located inside a convenience store, it's also safe, right? That's why when everyone feels a bit down, convenience stores are really handy since they're open 24 hours and you can always get something out. There's a copier, of course, so you can copy documents or print them out, that kind of thing. I know that with that, everyone can print out the photos they took while having fun in Japan, and I think that's really great. Amazingly recommended I don't have a copier at home, so whenever I need photos or other things printed, I go to a convenience store and use their printing service—it's incredibly convenient. Also, you can send luggage, right? Post offices usually close around 5 o'clock. It's slow, but there are places open until 7 PM, and you can send luggage at other times too, so I think it's really convenient. Because there are people working during that time, it's often hard to find the right moment, so being able to send luggage easily is really convenient. Also, since it sells everyday items and seasonings, if you say something like "I'm out of toilet paper or soy sauce," you can usually find everything at a convenience store even if the supermarket is closed. That's why, since convenience stores carry such an enormous variety of products, I think foreign workers at convenience stores are especially impressive. Because memorizing products is already difficult, and when customers ask what items we have, I still have to answer them. I truly respect foreign workers at convenience stores; you've always been a great help to me. The great thing about convenience stores is that they're open 24 hours. Being open 24 hours means you can drop by whenever you're hungry, no matter the time. It's an interesting story related to convenience stores. When my friend from overseas came to visit Japan, we were drinking at a izakaya. When it's already closing time at the izakaya, and moreover, you've missed the last train, what on earth are you going to do—how are you going to get home? So we decided to walk back for an hour and a half, stopped by a convenience store to buy drinks, and then walked there. and when that drink ran out, I'd go to another convenience store, buy another drink, and just keep walking, doing this at times as late as 2 a.m. It was already so much fun that I was in a great mood, so it just ended up being like that. I still remember getting excited and saying things like "Japan's convenience stores are the best" back then. Just walking around for 24 hours, no matter where you are, you can always find another convenience store, so you can enjoy that 24-hour convenience. I think that kind of life is truly happy. Many Japanese people feel that it's often inconvenient when they travel abroad. But I think it's not just that overseas places are inconvenient; it's that Japan is simply too convenient. That's why I think it's also worth noticing—my favorite thing about Japan is how convenient it is. Then the second one, the second one, where the seasons are beautiful, right? Japan has clear seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and they come with a balanced, equally noticeable presence. That's probably what it means to feel the season. When I was in Qatar, a country in the Middle East, I realized Qatar has only two seasons: extremely hot summers and slightly cool winters. That's when I realized that seasons aren't something you can take for granted. I suppose it was a surprising experience to realize there are places where seasons don't exist. I remember being moved when, after returning to Japan, I paid attention to the seasons—seeing, hearing, and feeling them anew. Especially when the season changes, the smell of the wind changes too, you know? I really love this so much. For example, when spring comes, the cherry blossoms emit a sweet, gentle fragrance. When spring turns into summer, the leaves become green and fresh, making it a vibrant, lively season with a refreshing scent. I can't help but feel that this deserves attention. I wonder what it is—something so commonplace that I never truly noticed it until I went abroad. I think that season, when you can truly perceive everything—scents, skin, all five senses, and even the heart—is truly beautiful and fleeting. That's why, when everyone comes to Japan, well, this winter, next time, let's come in summer, or in spring, or something like that. I also recommend visiting the same place at different seasons—everything, from the scenery to the scent, will be completely different. So, experiencing Japan in different seasons could be one of the enjoyable ways to visit Japan—definitely try it out. At that point, my second favorite place in Japan is somewhere with beautiful seasons. Finally, the third one, my favorite thing about Japan is "wa" (harmony). The word "wa" comes from the concept of harmony, and it's a word that symbolizes Japan. Has everyone heard of this before? In Japan, the way of thinking and culture of getting along well together as a group is deeply ingrained. To be honest, I think it has both good and bad aspects. Today, let me focus on something interesting and talk about it. For example, when there's a line at a station or a restaurant, people generally quietly respect the order and wait their turn. It might be obvious, but I can't help wondering—like, you shouldn't bother other people or cause them trouble, right? I think the thought of having to behave properly because we're in a public space automatically kicks in. But this is connected to following discipline and adhering to rules. I think it's a truly wonderful culture. I find the concept of personal space among Japanese people really fascinating. I think it's maintaining this good balance—neither too close nor too far. This is also harmony, isn't it? I think it's the same as harmony. That's why I don't usually pry into people's personal matters. I tend to talk about things that are harmless and cause no problems. There's also a proverb that says even close friends must observe etiquette. What it means is that no matter how close a human relationship may be, That's what it means when you say things like "we should follow etiquette and manners," right? That's because the awareness that the outside world beyond one's home belongs to everyone is particularly strong. For example, things like "you mustn't talk loudly" or "you mustn't make a mess" It's something obvious, but it's truly impressive to realize that such a culture exists. That's why this culture of harmony has always been about getting along well together. Since it's a word that symbolizes Japan, even if I go abroad I always think I must never forget the spirit of harmony. Having talked about my three favorite things in Japan, then... How was everyone? I'd be happy if we had something in common. If you have any favorite things about Japan that you've seen, please let us know in the comments. I will reply to each comment carefully and thoroughly. Thank you so much for listening until the end. Let's meet in the next episode then. Bye then!