Changing Impression

It has been already more than three months since I came to Japan. Leaves are changing their colors and so does my impression on this beautiful island country. My belief about Japan that I developed through media and internet source was that Japan is one of the most modernized countries with big cities full of tall buildings and neon sings. When I first came to Osaka, my belief shattered. Myriad of tall buildings and sparkling neon signs were not there. There were more of bicycles than Lexus on the street. And, credit card was not accepted in many of the places, and I had to always bring cash with me.

My first impression has changed since I visited Osaka city and Tokyo. Luxirious buildings and brand shops overwhelmed me in Ginza. Tall red Tokyo tower that I saw in the movie impressed me. Great number of stores with neon signs in Shinjuku attracted me as well. Sparkling Chrismas decorations of enormous department store in Osaka city amazed me. Credit card was accepted in any shops in Omotesando too. Amazingly advanced and modernized buildings and facilities in Tokyo gave me different impression from Manhattan city view.

My impression I recieved from Tokyo city has changed again in Kyoto, Koyasan, and Kanazawa. Japan is surely advanced and modernized country. However, in Japan, modernization and tradition coexist. Great number of temples are well preserved in many of towns in Japan. Its tradition is also kept well, and Japan celebrates many of traditional ceremonies today as well. Many people visit Koyasan for religious purposes too. Traditionally preserved temples and conventions surely amazed me. Kanazawa is also famous for onsen, hot water spring. Onsen can be found in everywhere in Kanazawa, and most facilities are yet in traditional ways - wearing traditional yukata, traditional Japanese house-like hotels, etc. Japanese people try hard to preserve their traditions at the same time as Japan gets more modernized.

To me, now, Japan is the country with both tradition and modernization intermingling in harmony.