My-Trip-to-the-Land-of-the-Rising-Sun. They say first impressions last. So for this entry, I shall talk about my first impressions of Japan which I think should last: 1] people are extremely friendly, warm, and helpful. Would go out of their way just to get you what you need--- sometimes even before you even ask for it... 2] it's definitely cool-gadget-land! Waiters/Waitresses don't use pen and paper to get your order--- they have these press-button-electronic gadgets that automatically send your order to 'central base' so that the cook can start putting it together... and yeah, this one is unforgettable: I ask for an iron at the hotel, and they bring me the wireless-type... it operates in the same way as a wireless phone... you know, its heat lasts up to a certain time, and you'll have to put it back in the base for sort of 're-charging'... pretty cool actually... 3] they have excellent food! The restaurants are superb... their beer is good... lunch at the cafeteria was great... even the vending machines have good pastries and coffee. If I stayed any longer, I would have gained more pounds than I can handle... 4] people speak in soft, gentle, quiet tones. I was witness to a meeting that didnt include me, so they were speaking in Japanese. I can tell that the discussion was getting pretty intense because they were speaking pretty fast now, but not one of them was raising his/her voice! I thought that was fascinating ... 5] people work quietly. Got to tell ya, that was the quiet-'est' warehouse I have ever been to!! Nobody calls out to each other from one end of the warehouse to another... people hardly speak to each other... and they speak in quiet tones when on the phone. I find that admirable... even if I felt like I was the loudest person in entire place! 6] And yes, Japan is very clean: clean streets, clean food places ... everything clean. So there you go. Those were my first impressions. I'd say, this trip to Japan was quite unforgettable... and yes, I'd go back anytime... for more yaki-niko and kirin half & half beer!