Lost & found in Tokyo: a first-timer’s adventure (via):

I felt the city was way more quiet and relaxing than I expected. It was refreshing to be in a place where society puts the needs of others first instead of the general “gotta get mine!” attitude everywhere you look in the US.

I could sense there was a push-pull of how Japanese people felt around social pressure to comply with accepted standards, but I did see streaks of rebellion from time to time and I bet the balance between those two viewpoints is constantly moving back and forth.

I love hearing (thoughtful) first time experiences of folks visiting Japan. It lets me relive my own wonder and discovery that I had before, and touches on my own nostalgia.