Trip to Japan offers look at unique culture

I enjoy new places and things, and went through a week packed to the brim with both. We just got back from Tokyo. 

Ann flew over when Andrew was born 18 months ago. He made his debut in the middle of our tax season, so I stayed behind swimming in a sea of numbers and puppies. 

Therefore, this was my first trip there. Japanese folks have good reason to be very proud of their culture and country. 

We went to dozens of places in Tokyo, moseyed down streets filled with shops in Yokohama’s Chinatown. We rode the bullet train — an experience unto itself — to Kyoto where we stayed in a traditional Japanese hotel with all that entails. 

Truth be told, I’m not the least bit fond of chair-less dining. As I’ve aged, my relationship with Isaac Newton has soured. Gravity is no longer my friend, so getting up or down from floor mats is accompanied by grunts and groans. 

We went to a fancy restaurant called "Ninja." I have to say it was the most interesting and entertaining meal I’ve ever had. 

From their reception area, we were escorted by a torch-carrying Ninja through a dark tunnel, across a drawbridge — withdrawn as soon as we passed — and into a private dining "cave." 

Food was served in courses, some cooked at our (low) table. Dinner culminated with a visit from the chief Ninja who treated us to a brief show. He regaled us with magic I still can’t get my mind around. 

Kyoto has thousands of amazing temples, a few of which we visited. The structures, grounds, bamboo forests and ponds were truly spectacular. My lack of religious underpinnings didn’t prevent me from appreciating an aura of history thousands of years deep. 

However, there was one downside: As varied as the temples and sects are, apparently they all embody an obvious worship of stairs. Holy Led Zeppelin, some of them did seem to reach all the way to heaven. 

I was walked almost to death. I didn’t see the "light" at the end of the tunnel but did catch a glimpse of Dr. Tse smiling at my efforts. He’s always telling me to exercise more, and this trip fully filled that prescription. 

There was no litter to be seen on streets or trains or anywhere else. Personal responsibility and respect seems to permeate the culture. 

We left our packages and stuff outside on the street when shopping. There was no risk of theft. 

The Japanese people obviously take pride in everything they do. The entire country seemed filled with courtesy and civility. 

But as much as Japan impressed me, I was glad to return. I love where I’m from and didn’t drag back any envy. However, I do harbor an abundance of nostalgia for the way things used to be here. I resent our acceptance of coarseness. 

They’ve obviously protected what they have better than we did. 

Otis Gardner’s column appears here each Wednesday. He can be reached at ogardner@embarqmail.com.