I'd like to return for a longer stay; maybe a home stay to help me learn the language and culture. Language classes turned out not to be an option during my current visit.
Public transportation system is impressive and while it can be intimidating at first, it's logical and therefore not too hard to get around. Of course it would help to be able to speak and read Japanese:)
Food is expensive, especially fresh fruit and vegetables; however, after awhile one learns the how/where/when of smart shopping. Also, having a garden would be very helpful if one were here for summer or longer.
It seems hard if not impossible to practice at most zen temples without a long term commitment and mastery of the language; that is probably the biggest incentive (for me) to coming back for a longer stay.
Tourists are everywhere and Abe wants to double the number to 30 million by 2020; that is probably the biggest disincentive to returning to Japan.
Like the USA, so many things seem dependant on a never ending lust for consumption, whether it be food, cars, clothes, etc. I realize this is the western world in general and not just Japan.
Japanese are serious about their hair:)
Air pollution is an issue in cities but trash and graffiti are rare; so are trash cans so I'm not sure where all the trash goes:)
One reason many Japanese people are so thin is because there are very few places to sit (or in some places stand) so they must keep moving:)
Hotel check in time is 3 pm and not a minute before.
At 50 cents or more each, one can buy individual grapes in Japan but don't even think about buying an individual banana:)
The people I met were friendly, helpful, and polite; the kind of people one would like to get to know better.
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