It’s always baffled me why Japan has a certain vibe that simply cannot be captured elsewhere, so I’ve decided to get to the bottom of things!
Why Nature Hits Different in Japan
There is something about Japan’s natural scenery that’s always felt unique to me. It’s not uncommon to find calm rivers and mountainous landscapes in other countries outside of Japan, but I believe there is a certain connection between culture, society, and nature that changes the game. Is it the can of Boss coffee in my hand as I walk along the river that sets Japan apart? Or perhaps it’s the specific flora and fauna that are native to the country that gives off an exclusive vibe?
The answer is all of the above, and then some! Japan’s natural scenery is more than just lakes, rivers, and mountains in and of themselves, but the entire package in which they exist. Japanese culture, and even religious beliefs of Shintoism, places divine value on the preservation and honoring of nature. This means that just a short walk from a suburban area could bring you to a nature reserve that is so well-kept that it feels so far from civilization than it actually is.
The East & West Divide
Indeed, Eastern philosophy encourages lessons of harmony and flow, concepts that Chinese Buddhism and Japanese Shintoism are heavily aligned. This philosophy bleeds into all aspects of life in Japan, from the polite, non-confrontational mannerisms of the people to the preservation of nature and right down to the immaculate convenience of its architectural structure of combinis and vending machines. So, yes, perhaps it’s not far-fetched to say that sipping on a Boss coffee from the vending machine while sitting by the river is what gives Japan a unique vibe, but the truth is certainly far deeper than that fact alone.
Final Thoughts…
Ultimately, the vibe in Japan really isn’t just one or two things, but a collective that invokes many facets of your mind, body, and soul. One could make the case for the feelings of safety and security that invoke warm feelings when visiting nature spots, or perhaps the Shinto beliefs that have placed a collective value on what is otherwise a typical riverside view. One article simply isn’t enough to get to the core of why Japan has a unique and appealing vibe nor to explain the deep connection between culture, society, and nature, but hopefully I was able to shed some light with this one (will need to write a book about this topic in the future!).
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!