Bittersweet

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things I’m going to miss about Japan, and funnily enough, many of them have to do with toilets and bathing! Here is a list, not in any particular order, of such things:

• onsen – it really is thanks to this traditional form of bathing in Japan that I have learned to truly enjoy the art of bath taking. Before coming to this country, I had never bathed with a tub full of strangers. But after the initial embarrassment of walking around in the buff in front of other naked women, I embraced the tradition wholeheartedly. There is nothing more wonderful than being submerged in the healing waters of the Japanese hot spring.
• heated toilet seats – now these are the bomb, especially in the winter.
• clean public toilets – of course, there are unclean ones, too, but you notice when they’re unclean.
• hand dryers that work – it’s true, the blowers here actually remove the water from your hands. 

OK, enough about toilets. I will also miss the quaint little streets I walk through each day to and from Asagaya station, and the fact that I feel safe doing so at any time of day or night. Here is one of my views along the way.

I will also miss izakayas, although I miss them now anyway, since they are not the most baby-friendly of places. What else? Hanami, Cottonfield, Yuzawaya, drinking a cold beer on the street on a hot day (the operative word being "on the street"), department store basements filled with amazing displays of food that you can taste, awesome public transportation (but not the crowds), kaitenzushi, Shizen yoga, our apartment (but not our crazy neighbors), and all the wonderful memories, to name a few things. Of course, I will miss all the awesome friends I have made here (you know who you are!), but I have every confidence that this is just the beginning for us.

So, in a felicitous turn of events, Paul (AKA Husband) was hired by a company in L.A. and in five short weeks, we will be completely uprooting ourselves from life in Japan and embarking on a whole new journey. The last time I moved countries I was 23 and fresh out of college. It's now 15 years later and I am married with a 5-month-old baby. I have a feeling I'm in for a big shock. But I'm looking forward to the change and it will be wonderful to have my family so close by.

At long last, I have an FO to share. It's based on the Artsy Clutch from Bend the Rules Sewing, but I have adjusted the size into a diaper pouch.

 

Fits three diapers and a pack of wipes. Fun!

Lastly, here is Sienna as of this morning. Couldn't you just eat her up?

Comments

[Rachele]

I am thinking about leaving Japan very soon too, and my list is almost identical to yours. Onsen and great public transport are definitely at the top. Japanese fabric and Hokkaido powder are also up there. I'm so spoiled in Sapporo, I don't know if I can ever enjoy skiing and boarding anywhere else. The snow just doesn't compare!
What I *am* looking forward to: not smelling like an ashtray after any time spent in a bar or restaurant, people not replying by sucking air through their teeth when I ask for something difficult, being able to get a lot of use out of my local library, and regular trips to Trader Joe's.
I hope your move goes well!

[claire]

i would like nothing better right now than to have a good long soak in a riverside rotenburo followed by an ice-cold beer!

there are so many things to miss, i spent months after we got back thinking about all the great bits about japan, and was totally unable to remember that there were things about it that weren't completely awesome. i think it is kinda like breaking up with someone. you have your ups and downs, but then you get to a point where you remember them fondly, but are glad you have moved on.

[Jenn]

Before we left Japan I wrote 2 lists: things I'll miss about Japan, and things I won't miss. I re-read those from time to time and it takes me right back. It makes me miss Japan terribly, but it also reminds me why we moved back to Canada. I can't wait to go back for a vacation. And I can't wait to visit you guys here on the West Coast! Good luck with the move :)

[gleek]

hhmmm, i don't know what to say! :) it doesn't seem like every place has it's good points and bad points and japan has many of both. i would love to live there someday! i think that you'll look back on the time you lived there and be very thankful for it (a bit natsukashii, for sure.) what an amazing adventure, and it's only beginning!

[Robyn]

Sienna really looks like you in that photo. Rxx

[dana]

we gonna miss you, too, sista.

so, when you get settled, get a new knitting book...http://knitalong.net/
...and knit into your new community!