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I have wanted to go to Japan for many years. During school I gave up a sure job for the chance at an internship in Nagasaki, and even after I graduated the first position I applied for was as a game developer in Yokohama.

I think it’s important to live in a place for at least a year before you can get a feel for its subtleties. It also takes a long time to be comfortable using a new language so I thought living in Japan for a few years would be a dream come true. The working reality in Japan is much different from my expectations and a six day work week is just not compatible with my values. Maybe this is a reversal of the Paris Syndrome!

The Japanese have such great expectations of Paris. They think of an idealized place and service approaching the Japanese standard. The grim reality of rude Parisians and dirty streets results in complete psychological breakdown for about 12 Japanese per year. It is a rude awakening when expectations are not met.

I like to keep expectations to a minimum but prepare myself for any of the likely possibilities. In general, if you expect the worst you will certainly encounter it. I had a much rosier picture of Japan especially since I’ve been fascinated by it for so many years. I spent three semesters taking a series of Japanese courses which have been invaluable in getting around. I spent a year in university being an avid Go player rising to a rank of about 6 kyu. I also spent an inordinate amount of time watching anime until about four years ago. Sushi has been my favourite food since I was introduced to it in the late 90’s. The Japan I expected to see was certainly present but there were also many surprises, all of which I viewed as positive.

Tokyo alone was full of surprises. Each district has its own character. In Harajuku, I saw dancing Elvises clad in leather. The impossible-to-find sushi restaurant in Ginza called Kyuubei reminded me just how good food can be. Akihabara is an electronics mecca without compare. Asakusa is a taste of traditional Japan, with temples and tempura being the order of the day. If Tokyo is a macrocosm of Japan, then my expectations were not just met, but exceeded.