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This first time I flew to Japan, I was an 18-year-old high school senior, and I cried so much on the plane that the flight attendant had to come over and calm me down (aerophobia is no laughing matter!). Now that I am older and wiser, I will be returning to Japan calm and collected (with the help of a little Ambien). Now, I am ready to return to where hundreds of thousands of gaijin (foreigners; the equivalent of “Gringo) have gone before-the Land of the Rising Sun, Godzilla, and PokeMon.

What I discovered the first time around was that-even after 4 1/2 years of study- my Japanese was weak at best, that people love to hear crazy singing no matter what language it’s in, and that natto is literally the grossest food in the world (partially fermented soy beans that get gooey and stringy as you mix them up and tastes like dying? Sounds delicious, right?). And last time, I was in a suburban city staying with the sweetest host family; this time around, I’ll be in THE city; the city where past and future come together and get wrapped up neatly and tied with an obi bow. Japan embodies the struggle of a civilization founded in ancient tradition and honor that is trying its best to persevere through modernity; to be advanced while still maintaining the culture it is so proud of (because being Japanese is more than a privilege; it’s an honor). Fortunately for me, I get to go and enjoy the fruits of those labors.

Let’s hope things get pretty interesting.

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