Enjoy my Japan trip video below!
Do you learn new things from your travels? Whether it’s business or pleasure?
I’m a lifelong learner, and so no matter where I go or what I do, I am curious and open to new learning. Some people might find that exhausting, but I love it—it inspires me!
What an amazing opportunity to spend a month in Japan! It was primarily a holiday (the longest I’ve had for 15 years) but also to do some research on some aspects of life – for my programmes in 2025 and the book I’m writing.
Reflecting on a longer stay there helped me become curious not only about Japan’s culture but also about the different ways it might shape my own perspective. Whatever your perspective on Japan is here are some of my positive reflections.
Here are a few things that stood out for me from my time in Japan:
Respect and Courtesy
Japan is known for its deep-rooted sense of respect, visible in everything from greetings to social interactions. This value made me reflect on how simple gestures of politeness and consideration can create a more harmonious environment and stronger connections. It makes people feel valued—seen—and, at times, a little special! Even buying a bottle of water from a local store made me feel valued!
Mindfulness and Minimalism
Many aspects of Japanese culture emphasize simplicity and mindfulness, like Zen gardens, tea ceremonies, and minimalist design. Even on the trains, there is a quietness, a calmness, a respect for each individual that feels relaxed no matter how empty or crushed they may be.
This approach may encourage you to prioritise essentials and bring a more mindful approach to daily life, focusing on quality over quantity.
Harmony with Nature
From cherry blossom celebrations to forests, world heritage sites, amazing gardens everywhere and even the tiny balcony or doorstep gardens they create is quite special! Japan’s connection to nature is all about beauty and calm. This respect for the natural world can deepen one’s appreciation of small natural moments and develop a renewed connection to the outdoors.
Efficiency and Cleanliness
Japan’s public transport and urban systems highlight the value of efficiency and cleanliness. Witnessing the dedication to order and organization can lead you to think about ways to bring similar structure and cleanliness to your own environments or workflows.
It’s a value among many who you see sweeping front doorsteps every day, cleaning their windows and even people dedicated to cleaning handrails on escalators!
Community and Collaboration
It is interesting to observe Japan’s emphasis on group harmony and collaboration. Whether people work together to maintain public spaces or support one another during festivals, this can serve as a reminder of the power of community and shared purpose in achieving more collectively.
Art, Tradition, and Innovation
Japan beautifully balances tradition and innovation, from ancient shrines to high-tech cities. This balance can inspire you to embrace both the old and the new, finding ways to incorporate heritage into modern life.
And whilst every country has its negative side, I, for a moment, wanted to highlight the good stuff, without focusing on the overuse of plastic, animal treatment and a few other things! 😊
In a world where most people look for the negative, what’s not working and the bad news – I wanted to highlight aspects of goodness because there is power in optimism for change.
Positive change never came from negative perspectives!
What are the positive reflections on your daily living and how you interact with your environment, wherever you are in the world?
Let’s get in touch and work together to make the change impactful, or you can visit our website to find out more!
