OMOTENASHI

A new word I learnt recently while visiting the far east land of Japan. It's a word used to describe this unique approach to hospitality. From what I've experience, I think it means when a person goes an extra mile to deliver a particular service to you in a way that you least expected it to. Something that the Japanese do, and you go like... "Oh my gosh, thank you!", "Really? It's too much than what I deserve" or simply just "awh".

And for this post- will revolve around exactly this omotenashi theme that my friends and I experienced, for a good 10 days on the Honshu island. I've written down the locations to these images, so that you all can go relive it if you want.


Cuteness Cuteness Overload

It's embedded into every single aspect of the culture. I have listed a few examples:

 1. This solar street light.

Location: Omotesando

Not only that it's totally green by using renewable energy. But it's also shaped like a stick man. A happy stickman. Like, \o/, wee. It's totally out of this world.

2. Curry rice.

Location: @Home Cafe, Akihabara

It's the cutest thing I ever ate. Plus we had to say a magical spell before eating it to make the food more delicious. "Moe Moe Kyun!".

3. Public transport.

Location: Shibuya

I swear I didn't get on the wrong bus with school kids in it. This was an actual bus that people-of-all-ages ride. You feel guilty for no reason but for sitting on this cute caterpillar or bee thingy.

4. Men's underwear.

Location: Ｃ＆Ｃエンド道頓堀店

Self-explanatory.

5. Minion Bun.

Location: Universal Studios

Who would have thought of that? This beats minion cupcake, minion macaroon, minion roll, minion anything that the western world can make. BECAUSE IT'S A CHAR SIW BUN PERIOD.

6. This mascot.

Location: Tourist info center, Nara

Who cares about the actual deers when you got these cute town mascots. You have many types of animated deers, slow life deer, picnic deer, eating wind (that's travelling in hokkien) deer. I hath no idea of it's name but I named it Yodajiro. Because I raised an awkward hand position in this picture here.

7. This person trapped inside a three year old fairy-in-training, Abby. (+My headband +my pig tails)

Location: Universal Studios (again)

Just adorbs

BONUS: if you get to this point of my blog here's a GIF that I took 10 minutes to make and for you to enjoy it for 2 seconds.

8. PAK CHEE COCKTAIL

Location: Random asian food stall, Osaka

Nuff said. They managed to turn the most hated garnish into a cocktail! Bonus points because they served it with the root upside down. #baller

9. Maruko Chan Army

Location: Maruko Clan Secret Transport

Tens of them lined up perfectly and slowly moved into the train. Such well behaved girls.

(This is the actual maruko chan in case you have absolutely no idea what i'm talking about)

That's it for now folks! Many more topics to be covered. But I'm tired.

All in all, I would say that Japan is a beautiful country both inside and out. It's no wonder visitors always come back for more. You can never get enough of this omotenashi. My fellow travelers and I enjoyed ourselves very much in this magnificent country. And hopefully, we didn't offend anyone by doing what we do. Arigatou gozaimasu shita!