Why Japan? The dream that drives me

Why Japan? The dream that drives me

Why Japan? Why not Thailand, Spain, Canada or the USA? Why do I want to go to Japan for a year? There is a short and a long answer. The short one first:

It has long been my dream to explore the culture, the modernity and, above all, the mix of both in this so unique country.

But why now? Why not later?

Why now?

Japan has become a popular travel destination, and not just for Germans. The word is slowly but surely spreading around the world about how special this country is compared to the rest of the world. In recent years, Japan has become a cult holiday destination and this trend is likely to continue in the coming years.

I want to experience Japan authentically before tourism increases even more and prices continue to skyrocket. It's the perfect opportunity to experience this fascinating country.

Why Japan - culture, modernity and the fascinating mix

Japan has not only become a trendy destination in recent years, it is also particularly exciting for Europeans and especially Germans from a cultural and demographic perspective. The ethos of the Japanese is often compared with that of the Germans, because values such as diligence and punctuality are also highly valued in Japan. Although the Japanese often seem to be even more extreme in their approach to these principles - when we think of the German railway, for example, various emotions probably spring to mind - there is more to it than that.

Japan is the perfect example of the mix of tradition and modernity. And this mix is the main reason why I find this country so fascinating. While the cities there have an immense population density, the high quality of life is maintained at the same time. The Japanese capital Tokyo, with around 37.4 million inhabitants, is the largest city in the world. By comparison, Berlin has around 3.4 million inhabitants. But even in a city of this size, Japan seems to have found the secret to counteracting the social problems of anonymity and loneliness that are so common in large cities.

How does Japan manage to maintain its traditions and culture in an increasingly globalised world? And how does this country manage to guarantee a high quality of life in the midst of these huge cities? These questions are of enormous importance to me and fuel my desire to experience Japan.

The dream of discovering life in Japan

My dream is to experience this fascinating interplay of tradition and modern lifestyle for myself. But travelling there will not only be a discovery of Japanese culture. It will also be a journey to myself.

Of course, there are also the fears and questions that come with such an adventure: ‘Will I be able to integrate there?’ ‘Will I develop enough understanding of the culture?’ ‘Will I feel lonely?’ Japan is a foreign country, and I'm sure I'll often ask myself: ‘Why Japan?’ But that's exactly why I'm going on this trip. To ask these questions and see how my thoughts change over time.

Japan offers me the opportunity to observe, question and at the same time experience the beauty and challenges of a foreign culture. There will certainly be moments when I will smile and laugh at the idiosyncrasies of Japanese culture - or perhaps I will shake my head and ask myself: ‘Why do you do it like that?’ But it is precisely this experience that will help me to understand Japan in its full depth.

Why Japan - The best decision of my life

I'm currently at a point in my life where I'm asking myself what I actually want to do with my life. Many people my age (23-28) are experiencing the same thing: uncertainty about whether they are on the right path.

Our generation faces a number of challenges - from career direction and personal development to how we deal with the fast pace of today's world. We are the generation that is constantly torn between the desire for self-realisation and the pressures of society. The uncertainty that many of us feel is normal, but it can be overwhelming.

And this is where Japan comes in. For me, this country represents an opportunity to find the answer to many of these questions. Japan represents a culture of constant striving for improvement, of integrating tradition and innovation, and it is a country that will help me find my own answer to life's big questions.

It is a decision that should not only answer the question ‘Why Japan?’, but also the deeper questions that concern us all: How do I find my purpose? How do I deal with the uncertainties of life? And above all: How do I find the courage to break new ground?

Admittedly, not everyone has the same problems and doubts as I do, but when I talk about my personal experiences here, I want to be completely honest:

These insecurities and fears I feel are particularly strong for me. But thanks to platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, we all - especially my generation - get a clear picture of what ‘successful’ is supposed to be. We see what's possible and are no longer just a fish in our little pond, but are moving in the vast ocean of infinite possibilities.

We see our peer ‘fish’ who have already achieved things that many will never experience in their lives. The constant presence of our mobile phones reminds us every day of what we could still achieve. This constant comparability - whether consciously or unconsciously - can have a paralysing effect. Because even if we know that a lot of things are staged online, the feeling remains: these people have made it, they are successful, ‘they made it’ - and us? Why haven't we made it? Why not? Despite the best opportunities that the internet, social media and our own reach offer us, we often feel paralysed and insecure.

But to get to the point: I've finished school, completed my bachelor's degree and found a job, but deep inside me something is resisting. I know I haven't found the right path for my life yet, and I think many people in my generation feel the same way. Unfortunately, many get used to the status quo and settle for the comfort zone without finding the courage to embrace change. This fear of settling into the comfort zone is something I personally have a lot of respect for.

And this is where the answer to the question comes in: Why Japan?

Because living alone in a foreign country is a challenge. Living alone in a foreign country and having to learn a new language is an even bigger challenge. And now imagine doing all that for a year without extensive preparation? I am convinced that this is exactly the experience I need, and without wanting to sound arrogant: I believe that many people could benefit from such an experience.

So once again: Why Japan?

It's simply the most exciting and at the same time the most difficult thing I could have imagined.