Sometimes I meet people in Takamatsu who say that they want to live outside of Japan. Maybe that is nice. Maybe it is good to go outside your country and have a new experience. But sometimes when I ask why they want to go to another country they say, “Japan is not good. Other countries are more interesting. I can be happy and free outside of Japan.”

I can understand the feeling, and I can understand why people say this kind of thing. But I do not agree. I do not think that other countries are better than Japan. The truth is that Japan is a very interesting and special country in the world. There are things in Japan that are only in Japan. There are things in Japan that are unique in the world.

Here are a few things that are only in Japan.

Japan has the Shinkansen. These are the fastest and coolest trains in the world.

Japan has sumo, kendo, iaido, karate, judo, and aikido. People all over the world want to try these arts.

Japan has exciting cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa, Kobe, and Okayama. There are so many places to go and see in these amazing cities.

Japan has delicious special food like sashimi and sushi, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and of course UDON.

Japan has wonderful art and drama like kabuki and noh, ukiyoe, ikebana, and tea ceremony. No country in the world has things like these.

Japan has temples and shrines all over the country. You can go to Kyoto and see a different temple or shrine every day for one year and not see everything. That is amazing.

Japan has wonderful festivals for all seasons. In spring and fall we can see incredible nature and enjoy cherry blossoms and fall colors.

Japan has anime and manga. Kids all over the world are crazy about Japanese anime and manga and want to know more and more about this culture. They think you are so lucky to be Japanese and to be able to read and watch these things.

Japan is very safe. Sometimes there are terrible crimes, but they are very , very rare compared to other countries. Kids walk to school and home alone. Kids ride on trains and buses alone. People are safe in their homes and in their communities. Many people in America cannot say that they are safe like Japan is safe.

Japan has onsen. Japan has natural areas, mountains and beautiful seas.

Japan is clean. The water is clean. The air is clean. The food is clean. The roads are clean. People have pride in their cities and in their country. We cannot see that so much in other places.

Maybe it is good to see other countries and it is good to travel. But home is best. And if Japan is your home, you might be one of the luckiest people in the world.