From a tourist’s perspective, let’s take a look at the real Japan.
When mentioning Japan, many people first think of the country's level of development.
I had the privilege of visiting a traditional house in Japan, the home of a centenarian, and learned some local culture.
My cousin explained that these traditional houses, over a hundred years old, are very particular.
The pine trees planted on either side of the main entrance are called "kadomatsu." On the left is a male pine (black pine), and on the right is a female pine (red pine), both carrying special meanings.
When we visited, we saw the elderly woman pulling weeds in the yard. She was short, with a head full of white hair, a severely hunched back, and especially rough, deformed hands that showed the marks of time and life's hardships.
In one corner of the room, there was a simple yet meaningful shrine.
The elderly woman said she had just ground 10 kilograms of rice at a nearby mill.
She also took out a small bag of rice bran powder, telling us that it was a pity to lose the nutrient-rich germ when milling polished rice.
Rice bran contains proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibers, which are very beneficial for the body.
So, every time she mills rice, she takes back some rice bran powder to use as a seasoning when making soup.
On the way back, we saw the rice mill, which looked like an ATM.
Inside the small building was a fully automatic rice milling machine. After inserting coins, one could mill four different types of rice, from coarse to fine, depending on needs. It was very easy to operate.
My cousin said that most families mill their own rice, so they can eat fresh rice all year round, which is not only convenient but also economical.
I also noticed that whether adults or children, everyone carries an empty bag when they go out to collect their own trash. Therefore, you can hardly see trash cans on the roadside.
At home, garbage is also sorted very clearly. Cardboard boxes are taken apart, liquid containers are rinsed clean, stacked, and tied according to size, and placed in designated areas.
On my third day, my cousin's eldest daughter’s school held a sports day, and I joined in.
Entering the school, what impressed me most was the playground, which looked like the dusty sand playgrounds of our childhood.
I curiously asked my cousin, Japan is so developed, why isn’t the playground made of plastic?
She explained that research shows that among asphalt concrete, plastic, and sand playgrounds, sand playgrounds are the most suitable for elementary school children.
On asphalt concrete playgrounds, children have two to three times the likelihood of fractures and bruises compared to plastic and sand playgrounds.
Plastic playgrounds are made from chemical materials that are harmful to the body, especially in summer when they emit harmful substances that children can inhale while running and jumping, hence the nickname "toxic tracks."
Moreover, plastic playgrounds have high maintenance costs and their density is not suitable for many activities.
Therefore, most elementary schools in Japan use sand playgrounds constructed by qualified professional companies.
The materials are a mix of the lower clay layer from riverbeds and farmland, wind-blown granite sand, and river sand, pressed together.
Though it looks like sand, its permeability is excellent; after heavy rain, the playground quickly dries out once the sun comes out.
My cousin laughed and said that this seemingly ordinary playground is actually not ordinary.
At lunchtime, parents go home while the children stay at school to eat lunch. Seeing my interest, my cousin said I couldn’t go inside but could explain it to me.
Lunchtime lasts 45 minutes. The kitchen prepares meals according to the dietitian’s menu, following the regulation of including 12 nutrients in the lunch, and today’s class monitor collects it for the class.
Additionally, the principal tries the meal each day before the children eat, and the duty teacher eats with the children to ensure safety, making parents feel assured.
I can’t definitively say whether Japan is developed, but they are indeed very modest.
Do you think this Japan is more developed than us? Feel free to share your thoughts.
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