Jun 4, 2019
Grateful for the things I can take for granted in Japan
We've been camping as a family in Japan for the last three years. Hubby, the four kids and I. Every year I bring the kids home to Ireland for the summer while hubby stays on here in Japan to work. This year, I am thinking of bringing the kids camping in Ireland for the first time.
Or rather, I was thinking of bringing them camping. Until I read a few reports and reviews online about campsites in Ireland that clued me into something that never even crossed my mind here in Japan: security.
How lucky we are in Japan that security is not something we have to consider when booking a camping trip. Sure, we think of safety. We are more likely to be hit by a flash flood, typhoon, earthquake or any natural disaster than we are of having our tent "broken into". But I have never once worried that we might be robbed while camping in Japan.
Reading reviews of campsites back home and seeing things like "the campsite has a secure perimeter", "security guards are on site 24 hours" and "we felt safe at night" made me realize just how different camping in my home country is to Japan.
I am so grateful that we can book a trailer or tent site in Japan without so much as a thought nor a fear that we will be robbed. I feel grateful that we can take security for granted.
What are you grateful you can take for granted in Japan?
Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com
5 Comments
Kasajizo
on Jun 9
Hear hear! I often describe Japan as a country with a different culture you can visit without sacrificing security. Honestly, I don’t think I could have adapted as easily and comfortably in any other country largely due to the lack of fear-of-being-robbed.
edthethe
on Jun 21
That feeling of safety in everyday life keeps me happy to be living here regardless of other struggles! Back home camping had the fear of other campers as well as wild animals raiding the cooler in the night
BigfamJapan
on Jun 21
@Kasajizo I always find it hard to readjust in Ireland when we go home for a visit. I hate having to put my guard up and that fear of being robbed is always shadowing me.
BigfamJapan
on Jun 21
@edthethe there was one campsite I stayed at where bears had been known to come down to go through rubbish so they had a strict policy of putting your rubbish in the car at night. But other than that for the most part its fine. We did have feral cats go through our rubbish during the night once!! But isn't awful that in our home countries we have to worry about humans too. :-(
edthethe
on Jun 21
@Saitama when camping, worrying about wild animals is part of the fun right?