The Japanese are shyer than Westerners. Unless you go out and try to learn about them and show an interest in their culture, they're not likely to try to teach you. For those who do venture out, opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, participating in sports and enjoying artfully prepared foods are endless, Riley added. I've made many close Japanese friends. The Japanese and Americans also host respective annual social events.
Japan boasts many traditional celebrations, with lavish parades and colorful costumes.
And in spring, Camp Zama, like many other areas in Japan, looks like a picture postcard of endless cherry blossoms. In lieu of making the roughly 20-hour journey to the States when they're on leave, many soldiers take military hops to Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Alaska and Hawaii, Johnson said. Driving is a challenge because the Japanese drive on the left side of the street. And roads are very narrow, Cartlidge added. It can take two hours to travel 20 miles.