Farewell Japan...'Sayonara, watashi no tomodachi!'

It's even farewell to my trusty Japanese bike!!
Thank you bike for taking me to places near and far!

Reading the initial posts of my blog, 'Lost in Japan', I can't believe that now the 'boot is on the other foot'! As I drove away from my Australian home in 2010 I could barely breathe and now, as I leave Japan in 2012, I can barely breathe again. It has been with much sadness that we've watched our final days in Japan draw nearer. The time to leave was inevitable but, strangely, in a way it actually really scares me to leave. I know I'm leaving part of my heart with Japan!

My life here couldn't have been more different to my life in Australia....high rise living, trains, no work, millions of people, predictable yearly seasons, no family or old friends. I have missed my family dearly, but fortunately our 'Japanese Experience' has given family and friends the opportunity to share this country also. Modern cities, that spread as far as the eye can see and beyond, crammed with skyscrapers, shopping malls and high tech gadgets. It's a consumer's world but beneath the glitz and bright lights lies a country with deep rooted traditions and a culture that is so intriguing for any 'alien' visitor.

I have loved everything....the people, the places, our apartment, the trips, enormous Tokyo, Yokohama, Hash Running, bike riding, yes....the crowded trains, the amazingly enormous JR rail system that runs like clockwork, the virtual cities that exist under the railway stations, the adventures, so many new friends and I musn't forget the toilets with warm seats that automatically flush....the list is endless! Without a doubt, this has to go down as one of the greatest experiences we've ever had.....a time of countless highlights!

The 'tapestry of our lives' so beautifully enriched with many happy memories of a wonderful nation and wonderful people. 

The humility, respect, courtesy and calmness displayed by the people of Japan should be experienced by all. Never for one moment did I ever feel unsafe or scared.....no raised voices, anti social or attention seeking behaviour.  It has been a time of laughter, frivolity, learning and sharing. A time of countless 'team building' opportunities with project team people from across the globe, a time of discovery and a time of much happiness.

But now Japan it is time for us to leave.

This will be our last 'Kampaii!'

To my gorgeous teachers, Toshiko san and Ritsu san.....Arigatou gozaimasu! I will truly miss you and will treasure my memories of you forever....of the endless hours spent sitting opposite each other as I struggled (but tried so hard) to learn your language. I know I was a diligent student but I think I needed another year with Tokyo Lingual! I enjoyed our chats, outings and friendship and I will always be very proud of my medals! I am also proud to have you as my friends!

May you both have  long and happy lives, I will always remember you. 

Leaving you makes me very sad!!

Friends!

To Reina san and Hiroko san (my girls at the desk in Leyton House) farewell....Thank you for your assistance and language tutoring. You are such lovely ladies and I will miss you very much. I will miss pushing my bike past you each day or stopping for our little conversations. Realistically, somedays you were the only people I talked to!

Hiroko san! Always so helpful and caring, I will miss our chats!

Reina san, our lovely concierge who has been with us for our entire stay!

I will also miss nodding, bowing and saying, 'Arigatou gozaimasu! to the Leyton House Security staff as I pass by them on my way in and out. I will be exchanging the very large marble foyer of Leyton House for a doorway far less glamorous. I certainly won't be wheeling my bike inside and leaving it outside my door on the 16th floor. I also suspect that the Japanese custom of taking shoes off at the threshold will be hard to enforce at home. I will try though. Ganbar i masu! Stopping for my regular cafe lattes at the coffee shop in the building will also be missed.

And finally to you Moses, our little Malaysian Yakusa,  

(even though you've already moved to Perth prior to PNG) 

we will really, really miss you.

We had lots of fun....maybe too much sometimes.....the three of us!!

I recall when Steve met you in Brisbane prior to arriving in Japan. He'd said, 'I think you'll like him Jen.' He was right! We've been a great team, the troublesome trio. We've had so many adventures and meals together but, for me, the snow exhibition was one of the funniest. For as long as I live, I will never forget the sights of the 'Sakhalin Snow Bunny' uncontrollably riding the slopes, putting up a wall of snow as he slid down the hill on his behind or disappearing head first into the exceedingly deep powder snow. Your passion for Burberry, Banana Republic and other fancy attire has kept us on our toes.....it just amazes me that you can eat so much and still stay so trim! Not like those who eat 'too much mayonnaise' in a country we won't mention! Thanks for watching over your 'boss' and supporting and keeping him in the right head space. For fear of swelling that head even more, the 'boss' thinks you're one clever person and has a huge amount of respect for you! We look forward to hearing from you when you are a 'politician' in Bintalu! Please, please keep in touch!

One night after the Tohuku Earthquake. How can we forget how hard it was to collect your family that day!

 And to all the others on 'The Team'...good luck as you move onto the next phase of this huge project or take up another company related posting elsewhere. We will always remember the different things we've done with each of you.....running, skiing, eating, drinking, celebrating, climbing, diving, soaking in onsens, laughing, squashing into trains....to name just some.  

Kampaii kampaii to you all!!

A very early team building event!

JGC Beer Party-Osanbashi Pier

A night in Roppongi....what another one?

Farewell Siva san!!

Big Daryl-our karaoke man!

Stephen san will miss his girls!

Sayonara Yumi, Nozomi, Felicia, Les and Daryl

The delightful Amada san and Macka!

Farewell Yoko san.....you lovely lady!

Bye bye Biata....o mokoshi...be happy!

Yow Yeen's farewell speech, Recognition Dinner, Shinagawa

Thanks Ron........a final company 'Kampaii'!

Farewell to Pompadours, Motomachi Street, Uniqlo, Daiso, Why Not?, Sura Baya, Yamashita Park, Aka Renko, the ferris wheel, Chinatown, Beatles Bar in Shinagawa, Kentos, Harajuku, Kamakura and every other place we visited!

Farewell to my man, the great and mighty Fuji san! I never imagined that a mountain I'd only ever seen in magazines would become the mountain I eagerly greeted of a morning, with or without his snow coat! The mountain I even climbed and what wonderful memories I have of that adventure! Anato no subarashi-i desu!

And as I walked away from Leyton House, our home in Japan, once again the tears rolled freely down my face. Our apartment with views from every window, close to the water and an ideal location!! A place where we lived so comfortably and entertained so many 'alien' visitors. Farewell 1602 Leyton House, 168-1 Yamashita-cho, Naka ku, Yokohama, Japan.

That's Leyton House! But watch it ,'You're standing on the ferris wheel!'

I can now look at the map of the World and say, 'I lived up there.... in Japan.....I called it 'home' for nearly two years!' We will think of you, as you continue to rebuild after the devastating Tohuku Earthquake of March the 11th, 2011 and its aftermath. You have suffered so much and the recovery will be slow. We, too, shall never forget the fear of such an experience!

To those of you who have shared my blog, this is the final posting of 'Lost in Japan'. I hope my blog has been enlightening and allowed you a glimpse of this lovely country. Thank you for sharing the journey with me. In the beginning I had no idea the blog would develop as it did and have such a wide following. To all those people around the globe who responded, thank you. And to those who even ended up in Leyton House or enrolled with Tokyo Lingual because of my stories, I'm glad you chose so well. I guess for those who have visited, I must say there will be only one more 'Jenny Lost in Japan' tour......the 'aliens' return trip home to Australia!!

Truthfully, I was rarely lost but now saying goodye, 

I  feel I'm not 'Lost in Japan' but that I'm 'Losing Japan'!

Maybe one day I will say to you...

Shibaraku desu ne!

But for now....

Nak i ta i desu yo!

Thankyou Japan for sharing your country.  

Arigatou gozaimasu!

 Ki o tsuke te kudasai!

Kampaii Nihon wa! 

Sayonara!

Please note: Copies of my book 'Lost in Japan' will be available from Blurb.com as soon as it is finished and been published.  Just google blurb.com......go to bookstore......then type in lost in japan by jennifer lewis.