Osaka from Osaka Castle moat.

I love this country; I love almost everything about it. My biggest complaint is that the chairs are too low. In the US, the chair seats are about 18″ off the floor – I think there is even a US standard somewhere – in Japan, the seats are about 12.5″ to 15″. For the first couple of days, I would go to sit down, then go lower, then lower, and then into freefall for the last 3 to 6 inches. When it is time to stand up, it’s more like getting off the lowest step than a dining room chair.

While I’m complaining, almost everything is too low and/or too small. Stair railings are about knee height, so I have to bend over, way over, to inch my way down a high set of stone stairs. Right now, I’m sitting on a low stool bent over my computer on a small round table about kitchen stool height. Most restaurants are tiny, three to six small tables tiny.

Balance that against great architecture, smiling, helpful people, great food, and the list goes on and on.

Serene Osaka

The Namba District in Osaka