I love Japan. There are so many great things about Japan, many of them unusual, surprising and delightful. I have spent over 5 years here and would like to offer my personal top 10 things about Japan.

1. Ramen. Once again the Japanese have improved on something foreign, making it into an art form.
2. Vending Machines Everywhere, selling everything and they even accept bills. I never did find vending machines selling school girls underwear though.
3. Pretty Japanese girls. They don't seem to care about how attractive foreign men are. Seriously shanky western guys are transformed into Brad Pitt in Japan.
4. Obesity. The only fat people are visitors. Okinawa residents and people with actual glander problems.
5. People are so nice. Even when lying to you. Back home lying can be so unfriendly and painful.
6. Pets. People love dogs in Japan. And the owners pick up the mess too!!
7. Forgiveness. Get drunk, gad your secretary's ass and all is forgiven (unless you are a foreigner, in which case you are quickly transferred to your companies Lahore branch).
8. The Cost of Living. It is so expensive in Japan, that wherever you go to next will seem cheap by comparison.
9. Invisibility. As a foreigner you can act like a complete idiot in Japan. Yet no one will kick your ass and you will not get arrested either.
10. Weather forecasting. Incredibly accurate always. And they even predict the cherry blossoms' bloom status to the day.
11. Mikans. Easy to peel, no seeds, sweet. The perfect fruit.
12. Electric Toilet Seats. Heated with music, fans, spitzer and more. Possibly JapanŰĖs greatest invention. My personal favorite is name 'Apricot.'
13. Cash Machines. The machines my not be open all night, but remarkably they accept those silly 1-yen and 5-yen pieces and deposit them into your non-interest bearing account. The sound of them counting the metal coins while you wait is sublime. And let's not forget the woman on the cash machine screen speaks and bows to you too.
14. Bicycles. Located everywhere you go. Japan's fleet of basket carrying bikes makes for the most convenient trash disposal for pedestrians while 'on the go'. Just throw your PET bottle, onigiri wrapper or cigarette packet in the basket without breaking your stride!

I promised a top ten and apologies for getting carried away. Frankly it is hard to narrow it down to yen in such an interesting and intriguing country like Japan.