I wanted to add, especially in light of another poster's negative comment about the Japanese, that everyone I met during my 2 weeks there without exception was polite and many came up to us and were overtly friendly. No one said anything anti-American to me or anyone else I met. In fact, the opposite was true -- people asked where we were from, seemed delighted that it was America and wanted to know what city, and sometimes said things like "America great country." That embarassed me a bit, given our recent international actions, however it was pleasant to experience and quite a change from other countries I've traveled in. Some people even came up to shake our hands. I was also struck by how quiet speaking they are compared to Americans. In fact after returning home, my public transportation commute seems so noisy and unpleasant in comparison. I hope other people have a similar experience. I can't imagine Japanese people being impolite, but I haven't been to Tokyo so can't comment on there.
Pam

Pam: We had the same experience about the noise upon return. My son and I both went through a big culture shock coming back to the states regarding the noise level. Especially in the airport in Milwaukee where we had a lay-over; I can still hear the faimly that sat indifferent parts of the waiting area for boarding, and yelled across the entire area to each other, carrying on a long conversation like that. I really knew we weren't in Japan anymore at that point. And the bowing. I missed that right away when we got back.

Thanks for your input, emd! I know what you mean about the bowing, too -- what a nice sign of respect. Why is it Americans have to talk (or yell) at each other across a room, completely ignoring all the people around them??? Anyway, I'm glad I'm not alone in observing this!

One of my fondest memories from Japan is my husband and I being dropped off at a restaurant one night in Tokyo, and the taxi driver getting out, opening the door for me and when I got out of the taxi, he bowed to me!! I live in NYC and I can tell you, you're lucky if you get so much as a grunt out of these guys.

I too was so impressed by the kindness of Japanese people to me. In Kyoto last year I went off on a long walk and was trying to get my bearings walking back from the Kiyomizu temple. I asked a Japanese woman to point me in the direction of Sanjo street -- I had taught myself enough Japanese to ask the question, but would only understand her answer if she pointed me in the right direction rather than any verbal directions. Instead of just pointing me, she led me the 10 blocks or so to Sanjo, even though it was out of her way -- incredible. (And domo arigato to you again, kind stranger.)