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There was a story circulating a few years ago that Japanese tourists visiting France experienced a mental breakdown after  seeing Paris because the reality of their experience fell so short of their idealized visions of the Capital of impressionism, croissants, and La Nouvelle Vague. French people off the canvas and screen can be rude, condescending, and not above ripping you off for an inferior cup of coffee. Having seen Japan it all makes sense now. The country believes in living up to its traditions. Japan was all I expected and more. The country immortalized in Studio Ghibli movies seems to materialize right before your eyes in its lush green forests, the armies of uniformed schoolchildren roaming the country seemingly unaccompanied, the modern "salary men" in their dark suits and white shirts coming home late on the subway, the narrow curved alleyways, and the landscaped gardens that frame the endless temples. Waiting at a covered bus stop in the countryside, you expect Totoro to come by any minute...