The Natives are Friendly

Some things about Japan matched my preconceptions; the trains run to the second, the food resembles a work of modern art, and the red/green crossing man is universally obeyed. What I wasn't expecting was the sheer friendliness of the people of Kyushu. As well as the unfailing politeness, which the stereotype suggests, we experienced a lot of warmth and friendship on our travels. From the strangers in the villages who insisted we try their food, to the students in the city keen to teach us Japanese drinking games. From the elderly Nagasaki woman randomly welcoming us to her city to the kind driver who picked up two bedraggled hitch-hikers and utilised his satellite navigation to drop us exactly where we wanted. Lovely people.