Then when they leave, they can present their completed map for a small prize. Children (and me, of course) can pick up a map at the entrance and proceed through the attraction, collecting stamps or keywords along the way. At nearly every tourist location, you will find a commemorative stamp (which I have LOVED collecting!!), and at larger places, they have stamp rallies and keyword rallies. Japan does an amazing job of making museums, historical locations, and other attractions just as child-friendly and engaging for kids as theme parks and festivals. Stamp rallies (child-friendly atmosphere).Why can you pet/ride/feed tons of animals in Japanese zoos and parks? Why can children play with abandon on really fun and potentially dangerous playground equipment? Why can a CEO simply apologize publicly and bow really low on TV when a mistake is made, with no further consequences? Because Japanese people don’t rush to sue for every tiny little thing. When you add in all the national and prefectural holidays, you never feel like you’re in school for too long a stretch, and the one long-ish break (summer) isn’t so long that all learning and knowledge evaporates! Students also get a week off for New Year’s and two weeks for spring break. The year starts in April, and halfway through the school year, students get 5-6 weeks off for summer break. Many people may not agree with me, but I think the Japanese school year makes way more sense than the U.S.’s. A purse hook! A slot for your umbrella! Wheels that turn 360° smoothly and easily! Shopping is no longer a chore. Employees would rather receive a compliment than a tip, so tipping doesn’t exist here. Even the gas station attendants (yes, you can still have someone pump your gas for you here!) make you feel like royalty. We have never experienced customer service this exceptional anywhere in the world. Please chime in, correct us, or add your own perspective in the comments. Disclaimer: Not being able to speak Japanese well or read 99% of what we see has almost certainly influenced this list! We are truly NO EXPERTS! These are just some observations. In the spirit of this perspective-taking, Eric and I have compiled this list of THE BEST AND WORST OF JAPAN. Foreigners bring a unique perspective that natives often miss, like when you can’t make sense of a big mural on a wall because you’re standing too close to it. After spending a year living and working in another country, you’re no expert on the culture, but you begin to see patterns and tendencies you’d never notice during a shorter stay.