The foreign community in Japan is transient. People come and go. The funny thing is, when they go, they're usually ready. It's something biological: that need to return home.

Someday I'll leave Japan too, but not yet. I'd miss it too much. I'd miss the man at the train station who says "good morning" to every single person who passes through the ticket gate at rush hour. I'd miss the lady who comes over the loudspeaker in that sexy voice and says, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the shinkansen."

I'd miss the potted flowers that decorate the train stations and the main streets, and the fact that no one ever steals them. I'd miss the warmth of a yakitori shop in winter, and the coolness of soba in summer. I'd miss Pocky candy, Doraemon, free tissues and Kyoto in autumn.