I'm leaving Japan tomorrow having cycled around Kyushu for five weeks with my family. We have given the kids (2 and 4 years old) more independence than home (Australia) because of how safe it has felt. The lack of public bins has been difficult though, especially as we have nappies and are camping - sometimes carrying a few kilos of various types of rubbish. We've been through a bunch of the dying towns which has been interesting; sometimes we saw only 70+ year olds for a few days. While travelling I've reflected often on the things which could be possible if only people in my local area did just. Or more like *didn't* - nicer public parks and gardens, being able to leave a bike locked up with parts being stolen from it (in South Korea and Japan you can leave even luggage attached to an unlocked bike without fear of anything being stolen).
I'm leaving Japan tomorrow having cycled around Kyushu for five weeks with my family. We have given the kids (2 and 4 years old) more independence than home (Australia) because of how safe it has felt. The lack of public bins has been difficult though, especially as we have nappies and are camping - sometimes carrying a few kilos of various types of rubbish. We've been through a bunch of the dying towns which has been interesting; sometimes we saw only 70+ year olds for a few days. While travelling I've reflected often on the things which could be possible if only people in my local area did just. Or more like *didn't* - nicer public parks and gardens, being able to leave a bike locked up with parts being stolen from it (in South Korea and Japan you can leave even luggage attached to an unlocked bike without fear of anything being stolen).