I think my biggest takeaway from Japan was that it&#x27;s stuck between two worlds -- one 20 years ahead, and one 20 years behind.<p>The streets were immaculately clean, but they put their bags of garbage right on the curb where everyone could see them blocking the way.<p>We saw a demonstration of Asimo, the human-acting robot, which could hop on on leg at this point. And then we would go to get food and they only accept cash.<p>There were &quot;smoking only&quot; areas on the streets (Shibuya for example), as a way to corral and even shame smokers. And yet most places accommodated indoor smoking.<p>We could go to restaurants and pre-order from a vending machine and give the ticket to the chefs, but in those same shops, along with most coffee shops (even the western ones), they didn&#x27;t have easy access wifi.<p>Habits are difficult to change. Cultures must be even more difficult.