TOKYO, Japan – One friend of mine called it a “trip of a lifetime,” and I’d say that is a rather apt description.

I admit Japan wasn’t on my bucket list of “Top 10” places I wanted to visit before I die, but now after spending time there I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has an inkling of playing tourist.

Kiwanis conducted its 99th annual international convention there nearly three weeks ago, so I had a built-in excuse for going.

And for anyone who knows my wife Brenda, you understand she wasn’t going to allow me to visit Japan alone…

The convention was two and a half days, so we booked a five-day tour afterward to further explore this land of contrasts.

Japan has a deep and rich history. Its Buddhist temples, shogun conquerors, Shinto shrines, countryside rice paddies, hillside “castles” and even a modern-day royal family (and to show my typical American naiveté of things foreign – who knew?) all point to this ancient history.

Yet today’s Japan is known for its unique industriousness, car manufacturing, electronics industry, Karaoke, advanced public transportation, obsession with certain cartoon characters and video games.

I didn’t view too many golf courses, but there was an abundance of driving ranges all over the place (the unique fencing tends to stick out among the landscape, even in the larger cities).

We found the people to be sincere and welcoming. At least in the hospitality and restaurant/service industries, their standards are high and impeccable. They truly are honored to help you (take a bow, please; maybe even three or four).

The cities are tight and congested with many residential apartment high-rises; the rural areas are naturally more spread out, but I don’t think I saw a single home that wasn’t two stories. The countryside was very green and wooded.

It was emotionally brutal and poignant at the same time to visit Hiroshima and see the Peace Memorial Museum and adjoining park. Scientists and politicians argued during World War II if “the bomb” should be dropped or not, and that debate will never be settled. Hiroshima is completely rebuilt today.

I’m still rather rough at chop sticks, after wearing a kimono to dinner one evening I don’t plan to wear one in the near future, and I didn’t have the nerve (or balance) to try out a public Japanese-style toilet. You will have to Google it if you don’t know what I’m talking about…

Yet it was an opportunity to try some new foods, be open to a different culture, and of course riding the “bullet train” was definitely fun at 185 miles per hour and surprisingly roomy. The public transportation system in general was very impressive. Despite the clouds, Mt. Fuji was still domineering.

They were all looking forward to the opening of the new “Godzilla” movie in Japan (already released here), and I saw plenty of American influences all over the place.

For such a small country, it has much to offer and much to show off to visitors.