Visiting Japan for the first time can be somewhat overwhelming. At first glance, the streets are ablaze with colors strewn across an endless canvas of neon signs with undecipherable writing. People are everywhere--thousands of them flow effortlessly through the city streets in seemingly splendid harmony with one another.

Many Sailors taking orders to Japan may feel dazed and confused in such an environment. As a result, many Sailors restrict themselves to the safe confines of their base, never realizing the real reason for taking orders to Japan is found off the ships and beyond the base's gates.

"Even though I was skeptical at first on how to use the trains, I quickly realized that the people actually know enough English and are willing to help out; all you have to do is ask," said Aviation Boatsman's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Isaac Paddock, assigned to USS Kitty Hawk(CV 63).

After reassuring himself that he wasn't intimidated by being in a foreign country, Paddock discovered Japan offers a variety of recreational options, especially during the warm weather months.

"Summer is incredible in Japan. I never realized that Japan had so many great beaches. I've done everything from surfing to riding jet skis," said Paddock. "At night the Japanese shoot off fireworks and have bonfires on the beach. Japan is such an awesome experience, I feel like I am on vacation living here."

There are also plenty of locations throughout Japan for Sailors to relax. The Japanese gardens--better known in America as parks--exude a feeling of serenity. These gardens are one of the country's most distinctive features, and they add a special dimension to a visitor's enjoyment of Japan.

"The parks are a great place to relax and just get away," said Airman Sean Whitt, also assigned to Kitty Hawk. "I think it's good to feel like I'm on vacation so that my job on the ship is less stressful."

In stark contrast to the peaceful atmosphere in the Japanese Gardens are the crowded streets of the Akihabara district in Tokyo. Japan is one of the world's leaders in innovative gadgets and technological advances, and Sailors can find almost any gizmo they need in the Akihabara.

"I'm amazed by the technology," said Paddock. "I have yet to understand everything my phone does. Everywhere you go there seems to be something different, new or high tech staring you in the face. It's all over."