When I first went to Singapore, I was amazed by how clean the city was.
This is because there’s a fine system in place for littering on the street, but I also felt that the people there were very conscious about their behavior.
First of all, I was very impressed by Changi Airport, Singapore’s gateway.
I’d heard it was a world-class airport, but compared to Japanese airports, it was like a whole other world.
With a waterfall called “Jewel” flowing through the airport and amazing high-tech features, the airport itself felt like an amusement spot.
Singapore’s area is roughly the same as Tokyo’s 23 wards, so it’s a very compact country.
Public transportation is also well-developed and convenient.
Like Malaysia, it’s a multicultural country where people from all over the world coexist.
I went to see the Merlion, Singapore’s symbol.
It’s often said to be one of the three most disappointing places in the world.
I stayed in a hotel in Clarke Quay and walked to see the Merlion.
It’s a beautiful promenade, with lots of people jogging in the morning. From here, you can also see another famous landmark, Marina Bay Sands.
Two things surprised me.
The first was that there was a Japanese fast food restaurant right in front of the Merlion.
The second was that when I actually saw the Merlion, I found it to be surprisingly large, contrary to my initial impressions, and worth seeing.
I do think prices are high in Singapore.
I’m sure the weak yen has a big impact, but after doing some research I learned about “hawker centers,” which are like Asian food stalls.
My favourite is Maxwell Food Centre near Chinatown.
I was really impressed by one meal.
Unlike the food stalls you see in Asia, this food centre had a roof and was very clean.
As expected, the prices were cheaper and more down-to-earth than other restaurants.
I went to a chicken rice restaurant I had researched in Japan.
While many tourists always lined up at the MICHELIN-awarded restaurants featured in guidebooks and on YouTube, I chose a place where locals were waiting in line.
The chicken rice here was the most authentic I’d ever tasted.
I discovered what real chicken rice tastes like.
It wasn’t overly spicy, but very simple and comforting.
Since trying this chicken rice, I never eat chicken rice in Japan again.
Malaysian chicken rice (nasi lemak) was too spicy for me.
I highly recommend it for those who like spicy food.
The people in Singapore are also very kind.
I wasn’t sure which train to take, so I asked someone nearby. She spent the whole time explaining things to me, even before getting on the train she was taking.
I also feel that the security situation is very good. It’s a small, but high-tech and very fashionable country.
