Japan - current impressions - a land of extremes

Japan can often seem to be a land of extreme polar opposites. These cultural extremes can often found in very close proximity to each other. This apparent polarization seems to be hardly a source of friction for Japanese, nor does it's existence seem to be particularly important nor noticed by Japanese people.

Below: starkly contrasting environments, less than an hour apart:

Congested, vibrant, and gaudy Nanba (Osaka)

Autumn leaves make a patchwork quilt of color in Kyoto, near Nanzenji

This may possibly largely foreign reaction to Japan, it is still a valid one and also can be useful as paradigm for exploring Japanese culture.
These distinct contrasts paint a picture of Japanese society as one in which a diverse and mature culture is well preserved, continually cultivated, and constantly evolving.
America, in comparison, seems to lack this quality. In spite of its relatively diverse ethnic population, typical American cultural motifs tend to evidence America to be a land of absolute cultural mediocrity.

More images:

A lightbulb dealer in Akihabara, Tokyo. Neon Lights in it's Osaka counterpart, Shinsaibashi.

More autumnal scenes in Kyoto.

Some more examples of polarization within Japanese culture:

extreme elegance vs. extreme vulgarity
(wabi-sabi vs. school girl rape porno comic books)

extreme austerity vs. the extremely gaudy
(black and white calligraphy vs. plastic cute encrusted everything)

extreme minimalism vs. extreme sensory overload
(the elegance of a Japanese style room (和室) vs. a pachinko parlour)

extreme tradition vs. extreme avant garde and modernity
(kimono commonly used as everyday wear vs. this as everyday wear)

extreme low crime vs. a thriving mafia

extreme kindness and hospitality vs. being eternally labeled an outsider

chaos and crowds vs. quiet serenity and calm