Last month, I lived what is, for many, the fangirl dream: I visited Japan for two weeks. I'd been invited over by a friend who's in Canada's working holiday program for people ages 30 and under. During that time, I visited Tokyo and Kyoto – the essence of the old and new Japan – and gained a lot of insights into the country, some of which I never thought of before.

Now, granted, a fangirl/fanboy pilgrimage may not be the thing for everyone. But it has a lot to offer a variety of people – even those who aren't particularly into anime/manga fandoms and their related careers.

Of course, if you are planning on working in any area that's Japan-related – translation, localization, game design, etc. – a trip to Japan is almost a must. In fact, if you plan to be a translator, you may want to look into an extended stay, because immersion is the best way to master a language – my friend reported that her Japanese has improved tremendously in the five months she's been there.

But there's other fields of study and work that can benefit from a firsthand look at what Japan has to offer. Among them are:

1. Fashion. This may seem like almost a no-brainer – after all, the fashion-forward Harajuku Girls are famous throughout the world (even before Gwen Stefani sang about them). And Harajuku is definitely an eye-opener when it comes to cutting-edge clothing. But it doesn't stop there. For the other side of the coin, there's the high-class Ginza district, where you can see what Japan's upper class arrays themselves in – and they're no less stylish that the Lolitas, just in a different way.

Furthermore, Japan is an excellent place to observe men's street fashion. College-age guys are as style-conscious as their female counterparts, stepping out in clothes and hairstyles that echo J-rock, hip hop and Goth – sometimes all in the same outfit. Designers for both genders will find inspiration aplenty here.

2. Marketing. The Japanese are world-class experts at selling anything and everything – music, food, clothes, cars, appliances, even their own history. (Kyoto shops do brisk business in goods related to the Shinsengumi, the legendary band of samurai who have been portrayed in many films and anime). Taking a tour of the major shopping districts in areas like Shibuya is a lesson in moving goods off the shelves through presentation and persuasion, utilizing store displays, billboards (and, yes, electronic ones are everywhere) and even people on the streets handing out advertisements – attached to useful things like packets of tissues, so you're less likely to throw them away. And then, there's their ingenious ways of combatting music industry piracy – which I'll deal with in a separate column.

3. Culinary arts. Okay, we're all familiar with sushi – it's become so mainstream in America that many people assume it's all the Japanese eat. But those wishing to familarize themselves with Asian cooking of all sorts would do well to get to know the true variety of items offered in streetside shops – ramen and udon noodles, donburi (rice bowls with meat and egg-based sauces), even Japanese takes on American foods – one of the more interesting dishes I had there was an omelette consisting of an egg atop a heap of tomato-flavored rice (served with a side of beef stew). You may bring bake a take on Japanese food that goes so far beyond sushi that your customers may never equate the Land of the Rising Sun with raw fish again.

4. Religious studies. Kyoto's Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are not only beautiful to look at, visiting one gives a firsthand glimpse into the place of spirituality in the lives of the Japanese people (and, yes, you can even participate in a prayer at a shrine if you want).

5. Design and architecture. The old and the new are on display everywhere – and not just in Kyoto. Some old buildings survive in Tokyo as well (and they're a pleasant surprise when you come across them). The  newer structures, however, are equally worthy of study, especially how they make efficient use of space (given how crowded Tokyo is). Tokyo is a model of efficient urban planning in general – their public transportation system is one of the best I've ever seen (once you figure it out).

So a trip to Japan could very well be in your geeky study or career plans, even if you've never seen anything with subtitles in your life. Do a little investigating to see if it has something to offer you!

- Bonnie Walling