Morocco - Marrakech
Marrakech is a magical place, but its a different magic than Japan. As you progress closer and closer to the Medina (the old part of town) from the airport the city gets more hectic and frenetic. Donkey's pulling carts, motor bikes zipping by, and boys on bikes riding with out abandon everywhere. As you weave deeper into the Medina the smell of fragrant spices and old buildings fill the air, you can feel the history as you wander the city.
After enough time the winding souks feel familiar, haggling gets easier, even fun just as you are leaving. You leave longing for the golden sun and frenetic days wandering the Medina, getting lost even seems fun again.