Japan. I had so many images in my mind (think Kyoto, temples, torii shrines, kimonos etc) and was so surprised by what I did see. I was unprepared for the rocky cliffs (yokohama) and how very very tight everything was. I was also surprised how yokohama and yokosuka were more tropical than I had envisioned. Very green (I arrived in late May) and bright. The pollution shocked me as I tought Japan was very eco conscious.
I loved the years I spent there.