Japan! The trip that changed everything…
The trip of my dreams was going to Japan, the country of the rising sun. The idea of visiting the country that was the birthplace of my childhood heroes always excited me. But whit the years I found a certain interest in japanese culture, history and of course culinary, and to be honest I never understood why. For some kind of reason I felt like Japan was calling for me.
In the last month, April 2024, I finally was able to accomplish this dream. I went to Japan for 11 days, and I say to you it was amazing. I felt something I never expected to feel. I have arrived on 21st Abril at Naria airport in Tokyo and the moment I took a step outside the plane it was like I was at home. After getting passed the airport security and getting my hands on a PasmoPassport and internet hotspot service, I went directly to the 7Eleven that existed on the Airport and bought an Onigiri to eat.
That night I slept in Tokyo, after a trip of almost 16h I was completely exhausted. The day after i woke up early, got my things and went directly to the train station, the goal was to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. I didn’t had breakfast so, after I bought my ticket, I have entered a shop and bought an Obento to eat during the trip, and I have to say it was delicius.
In the next 5 days I satyed in Osaka. I have to be honest, this city just got a special place in my heart. I would really like to be there at this moment walking down the streets of Osaka, eat some fresh tuna in Kuromon Market, visiting Shitenno-ji, get dinner at Ichiran or see the flashing lights of Dotonbori at night and get some gyoza’s or takoyaki’s to eat, and in the next day get the train to see Nara again. And the sunset in Dotonbori? How magical it is.
At Kyoto I just stood one night. How i wish i had stayed more days in Kyoto to be able to better know is traditional streets while wearing a kimono and learn more about is history. It’s like travelling in time back to feudal Japan. My heart really misses Kyoto and Osaka.
The last days were spent in Tokyo, the big city, the most populated city on earth. I really liked Tokyo to, the temple in Asakusa district, Shibuya scramble crossing, Akihabara and the incredible view in the 45th floor of the metropolitan government building. It was in Asakusa that I got one of the most precious memorys of this trip. I went to Tansuya to buy a kimono for me, something I had decided i would buy before i went to Japan. In this shop there was a really nice men and a really nice lady who helped me pick my kimono and explained me how to used it. He didn’t speak a lot of english but he was really putting an effort to speak and excused himself for not beeing able to speak a lot of english. When i said to him it was no problem that i could understand some japanese too, the hapiness in him was so great. After I got out of the store I turned my self back and there he was, standing outside whit the lady thanking me for coming whit a big smille in their face. I felt it was so genuine i almost cried!
The last day was hard for me. On that day it rained a lot in Tokyo, it was almost like Japan itself known that was the last day of my trip. For me it was the moment when I got my seat on the plane that I realised that was time to go back, and I couldn’t contain my tears. I felt like i was living home, and at that moment I promised myself I would be back and would find a way to really be happy.
Japan was a life changing trip for me. A country i really recommend everyone to visit at leat once in life. The country, the people, the culture, for sure something wonderfull. The only thing I ask of everyone who decides to visit Japan is to respect its people and culture.
RB Nick
