Ah, the Land of the Rising Sun! Ah, the vending machines and neon lights! Japan, here I come! It’s time to say ‘sayonara’ to my mom, dog, and Netflix subscription, and embark on this whirlwind adventure. Why Japan, you ask? Well, why not! It’s where ancient traditions coexist with modern technology, the food is to kill for (literally, ever heard of fugu?), and where the high-speed Shinkansen trains make my morning commute look like a snail race.
And, oh, do I have plans. Hold onto your sushi folks because this is going to be one helical roller coaster ride through the best destinations Japan has to offer. From the pounding heart of Tokyo to Hiroshima’s resilience, and yes, the mountain – the almighty Fuji herself. We’re in for a real treat.
Can you taste it? The bitter-sweetness of green tea. Can you feel it? The cool, hallowed air of Kyoto’s temples. Can you see it? The sunrise from atop Mt. Fuji. Scratch that, can you survive it? (remember, I’m climbing up Mt. Fuji, not cuddled up in a five-star hotel.) So, buckle up dear readers, this journey ain’t for the faint-hearted.
Day 1-2: Tokyo – City of Contrasts
Ah, Tokyo! The land where neon lights meet ancient temples, and modern technology intertwines with centuries-old tradition. I couldn’t wait to dive into this concrete jungle and see what all the hype was about.
As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was swept away by the fast-paced city life. Tokyo is like a caffeinated hummingbird on steroids – it just doesn’t stop. I marveled at the Shibuya crossing, where thousands of people cross the street simultaneously, creating a beautiful chaos that somehow works.
In between dodging salarymen and selfie sticks, I visited some stunning historical sights. The ancient Sensoji Temple, nestled in the heart of Asakusa, gave me the lowdown on how a 1,400-year-old temple can coexist with a bustling metropolis. I also took a stroll through the tranquil gardens of the Imperial Palace, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Now, if you’re a foodie like me, Tokyo can be a treacherous place if you don’t know what to expect. With more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, it’s not a question of finding good food, it’s a question of how much sashimi and ramen one human can consume before exploding. I discovered the culinary wonderland that is Tsukiji Fish Market, where I binged on some of the freshest and tastiest sushi known to mankind. Spoiler alert: I didn’t explode, but I came pretty close.
Some people might call this trip whirlwind or frenetic, but I prefer the term “enthralling.” Tokyo is a city that never ceases to amaze and surprise you. And with a belly full of sushi and a camera roll filled with memories, I eagerly boarded the train to my next destination, Kamakura.
Day 3: Kamakura – Coastal town with a big Buddha
Certainly, Japan has a reputation for its buzzing and vibrant urban sprawls, but here’s the thing – it can paint a quite serene portrait too! If you don’t believe me, let Kamakura do the talking. Yes, it’s a coastal town and surprise, surprise – it also has a gigantic Buddha!
Awaken to a tranquil morning, where urban cacophony bows to the gentle swoosh of waves. The city’s pace then pulls you into a peaceful lull – just the perfect antidote your jet-lagged self craved.
Don’t get too relaxed though, because Kamakura houses a whopping 65 Buddhist temples and 19 Shinto shrines. Not a typo – I indeed wrote sixty-five and nineteen. Take that, Temple Run! And trust me, after you’ve gawked at these marvels all day, Buddha’s serene face seems a lot more knowing. Because isn’t life just like a bunch of confused tourists exploring endless temples?
But hey, what’s a visit to a coastal town without some uphill adventures, right? Lo and behold, Kamakura’s hiking trails – where every huffing breath rewards you with stunning vistas. You honestly couldn’t ask for a more picturesque cool-down.
And finally, let’s address the elephant in the room. Or should I say… the sushi? Kamakura’s local cuisine. No matter how I try, words simply falter at its heavenly goodness. Sushi actually tastes like sushi, not like stale, supermarket sushi we all have come to accept.
So, that concludes my time in Kamakura – a peaceful haven of temples, trails, and tantalizing tidbits. As I waved adieu to the Big Buddha, little did I know the charm Kyoto held in store. Stay tuned!
Day 4-5: Kyoto – Japan’s spiritual heart
Sweating from the relentless Tokyo subway rush, Kyoto was a much-needed spiritual sorbet to cleanse the soul. It’s like walking into a painting – a scene so serene, you can hear your own heartbeat. We’re talking beautiful temples and lush gardens, so eye-arrestingly gorgeous, you’d want to slap a filter on your eyeballs just to cope!
Case in point: Kinkaku-ji Temple or the Golden Pavilion. Scenes from the temple, reflecting prettily over the surrounding pond is stuff jaw-dropping wallpapers are made of. And let’s not even start on the Ryoan-ji rock garden. You’ll find yourself questioning your life choices while staring at the zen-inducing rocks and carefully raked gravel. Is it too late to become a monk?
One afternoon, making our way through the throngs of Kyoto’s antiquity, we chanced upon a traditional tea ceremony. Suddenly, the hustle-bustle of Japan felt replaced by a mellow tranquillity. With every gesture of pouring and sipping, I felt a deep-rooted reverence for the art of tea-making. Savioring the taste under the masterful guidance of our tea hostess was a lesson in mindfulness I never knew I needed. Truly an epitome of “Zen and the Art of Tea Drinking.”
Next, we found ourselves wandering the famous bamboo groves of Arashiyama. It’s like being inside a Dr. Seuss book, but instead of “The Cat in the Hat,” it’s the “Traveler in the Bamboo Pickle”. Piercing skywards, the bamboos huddled together like long lost friends, creating a cathedral of green that left us wandering in hushed awe.
I’d have probably taken up residence there but the sad reality of a tourist visa was yet another unscheduled stop on the ‘sad-life-realities’ train. Kyoto, you beauty – you gobbled up two days of our itinerary but still left us hungry for more. As we packed our bags, I whispered a quiet vow – I’d be back, maybe next time with a monk’s tunic in my suitcase!
Day 6: Hiroshima – Rising from the ashes
As our Shinkansen, the bullet train, speeds into Hiroshima, images of those grainy black and white footages from WW2 history documentaries linger in my mind’s eye. But Hiroshima refuses to be fettered by its past. To quote my favourite Marvel superhero, “The sun’s getting real low,” and our first stop here is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. A solemn time capsule that houses the tragic tales of the day time stood still.
Just when I thought “I need a breather,” voila! We find ourselves on Miyajima Island, a pleasing palette of nature’s best greens and blues. The floating Torii gate here is Instagram gold! A hint from one travel buddy to another, please keep biscuits in your pocket lest the deer gang up on you.
Drawn by the city’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes—it would’ve been easier to play the victim card, but hey, what’s life without a little challenge, eh? Imagine being this wholesome after hosting a nuclear bomb party! Hiroshima exudes a spirit of resilience that’s not touristy but infectious.
As we wave goodbye, the city seems to wink and say, “Not just the land of sushi and samurais, eh?” No indeed, Hiroshima, no indeed!
Day 7-8: Osaka – Gastronomic Delights.Thrilling Adventures and Modern Day Samurai’s paradise
After ticking off our spiritual bucket-list, we landed in Osaka – the city of modern-day Samurai, where ancient warriors are replaced by compulsive shoppers and theme park addicts. If you’re still not convinced that Samurai would hang out in Osaka, let me paint the picture for you.
Ever fancied being chased by a giant Godzilla or chuckled with minions? Then Universal Studios Japan is the place to be! We embarked on this adrenaline-pumping journey amidst thrilling roller coasters and immersive movie experiences (mind you, “thrilling” is an understatement). Truly, Universal Studios brought out our inner ninja – well, if ninjas screamed on roller coasters.
After satiating our inner adrenaline-junkie, we hit the vibrant streets of Osaka to channel our inner foodie. Dotonbori was our gastronomic battleground, as we navigated the world of takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu (try pronouncing these at home, kids). Pro-tip: Snacking on street food is the national sport of Osakans!
If you think shopping counts as cardio, rejoice! We burned off our street food binge at Shinsaibashi, the ultimate shopaholics’ paradise. So many stores, so little time. We left no stone unturned in our retail rampage – the Samurais of the old would have been proud.
This whirlwind tour of Osaka only lasted two days, but the memories collected (and bags filled) were timeless. Watch out, Samurai spirit – we’re coming back for more!
Day 9: Nara – Ancient capital with free-roaming deer
As Day 9 dawned, we romped around Nara, Japan’s old capital. Guess who we met? Bambi’s long-lost cousins. Yes! Deer roam freely here while humans obey traffic rules. We then stumbled upon Todai-ji, a temple that puts the ‘grand’ in ‘grandeur’. Also, we caught a live Taiko drum performance—think of it as an acoustic Japanese EDM. Neat, right? But more of this in the next episode, people! Stay tuned!
Day 10: Mount Fuji – Climbing to the rooftop of Japan
After the 9-day cultural whirlwind, we found ourselves at the bottom of Mount Fuji – gasp! – ready to test our fortitude. I mean, climbing a 3,776-metre active volcano totally sounds like the ideal holiday, right? Hilarious!
Clambering up its steep trails wasn’t a joke. But, oh! The sunrise from the top was beyond celestial proportions. Jaw-dropping, tears-in-eyes, life-questioning beautiful!
Post descent, we slumped into an Onsen, courtesy of sore bodies. A hot bath never felt more deserved. Ah, the sweet irony of life! An active volcano next to a hot bath. Japan, you’re quite the comic!
Conclusion
After voraciously venturing through the valleys and vivacious cities of Japan, I can say with some certainty that I’ve gained both a sushi roll’s worth of weight and a wealth of crispy-fresh experiences. The people were polite but confusing; bow or handshake? Sushi or Sashimi? I swear, half the trip was spent in an existential dining crisis. Yet, if travel harvests teach you one thing, it’s that indecision is part of the fun. From serious selfie sessions with free-range deer to braving Mt. Fuji’s fickle mood, I, my friends, have come out enlightened, albeit slightly sleep-deprived. Ready for the next sojourn? If it promises piping hot ramen and quaint Japanese gardens, count me in!