I visited Japan for the first time-and this was how It went.
Japan. The land of the rising sun. People associate Japan with their vibrant-coloured cherry blossoms blooming in the spring, and girls walking around with flower adorned kimonos. As someone who has only explored this country by the oh-so-useful Google Street View, I finally got a first-hand experience when I visited Tokyo last Fall.
If you prefer to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life at the end of a long day, I would recommend staying in Ningyocho, a small town situated about a half an hour away from the heart of Tokyo. It was here that I was able to interact with the locals and get to know more about their way of life. How white-collar workers would have a drink together before heading back home, or how mothers would regularly bring their children out for walks during the weekends. The place offers a refreshing sight from the usual bright lights and cityscapes of the trendy parts of Tokyo.
On my second day in Japan, I took an hour long bus ride to Honshu Island, to view the iconic Mt. Fuji. Even though the main attraction of the day was obviously the majestic mountain that is Japan’s highest, I relished my time looking out of the bus’ window and to catch a glimpse of rural life in the country. For someone who has always lived in a city, the sights of small traditional houses and tree-covered hills were an unfamilar but welcoming experience.
The thing that I was not expecting though, was how cold it could get in the countryside. I had never cared to check the daily temperature before heading out, and oh boy, what a huge mistake that was! I was severely underdressed with my sleeveless chiffon top and moderately thick coat, when everybody else was wearing full knitted tops and winter jackets. By the time the sun sets, I was shivering and hunched over, jumping around in an attempt to keep my body warm. Oh, and did I mentioned I was wearing heels? Even when I’m travelling, I tend to take priority in fashion rather than comfort. Hmm.. ( Self-reflecting on how stupid I was ) When it comes to footwear, a good pair of well-beaten boots will always be the best option for hours of roaming around.
After watching many travel documentaries, I couldn’t not visit an Onsen, a Japanese hot spring which could be found in bathing houses and Ryokans. As it’s considered part of Japanese culture and is widely-known for their therapeutic benefits, I was rather fascinated by the attraction and was thrilled to experience it for the first time. However, I did not realised that we were meant to be naked, as I always held the assumption that we are covered up by a towel ( just like the hosts in travel shows ). Thus, you can imagine the pure shock and horror plastered on my face when I was told to strip off. Regardless, I mastered up all my courage and entered the Onsen with only a small face towel given to me. Though it was an enlightening experience, I was also in a rather uncomfortable situation where I was conscious and tense of the people around me. I would say that the more times you try out an Onsen, the more confident and at ease you’ll be in such an environment in the future.
I also got to enjoy the sights and ride of Tokyo DisneySea, one of the most happiest or unhappiest place on earth. Unlike being the usual joyous and cheery visitor that Disney always portrays on the promotional pictures of their theme parks, I had a scowl planted on my face almost 90% of the time. Did you notice that I wrote drown ride instead of rides? Well, that’s the problem. Out of all the 27 attractions available in the park, I only rode on 1. One.
As I visited Japan during the November/December months, there is no doubt that many people ( especially tourists like me ) are coming into the country. As such, the average waiting time for each ride was nearly 2–3 hours long, and restaurants and shops in the theme park were fully crowded. I don’t have neither the patience nor the time to wait that long for a ride that only lasts for about 8–10 minutes. It was an unpleasant experience not getting to fully enjoy the activities offered, but I should have known better than to travel during the peak periods.
Nonetheless, if there was just one thing I recalled most memorably of my trip, it would be the ever scrumptious food. I’m pretty sure I gained a few pounds after coming back home, but vacation weight shouldn’t be too much of a worrying factor ( since it’s all about enjoying the moment ). As a food enthusiast and a free spirit, I went on a hunt around the city for independently-owned restaurants that were not as well-known to tourists, and had the opportunity to try out some truly authentic Japanese cruisines. Unlike in many eateries in Singapore, noodles such as Udon and those served in Ramen dishes are notably handmade. It’s also worth mentioning that during these visits, I was taken aback by the considerate locals who selflessly gave up their seats when the place was crowded. Such a reception led me to have an absolutely pleasant and unforgettable dining experience.
As I never did any proper planning or prior checking before this trip, I have met with many abrupt setbacks that sometimes dampens the fun and spirits. It’s a well-deserved punishment considering that I came back home with an important lesson to learn. I will be visiting Japan ( specifically Hokkaido, Kyoto and Osaka ) once again later this year, and maybe this time, it will be a more pleasurable journey.
