Travelling is one of the most effective ways to recharge your energy. Visiting new places makes you realize there is more to the world than what you have seen and experienced, and what you will ever be able to see during your lifespan. Traveling is a pleasurable experience, but sometimes it may not be up to one’s expectations. I believe every person should at least once in their life should have a memorable vacation, be it good or bad, and mine was three years ago, in Japan. During the spring of 2019, along with my parents and I traveled to Beppu, Japan for my sister’s graduation ceremony. It was a two-week trip that had excited me for a long time. Traveling overseas had always been my dream and the ride to Nepal’s international airport was an amazing start.
We arrived in Fukuoka, Japan, after eleven cramped and uncomfortable hours in the congested seats of Korean Airlines. This experience was an amazing platform to learn bout the parallels and differences in culture and lifestyle between Nepal and Japan. The variations in airport facilities were easily noticeable. The airport was so huge that one could easily get lost. Moreover, the language barrier became an issue when my mom left her glasses on the airplane’s seats. After the checkout procedures, we met my sister at baggage claim and took a bus to Beppu City, where my sister lives. The roads were smooth as butter surrounded by greenery, and the buildings were so tall that it strained our necks to look at them.
For a fortnightly trip, we had a lot of plans to enjoy the trip fully. On the second day, we planned to go to my sister’s university, Ritsumekan Asia Pacific University, and her workplace, Suginoi Hotel. I was blown away by the large classes, but even more so by the sophisticated restrooms. From her college, we had a magnificent perspective of the city, and we took a lot of pictures. We were able to stroll barefoot on the streets because they were so clean. I concluded that Japanese people do not litter to maintain the country’s integrity and cleanliness.
On the fifth day, after the graduation ceremony, we had a flight to Tokyo. Beppu was already stunning, so we couldn’t imagine how stunning Tokyo would be. We took an express train ride from the Narita airport to Tokyo city, as the city was far from the airport. On our way to the hotel, we even saw elderly people playing football and exercising in the park. Once we figured out where the hotel was and where the nearest McDonald’s was, we were able to adjust fast. The journey to Tokyo was planned to last a week. Although Japan is said to have a low crime rate, this does not indicate that it does not occur.
But I’m happy to report that we felt safe the entire time we were in Japan. I explored many shrines, stores, and restaurants during my two weeks in Japan. I visited several shrines, including Yasukuni Shrine, Asakusa, and others. Walking through the Asakusa Shrine in a Japanese kimono was a unique and unforgettable experience. I can’t leave out the welcoming and friendly locals we’ve encountered. We took most of the public transportation accessible to us. We had to rush to the train station every day, even though it was only a 5-minute walk from our hotel. On the train, there is also a strict social code to follow. Taking a call on the train is considered impolite. However, texting is OK. Giving up your seat for the elderly or a pregnant lady is also courteous, and this applies here as well.
Tokyo is one of the busiest cities I’ve ever visited. The busiest place was the Tokyo Crosswalk in Shibuya. At peak times, thousands of pedestrians scramble across what’s believed to be the world’s busiest crosswalk. Its popularity is easily explained. Tokyo was the ideal fashion capital in Japan for someone who loves fashion. The pink cherry blossom trees or Sakura as the Japanese call it, were spectacular to view during our visit. Mt. Fuji, a volcanic mountain, and the gorgeous, vast sea, with ships strewn around, were even more breathtaking. The experience is certainly one of the most satisfying feelings you’ll ever have in your life. Along with the opportunity to spend time in such a vast city, full of adventures around every corner, excitement in everything you do and see, the wonder of the technology you’ll get to play with and experience, and the rich culture you’ll see and learn about.
When I said in the beginning, that travelling might sometimes not be as expected, I thought of the time when we missed our flight back from Tokyo. The gate to our flight got closed right in front of my eyes and I was standing helpless because I did not speak Japanese and my sister had not reached the gate. Unfortunately, we had to spend a night at the airport which made me realize that Japanese people work on time.
Going on an exploration of a strange city brings together a wide range of emotions. Fear, worry, excitement, and joy are examples of emotions. The sensation is difficult to describe in words. It’s a sensation that must be experienced to comprehend. I used to love Japan because of its anime and video games, but now I’m drawn to its ancient culture and modern civilization. I’m excited to come back when I’m in college.
By: Reshika Tandukar (Management, L2)
