Japan and Japanese Culture - The conclusion

Happy New Year everyone. I hope everyone had a great start into the year and will continue to be great (and if not, I hope it gets better).

I returned now from my holidays back to good ol' London. Back to work and nearly back to normality. Looks like a good time to write about my final thoughts and observations about Japan.

Overall I enjoyed Japan a lot and hope to be back one day to see more of this beautiful country. It might be small compared to others like Australia, but rich on diversity and beautiful scenery.

Doing research on a country brings certain expectations and hopes to maybe experience certain things (even though some are related to certain seasons like the cherry blossoms). I was even afraid to a certain degree which is usual when traveling to an unknown country, but none of my fears were actually confirmed or came true. An example would be the Tokyo Transport System, I really didn't understand how someone would not be able to understand the system, but then again I live in London where there are similarities (e. g. Oyster Card) so I knew already how it works. I would understand if someone barely travels and never experienced a similar system to be scared.

What I have learned and experienced in Japan

Mount Fuji all around me

The time has come that I reached the end of my trip. The train ride with three changes was very enjoyable and for the first time during my trip I have used the trains without a seat reservation from the beginning till the end. It was easy as I just jumped on the train and searched for a free seat in the unreserved seat parts. Once the ticket control came I showed my pass and said the destination and off they went.

Most of the time I was afraid that the unreserved seat areas would have been too crowded and with the seat reservation I usually secured myself a window seat, however it was actually the case that it was empty. Might have been just the route I took, I guess it would be busier on trains during the main season and from and to well-known areas.

Wanderlust in Nagoya – Magome – Tsumago

Why I had decided to go to those places in the first place I don’t know, but it seemed like a good idea. Nagoya was on the way to my next stop Tsumago anyway and didn’t seem to be a waste of time to check it out as well.

 

After a short train trip from Osaka I arrived in the main city of Mid-Japan and tried to orientate myself and find the way to my accommodation. This time I booked a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese Guesthouse including a hot bath (since I didn’t go to any real Onsen in Japan). It was a bit out of the way, but with help from a friendly Japanese woman I found it. She even wanted to go back to her office and check it online, I thanked her and declined, my map was more than sufficient. The Kyoya Ryokan is really nice and the staffs friendly; they even speak basic English.

The Ryokan was so far the most luxury I allowed myself on this trip. And this was only because they offered doorms for a cheap price. When I arrived I was alone in the room and made the happy dance.

Beautiful times in Osaka

After a second coffee it was time to meet my next host. I was hoping for another great experience and my hopes were certainly fulfilled, even exceeding expectations.

Toshi picked me up from the station and made immediately a friendly impression. He brought me to his house, the cutest house I have ever seen. He is living there with his family and at first I met his mother, who was so fantastic and trying hard to understand me. Toshi helped us to translate and I felt very welcome.

I dropped off my belongings and together we went for some dinner. This time I had the famous Okonomiyaki and it was delicious and I couldn’t get enough of it. I certainly will learn how to make them! We then headed home and we got some traditional dessert, pressed sticky rice with red beans. Until it was bed time we tried to teach each other Japanese/English/German and enjoyed a great mishmash conversation.

On top of the world in Takayama

Ok maybe not directly on top of the world, but at least from Takayama. I arrived after a smooth trip from Nagano in Takayama, a very small city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture.

My hostel ‘J-Hopper’ for the night was located just 5 minutes from the station and had a great atmosphere. The rooms were spacious, the bed comfy and roommates nice.

As I arrived fairly late most shops and restaurants were already closed, so I just nipped into one of the convenient stores and bought Ramen for dinner. Otherwise I just strolled a bit in the area and made plans for the next day. Upon return in the hostel I had a chance to do my laundry and updating my blog.

Looks dangerous

Empty shopping street

Ramen for dinner Yay

Early in the morning I tried to get up, but failed miserable. I stayed in bed longer than expected and then had to rush a bit to pack up again and make sure that I get to see the Matsukura Castle Ruins before I had to continue.

After I got a map from the hostel reception and some advice on what can be done I started my day.

At first I paid a visit to the local morning market, fairly small but what can you expect in such a small town. 

Yep, thats all you get

Bowls with fruits for trial

This was followed by a loooooong walk and a hike up to the ruins. Everything was covered in snow and it was pretty tiring to get up the hill to the top. I only met a few senior people along the way, otherwise I was alone and it was really refreshing. I let my thoughts go wild and just walked. It reminded me a fair bit of my time in the Blue Mountains in Australia and again how much I enjoy the walks. I have to admit I rather do those alone as I can keep my own speed and stop whenever I feel like it without considering fellow travelers.

When I finally managed to get up to the top it was AMAZING, the view awesome, the air fresh and I really hesitated to leave again after a short while sitting there and enjoying the view.

The walk down was by far easier and quicker and I made it on time back to the town center to pick up my bag and head to the station to be on my way to Kyoto. Before that I quickly made a stop at the local Post Office to send off the usual post cards. I hope they all arrive!

Lunch time

Yummy Gyooza

 Last night I really tried pretty much everything to get my new-old Sony Walkman to work but it just wouldn’t play the music or let me upload the songs. So I decided I would buy a new iPod when I am in Kyoto. I might give it to someone who knows more about this than I do, maybe they can get it to work.

See you soon in Kyoto. 

Kon’nichiwa from Nagano

The night was short and not so sweet, but after another pot of Ramen I was ready for the day and done some last preparation for one part of the trip. The hostel staff was very helpful with that.

After check out I was on my way to Nagano and a short ride away from Tokyo it only took around one and half hour to get here.

The minute the train pulled into the station I let out a little squeak of enjoyment as it was SNOWING. My host had given me already heads up and I think I was prepared enough for a cold environment that expected me here.

Greetings from Kamakura

The next morning I got up a bit early and packed my bag, together me and Yuta headed to the Station as he had to attend a meeting.

Thank you again Yuta for letting me stay and being such a nice host, even though it was a shame that you couldn’t join us for the activities, I hope you had a good time too.

I was on the way to the K’House Backpackers in the Asakusa Area to check in and drop my bag off before heading to Shibuya to meet a friend of a friend.  

My work colleague introduced us and we decided we spent the day together wandering around in Kamakura, a little town just one hour away from Tokyo.

Since he knew the way I didn’t do any more research and just let myself follow him. I love traveling like that; you just don’t have to think about one thing and everything is sorted.

I exchanged my JR Pass yesterday and was now able to travel on all JR lines for free, unfortunately not the Subway, but that was ok.

During the last few days I realised that Japan during the day is pretty nice as the sun is shining, however freezing cold during the night.

The trip was beautiful and we enjoyed some really nice lunch together even though the town was pretty busy.

It was busy, I am not kidding

Traditional Japanese Restaurant

Purple Potato Krokette

Plenty of snacks on the way

Students on a school trip. I was called Kawaii yay

Since I had to compress the picture in order to upload it, it looks miserable, but it was a really awesome view

Autumn is nearly over, the last leaves will fall soon

Japanese Garden

Can you guess what animal this is?

So clean and efficient, just awesome

Yummy plastic Ice cream

I managed to get around just fine

Aren't they just adorable?

Japanese style posing

After the tour we headed back and our ways separated. I went to the hostel to check my bed for the night and had some Ramen from the 7/11 next door. The hostel is pretty good, staff speaks English and I was happy in general with the choice.

I admit I am still not over the jet-lag and is getting to me quite a bit and there are a few seconds I just wish for a nice good night with continuous sleep, I hope soon this will come my way.

Until then my fellow travelers, have a save trip wherever you might be.

Read you soon again from Nagano.