Hi, welcome to Japan! Or maybe yet?? Well, if that's the case I'm really excited for you to come to Japan. While I have lived in Japan for 10 years now and everything just feels normal and lackluster, I still remember the giddy feeling I got when I first landed in Osaka for my first Japan Trip.
All the buildings that rolled by as the train carried us to our destination. I remember how refreshing it was to see how different the building looked from what I was used to in Canada. It wasn't exactly magical, but I was just awestuck. It did feel like I was transported to another world.
I don't think I will forget that feeling. And I'm excited for people to experience this. I wish I could experience that again. That feeling of exploring new places and discovering things you've never seen before is such an amazing feeling.
But maybe the excitement is shortlived.
You run into your first hiccup. Or two.
Maybe it's the language barrier. You tried to buy a ticket to your train and you have no idea which one to even take. Or maybe it's just you being completely overwhelmed by being in a new city, too many people - overstimulation. Maybe you're just tired from your flight (or multiple flights) and you simply don't have anymore energy to pull your suitcase. Especially in the summer heat. Or the hotel you're staying at is really hard to find since Japan don't label their streets.
Yes, there will be tons of moments like these as your travel. This is part of the experience. Don't let these times of harship sour your trip.
Take a moment, stand on the side and take a few breaths. Always have your hotel pinned on your phone's map, so you have a safe haven to return to if you feel overwhelmed. Or find a Starbucks and just take it easy. Give yourself those breaks in between in take a breather. I understand you want to see everything and do everything in your once in a lifetime trip, but if you push yourself too hard and not give yourself time to collect yourself, you will panic more and make more mistakes along the way.
And realistically, you are never going to see everything.
As someone who travelled all 47 prefectures and lived in Japan for 9 years, I always return from a domestic trip and realize that there was something I forgot to see or do. So do the best you can and make the best out of your time with the things you are able to see. Don't dwell on the things you missed and cannot see. It will only take away from the magical moment of the current destination you're in and the special moments with all the people you're with.
If you're travelling with friends, don't hesitate to tell your friends you need some time to recharge. Split up and regroup again when there is a chance, or skip an activity that might not really be for you. Communication is so important in travelling. Of course, compromises need to be made when travelling in groups, but if there's something you really want to do, express it. Break away from the group a bit and do your own thing. There's nothing more upsetting that coming to your dream trip and not be able to do at least one thing you REALLY want to do.
I'm currently exiting Japan after 9 years of living here, and I feel somewhat bittersweet about it all. I love Japan. I want to share it and I'm always so excited to hear when it's someone's first time to XYZ city. I want to help make people's trips amazing. So I have so much to share. Thus why I write these blogs.
I hope my future blogs will continue to express the joy I have for travelling Japan, for everyone coming Japan even though I can no longer be here. There will be more blogs where I sound critical and hateful, and yes, this country isn't perfect. But I will never deny that this country is a beautiful place to travel.
In any case, I really hope you enjoy your trip that's to come!!
Love,
Your friend at Kansai & Beyond