Japan...Well, it was fantastic. It was very different from my trip to Thailand, which was also most wonderful. Thailand was about having a crazy good time in Bangkok and relaxing in the paradise that is Ko Phi Phi. Japan was full of sightseeing and learning about Japanese culture. As much as I adored my trip to Thailand, I did not walk away thinking that I learned a great deal about Thai culture. I learned that Thai food is scrumtrulescant, that Bangkok is sadly yet also delightfully seedy, and that when I elope with Leo, we will run away to Ko Phi Phi. The focus was on relaxation rather than education. I walked away from Japan in love with their culture and eager to build a time machine to return to Edo period Japan and become the first samurai geisha.
Let me start with the Japanese people. I know there are nice and difficult people no matter where you go in the world, but the Japanese seemed to be particularly friendly and welcoming. Perhaps I have been in Korea for too long and have just found too many occasions to become frustrated by the locals, but the Japanese stood out as less aggressive. True, we required more help in Japan since we were in an unfamiliar country while Korea has become second nature, but we consistently met some of the kindest and most considerate people I've encountered in my travels (both in Asia or back home). Also, no one in Japan ever spat at me and said, “Welcome to Japan”.
While we were in Kyoto, we focused on traditional sights and saw a few temples and a castle. My Buddhist temple stay in Korea sparked an interest in Buddhism so seeing all of these amazing Buddhist temples was a perfect way to continue learning about the religion. Although each temple shared the same features, I never felt bored or that I was seeing a series of replicas. They each had something unique that kept it exciting. Nijo-jo was the only castle we saw and we were able to actually go inside and walk on the nightingale floor, which squeaks at the faintest step to warn the shogun of assassins. I felt like I was in old Japan, which is why I kept my numchucks on the ready. I also received my favorite souvenir at the castle. There was a group of Japanese schoolchildren and one young boy approached me for an interview about my trip to his country. His English was limited so he received a great deal of help from his friend. It was adorable. Then, the cuteness reached epic proportions. When he was finished with the interview, he thanked me by giving me a brochure about Kyoto...which he made himself. This was too much and I nearly vomited chunks of “awww”. I will treasure this gift forever.
After good times and good food in Kyoto, we took the bullet train to Tokyo, passing Mount Fuji along the way. I love Tokyo. It's fun. It's clean. It's beautiful. It's easy to get around. There are so many different interesting areas and I believe that we hit up all the good ones. Ueno provided us with a lovely park and museum as well as a market (I love Asian markets). We had a crazy night amidst the lights of Shibuya (I woke up on the floor of a PC room...raging night in Tokyo, check PLUS). I spent many, many yen in Asukusa, which also had a very lively temple. We checked out the sights of modern Tokyo in Shinjuku AND I found a watering hole where one of my heroes, Mr. Anthony Bourdain, once wet his whistle. Akubara was anime and video game central. Harajuku is where we found stylish Tokyo youth. We did a lot. It was fun but tiring. SO, our last day in Tokyo, my favorite day, was one about relaxing, being entertained, and celebrating a trip well done.
Our last day in Tokyo was a day of Japanese theater and spa. When we first got to Tokyo, Carolyn and I got tickets to see Kabuki theater that Monday. We briefly touched on Kabuki theater in Dramatic Analysis class back at university. I admit, before I started my adventures in Asia, I had little interest in Asian culture. However, Kabuki theater was one bit of Asia that had sparked my interest back in my schooldays and there was no way, regardless of how much yen it cost, that I was missing the chance to see authentic Japanese theater. I would have brought shame upon myself. The ticket covered two performances, the first a full length play and the second a dance performance. Kabuki surpassed my expectations. It was beautiful and unlike anything I had ever seen in a western theater. The traditional kabuki costumes were gorgeous. The actors' movements were what fascinated me most. To me, it was extremely expresssive yet in a constrained manner. Oooohhhhh, it was good. Experiencing the combination of traditional costumes, music, and customs all on one stage was a great cumulative way to end such a cultural trip. Goodness, theater is great. After the theater, we met with our other travel companion, Joseph, and headed to the spa and bathhouse. It was my first time in an Asian bath (they have them in Korea as well) and I was a little nervous about the required nudity. However, after a few minutes, I got over it and enjoyed the hot water and general lethargy. Sooooooooo nice. It was the perfect way to end the trip.
So, my advice is to go to Japan. I think you will like it.
