Over the next couple of posts, you’ll follow Sam and me on our Japanese adventure from this spring. I’ll cut straight to the chase: I loved it. Japan left me with no complaints—I found the country truly incredible.
Now, I know my more perceptive readers will point out that Japan isn’t perfect. The country faces serious challenges with racism, traditionalism, homophobia, and xenophobia. However, as a tourist, I encountered none of these issues. I had a fantastic time. The entire entry will be through rose-tinted glasses.
Osaka captured my heart as the most entertaining city, while Tokyo delivered the most spectacular meals. On the Wakayama Peninsula, I found myself reflecting on something far greater than myself.
Japan possesses something extraordinary that challenged my preconceptions about authenticity. Why do we obsess over whether buildings are “real” or worry about a castle’s age or whether it’s been rebuilt? Japan has reconstructed everything. Does this reconstruction make these places any less authentic?
Perhaps authenticity doesn’t reside in structures turned into museums. Perhaps it resides in an udon noodle recipe that a chef has refined and practiced for decades, serving it with deep consideration and a connection to their original inspiration, never thoughtlessly.
I might be waxing too philosophical about Japan, but I genuinely loved every moment. I appreciated how the contrast between the lightning-fast trains and the sleepy mornings — I had expected everyone to rush about constantly. Even in a place like Shinjuku, coffee shops opened later than I expected.
Most of all, I treasured the quiet. Silence enveloped everything. Trains ran quietly. People padded through the streets. When I returned to Philadelphia, someone parked in front of my house and yelled at me within my first hour of being home. Japan provided truly peaceful surroundings, exactly what I needed during my two-week vacation.
We did listen to Understand Japan on Audible, watched a lot of Japan Eat, and read JapanTravel on Reddit to prepare for the trip.
Next: Japan – Day 1: Kyoto