I’ve been out of Japan for a couple of days now, and I can already say that I miss Japan! Spending 2 weeks there allowed me to learn more about the country and its culture. These are my candid observations about the country and the cities I visited.
The People
Japan has amazing people! I’ve been so humbled at how helpful, kind, respectful and courteous the Japanese people have been to me. Whether it was asking for directions or being served at a restaurant, you felt like home. If you are looking for a country where you’ll feel valued, look no further than Japan.
Hiroshima
Everybody knows Hiroshima due to it being the first place in the world where the atomic bomb was dropped in those dreadful days of World War II. The bomb put Hiroshima on the world map following those events. I am glad to have visited to see the remnants of that fateful day in August 1945.
It was a sombering feeling to visit. Right where I was standing, was the place where a bomb wiped out nearly a whole city and killed over 140,000 people. What really hit it home was seeing the A-Bomb Dome. This was one of the few stone buildings that stood after the bombing. To preserve the memory, the site was never cleaned up. So, you actually see the building how it was after the bombing, ruins and everything.
Visiting the Memorial Museum, also put faces and stories to the day. What I will take away from visiting the memorials, is that nuclear weapons must never be used again. Life is so precious, and it can be taken away in moments.
Besides the moments, Hiroshima was a beautiful city to be in. It has lush green mountains with forests. It was a beautiful setting, that gave a feeling of peacefulness.
Kyoto
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is home to many ancient temples and mountain scenary. It wasn’t one of my favorite city in Japan, but it was good to visit.
Tokyo
“Geisho” exhibit in Tokyo Edo Museum
This is my favorite city in Japan. If I were to live in a major metropolis, Tokyo would be the place for me. The city is super clean, the people are respectful and super safe. Not only that, but the city’s various regions offer something for everyone. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Myoko Skiing Region
If you know me well enough, you know I love skiing. I always joke that it is my one “expensive sport!” I had the once in a lifetime type of opportunity to ski in Japan! I went to the town of Myokokogen and stayed at a bed and breakfast hotel with a Japanese couple.
When they said this region of Japan gets a lot of snow, they were not kidding! It snowed every day that I was there! The ski resorts were not as large or high as Colorado’s ones, but they definitely could rival CO for the amount of snow they got. Everyday was constant fluffy, fresh powder, which was super fun to ski in!
Leaving Japan was tough for me, I fell in love with the country and its people. I hope to return again sometime soon!
For more photos from my travels in Japan, visit my Instagram page
Kyoto was an awesome pix. Glad you’re having fun!