Hello fellow wanderlust enthusiasts!
Grab your virtual passport and a cup of matcha, because we’re about to embark on a whirlwind tour of Japan that will have you booking flights faster than you can say “sushi.”
So, here’s the scoop: Last year, a group of six friends decided to channel their inner globetrotters and set their sights on the land of the rising sun.
Our planning sessions were like scenes from a movie — meetings online and in person, lists so long that we new most would get cut, and hours spent glued to screens watching videos from influencers who could make a rice field look like a five-star resort. We had dietary dilemmas to solve (vegetarians and seafood restrictions), but we persevered.
Japan promised us a smorgasbord of delights: Disney, Universal Studios, gaming museums, shrines, and festivals galore. And oh, the cherry blossoms! We were determined to chase those elusive pink petals from south to north like botanical bounty hunters.
Budgeting was an exercise in fiscal acrobatics—some attractions demanded the ransom of a small (Magic) kingdom, while others were as free as a bird. But fear not! We managed to navigate this financial minefield with the grace of a ninja.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve whittled down to a fabulous foursome—Megan, Mike, Teresa, and yours truly. Alas, two comrades fell by the wayside, victims of the dreaded budgetary constraints.
Now, here’s the twist: This tale will focus on the escapades of Teresa and myself. You see, everyone had different itineraies, with some things in common and others not. While we arrived together, we went our seperate ways. Fear not, dear Megan and Mike fans—we crossed paths with our comrades several times, and those encounters will surely make guest appearances.
So buckle up for a saga filled with laughter, adventure, and maybe just one too many photos of cherry blossoms. We missed “peak” by maybe a week, but it was still awesome!.
Our trip took two weeks. While I COULD have post this in a single, very long post, who would want to read it? How would you bookmark and come back where you left off? I learned some time ago to split trips like these up in days, Below is just that.
If you are reading this and have not gone through the days above, well, your loss. I hope you had fun, we did.
Our flight home seemed much longer, even though it was a bit shorter (head winds vs tail winds). It started a bit poorly, with a child screaming insensately for the first 30-40 minutes while the plane was boarding and taking off.. Thank goodness for noise canceling headphones. They did not block it all, but enough.
Our trip was wonderful. In just two weeks, we saw a lot, but there was so much more. Our wish lists had so much to see. Like any trip, rank what you want to see, what would be nice to see and what you would be lucky to see. The world has so much to show you, but we have a limited time to experience it. Do what you can, when you can. And if need any advice, don’t be afraid to ask.
