Japan travel diary

Day one.

It’s hard to describe what Japan and our first experience of it -Tokyo- is like without selling it short.

It looks alot like any big city. Lots of buildings. Lots of people.

I realise the beauty of Japan, so far, is in the little things. Yet there are SO MANY of these little things. Sounds, sights, mannerisms, cultural differences, care, that they all add up to an overwhelming feeling you are very obviously somewhere else.

But maybe not just another country, perhaps another dimension entirely.

If feels like an evolution has happened here that perhaps the rest of the world can only visit and marvel at and I feel something else really odd too.

I feel at home.

I have always been hypervigilant, care too much, focussed on inner peace and thought long and hard about other people more than I am sure is ever thought of me and it seems like this is just how Japanese culture is.

To be constantly mindful of the peace of others.

We, again, feel the appreciation from the locals that we at least try to use their language and respect their customs. It’s the little nods and smiles and offered assistance when we do so that makes us feel proud of ourselves giving back in these small ways while we use their wonderful country to make sense of our lives.

Its certainly hard going, travelling from 3am and over 16 hours to get here, navigating the pitfalls at the same time as managing small people emotions, the stress and fears of my own and not having a working phone network but I realise now I shouldn’t have been as worried. At all.

In such a huge place as this, part of the evolution of Japan is maybe also that is actually hard to get lost here. The trains and signage and people are all so openly, smoothly, easily, awesome that the nets they’ve spun for their people catch even the most basic of knowledgeable travellers like us.

So far so good.

We have big ideas of what’s to come. We will see how we fare!

As far as expense goes it’s on par with Australia, as is the dollar. In comparison, some things are crazily overpriced (taxi fair would have been $300 when the train fare was $25) and some things are amazingly cheap (snacks) but there is always a substitute for whatever you need that will more than fit whatever bill you’re carrying.

It’s been a day and already we feel we have mastered the train system. It certainly helps they’ve popped the English translation in.

Also don’t believe what anyone says about taking luggage on trains. We’ve had zero issue or complaints so far and see many many people taking large suitcases wherever their travel is taking them. Just don’t travel peak hours with them as its squishing body room only.

Today’s temperature was 14 and stunning.

If you’re thinking Japan. All I can say is….

Just do it.

I’m a single mum with two.

If we can. You can! 😊

Best Regards,

– The Eveleighs

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