#Nara Itinerary | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ahiddenpath · 1 year ago

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Japan Trip 2023

I just returned from a two week trip to Japan! I'll be slowly releasing material about it- where I went, my experience, what I purchased, etc. For now, here are the broad strokes beneath the cut!

Itinerary

First we went to Tokyo and stayed in Toyosu, which is close to Odaiba. After that, we moved to a hotel near Shibuya, after which we moved to a hotel in Osaka. From Osaka, we commuted to Kyoto twice and Nara once.

I want to start by saying that I have never been on a vacation like this. It was physically demanding!

Highlights:

-Team Labs Planets in Toyosu

Team Labs is basically... A group sensory experience? I don't want to spoil it in case anyone wants to go, but basically, you and a bunch of strangers enter a series of rooms with sensory stuff going on. People of all ages are encouraged to play, truly play and engage. My husband and I were giggling the whole time. I've never done anything like it, and genuinely, it's making me want to have a serious deep think about what it means to engage and play, and how our senses are connected to that.

-Doing shrine activities that I have researched at Sensou ji

Shrines have featured in several of my fanfics, so I was so pumped to A.) Know what was going on, B.) Have a general idea of what to do, and C.) GET TO DO IT MYSELF!!! I showed my husband how to purify your mouth and hands with the sacred water. We both pulled our fortunes, and because we both got bad fortunes, we tied them to the rack and bowed and clapped our hands to dispel it (not sure if that last part is necessary, I just copied a Japanese person). The line to pray was long, and I was fretting over praying correctly... And then someone got tired of waiting and CHUCKED THEIR OFFERING MONEY OVER THE CROWD and into the giant offering bin. My husband said, "I maybe wouldn't worry so much," lol! I also bought some shrine charms!!!!!

-Wandering Odaiba

I was upset because our plane to Japan was delayed five hours, meaning I lost time in Odaiba... But I still hit some highlights! I really wanted to see the gazebo and Akemi Bridge, for example. I also saw the Rainbow Bridge, the Statue of Liberty replica, Fuji Station, Diver City, Aqua City, and Tokyo Big Site. I really wanted to check out the apartments where the Chosen live, like Odaiba Kaihin Koen, but there just wasn't time. I didn't really get a sense of the layout of the place, either :/

-Diver City and Gundam Base

I'm not particularly a Gundam fan, but the 1:1 Gundam outside of Diver City on Odaiba???? As if it existing wasn't cool enough, it LIGHTS UP does a SHOW??? According to Google, "It undergoes a transformation four times a day (at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm) into 'destroy mode'; light shows take place on the half-hour between 7pm and 9.30pm"

THE NIGHT SHOW WAS AMAZING! It plays music and projects visuals from Gundam Unicorn onto Diver City, all while the Gundam lights up and physically shifts between its two forms. And it does it all autonomously!

For scale, I am 5'8". I did not go up to its ankle.

-Tokyo Disney Sea

My husband and I love theme parks, and so does Japan! We were in Japan for two weeks, so we opted to only visit one park, the one that cannot be found anywhere else: Tokyo Disney Sea. This park is themed around exploration, and has rides found nowhere else, like Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It also has a truly kickass Little Mermaid section for wee kiddos.

I admit that, because we knew we may never come back, we did the bougie thing of paying to skip lines to experience the most popular rides. Our crowd level was 2/5, and still, the park was JAM PACKED. There were waits of 180 minutes for some rides, so this was the only way to see most (but still not all!) of what we hoped to see. If you're ever planning to go but don't have much time to dedicate to it, I would keep that in mind.

-Seeing Kabukicho and having the best alcohol of my life at Golden Gai

Kabukicho is the main setting of LAD (Like a Dragon), a popular video game series about the Yakuza. And I saw it with my own two eyeballs! We arrived at about 7 PM, way before the nightlife crowd, but that does mean I was able to peek around in peace and have table space at the microscopic bars in Golden Gai. I had the best alcoholic drink of my life, a dessert umeshu, at the Blue Dragon.

One thing to note about Kabukicho, if you ever plan to go. It's a red light district. Sex workers and barkers for sex workers line the streets (don't take your kids here!!!!). Automated messages play in English, warning tourists not to trust touts. Touts are apparently different from barkers. Barkers stand outside of their venue and say stuff like, "Come in and meet our girls," etc. Touts promise you free drinks and will half physically pull you into their establishment. There have been cases of them drugging those "free" drinks and then charging their victim thousands of dollars.

Kabukicho was the only place in Japan where I was nervous, safety wise. Just keep walking if someone tries to get you to go somewhere.

-Nakano Broadway

Nakano Broadway is a giant ass nerd mall in Nakano, a special ward west of Shinjuku, that is mostly owned or rented by Mandarake. Mandarake is a chain of second hand stores for nerd shit (anime merch, collectibles, vintage toys, ball jointed dolls, idol merch, etc). I found most of my digimon stuff here. There are a ton of Mandarakes spread throughout Japan, but the others that I visited were mostly too crowded, packed, and hot for me to browse.

Nakano was like a dream. Most of the stores I wanted to visit were several train rides apart, and each station had several flights of stairs and little to no AC. Nakano had dozens of cool stores in THE SAME WELL AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING, with two bathrooms per floor. The opportunity to hang out for hours in a single comfortable place was enough to make me cry in gratitude. I'm not kidding. This is not hyperbole.

Now, as a warning, it helps to be able to read Japanese in these stores. Most directional signs in Japan are written in Japanese and English, but store directories and labels often are Japanese only. My husband can read well and speak decently, so he was able to navigate stores and read the organizational labels on the jam packed shelves.

Nakano Broadway is also a main setting for Digimon Cyber Sleuth!

-Konansou Ryokan at Kawaguchi

So we wanted to book a ryokan, or traditional inn, at Hakone, home of some of the most luxurious inns around. Unfortunately, you need to book those at least three months in advance to get a room, so we ended up in Kawaguchi, a popular getaway for Tokyo folks located near Mt. Fuji, which is called Fuji-san in Japan.

This is easily the most luxurious thing I have experienced in my entire life.

The room was a gorgeous suite with a HUGE outdoor bath facing Mt. Fuji. It had a genkan and an entry with sliding doors to the living area, bedroom, and bath area. The floors were tatami, and guests were provided with yukatas and a lounge set. The dinner was indescribably fancy, and was delivered straight to our room.

Our only regret is that we only spared one night for the ryokan. The time passed like blinking. I truly hope to stay in a ryokan again someday!

Also, Kawaguchi was my favorite area of Japan that we visited, for its beauty and relative calm, crowd wise. I am not a city person, so that tracks.

-Dotonbori

Look, Dotonbori was crowded AF, especially on Sunday. But it's a delight to the senses at night. LOOK AT THIS STUFF, ISN'T IT NEAT?!

Absolutely try to look up "walk with me" videos in Dotonbori at night. The signs! The lights! The competing street performers! The FOOD!

-Osaka Aquarium

I met two whale sharks! WHALE SHARK!!!! WHALE!!!! SHARK!!!!!

-Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Hall of the Giant Buddha) and Nara Deer in Nara

Nara was a daytrip for us, about 40 min away from Osaka in practice, but functionally longer, at least for us, lol. Okay so like- The giant Buddha? It was. GIANT. Like... house size. Like... utterly jaw dropping.

And the Nara deer were so cute! They were EVERYWHERE! They will bow if you show them a deer cracker/senbei. Just be careful and only offer it to a deer that is alone, and don't let them see the senbei before you are ready to interact with them. The deer can be aggressive, especially in colder months.

Interacting with them was truly some Disney princess shit, it's incredible. I also enjoyed walking around Nara a lot, it feels much more friendly to me than the cities. Also, this is where the most locals talked to me of their own volition, even though we were only there for a few hours. Like literally, in those few hours, more people approached me than almost two weeks combined in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

-Ikebana classes at Kinse Inn in Kyoto

Yes, I took an ikebana class. Yes, it was mostly for Puits d'Amour. I had an absolutely lovely time, I enjoyed the hell out of it. The lessons were given by an American living with her Japanese husband, whose aunt welcomed her into her ikebana school. Learning her story and meeting her family was awesome, and I also loved hearing about how her husband re-opened the gorgeous inn (seriously, it's beautiful, check out the website) after it sat in disuse for a generation between her husband's grandparents and her husband.

I truly cannot express how much this experience meant to me. I am going to try ikebana at home, too! Check out this freestyle arrangement I made!

Is it good? No idea! Do I love it? YES!

-The entire final day in Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Gion/Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera)

OKAY RAPID FIRE!

Fushimi Inari is a Shinto Shrine! It features hundreds of red gates going up a hill (mountain?). It's some straight up Ghibli shit! It's magical! The way the trees surround and embrace the gates is stunning, I wish I had good pictures, but they are full of tourists (it was crowded). Definitely look it up on YT if you're interested! I've never seen anything like it and never will again! I also hung my ema, or wishing plaque, with the wishes of hundreds of other visitors, which is something I dreamed of doing. It was shaped like a fox head!

The Gion/Sannenzaka shopping area was gorgeous omg!!!

And of course, the famous Kiyomizu-dera shrine among the trees is beyond compare! I also had a group of young Japanese ladies in kimonos ask me to take their picture, which was so fun!!!! People rarely talked to me in Japan- I always forget how uncommonly friendly Americans are- so this made me so happy!

-The Food

Japan has incredible food! The ramen, okonomiyaki, and taiyaki were my faves. I also really enjoyed MOS Burger, it was way better than any fast food I've had in the states, which annoys me so much lol! It was piping hot and was made with real gouda cheese, not the gross yellow American cheese that tastes like plastic that all the fast food places use here. And the ryokan meal was an experience like no other.

The bad part is that I could barely eat in Japan, as I'll expand on below.

Rough Spots:

-The heat

Tokyo gets hot, and a lot of the old buildings simply don't have adequate AC. In fact, as I understand, central heating and cooling are kind of an American thing? Add the immense crowds and high lighting in stores, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

Normally, in late September/early October, temps are historically in the low 70sF. It was 80-90F all but one day of this trip, with high humidity and sun. The good news: no rain and no typhoons (my BIL went a few weeks before us and lost a day and a half to a typhoon!). The bad news...

I have never sweat like that in my life. It rolled off my body and onto the pavement. On the 90F day, I took THREE showers, because I could tell my husband and I stank. I promise, this isn't normal for us, lol! I nearly fainted a few times, especially on the Akihabara day.

It's just, everywhere we went, we usually had to go to several train stations, all with a few flights of stairs and a lot of walking involved. We were walking at a brisk pace all day for two weeks, from 9 AM to 9 PM ish, in the blistering heat, with no real AC relief (except for Osaka. For some reason, the AC seemed to work better in Osaka? Maybe it's just comparatively less crowded than Tokyo?). And like- god almighty, standing on those packed trains with your face in some stranger's armpit, with a stranger's face in YOUR armpit...!

Most days, we were only able to eat one meal, and even then, we were forcing ourselves to do it because... You know... Humans need food. I would be shocked if I didn't shed weight this trip. Something about being that hot made us unable to eat.

-The crowds

I have a low stimulus threshold, and the press of all three cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto), but Tokyo most of all, was absolutely bonkers unbelievable holy shit. If you make a wrong move, which is common for tourists in the subways, you're going to cause a collision. There were whole areas of Tokyo where I could not see any of the stuff I came to see. I saw people smushed against windows in trains, with their palms adhered to the glass.

It was an actual nightmare. I don't know how else to say it.

-The laundry fiasco

We had a two week trip. We took a week's worth of clothing each and chose a hotel with a washer/dryer for the mid point of the trip. Most Japanese people, as I understand, hang dry their clothing. The washer/dryer in the hotel was a combo unit that could not fit a whole load. We were also forced to use their auto detergent, and as I've mentioned, we were sweating like pigs in hell.

And the dryer didn't dry the clothes.

My husband spent FIVE HOURS trying to get space in the four machines to rerun our clothes. Some of our things were dried FIVE TIMES and STILL CAME OUT WET, and the detergent wasn't strong enough to handle our western sweat glands in "hey you might actually die" mode.

There's no nice way to put this: our clothes did not get cleaned, and we spent an entire evening on this. Worse yet, we did our clothes the day before shipping off our luggage to the next hotel, meaning we did not have extra nights to air them out.

My advice for anyone visiting Japan is to find a hotel with a nearby laundromat. The ones we passed had impressive-looking machines with separate washers and dryers, not that tiny combo disgrace.

I don't want to talk about this any more, lol!

-Akihabara

Akihabara is a nerd area of Tokyo, with a high concentration of anime/video games/ball jointed doll/entertainment merchandise. Anime characters line the buildings, anime music plays everywhere. This was one of the places I was most excited for. I brought my backpack to carry my inevitable purchases.

I bought four items, and three of those were from the spacious Volks doll store. Most of the stores were so packed with people and merchandise that I could not see a damned thing. The crowds, heat, humidity, lack of AC, and the harsh display lighting made the stores indescribably hot. This was the day I nearly passed out a few times. I ended up almost crying on the street by about 5 PM.

I should tell you that I loved the Radio Kaikan building, which had a ton of great stores in it, was big enough to almost accommodate the crowds, at least comparatively, and had proper AC somehow. I also liked the Eorzea Final Fantasy XIV cafe, although I needed my earplugs because of how loud it was.

Everything else? An actual level of hell. Denden town in Osaka was similar, but had proper AC and was large enough to actually see what you are shopping for. I am not exaggerating, you cannot turn around in the aisles at most Akihabara stores, and they are packed solid with shoppers.

-Japan hours

Don't ask me why, but most businesses in Japan don't open until 11 AM. Like literally, I'd be looking for coffee and have trouble finding it before that time. Even breakfast opens late??? Japanese stores are also off on random days, and often restaurants close in between meals, meaning if you don't eat at noon, you might not be able to find a full meal until 6 PM (although you can always get a snack at a conbini). We had to schedule our days around certain closures, etc.

This is fantastic for people who work with customers in Japan, everyone should have adequate time off. But damn it's hard to deal with as an American on a tight vacation schedule. In the states, most businesses are open every day from like 6 AM to 10 PM, or 10 AM to 8 PM at least. We missed out on a few things because of this.

-Other Tourists

Japan attracts a ton of tourists, and as I've mentioned, its cities are DENSE. Think of common obnoxious tourists. Now multiply their numbers by 1,000 at least. Now cram them into an already crowded local population.

It's bad. Real bad. I got bodily shoved aside so many times that I finally cracked and began shoving back. It was always tourists, at least judging by the languages they spoke.

-That one creep with the camera

So. There are a few signs in public transit showing a man sticking a phone under a lady's skirt saying basically, "Do not take unwanted photos."

So yeah. I saw a guy doing that. Absolutely repulsive. This isn't a Japan specific thing, of course, but they apparently know it's an issue.

-My own anxiety about fitting in at Japan

So, part of my problem with the heat is that I dressed, to the best of my ability, according to Japanese sensibilities, as informed by interviews with Japanese people I found on YT. And they were correct: Japanese women rarely show their legs, and even less so their bust and tush areas. They wear long sleeves and pants in 90F weather. Maxi dresses and long jumpers are also in. Anything flowy, long, and oversized.

Do you see where I'm taking this? My dumb ass didn't bring short sleeved shirts or shorts. I tried to buy them at Uniqlo and H&M. They were not in stock. Not a single pair of shorts. I was forced to buy what I suspect are men's lounge shorts from the clearance section, they literally had ONE pair. I did manage to find a t-shirt, too. I wore those shorts more times than I care to admit.

So yeah, maybe only 10% of ladies wear shorts on a hot day, and a lot of them are foreigners, but do you know what is nice? Not fainting from the heat.

Also, there are a lot of behaviors that are considered okay in America and not okay in Japan. I watched a ton of videos and really stressed out over behaving as properly as I could. And guess what? Within a day, I saw people speaking Japanese do all of those forbidden things, like drinking and eating while walking, talking on the train, and so on.

If you do go, try to be respectful and informed, but please don't feel anxiety/fear over it. Just say "sumimasen" if you think you made a mistake, the locals will get it.

I have so much more to say about the trip, but that is all the brain juice I have right now! Take care!

#hidden's life

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lizarddiary · 2 years ago

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What is your character(s) idea of a perfect holiday? Is it by Costa Del Sol baking in the sun, or maybe Ishgard enjoying a cup of coco by the fire? Is your character the kind of person to make up an itinerary for travel or do they tend to wing it once they get there?

Thank you so much for asking, and my apologies if it took me a while to reply to this, I didn't got notified of receiving it at all!

For both Nara and Tahla, the idea of a holiday seems quite foreign. Nara believes that her work as a healer/the warrior of light is too important and necessary to take a break from it. Someone will always need her help, and she will always be there to help. For Tahla, it is more about... Every day can be a holiday if you never work. She values her time, she will work to help around sure, maybe even to gain some gil, but is not a common occurrence for her.

But! If either of them had to take a holiday, for Nara it would look like a visit to a city she had never visited before. The new sights, the new culture, the new food, all of this feels exciting to her. She wouldn't have much of a plan to follow, instead spending her days walking around and discovering the new place at her own pace. Tahla, on the other hand, would prefer to travel around uninhabited places. Discovering new secrets in the woods, finding nice spots to relax on an abandoned beach, climbing up the highest mountain... Tahla lives for the adventure of it.

#thank you for asking!#ffxiv #ffxiv oc #my oc #oc: nara #oc: tahla

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riku-in-japan · 1 year ago

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Planning the Itinerary

After a few evenings of careful planning, I have mostly figured out the plans for our (my) stay in Japan. And it's... insanely tight-packed. Let's hope I can actually follow through with it! Weather and exhaustion may force me to change my plans, unfortunately.

Day 0: Airplane time! Day 1: Naritasan Shinso-ji Day 2: Mt. Takao Day 3: Hiking in/around Isehara Day 4: Hiking in/around Isehara Day 5: Hiking in/around Isehara Day 6: Go to Kyoto / Kiyomizudera / Fushimi Inari Day 7: Universal Studios Day 8: Uji / to be decided Day 9: Nara Day 10: Katsuo-ji / Minoh Waterfall Day 11: Himeji / Hiroshima / Miyajima Day 12: Hieizan / Enryaku-ji / Return to Tokyo Day 13: Rest / Shopping Day 14: To be decided Day 15: Nikko Day 16: Kamakura Day 17: Shopping Day 18: Going home...

Booking hotels is still an ongoing process.

For the first few days, we'll be staying at my older brother's place in Setagaya (West-Tokyo). Then, I'll move on to a friend's place in Isehara (Kanagawa), while my husband stays where he is.

From there, we'll go to Osaka. Originally we planned to stay in Kyoto, but the options in Osaka were just so much cheaper. In the end, we went with a place that's not quite a hotel, but not quite an apartment either. It's a single room that comes with a tiny kitchen unit and seems to have a living room section. It does make me a little nervous it doesn't have any reviews yet on booking.com, but judging by the photos it looks super promising!

The place we'll stay at upon returning to Tokyo has yet to be decided. My husband is too stressed from work to make decisions on hotels. Hopefully, we'll have everything booked this weekend.

Itinerary notes

Day 1, day of arrival. Depending on how I feel after a 13-hour flight with very little sleep, the whole plan to visit Naritasan Shinso-ji may be canceled. Though I am curious if actually doing something engaging right after arriving will help me fight of the jet-lag.

Day 2, Mt. Takao. Usually, I would extend my hike to the mountains lying beyond Takao, but I probably will stick to going up and going down. And then spending the rest of the afternoon / early evening at the onsen next to the station. Not sure if my husband will come along for this trip. This is planned for today, because my brother's house is close (15 min. walk) to the Keio Takao Line.

Day 3-5, I'll be staying with a friend who lives near Isehara. The exact plans have yet to be decided, but it's going to be a lot of walking, hiking, and... probably an onsen visit (or two).

Day 6, I pretty much plan to copy this itinerary from my 2017 trip. I intend to modify it slightly, but I do intend to keep my hike from either Awata Shrine of Chion-In up to Higashiyama Park and then onwards to Kiyomizudera. I also want to visit Fushimi Inari in the evening/late afternoon again. After that it's onward to Osaka to check-in to our "hotel".

Day 7, we're going to Universal Studios. Because my husband really wants to visit Super Nintendo World. I am moderately interested too. (Let's pray we can get a timed ticket to get in...) And I wouldn't mind another visit to the Wizarding World. Absolutely loved that part the last time I visited. (I wonder if you still need timed tickets for that part too...)

Day 8-9, I originally considered visiting Uji and Nara on the same day, but after a bit of research I concluded Nara has a lot more to offer than I initially expected, so... I gave it its own day. Due to that, Uji ended up being a lonely morning activity, the afternoon will probably be filled with shopping. In Kyoto and Osaka. Probably. Unless I come up with something more enjoyable.

Day 10, Katsuo-ji and Minoh Waterfall. We have yet to decide which one to visit first. The only proper connection between the two seems a hiking trail, which isn't a problem for me, but might be a problem for my husband and his fear of heights. So, he kind of has to pick which one he absolutely wants to visit. Or follow me across a possibly very scary hiking trail. If time allows it, I may want to drop by Osaka Castle Park at the end of the day too. (I do not expect to enter the castle itself.)

Day 11, I'm quite certain it's absolutely insane, but I'll be visiting Himeji and Hiroshima in one day. In my case, it'll mostly be Himeji and Miyajima, while my husband will be visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima. I have yet to pick the hiking trails I want to explore. I'm pretty sure there is at least one I haven't tried yet.

Day 12, it's my birthday! And I'll be celebrating by visiting Otsu. Enjoying views of the lake (Biwa), climbing a mountain (Hieizan), and visiting a temple (Enryaku-ji). After all that is done, we'll catch a Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

Day 13, is the first day dedicated to rest. We'll sleep in and probably spend the afternoon shopping in Akihabara. And maybe a walk around Ueno park.

Day 14, I'm not sure what to do with this day yet. I don't want it to be just shopping. Maybe a visit to Kasai-Rinkai Kouen (Aquarium)? Or Odaiba (Miraikan)?

Day 15, although transit time will be excruciatingly long (roughly 3 hours), it's possible to visit Nikko without completely breaking the bank (1600 yen, one way). So, we might as well... I suppose. The last time I visited Nikko was in 2014!

Day 16, I can't go to Japan without visiting my all-time favorite place! I just love Kamakura! I will probably follow the Rokkoku hiking trail, grab a portion of the Tenen trail, and make my way over to the Asahina pass. I do want to drop by Enoshima too, but I'm not sure if I'll have time for that. My husband will have to fend for himself today. Even if he comes along to Kamakura, he won't be joining me for the hike, that's for sure.

Day 17, it's time to get the last bit of shopping done! I'll probably be rushing around Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Harajuku today.

Day 18, airplane time! A whole day of traveling! So much fun!

(All plans are subject to change due to weather conditions)

#Japan 2023

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adventure-alex · 2 years ago

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Nara: Ancient Traditions and Sacred Deer

🦌✨ Discover the enchantment of Nara: Ancient Traditions and Sacred Deer! 🏯🌸 Immerse yourself in Japan's rich cultural heritage and witness the awe-inspiring Tōdai-ji Temple with its iconic Great Buddha. Interact with the gentle sacred deer of Nara Park, considered messengers of the gods 🌳💫. Explore serene temples like Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Hōryū-ji, one of the world's oldest wooden structures.

🍣🍡 Don't miss Nara's delectable cuisine, try kakinoha-zushi or warm kudzu mochi! 🍵🍂 Wander through Naramachi's traditional streets, or step back in time at Yoshikien Garden. 🏰🌳 Experience the magic and harmony between humans and nature in this captivating city.

What to do in Nara? / Top 10 Sightseeing Spots in Nara

For the ultimate Nara adventure, follow our Top 10 Sightseeing spots! 🏞️🦌 From the Soni Highlands to the majestic cherry blossoms of Mt. Yoshino, these spots will leave you in awe! 🌸🌟

Plan your unforgettable Nara trip with our 1-3 day itinerary, and let the ancient traditions and natural wonders embrace your heart! 🗺️❤️

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cnandini · 2 years ago

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Umur berapa kamu berhasil meraih mimpi masa kecilmu?

Kalau aku sih jawabnya umur ini, baru aja kuwujudkan beberapa minggu yang lalu :')

Berawal dari membaca buku karya Alexander Thian: Pulang-Pergi: Yang Dibawa dan Ditinggalkan kemarin, aku jadi merenung..

Oh iya ya, aku tuh baruuuu aja berhasil mewujudkan mimpi masa kecilku kemarin!!!

Buku karya Ko Alex ini, baru aja terbit bulan lalu. Menceritakan tentang beban masa kecil penulis yang dibawa hingga dewasa dan bagaimana akhirnya dia berhasil melepasnya.

Bab yang paling relate sama aku adalah rute 6,7, dan 11. Yup, terutama rute 11 dimana penulis bercerita bahwa dia akhirnya berhasil mewujudkan mimpinya untuk melihat Aurora Borealis di umurnya yang 32 tahun saat itu. Sebuah mimpi masa kecil yang terlihat tidak mungkin terwujud di mata siapapun (bahkan dirinya), ketika dulu masih hidup susah. Sebuah mimpi yang berhasil dia wujudkan setelah beban masa lalunya berhasil dia angkat.

Dari situ aku pun termenung, loh kemaren kan aku juga baru saja merasakan hal yang sama ketika aku menonton pertunjukan terakhir di Disneyland! Alhamdulillaaaah!! Akupun termenung lagi loh.. loh.. sebentar, bukankah berarti aku baru saja menuntaskan 2 mimpi masa kecilku?? (selain masuk kampus impian dari SD ya).

Ya betul, melihat mimpi terwujud di depan mata itu rasanya emang sespektakuler itu :'). "Alhamdulillah", ucapku pelan ketika berada diantara kumpulan orang yang menyaksikan kembang api penutupan.

Kalau boleh cerita, berikut adalah 2 mimpiku:

Mimpi 1: Lihat bunga sakura langsung di Jepang.

Ini adalah mimpi yang muncul karena keseringan baca komik dan nonton anime jepang haha.. kayaknya kok indah banget gitu ya. Awalnya ingin ku wujudkan dengan cara mengejar beasiswa ke sana, namun apa daya ternyata Allah punya rencana lain. Aku gagal dan akhirnya aku baru berani meraih kembali mimpi itu di umur 26 tahun dengan cara backpakeran.

Dengan modal pengalaman backpakeran ke Korea 2 tahun sebelumnya, nabung yang buanyak dengan kerja sebagai field engineer, baca buku traveling ke Jepang, dan cari-cari di internet, pergilah aku dan sahabatku ke Jepang.

Hampir aja kami gak bisa lihat bunga sakura karena kami berangkat setelah peak season bunga sakura. Untunglah kami punya itinerary ke Nara dan gak sengaja masuk ke sebuah kuil yang ternyata punya taman sakura yang lagi berbunga :')

Walau sakuranya cuma sekuprit, heiiiiiii itu tetap mimpi yang terwujud kaaaan???

Mimpi 2: Mengunjungi Disneyland sampai malam.

Tadinya aku ingin mewujudkan juga mimpi ini ketika aku traveling di Jepang. Apa daya itinerary kami gak ada ke Tokyo. Akhirnya kami ke Universal Studio di Osaka dan mewujudkan mimpi temanku untuk pergi ke dunia Harry Potter. Ya gak apa-apa, toh seru juga!

Akupun sempat berpikir untuk ke Hongkong/ Shanghai untuk bisa sekalian mengunjungi Disneylandnya. Tapi harus dibatalkan karena travelmateku sudah menikah. Kemudian mimpi itu seakan terkubur karena kesibukan dan prioritas lainnya.

Kemudian temanku cerita, "Traveling ke Eropa itu gak mahal tau, mahalnya tuh karena tiket pesawatnya.. budget hariannya bisa sama kayak kita ke Korea/Jepang!" Hemmm... dari situ yang awalnya gak kepikiran ke Eropa karena merasa mahal, switch jadi pikiran "bisa kali ya kita ke Eropa dan sempetin ke Disneyland Paris?" Daaan perjalanan menabung pun dimulai dari tahun 2020 (??).

Hampiiir aja aku gak jadi pergi lagi karena tiba-tiba calon travelmateku membatalkan diri karena urusan pribadi. Tidak mau menunda lagi, akhirnya aku cari-cari open trip ke Eropa yang ada jadwal ke Disneylandnya dan ada!!! Alhamdulillah.

Dan inilah aku yang berhasil mewujudkan mimpi masa kecilku di usia 32 tahun untuk ketemu Mickey asli di rumahnya, di negara yang gak aku sangka-sangka bakal dulu bakal aku kunjungi karena alasan "mahal deh":

"Jika Allah belum mewujudkan doamu, yakinlah karena itu belum waktu yang tepat"

Mungkin itu yang kalimat yang tepat ketika akhirnya kedua mimpi itu berhasil terwujud di depan mata. Waktu ini sudah yang tepat untukku oleh Allah.

Semoga di masa depan, pelan-pelan mimpi terpendamku bisa diwujudkan oleh Allah SWT di keadaan terbaiknya. Sehingga tidak lupa rasa syukurku pada-Nya. Aamiin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

Tips duniawinya adalah untuk tidak pantang menyerah untuk mewujudkan mimpi kecil kita. Coba dari berbagai macam jalan baik. Seperti aku yang ternyata tidak bisa ke Jepang dengan jalur beasiswa, tapi harus dengan jalur nabung dan travelling. Ya gak apa-apa selama caranya baik, insyaallah akan terwujud pada waktunya.

Buat teman-teman yang impiannya belum terwujud, percayalah dengan ikhtiar insyallah akan diwujudkan. Aamin.

#renungan #cerita #travelling #meraih mimpi

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randomnation · 2 years ago

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JAPAN GUIDE

-City Guides & Itineraries-

https://trulytokyo.com

https://tokyocheapo.com/itineraries/shibuya-to-harajuku-meiji-jingu-walking-tour/

https://boutiquejapan.com/best-destinations-in-japan/

https://www.insidekyoto.com

https://insideosaka.com

https://www.insidekyoto.com/nara-travel-guide

-Tips-

Helpful apps while traveling in Japan

Google Maps

Google Translate

TripAdvisor

XE Currency

Japan Navitime (Helps with navigating Tokyo subway)

GuruNavi (Yelp for Japan)

Highly recommend getting a pocket WiFi or MiFi. Japan Wireless is the only one I’ve found to offer the fastest internet speeds with unlimited data.

1,000 Yen Discount Promo Code: JWWMWINTER

https://www.japan-wireless.com/en

If you are traveling to multiple cities, I suggest getting a Japan Rail Pass. It allows you to have unlimited access to the Japan Railways. Use the JR Pass Calculator to calculate if it’s worth buying one for your trip.

https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/assets/JR-Pass-User-Guide-04-16.pdf

http://www.hyperdia.com/

-”things to do” Recommendations-

-TOKYO-

MariCAR Akihabara #1

Senso-ji Shrine

Meiji Shrine

Walk down Harajuku

Memory Lane - Shinjuku

-KYOTO-

Nishiki Market

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka district

Fushimi-Inari

-NARA-

Todai-ji Temple

Nara-koen Park

-Food Guide-

-TOKYO-

Shinjuku

Isetan Shinjuku (Luxury Food Court)*

Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima (Michelin Star/Affordable)*

Tsunahachi (Tempura)

Tenkuni (Tempura)

Shin Udon

Tokyo Mentsudan Udon

Menya Musashi (Ramen)*

Menya Kaijin (Ramen)

Fu-unji (Ramen)

Ichiran Ramen*

Tatsuya (Gyu Don)*

DEN (Modern)

Echigoya (Yakitori)*

Sarabeth (American Breakfast)

Shousuke (Yakitori)*

Sushi Tokyo Ten

Mister Donuts

Sushi-Zanmai Higashi*

Shibuya

Seirinkan (Pizza)

Maisen Aoyama Honten (Tonkatsu)*

Gion Tokuya (dessert)

-Akihabara-

Tonkatsu Marugo*

Maruka (Ramen)

Ginza

Birdland (Yakitori)*

Aoki (Sushi)

-Roppongi-

Naniwaya (Teriyaki)

Savoy (Pizza)

Tsukiji

Edogin (Sushi)

Sushisei (Sushi)

Sushi Iwa (sushi)

Sushi Dai

Meguro

Masakichi (Yakitori)

Tonkatsu Tonki

-Sugamo-

Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (Ramen)*

Duck ramen

-KYOTO-

Yamamoto (Udon)

Iroha Kitamise (Sukiyaki)

Ramen Sen No Kaze (Ramen)

Gion Tokuya (dessert)

Sushisei (Sushi)

Den Shichi (Sushi)

Ganko Sushi

Ippudo (Ramen)*

Ramen Muraji

Inoichi (Ramen)

No Name Ramen*

Warai (Okonomiyaki)

Torito (Yakitori)

Owariya (Soba)

Omen Ginkaku-ji (Udon)

Ootoya

Asuka

Inoda Coffee

Arashiyama Yoshimura*

OSAKA

Minami

Chibo (Okonomiyaki)

Ajinoya (Okonomiyaki)*

Takoyaki Wanaka Sennichimae (Takoyaki)

Yakiniku M Hozenjiyokocho (Steak)*

Ryukishinraizu (Ramen)

Tsukemen Nidaime Misawa (Ramen)

Gekiryuu (Ramen)

Teuchisobaakari (Soba)

Nishiya (Soba)

Kamatakeudon (Udon)

Tsuki no Odori (Yakitori)

Shinsaibashi Madras 5 (Curry)*

Tennoji Area

Yamachan (Takoyaki)

Kita

Kiji (Okonomiyaki)

Bon (Kushikatsu)

Gunjou (Ramen)

-NARA-

Mellow Cafe (Italian/Pizza)

Wakasa (Curry)

Yoshinohonkuzu Tengyokudo Narahonten

*Highly Recommend

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a2japanbestjapantravelagent · 11 days ago

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Discover the Best Japan Group Tour Packages from Delhi with A2 Japan

If you’re looking to embark on a mesmerizing journey to Japan, look no further than A2 Japan’s Japan group tour packages from Delhi. Offering a perfect blend of culture, history, modernity, and natural beauty, Japan promises an unforgettable experience. With A2 Japan, you can explore this amazing country in the most seamless and exciting way possible!

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Comfortable Accommodation Enjoy a comfortable stay in top-rated hotels and resorts, where you’ll unwind after your sightseeing adventures. Our packages include carefully selected accommodations that provide a perfect blend of luxury and comfort.

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Top Destinations in Japan

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Kyoto: Known for its ancient temples, beautiful gardens, and traditional tea houses. Don’t miss out on the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Golden Pavilion.

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Final Thoughts

Japan is a country full of wonder, and there’s no better way to explore it than through a well-organized group tour. With A2 Japan’s Japan group tour packages from Delhi, you’re guaranteed a seamless and unforgettable experience. From exploring the neon lights of Tokyo to soaking in the tranquility of Kyoto’s gardens, your journey with A2 Japan will be an adventure of a lifetime.

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japanitinerary-2025 · 17 days ago

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Hi everyone! 🤗

I’m planning a 20D/19N trip to Japan in June 2025 with my then almost-13-year-old son, and I’m looking for some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path places and experiences.

We’ll start with three nights in Tokyo and then head to Nikko for two nights. After that, we’re considering traveling down towards Kyoto and Osaka. We’re debating whether to rent a car for about a week to explore areas that are less crowded and more unique. Pick up and return in Tokyo OR Pick up and return in Osaka.

If you have any recommendations for hidden gems, small towns, scenic drives, or interesting activities we could include, I’d love to hear them! We’re especially interested in:

Nature and quieter spots

Historical or cultural experiences

Local food (mom) and fun stuff for a teenager.

Maybe someone here have done a trip similar to this and want to share their itinerary 🙏.

We’re also open to skipping the car rental if public transportation can easily get us to these kinds of places. Thanks in advance for your help! That sounds like a fantastic trip! Here are some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path experiences and scenic spots you might enjoy:

Around Tokyo & Nikko

Okutama (West Tokyo): A quiet escape with hiking trails, waterfalls (like Hatonosu Gorge), and hot springs.

Edo Wonderland (near Nikko): A theme park recreating the Edo period with samurai, ninja shows, and historical experiences your son might find fun.

Scenic Drives Near Tokyo

Nikko to Chuzenji Lake and Irohazaka Winding Road: A beautiful, historic drive with stunning views, especially if you include Kegon Falls.

Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes: Scenic routes around Mount Fuji, offering great spots for nature, local food, and some fun activities like boat rides or ropeways.

Kyoto to Osaka Region

Uji (between Kyoto and Nara): Known for its tea culture, Byodoin Temple, and serene riverside walks.

Miyama (north of Kyoto): A charming rural village with traditional thatched-roof houses.

Car Rental: Unique Routes

If you rent a car, here are a few itineraries:

1. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Alps Region): Gorgeous historic villages with a peaceful vibe. Stay in a traditional gassho-zukuri house.

2. Ise-Shima Peninsula: A blend of scenic coastal drives, the famous Ise Grand Shrine, and fresh seafood.

Public Transport-Friendly Gems

Kinosaki Onsen (near Kyoto): A beautiful onsen town where you can enjoy public baths, stroll in yukata, and sample local crab dishes.

Kurashiki (near Okayama): An artsy town with canals, charming streets, and hands-on workshops.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Osaka: Universal Studios, the Pokémon Center, and try Takoyaki at a local stall.

Arashiyama (Kyoto): The bamboo grove, monkey park, and renting bikes along the riverside.

Let me know if you’d like help refining your itinerary! That sounds like a fantastic trip! Here are some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path experiences and scenic spots you might enjoy:

Around Tokyo & Nikko

Okutama (West Tokyo): A quiet escape with hiking trails, waterfalls (like Hatonosu Gorge), and hot springs.

Edo Wonderland (near Nikko): A theme park recreating the Edo period with samurai, ninja shows, and historical experiences your son might find fun.

Scenic Drives Near Tokyo

Nikko to Chuzenji Lake and Irohazaka Winding Road: A beautiful, historic drive with stunning views, especially if you include Kegon Falls.

Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes: Scenic routes around Mount Fuji, offering great spots for nature, local food, and some fun activities like boat rides or ropeways.

Kyoto to Osaka Region

Uji (between Kyoto and Nara): Known for its tea culture, Byodoin Temple, and serene riverside walks.

Miyama (north of Kyoto): A charming rural village with traditional thatched-roof houses.

Car Rental: Unique Routes

If you rent a car, here are a few itineraries:

1. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Alps Region): Gorgeous historic villages with a peaceful vibe. Stay in a traditional gassho-zukuri house.

2. Ise-Shima Peninsula: A blend of scenic coastal drives, the famous Ise Grand Shrine, and fresh seafood.

Public Transport-Friendly Gems

Kinosaki Onsen (near Kyoto): A beautiful onsen town where you can enjoy public baths, stroll in yukata, and sample local crab dishes.

Kurashiki (near Okayama): An artsy town with canals, charming streets, and hands-on workshops.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Osaka: Universal Studios, the Pokémon Center, and try Takoyaki at a local stall.

Arashiyama (Kyoto): The bamboo grove, monkey park, and renting bikes along the riverside.

Let me know if you’d like help refining your itinerary!That sounds like a fantastic trip! Here are some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path experiences and scenic spots you might enjoy:

Around Tokyo & Nikko

Okutama (West Tokyo): A quiet escape with hiking trails, waterfalls (like Hatonosu Gorge), and hot springs.

Edo Wonderland (near Nikko): A theme park recreating the Edo period with samurai, ninja shows, and historical experiences your son might find fun.

Scenic Drives Near Tokyo

Nikko to Chuzenji Lake and Irohazaka Winding Road: A beautiful, historic drive with stunning views, especially if you include Kegon Falls.

Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes: Scenic routes around Mount Fuji, offering great spots for nature, local food, and some fun activities like boat rides or ropeways.

Kyoto to Osaka Region

Uji (between Kyoto and Nara): Known for its tea culture, Byodoin Temple, and serene riverside walks.

Miyama (north of Kyoto): A charming rural village with traditional thatched-roof houses.

Car Rental: Unique Routes

If you rent a car, here are a few itineraries:

1. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Alps Region): Gorgeous historic villages with a peaceful vibe. Stay in a traditional gassho-zukuri house.

2. Ise-Shima Peninsula: A blend of scenic coastal drives, the famous Ise Grand Shrine, and fresh seafood.

Public Transport-Friendly Gems

Kinosaki Onsen (near Kyoto): A beautiful onsen town where you can enjoy public baths, stroll in yukata, and sample local crab dishes.

Kurashiki (near Okayama): An artsy town with canals, charming streets, and hands-on workshops.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Osaka: Universal Studios, the Pokémon Center, and try Takoyaki at a local stall.

Arashiyama (Kyoto): The bamboo grove, monkey park, and renting bikes along the riverside.

Let me know if you’d like help refining your itinerary!

#facebook

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