Japan travel {part two}

It’s always difficult coming back to regularly scheduled life programming after a trip, but real life seems particularly hard after two weeks in Japan.

For one, full-bloom spring is still quite far away here in New York, and there is not even a whiff of cherry blossoms in the air.

Everything seems excessively loud and even a little abrasive compared to the soft-spoken nature of the Japanese so, that is also an adjustment.

I am no longer having fish for breakfast – that part is actually pretty okay by now – and my soup bowls no longer contain intricate engravings or pickled sakura flowers.

I’m glad to be back in my own bed after these weeks on the road that took us a little bit all over the place, but I do miss the geranium pillows.

We finished strong with kimono silk painting, chopstick gold leaf plating, and mochi making at the Murakami candy factory in crafty Kanazawa.

I found everything about Japanese culture absolutely fascinating and appreciated how it made me re-focus on the beauty of simplicity.

Tips for travel in Japan & what I got right/wrong:

• It’s true that almost no one outside of large hotel staff speaks English – come prepared with essential Japanese phrases, it’s always appreciated!
• Although we enjoyed some exquisite kaiseki meals, the best food I had was at a simple izakaya (pub).
• Stay at a ryokan, at least for a few nights, and embrace the entire experience.
• The concerns I had read about – phones not working, not enough wifi, limited ATM access – were all pretty much unfounded.
• Train travel in Japan is a point of pride and a true pleasure. It makes a busy itinerary more than doable. Plus, train stations are a treasure trove of local products.
• Staying at a Buddhist temple is not for everyone but I recommend it as a truly unique experience – from the vegan meals to the early morning service/meditation with the monks.
• My favorites parts of  ‘sightseeing’ were the activities: ikebana class, sushi making, our candy factory internship, kimono painting, chopstick plating etc. It’s really one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with a culture.

And yes, I am eager to see Japan covered in fall foliage but, boy, those cherry blossoms… you must see it in spring, at least once – it’s full of magical moments. So grateful for the chance to capture them.