I'd forgotten just how difficult it was to write an introduction to a passage of text. I've been sat here for a little while, experimenting with different openings but I've not been happy with any of them so far. This is probably why I've resorted to rambling about how I can't think of a decent opening, rather than actually writing a decent opening. But at least that's gotten it out of the way. Now I can get down to writing about the main topic of this post - my recent trip to Japan.
I took advantage of all the free time that I've been having and treated myself to a two week trip to Japan in March. I spent most of my time in and around the Tokyo Metropolitan Area just relaxing and exploring the cities and towns. It had been a long time since I last had the opportunity to speak Japanese to anyone so as expected, my pronunciation had gone down the pan. Over the two weeks, however, it slowly improved and I felt pretty comfortable with speaking Japanese again by the end of my holiday.
As usual I stayed in the Chisun Inn hotel in Asakusa. Any time that I'm in Tokyo I'll stay at this hotel. The rooms are clean and tidy and the rates are very reasonable for the centre of Tokyo. Furthermore, the staff are friendly and helpful. Plus it's in a great location just five minutes walk away from the famous Sensōji, and a couple of stops away from the Sky Tree via the Toei Asakusa Line. I realise that this is turning into an advertisement for the hotel but I would highly recommend staying here if you're on a tight budget!
Speaking of the Sky Tree, I had been desperate to visit the new landmark ever since it opened in May 2012. I love tall buildings and structures and I always take the opportunity to check out the view from the top of them when ever possible. Having previously visited the observation decks in Fukuoka Tower, Yokohama Landmark Tower, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo World Trade Center I wanted to see how this new kid on the block compared.
Whilst the view from the first observation deck at 350m was very impressive, I wouldn't say that it was worth the extra 1,000 yen to ascend to the second observation deck at 450m. To be honest, there really isn't all that much difference between the two views. Still, at least I can say that I've been to the very top. The best bit about the experience was undoubtedly the glass floor you can see in the picture above. Had there not been a billion people crowding around it taking pictures I would have lay down on it and had a nap. There's something really therapeutic about looking down at the ground from such a height. Absolutely loved it!
Aside from Tokyo, I also visited the historic city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture. It quickly became my favourite place in all of Japan; I positively love the place. From the very moment I left the train station I knew that this was a city I wanted to live in. You only have to walk a few minutes away from the main city centre before you get a taste of the peaceful village-like atmosphere. The roads are narrow and winding and the houses are full of character. Train tracks criss-cross the suburban areas and there are a myriad of level-crossings about the place. Kamakura is probably most well known for the giant statue of Buddha (shown in the picture above). The funny thing about the statue is that you can pay a small fee (20 yen or something like that) and actually go inside it. It even has windows around the back!
To the south of Kamakura there is a big stretch of beach which is very popular with surfers and holiday-makers in the summer. Even in March there were a fair few people enjoying the waves, and I can see why; it's a stunning area. Very close to the coast is the house that can be seen in the picture above. This was used as a principal photography location for the recent drama
ビブリア古書堂の事件手帖 (
Biblia Koshodō no Jikentechō) and was a place I very much wanted to visit.
To the very end of my trip I was extremely fortunate and managed to experience the beautifully stunning cherry blossoms for the first time. I'd always wanted to witness the splendour of them with my own eyes but never got the chance to until now. Originally, the forecast predicted that the trees wouldn't begin blooming until a few days after I had left Japan. However, due to the unseasonably warm weather this March, the cherry blossoms appeared on the last couple of days I was there. I was so happy! They're really a sight to behold. The photos don't really do them justice. It's almost enchanting when you get the petals fluttering down from the branches above you. I could easily have spent a whole lifetime just admiring their beauty.
All in all, it was a brilliant trip to Japan and it reconfirmed to me just how much I love the country. I'm more determined than ever now to get a job in Japan and spend the rest of my life in the country I adore so much. Wait for me, Japan, I'll be back soon! That's a promise.
Edit: Mistakenly thought that the filming location for モヤモヤさまぁ～ず２ (Moyamoya Summers 2) was in Kamakura when in fact it was in Kawagoe (which is in a completely different prefecture)! As such, I've removed the photo of the location from the post. My memory is really bad!
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