Back home , looking back

It’s been exactly a week since I left Japan to my hometown back in France. When you are back from a long and intense journey your body feels full of everything. So much has happenend during that journey. From the people I met , the new discoveries on the way to the landscape I crossed. It was a journey. My five senses have been stimulated a lot. Just like my heart. It was a “roller coaster of life”.

I have been back in France during the winter time where the daylight are short. I have been hibernating during a week pretty much. You never realize how tired you are till you stop and rest. Also theses transition moments can feel strange. From one extrem to another you may feel empty inside of yourself. Just like something is missing. This travelling and exciting spirit is not longer part of you daily routines. It always takes sometime to catch up with everything. I’m back home.

Going for a nice walk along “La Seine” river , catching the few winter sunbeams. Time to rest and digest.

Japan was a fantastic adventure. I have been amazed during 6 weeks. Everyday was revealed me new facets of that country. Just like slowly unwrapping a big present. For each days different colors , flavors and people. Japan is a country with many layers. And to understand it deeply you have to take the time and listen. To simply open your ears and to become receptive. Remove all the prejudices and preconceived ideas you had about that place because they aren’t the truth. After 6 weeks in Japan I came to discover and really appreciate the culture. I feel like sharing some of the aspects I loved during my adventure in Japan. I will just share a few that comes to mind but be aware that this is all subjective.

What I loved in Japan :

Ponctuality. Every train, bus , boat and everything else I have encountered in Japan was very ponctual. Travelling in Japan is therefore easy and comfortable. Also you will find many connections between transportations making your life easier.
Cleanliness and safeness. Japan is the cleanest and safest country I have been so far. On my first night I noticed bicyles without lockers in Tokyo’s streets. Everything was so clean as well. At the end of my trip I was comfortable to leave all my belongings on a café table and go for a walk. The chance to be stollen are close to zero there. How good it feels to walk around without the fear of getting into troubles. You can easily go back home as a girl , late in the night, without problems.
Japanese hospitality (“Omotenashi”). In Japan you will never feel lost for a long time. The people there were really helpfull. They will always try their best to help you out. Wherever you go there will always be a kind souls looking at your back, ready to give you a hand if you need it. As a solo traveller this takes a lot of importance as you dont have a buddy to relate with. I was alone and at the same time surrounded by many “unknown friends”. How good.
Japanese organization. You might come across gigantic cities but they will always be well organised. Therefore you wont feel so much the crowd. To me Japan felt quiet and the Japaneses respectful toward one another. In a well organized country you dont have to spend so much energy worring which gives you more energy to simply enjoy the place and the moment you share.
Japaneses. I felt in love with the people that lives in that country. Even thought many Japaneses dont speak a lot of English , I always managed to connect with them. And for the ones that did speak English , It was beautifull. This culture and the people have a lot of depth. Japan is a culture with many codes which can be challenging to understand at first. It may takes sometime to understand and appreciate Japaneses for what it is. But we are all human at the end. All made of a heart. At first I though Japanese were a bit reserved but I came to realised afterward that the second you open to them , the second they open to you like shinny flowers ! If you never knock at someones doors you’ll never know who is behind it. With Japaneses I always discovered wonderful souls behind thoses doors. Just like discovering secret places with a lot of depth.
Toilets. In Japan it’s very simple , you’ll find a lot of toilets. In temples , streets , underground , nature trail … How nice it’s to never have to worry about finding a place to empty your bladder. No wonder why this is one of the cleanest country in the world.
Kombini stores. In Japan you’ll see many small stores like 7/11 , family mart , lawson and so on. Theses stores are everywhere in Japan. The great thing about them is that they are open 7 days a weeks , 24h a day. Therefore if you have a late night craving or just want to get a snack , you’ll be covered anywhere you go. I also enjoyed the quality of certains items (some desserts were really good). Japanese Kombini are of good quality compared to the ones back home.
Healthy food. Japan is a health country where you wont see many overweight people. The reason why lies in the food available in the country. Japaneses diets is based on rice, vegetables , soy products (tofu ,miso..) little fruits , seaweeds , fresh fish / seafood and little meat. You wont find excessively fat or sweet food either. Most of the food will give you energy rather than taking you energy. I really enjoyed the Japaneses sandwichs called “Onigiri”. Theses rice balls are often filled with veggies / seaweeds / fish… inside. It’s a perfect and cheap snack to grab on the go. Each time I wanted some energy I will get a Onigiri rice ball instead of unhealthy junk.
Stunning nature. In Japan I have encountered gorgeous and well preserved nature. From the hiking trails to the amazing bicyle routes , everything is made to enhance your experience of nature while respecting it. I loved the way the infrastructures were designed and used. To me it never felt disrespectfull toward nature. It felt very harmonious and therefore so enjoyable. Japan have a lot to offer. From North to South you’ll come across varied landscapes that will changes accordingly with seasons. Each place will feel very unique each time you go there.
Strong seasons. Japan is known for having strongly marked seasons which make it a great place to discover and rediscover. I was there in Autumn so I could assist the leafs colors change (Momiji) which was spectacular. Make sure to travel according to the Momoji pick time if you want to get the best colors around.
Diversity. In six weeks I have came across many different landscapes. From the mediteranean island feel in Naoshima to the remote mountainous village in Shirakawago. Japan will offer you diversed landscapes and also diversed culture. Each area have their own food specialities to try out. To me each place I went was interesting and worth a visit.
Old and new. In Japan you can experience the highest technologies while experiencing the oldest temples and sites. Old and new hand in hand. Japan is a fascinating land where you can experience strong dualities.
Onsens. The art of bathing in mineral natural hot springs is a must. Japan being a volcanic island has plenty of them. I’m amazed how beautifull were theses outdoors onsens (“rotemburo”). Each time going in it felt like a healing ritual. To be able to enjoy such natural goodness while travelling is a must. It’s a perfect way to recharge your batteries and also to meet nice people, all surrounded by pristeen nature.
Non smoking streets. Coming back from France where many people smoke around contrasted a lot with the Japaneses streets which are empty of cigarette smoke. The result is pleasant for your nostrils.
And so much more … . You’ll have to go there and experience the country by yourself to be able to truely get the “flavor” 🙂

This is it. I cann’t wait already to go back to Japan. The land of the rising sun. Sometimes you get strongly attracted toward a country. It becomes a fascination , almost an obsession. The magic wont occurs until you realign your dreams with yourself. Until you get toward that attraction. At that specific point you’ll come to experience an Ocean of life. When your dream come to reality.

I’m left with a profound and a very human experience. From now on each time I will think about the word “Japan” , I will recall instant memories and emotions attached to it. Today the word Japan means something real inside of me. Japan isn’t just a picture anymore , it’s an experience with unique flavors. It’s a journey. A story.

Dear readers , sharing some of my stories with you was a pleasure. Thanks you very much for all the people that followed my adventures. I hope this inspired you in some ways. It was the first time I write a blog and I have to say I enjoyed doing it. Taking pictures and writing stories behind them was fun and also a great way to reflect on the days I was having. It gave me a deeper understanding of my experience. It gave me words to describe it. Thanks you.

Thanks you Japan for this wonderful journey.

Last breakfast in Japan with two Japanese families.