I am back to Japan after just one year. I didn’t plan this to happen so soon but this is it. Life choosed (and I did choosed too actually). Sometime the conditions are just great for something to happen and it end up happening.
If you are under your thirthies you may apply for a working holiday visa in many countries. I choosed to get back to Japan as it was such a dream for a little while. The visa last for a whole year and allow you to do some work and some travelling too. But you are free to do whatever you feel like doing. How good to don’t have to rush things. As long as you are happy and that your bank account is still alive. The last trip was really nice but also quite busy. The experience is just different as the timescale was different.
My transportation picked went for the flight company Aeroflot. A Russian airline that ended up being pretty good. If you book in advance you may have interesting fare (220 euro for a Paris –> Tokyo with a brief stopover in Moscow). How to increase your carbone footprint , great ! I used Skyscanner , a good platform which allow you to compare different fares according to where and when you book. The flight price tickets varies hugely from one time to another so it’s good to geek a little and wait for the cheapest prices to show the tip of their nose.
Funky alphabet made in Russia.
The night was long and sleeping was not possible. But whatever. It doesn’t matter how you feel as long as you enjoy what you are doing. Luckily the flight arrived in the morning which gives room for easy exploration and unwinding after a long journey.
The plane arrived in Narita airport which is quite far from downtown Tokyo so I choosed to stay one night in the small city that is Narita. It felt like a good mix of urban and rural , perfect after a long journey. And the sun was up too ! Narita has around 130 000 inhabitant but the town center is relatively small and easily walkable.
The main shopping street has some nice little shops. I couldn’t resist for those Matcha Ice creams. Again !
Sweet tooth calling.
Rich flavor of Powdered green tea. This one costed 400 yen (3 euro). Green tea is a huge part of Japanese everyday life. A Standard of Japanese diet.
Now heading to Narita San. A hill filled with Buddhist Temples and some gardens too. A great way to move thoses legs after long flights of 15 hours. And you get to transition slowly into Japanese culture.
Just chilling bro”
Theses sepultures are so Raw. Japanese cemeteries are interesting to explore. Buddhism plays a big part in Japanese society when it comes to funeral. In fact one of the main topic of Budhism throughout the world is on “Dying”. If you accept this fatality that we all share , you might be able to enjoy more the other side of the coin , wich is “Living”. Thats also why Buddhist don’t tend to hide sepultures as it is an important aspect of the living beings. Reminded us that all is subject to change.
So interesting to come back to a country you’ve been. It’s like meeting a good old friend. It’s not as exciting and stimulating than the first time. It’s just different. I guess it’s similar with human relationships. It always changes and gets to different levels with repetitions. It tooked me time to realise that I wasn’t in France anymore actually. I had to get down to the toilet to realise this , with a smile, when , the toilet seat magically lifted up , saying hello to me somehow. Then you realise that you are not exactly where you were 24 hours earlier. It’s quite fascinating actually x)
“Onsen” is a must experience in Japan and especially after a long journey with no sleep. The water used is said to have curative properties. I choose to take a train to a nearby Onsen with outdoors (called Roteburo). You have to ride a small 5 min train journey to get there.
Rural Japan.
Rural yet modern. Ah what would Japan be without his vending machines .. ^^
The walk was super peaceful. It really was another side of Japan. The simple yet real life behind the “crazy neons” of the Tokyo in our subconscious. It’s nice to start a journey with an easy pace. Allow you to ground yourself better to the new environment you are in. Even though I knew what to expect it was still a sweet surprise to arrive in Japan. Every culture is unique and retains this “special flavour”. I love to observe when culture blend together. Or when they try at least. It’s often unsteady and very funny. Like a big smoothies , with infinite possibilities. People were curious to see me here as not many “foreigner” were wandering in these areas. Just like I was curious seeing them. We are so different from the outside but if we take a step back we realise that it’s all the same. This may sounds cliché but it’s true 🙂 Different instrument playing the same symphony.
After 20 min walking you reach an Onsen surrounded by Rice Fields. The building was modern and quite big. I wasn’t expecting to find this oasis of Goodness in the backstreets of Narita.
Yamato – no – yu , an awesome Onsen with outdoors and a priceless view of Mount Fuji in the distance. I highly recommend to crash here before or after a trip to Japan. This costed 1050 yen for unlimited access to baths and small towel (9 euro).
The Onsen is always an experience. Naked in Pristine hot water help to sweat out all the blockages and tensions. Everything just melts with you. It really is a meditation where you reconnect with Nature and the simplicity of your breath. Simply being alive. Some bath were 42 degrees.
After 2 good hours in that state of melting it was time to find my Airbnb for the first night.
Night Ambiance of the way back.
This first insights of being back to Japan was interesting and truly felt different. Maybe Japan changed , maybe I did change. In fact we all changed. Our perceptions evolved, leaving use with new sensations , feelings.. I want this journey to be meaningful. Whatever we might do , the view and the motivation behind our motivations is key.
Meaningful journeys
Meaningful discoveries and experiences.
To embody something great that go beyond our little “Selfs”
I just want to slow down and I’m falling asleep on the computer.
I hope this was interesting to read. More will come , and unfold. Feel free to comment or share inner thought.
Stay Happy my friends and live this damned life.
This precious life. Travelling isn’t a finality. Although it appears as a trend in our 21th century. Travelling is a tool that helps one to change his states of minds. The wisest people are often the one that did not travel. Different school I imagine.
Moving to Downtown Tokyo tomorrow morning. More adventures on the way.
Oyasuminasai お休みなさい
Good night
free.cloud 
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