A Little Piece of Japan in My Heart

This was my first international leisure trip.

I have travelled a lot over the years, but mostly for work. Vacations were always within India. So this one felt special. Almost symbolic. My first proper holiday outside the country.

We started on a Friday around 1:30 pm IST. And strangely, till that very day, the trip hadn’t fully sunk in. In fact, I even squeezed in a few hours of office work before leaving. That is so typical of me. It was only when we finally began that it felt real.

And what a beginning it was.

First Impressions of Japan

Japan felt different from the moment we arrived.

There were no two-wheelers everywhere like we see in India. No random honking. No visible dustbins on the streets, and yet the cities were unbelievably clean. I kept wondering, where does all the trash go?

The washrooms were an experience in themselves. Hi-tech, spotless, warm seats, buttons I was scared to experiment with. Cleanliness here is not an effort. It’s a habit. People were disciplined in a way that felt almost poetic. Pin-drop silence in public transport, even when the train was packed. No one ate inside trains or buses. No one walked around when the bus was moving. No speed breakers, yet traffic moved in perfect order.

I loved noticing the small things. Bicycles with two carriages, mostly ridden by women. One seat for a child, another space for groceries. Senior citizens were everywhere, but so fit and active. Many cab drivers were elderly. They would step out, lift all the luggage themselves, and even the taxi doors would open and close automatically. You were not supposed to touch them. Cash was still widely preferred. And there was a beautiful quietude everywhere. Even in busy places. Japan felt calm.

Day 1 – Tokyo Beginnings

We began with Meiji Jingu, a serene shrine tucked inside a forest-like setting in the heart of Tokyo. Walking through the tall torii gates felt grounding. Quiet. Peaceful.

From there we met the loyal dog at the Hachiko Statue. I had read about Hachiko before, but standing there felt different. There was something touching about it.

Then came the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Watching hundreds of people cross from every direction in complete order was fascinating. Chaos, but organised chaos.

And of course, some shopping at Uniqlo. Clean lines, simple designs. Very Japanese.

Day 2 – Asakusa & TeamLabs - Tradition Meets Technology

We spent the day in Asakusa. We visited Senso-ji shrine, which was full of energy and movement. From there, we walked through Namikase Street, truly a shopper’s paradise. Every stretch had something interesting to see or buy.

We saw man-drawn rickshaws moving through the area, which felt very traditional. At the same time, we also spotted GoKarts on the road, which felt completely modern and unexpected.

Later, we went to Shin Toyosu in Koto to visit teamLab Planets, a collective artwork museum. It was immersive and visually engaging, very different from the morning at the shrine.

We also came across a beautiful porcelain ware shop crafted with traditional Japanese artwork. The detailing and finish stood out. Before wrapping up the day, I bought tops from a shop at Asakusa station.

Day 3 – Mount Fuji & Kawaguchiko – Gentle Majesty

Seeing Mount Fuji was very special. There is something about it that feels majestic yet gentle at the same time. It does not look harsh or dramatic. It feels calm and steady. Because of the cloud cover, we could only see a part of Mount Fuji. The peak kept hiding behind the clouds, and we caught only glimpses of it. But even seeing just a bit of it felt meaningful.

At Lake Yamanakako, there was the option of a swan boat ride. The giant swan-shaped boats were right there on the water and looked quite fun. But we chose not to take the ride. Instead, we decided to sit by the lake and simply enjoy the serenity. The quiet water and the peaceful surroundings felt enough. Sometimes doing nothing and just being present makes the moment more beautiful.

Oishi Park was covered with baby blue eyes flowers, called Nemophila. The soft blue flowers spread out like a carpet, and with Mount Fuji in the background, the view was breathtaking. It felt soothing to just stand there and take it all in. And of course, we could not miss the soft ice creams. Lavender, coffee, blueberry, strawberry — we tried different flavours and enjoyed each one. Japan really takes its soft serve seriously.

Later, we walked through the Maple Corridor near Lake Kawaguchiko. It was a gentle, relaxed walk. After that, we ate at a small place in Fujinomiya village. Since I am a vegetarian, I could not really savour the Japanese food offered there. I had some soupy noodles but could not eat much. Still, it was part of the experience. I also bought sakura cookies for my office team. Small souvenirs like that carry so much love and thought within them.

Day 4 – The Shinkansen to Osaka: Osaka & Dotonbori – Bright and Lively

We travelled from Tokyo to Osaka on the Shinkansen. It was smooth, fast and exactly on time, just as everyone says. The whole experience felt sleek and efficient from the moment we boarded. The train looked sharp and streamlined, and everything inside was neat and thoughtfully arranged. The seats were comfortable, the space was clean, and there was a quiet order to it all.

One interesting detail was that the seats can rotate and change direction. So depending on the direction of travel, they can be turned around. It felt very clever and practical, just like everything else we were seeing in Japan.

Watching Japan pass by through the window was calming. Even though we were moving so fast, the journey felt steady and relaxed.

Once we reached Osaka, we checked into Sunny Stone Hotel in Nishinakajima. Later, we went to eat at an Indian restaurant managed by a Nepali gentleman called Muma Invitation. After days of Japanese flavours, having dal and roti felt like a warm hug. It was comforting and familiar. We enjoyed it so much that we went back there again.

At night, we headed to Dotonbori. The place was glowing with bright lights and giant signboards. It had a lively, festive energy. People dressed as animation characters were performing on the streets, which made it even more entertaining. It truly felt like a shopping paradise, with stores all around. We walked through the buzzing lanes, shopped at H&M, bought bags and T-shirts, and simply soaked in the energy. It was bright, busy and full of life.

Day 5 – Arashiyama - Green Peace

Arashiyama truly felt like a painting come to life. The whole area had a quiet beauty to it, the kind that makes you slow down without even realising it.

The bamboo forest was tall, silent and almost mystical. The green stalks rose straight up, creating a natural pathway. As the light filtered through them, it created a soft, magical effect. It wasn’t loud or dramatic, just peaceful and striking in a simple way. Walking through it felt calm and grounding.

For lunch, we once again chose an Indian restaurant — Maha Curry in Saga Arashiyama. After several days of exploring and trying different things, comfort food felt like the right choice. Sometimes familiar flavours simply win.

Day 6 – Ine & Miyama – Villages and Sea Breeze - Timeless calm 

We visited Ine, a beautiful village by the sea. The houses were lined along the water, and small boats were gently floating nearby. What really stood out was how each house had a small, neat garden or at least a few plants outside. Everything looked so well kept and simple. It was so beautiful, almost like a scene from a picture. Some of the houses even had a space to park their boats, quite like how we have a car parking at home. That felt amusing and charming at the same time. Instead of cars, there were boats resting quietly by the house.

With the kind of city life we lead, constantly moving and rushing, this place felt completely different. It felt calm and untouched, almost like time had slowed down there. There was a quiet charm to the place that made you want to just stand and look.

At Amanohashidate, we took a cable car up to Kasamatsu Park. The cable car was like a single seat, almost like sitting alone on a moving chair. It was secure, of course, but it did feel a little scary at first. As it slowly moved upward, with open space around, you could feel a small rush of nervous excitement. At the same time, it was thrilling. Once we reached the top, the view made it completely worth it. From Kasamatsu Park, we could see the sandbar stretching beautifully across the water. The sight was stunning and peaceful at the same time.

Later, we went to Miyama village. Around 39 traditional thatched-roof houses, some nearly 150 years old, stood quietly in the village. Walking through Miyama felt like stepping into another century. Everything was simple and still. It truly felt like heaven on earth. There was a purity and calmness to the place that is hard to describe. We tried Miyama milk, cookies, coffee, and of course soft ice cream again.

And somewhere in between all of this, we also had biryani and puran poli. Japan outside, India inside.

Day 7 – Nara and Gentle Deer

We explored Naramachi Nigiwai-no-Ie, an old traditional house of a Japanese antique trader. The wooden floors, sliding doors and simple layout reflected quiet elegance. It was minimal, yet warm. Walking through it felt like stepping into a preserved slice of everyday life from another time.

At Nara Park, the deer roam freely everywhere. They are not fenced in or restricted. They simply move around among people as if they belong there. One of the most charming things was that they bow for rice crackers. As soon as they see you holding the crackers, they gently bow their heads. It is both adorable and surprising the first time you see it.

Feeding them was funny and slightly chaotic at the same time. The moment you open the packet, a few deer quickly gather around you. They come close, nudging gently, clearly aware that you have food. You have to stay alert and feed them quickly, otherwise they get a little impatient. It was playful, lively and a very unique experience.

The Last Two Days

We travelled back to Tokyo from Osaka, slowly bringing our journey to a close. The return felt quieter and more reflective, as if we were gently turning the last few pages of a beautiful book.

We stayed one night at Tobu Hotel near Narita. It turned out to be the most expensive hotel of our trip, but it was also the most luxurious. The experience felt elevated in a simple, understated way. What truly stood out was the breakfast spread the next morning. It was amazing. There was so much variety, neatly arranged and beautifully presented. Everything felt thoughtful and indulgent at the same time. It was one of those breakfasts where you want to try a little bit of everything and still feel you have missed something.

After breakfast, we boarded our return flight to Mumbai on ANA Airways. As we settled into our seats, it felt like we were carrying back not just our bags, but memories of mountains, quiet villages, bright city streets and so many warm moments from the trip.

What Stayed With Me

Japan is clean, yes. Disciplined, yes. Efficient, absolutely. But what stayed with me most was the quiet dignity in everyday life. The respect for space. The way even crowded places felt calm.

It was my first international holiday. And it felt like a gentle beginning. I came back happy. And a little changed.