japan oh japan

This was the most bizarre and beautiful two weeks of our lives. Seeing Japan surpassed anything we could ever feasibly expect from travelling across just one country.

Tokyo was a massive assault on the senses and a shock to the system. A hi-tech emporia full of big neon lights, cheesy j-pop, the constant bleeps of video game arcades, maid cafes, wasabi flavoured Kit Kats, capsule hotels and other bizarre Japanese oddities. Our favourite pastime was obviously people watching.. from obsessive anime & manga fans, cosplayers to the businessmen at the karaoke bars, where sake acts as a real social lubricant, allowing them to freely discuss the issues that should not be debated during the daytime.

Every place outside Tokyo was a tranquil experience. Traditional onsens in Hakone, temples and shrines in Nikko, ancient traditions and tea ceremonies in Kyoto. The ultimate Zen experience.

I’m making none of this up.

Japan is the most fascinating country we have travelled to so far.