It’s already been two months since my return to America, and much like my copy of the library’s “The Fellowship of the Ring,” this update is long overdue. I had intended to post updates of my post-finals adventures with my parents, but our schedule was just so packed that I had no time to sit and write. So as I now set aside that time for writing and reflecting, I’m overcome with so many feelings. Gratitude and bittersweet memories of my experiences mix with hope for what comes next, and the potential for a return to the islands sometime in the future.
With my final semester behind me and my parents arriving shortly, I checked one last item off of the bucket list and went to a good old ball game. The Tokyo Dome hosted a match between two local teams — Yomiuri Giants and Yakult Swallows. In the bottom of the 6th my parents’ flight was landing so I took off early to meet them, but the baseball game experience was unforgettable.
From the first day of their arrival, my parents and I wasted no time getting straight into the action of Tokyo. The days are blurs of trains, ramen, gyoza, shrines, museums, and old favorites from my time in school. Here are some selected highlights:
(This post includes too many pictured to fit in your mailbox! For the full scoop, read the article here.)
Ueno Park is Big!
Ueno Park is massive in its own right, boasting several paths and temples, as well as hundreds of sakura trees. On top of this there are five museums within, each worthy of its own full day trip. We chose the Tokyo National Museum, a vast and detailed collection of historical artifacts and art from within Japan. Afterward we made our way to the zoo (also within the park grounds!) and arrived just in time to find the massively popular panda napping behind a rock.
TOP Tier Museums
Oh you thought we went to just one museum? HAH! Think again. There were of course even more that we wanted to attend (Kanji Museum, I will return), but the TOP Museum of Photography and a special exhibit of twisted manga illustrator Junji Ito were unbelievably cool. Especially compelling were Imamori Mitsuhiko’s photographs of nature, featured in the TOP Museum, but sadly there were no photos allowed. We closed out our museum visits with a dream-come-true family trip to the Ghibli Museum.
A Packed Three Days in Kyoto
I really can’t believe we accomplished as much as we did over only two and a half days in Kyoto. Day one was spent walking along the historic Gion street, where entertainers and geisha reside, and around the area’s many temples and parks. There we ate some delicious shabu-shabu before taking a nighttime trip to the beautiful Fushimi Inari, or 1000 Torii Temple. Our second day was a trip an hour North of Kyoto to Mt. Kurama, which we hiked from the early morning to sunset. Mt. Kurama is the birthplace of the healing practice of Reiki, so this was an especially important pilgrimage for my mom.
Divine Deer in Nara
We woke up early on our third and final day in Kyoto to travel to Nara and greet the divine, domesticated deer that have roamed their park for over 800 years before returning to Tokyo. I can’t believe we almost didn’t do this!
Kamakura to Ease the Soul, and Some Extras
We spent the day before our final departure in Kamakura to see their giant Buddha and visit the ever beautiful Hase Temple. We took a short walk to the beach, and got a little rained on as well, but I still wouldn’t trade this day or any that we spent together for anything.
What comes next
As I settle back down, my gaze slowly settled back to life as it was, and I contemplate how best I can utilize what I learned and experienced going forward. Though I haven’t settled on one career path per se, I have been keeping up with my studies, listening and reading in Japanese and starting my own projects as I can. Chief amongst these projects has been transcription and translation of the lyrics of various songs from karaoke classics to more niche finds. I’m excited to share some of those with you soon!
A few days ago I got a text from an old classmate who I hadn’t talked with in a few months. Feeling that sense of connection again really filled a part of me I didn’t know needed attention, and really drove me to finally sit down and write this piece. Thanks to everyone who’s been along with me for the ride. I hope you’ll continue to check in every once in a while to catch up on my little ramblings and adventures, whether my Japanese perspective is the main dish or just something sweet on the side. I’m grateful and lucky to have so many friends; you are the wind at my back.
I’ll see you very soon.
愛を持って、
gb
We are beyond grateful to have had these experiences with you! It was genuinely inspiring to witness your comfort and proficiency with Japanese language and culture as you both guided us and discovered alongside us! We love you!!