Unfortunately I vowed to myself that I would keep up with my blog better than in the past but look at me now! Finally getting to it after quite some time. In all honesty though, I consider myself a pretty lucky lady to be too busy with life instead of finding myself with too much downtime to blog all the time. How great it is to be young and free…
The people!
I was so impressed by the friendliness of the people I met. Almost every time I was lost (and people, let’s take in how often this happens with me) someone would come up to me and not only show me where to go, but walk with me there! Every hostel I stayed at I made friends with the girls at the reception because they were so incredibly friendly and nice. They were always giving me treats (they caught on to my love affair with sugar. Best news ever or worst news ever? Haha) or compliments and when I left one place they even had a hand written card for me.
One time on the bullet train, an adorable little woman kept making origami for me. She was so enthusiastic about my traveling alone in Japan that she created a little penguin that I could put in my pocket (logically called a “pocket penguin”) so I would always have a friend :)
People dressed as characters were also something I loved. You can find an adorable little smiling character in any place at any time!
Also, Japanese people are really respectful, which has created an incredibly safe country. Get this: they don’t even lock their bikes up in the streets! I couldn’t believe it!! I felt so welcome everywhere I went and it was a huge reason why I ended up loving Japan so much. I can honestly say they are some of the nicest people I’ve met traveling by far.
The technology!
Japan really has it going on in a lot of aspects, especially transportation. The bullet trains (shinkansen) were one of my favorite experiences. The trains go up to 200 mph and are so smooth! I compared it to being on an airplane when you’re taking off or landing. Everything is going so quickly out your window! The $130, 2.5 hour ride was completely worth it.
Ever heard of a country famous for its toilets? Welcome to Japan! Their toilets are out of control. They have music, multiple heat setting for the seats and all sorts of things I couldn’t even really understand haha
There were also parts of the cities I went to that epitomized the image I had in my head for Japan- neon lights, huge buildings, anime everywhere and utter craziness. Akihabara, in Tokyo, and Dotombori in Osaka were two places where you really saw how high-tech culture is imbedded in all aspects of Japanese society.
The culture!
Japanese culture is incredibly impressive, especially the temples. They were so beautiful and each one was unique. And there are literally thousands of temples and shrines! You could spend sooo much time looking at all of them. These were my favorites:
Kiyomizu: I saw this complex as the sun was setting and everything was glittering gold. It was my first introduction to Kyoto and it was so beautiful it made me dizzy!
Golden Pavilion: I also saw this one at sunset, which was pretty magical. Along with the setting, I couldn’t imagine a more picturesque temple.
Fushimi Inari: There are literally thousands of gates winding up a mountain!
Osaka Castle: What an impressive castle! I was also set in the middle of a gorgeous park area surround by a moat and mini food trucks. Culture and cuteness! I dug it.
Another one of my favorite experiences was the Gion district in Kyoto. There were tons of antique houses turned into trendy shops or restaurants. I also saw some beautiful young geishas there. Thanks to my mad zoom, I could creepily take photos of them without looking creepy! Thanks Canon!
The food!
Sushi train: Where do I begin… I was so pumped to find myself at a sushi train restaurant! A hostel friend and I just went for it and got anything that looked weird, wacky and delicious! Each plate color represents a different price and when you’re full they scan all the plates and voila- the price appears on the machine! So high tech and awesome! We saw the sushi chef actually catching fish out of a tank and then chopping them up. I don’t think it can get any fresher than that. I really enjoyed every one I had except the one pictured below. It tasted a little like something I used to feed my gold fish. And it had eyes. And it tasted hairy? :/
Crème puffs: They are one of the last things I thought I would eat all the time in Japan, but Japanese people love their crème puffs with serious passion and sugar stamina! I particularly enjoyed the cinnamon one with lemon cream.
Okonomiyaki: as many of you know, if the word “pancake” is used to describe any sort of food, there is no stopping me. I will eat it. Okonomiyaki are savory pancakes that come in all different kinds of shapes, sizes, styles and flavors. I enjoyed three different types. This zebra clad number was my favorite!
Takoyaki: Octopus balls! Mine had mayo squirt on top. Don’t know if that’s the traditional way…? Whatever! When in Japan.
Maple: as a child, my mother confirmed the lingering suspicions of a sugar addiction by finding me sneakily chugging out of the maple syrup bottle. Let’s just say, I LOVE MAPLE. And so does Japan! Especially since it was fall, I had so many lovely maple treats.
Seoul
Here are some of my highlights:
Bulgogi: The owner of the hostel was nice enough to take my Italian friend and I out for bulgogi, which is thin beef mixed with a sweet, soy-based sauce. It was also my first time trying kimchi (fermented vegetables). I love how Asian cultures often use so many plates!
Galbi with the girls: I met two lovely Korean girls that took me out for galbi, which is Korean pork bbq. It was amazingly delicious and they were some of the nicest girls I’ve met on all my travels! We ended the night with shochu, a traditional Korean alcohol.
Fall leaves and street art: The fall colors were more brilliant in Korea than Japan because it’s a little colder there. I really enjoyed strolling in the parks!
