GAIJIN IN JAPAN

Japan! Huzzah!

Thanks to two-for-one flights and a perpetual “YOLO” attitude, my sister and I jumped at the chance to head north for two weeks. Together with a group of four friends, we gallivanted across the countryside, ate our weight in ramen, and purchased a bedroom-worth of merchandise to take home – including a metre-tall ice cream lamp (yes this did happen and I most definitely needed it. Suffice to say customs was quite the palarva). So rather than trying my hand (and failing miserably) at making soba/ramen or sushi, I thought for this edition it would be more appropriate to simply feature my adventures, and canvas what Japan has to offer.

Rather than waxing lyrical about things that noone really wants to hear about – you know, the same old “ah travelling is amazing and everything else pales in insignificance” #smug – what I can say is that Japan truly offered that boost of energy that I was hoping to source. Perhaps it’s the seven years of study, my time slaving away for mainstream media outlets, my constant drive to “burn the candle at both ends” and/or my hustling pursuits but mate, I’ve been burning out for quite some time now. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a point while travelling where I felt like it was time to get on the gins – oh the contrary. Walking all day err’day was both exhilarating and exhausting. Japan was so aesthetically stimulating that at times I thought I was delirious. There were certainly highlights:

As mentioned above I ate my weight in ramen, particularly involving tempura for some reason. Who knew I could be so partial to all things deep-fried #blessed. Thank Christ floaty-linen numbers are #ontrend in #Japan at the moment #foodbaby. The raw fish accompanied with fresh sushi was all varieties of wonderful and finally,it’s no surprise that I became accustomed to Japanese craft beers. Cheap, cheerful, and delicious was the name of the game. I had a divine bento box while watching a bizarre show called “the Robot Restaurant”.

Please let me explain: I’m unsure whether said bento box was actually good or perhaps I was in a state of shock from all the lights, segways, giant robots, drums, scantily clad individuals and pyrotechnics. Seriously, the show is not for the light hearted. Then again, if it was good enough for Ok Go, Christina Aguilera and Katy Perry, hey it was good enough for me.

If I were to have one criticism with regard to Japanese cuisine, it would be that I couldn’t source enough almond croissants – white privilege, or what?! Philistinism aside, I found the culture to be wonderful. Talking on phones while training was strictly forbidden, bowing was abundant, and my experience with the Japanese was nothing but delightful. My sister managed to organise the trendiest of hostels and the maths/architecture whizz that she is meant she was also in charge of transport. Which left me with…well, nothing – maybe ambience. And despite the training, purchasing, sight-seeing, eating and theme-park-going – the mood was fervently calm, if you can believe it. With my extra 15kgs to take home (mostly Muji items), suffice to say I enjoyed the design, architecture, and shopping outlets that Japan had to offer.

So I suppose it is impossible NOT to wax lyrical but hey, it’s one week on and I’m still reveling. Meanwhile, winter is coming…