Surviving Japan
Japan had always been on my travel bucket list. As a teenager obsessed with anime and fascinated by Japanese culture, the dream of visiting seemed so far away—until recently. With newfound financial freedom, I decided it was time to explore the world. What better place to start than Japan? My friend Jin, who was studying in Korea, invited me to meet him in Tokyo. After knowing each other for over ten years through World of Warcraft (where we devised all sorts of gold-making schemes), this was the first time we’d meet in person. We both had come a long way, financially and personally, after some successful investments in NFTs, so this trip was all about celebrating our journey. No budget, no limitations—we earned this.
Arriving in Japan was like stepping into a different world. I’d had all these Westernized ideas of what Japan would be like—samurai, geishas, and people in anime cosplay around every corner. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Japan is modern, efficient, and polite. The service, from the airport to the hotel, was impeccable. Everything ran like clockwork, and the Japanese hospitality lived up to its stellar reputation.
The weather surprised me too. I had prepared for freezing cold and snow—it was January after all—but while chilly, it wasn’t unbearable. That was until the last few days, when Tokyo was hit with some gale-force winds that made walking around quite the challenge. Luckily, no earthquakes—thank God for that!
I splurged on business class with British Airways. It was worth it for the legroom alone, but one thing I’ve realized about myself—I can’t sleep on planes. Whether it’s the altitude or being surrounded by strangers, every time I drifted off, I’d jolt awake. Needless to say, I landed in Japan absolutely knackered.
I decided to keep things sharp and dressed in suits for most of the trip. Bad idea. By the end of day two, my feet were destroyed. We’d walked over 20 miles in 48 hours, and my hard-soled Chelsea boots were not up to the task. Jin kindly booked me a foot massage at the hotel, and though I was a bit creeped out when the masseuse’s face ended up suspiciously close to my toes, the relief was immense.
As if Jin hadn’t done enough, he found me a pair of Asics sneakers that quite literally saved my feet. If you’re heading to Japan, skip the dress shoes—trust me on this one.
Day three was all about Kyoto. We hopped on the bullet train—by the way, Japan still has smoking areas on trains, which is a revelation compared to the UK—and in no time, we were exploring this beautiful, traditional city. We visited the bamboo forest, which was every bit as stunning as I’d imagined.
Dinner that night was at Hanasato, a teppanyaki restaurant famed for its Wagyu beef. I’ll never look at steak the same way again. The meal cost us around ¥100,000 (about £500), which might seem extravagant, but it was worth every yen. That meal will stay with me forever.
After Kyoto, we headed back to Tokyo, where I’d booked a penthouse suite at the Mitsui Garden Hotel. The room was luxurious but oddly eerie—floor 13, dead silent, and at night I heard strange croaking sounds. Haunted? Probably not. Still, I joked with Jin about switching rooms, but he wasn’t having it.
The next day, we visited the Gundam Center, home to Japan’s obsession with building model robots. We bought a couple of Gundam kits to take home, marveled at the giant statue outside, and I also snagged a pair of Matsuda sunglasses after some friendly competition with Jin. It felt like winning a prize in itself.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe we squeezed so much into just a week. From exploring Kyoto’s serene beauty to navigating Tokyo’s bustling streets, every moment felt rich and fulfilling. Japan exceeded my expectations in every way. The food, the culture, the transportation—it all worked so seamlessly compared to what I’m used to in the UK.
Would I return? Absolutely. Next time, I’ll stay longer, but for now, this trip will forever be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
If you’re thinking about visiting Japan, stop thinking and book that ticket. Whether you’re celebrating success or simply looking to escape into a new world, Japan offers an experience unlike any other.
