Next week, I’m going to Japan. It’s my first real visit there. I say “real visit” because back in 2004, on my way home from Thailand, my friend and I stopped in Tokyo for a long layover. After arriving at 6am, we left the airport, saw the imperial palace, realized Tokyo in January is a lot colder than Thailand in January, and camped out in a Starbucks until the sushi restaurants opened for lunch. After eating a luxurious sushi meal, we went back to the airport.
That was my only time in Japan. I’ve always wanted to go back and luckily, now I am. Next week, I’ll be heading on a two-week G Adventures tour around Japan, and then I’ll be spending some extra time in the country to visit all the places not included on the tour.
Now, I’m a huge Japanophile. Despite never really having been there, I’m obsessed with Japan—the food, culture, temples, technology, architecture. I love it all. Whenever I get a home, Japanese art will play a predominant role in it. Out of all the trips I’ve taken in the last few years, I’m most excited about this one. I’m giddy with excitement. Why? Let me count the ways: