My experience in Japan deserves a laudable entry in the memory capsule series because of how it enriched everything I love about the human experience. At the time I was living in Vancouver, Canada and had planned a two-week trip to Japan with two of my most beloved friends from Toronto. Reconnecting with them while in transit to a place we’ve all never been before helped settle our travel concerns and hyped our most anticipated itinerary. We have been and continue to be influenced by Japanese culture, pop culture, entertainment, fashion and artistry and so we allowed our interests to guide our adventure. We felt the high energy of Tokyo like electricity rushing through all of the lights. Such a sight to see was the co-existence of technology and nature, epitomized by bullet trains shooting through grassy countryside terrain or robots serving sushi on a platter. Our newfound spirituality encompassed us in the face of Gods like the summer heat swallowing us whole. Our frustrations although ignited, too, faded like smoke from an incense candle. Our sense of wonder stretched into the heavens and made the bamboo envious. The bond we built and the memories we made are something I could never forget. One of the most amazing lessons I’ve learnt is that love and kindness is a universal power. That sometimes sending out love can come back to you years and miles away later in hundredfolds of appreciation.
So now that our heads are lost in the clouds, let’s bring them back down by going through what we did on our lovely trip to Japan!
Marched the picturesque streets of Tokyo’s city cores including Akihabara, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, amazed at the multitudes of eye-catching signs and lights
And took our amazement to the sky atop the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Browsed and shopped around the stylish Harajuku
Tapped into our wildest dreams of fantasy and whimsy by going to Disneyland, The Ghibli Museum, and Sanrio Puroland!
Enjoyed our stay at a Ryokan in Kyoto where we rested comfortably in our yukata and ate a nutritious breakfast
Arrived at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto in the early morning to observe its symbolic Torii Gate structures and capture the essence of Shinto, The Way of the Gods
Took an educational tour of ancient Kyoto with visits to Nijo-jo Castle and Kinkakuji Temple before a pleasant walk through the seemingly proliferated Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Visited the highly venerated Osaka Temple
Combined craft and craving at the Cup Noodles Museum before wandering the busy beautiful streets of Osaka including Dotonbori
Salivated to and engulfed the many Japanese food staples to our heart’s delight which included ramen, takoyaki, mochi, donburi, dango, sushi and more!
And it would have been impossible to stop me from visiting everything and anything Pokemon especially the Pokemon Center on several ocassions
Oh, and thank you to the little animal friends we made along the way for seeing us on our lovely trip
To Paul and Kristine, thank you and love you both. To Nobu, I wish you the best, my friend.
Artemio Rimando 