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September 25, 2024
Kiyomizu Temple (Kyoto)
I am always curious how foreigners think of Japan and the Japanese culture. I know the good and not-so-good about Japan, but that's just my opinions. I had a chance to ask Lauren and Godshen what they thought of Japan. This was their first visit to Japan.
What did you think of Japan before going to Japan?
Lauren: I definitely had positive preconceptions about Japan before traveling there, both from pop culture (Studio Ghibli films and Haruki Murakami novels) and from taking a class about Japan in college. I thought Japan would be very safe, very orderly, and very modern. I was also expecting lots of beautiful scenery and historic shrines!
Godshen: Before the visit, Japan to me was rural landscapes out of Miyazaki's films, mixed with scenes from some anime and games that I have come across. I had pictured quiet shrines in the woods, relaxing onsens, and Japanese gardens. I thought about sushi, sake, other tasty food, and people wearing traditional attire like kimonos. I also imagined houses with sliding doors and the gentle clack of a hollow bamboo tube (I learned recently that this is called shishi-odoshi) in a backyard with cherry blossoms.
What was the number one thing that you wanted to do in Japan? Were you able to do it?
Lauren: Honestly, the number one thing I wanted to do was just experience some of the tiny little things of everyday life that make one country different from another- what do the plants look like? What are the houses, streets, grocery stores, and restaurants like? What are small interactions like?
I knew I wanted to visit some shrines, temples and other cultural sites, but didn’t have a set agenda for those because I wasn’t sure how much we would be able to see outside of the conference.
In this respect, I was definitely able to experience what I wanted. I loved seeing the vending machines everywhere (including some unique ones such as an animal macaron vending machine). I loved seeing the use of natural materials in restaurants, temples, and shrines in Kyoto. I loved the curvy, crooked shapes of the pine trees in contrast to our loblolly pines. I loved the tinyness and intimacy of many of the restaurants. I loved seeing the restaurant employees follow patrons out to say ‘thank you’ as they left.
Pine trees at Imperial Palace (Tokyo)
Fushimi Inari (Kyoto)
Godshen: The number one thing I wanted to experience (other than the ICE meeting:)) was the vibrant culture in Japan. One of the most memorable aspects was visiting Fushimi Inari with its tons of torii gates and the really old Kiyomizu-dera Temple, at its amazing hillside location. After our presentations, meeting with your friend and visiting Fushimi Inari in the evening was very enjoyable; with few people around, walking through the torii gates felt more tranquil and made for an unforgettable experience. The Sagano Scenic Train ride was also amazing, offering breathtaking views. At the end of the ride, we arrived at a rural area with rice fields and a hidden shrine, which added depth to the experience. Visiting Nijo Castle was also very illuminating; it was really awesome to learn more about the shogunate at the time. Another memorable experience was dining in a traditional Japanese setting. Sitting on tatami mats and having an awesome tofu meal along with other local delicacies was very fulfilling. We also had a very unique and enjoyable sushi experience, where the chef prepared each piece of sushi right in front of us - I loved it. The visit to Gion, the famous geisha district, and their museum provided great insights into the history and artistry of geishas. Although we did not see a geisha perform live, I felt that the videos and artistry displayed their dedication to the art, music, and unique dance forms. The Nishiki Market, which was busy with vendors selling different types of foods and crafts, was also very enjoyable and added to the cultural experience in Kyoto. As for the highlight of my trip, it is a tough call between the torii gates and the culinary delights.
How did you feel visiting Japan? What did you like about it? What didn't you like?
Lauren: It was truly amazing! The natural beauty of Japan is incredible (the trees! the moss-covered rocks! the mountains and hillsides!) and I really did feel like I was in a Miyazaki film in many places. The cultural sites in Kyoto and Tokyo were gorgeous, and the mixture and contrast of history and modernity is a really unique feature of Japan.
I loved so many things about my trip that it’s impossible to name them all, but here’s a few:
I loved that what you see is pretty much what you get: things (particularly food) really do look like how they are advertised.
Everything is really convenient. Public transportation is really easy to use (even if some of the bigger stations are labyrinths!). Convenience stores and vending machines abound, so I felt like I could just get up and go and trust that if I needed anything en route it would be available.
It really is very clean and safe. I have never been to better smelling subway stations!
The food was really fantastic!
The only thing I didn’t like (and this is such a minor and American thing to complain about) is that it is frowned upon to eat while on the go. It was hot and I would have enjoyed eating an ice cream while walking. I’m sure as a foreigner I could have done this, but I wanted to respect the cultural norms.
Godshen: Before the visit, I was a bit worried about my nonexistent Japanese language skills and hoped they would not pose too much of a challenge during the trip. However, the people were very polite and made me feel welcome and at ease. As I mentioned before, what I liked most was immersing myself in the culture. The food run was unforgettable - tofu dishes, fresh sushi, ramen, udon, sake, and even the onigiri at the konbini all added to the experience. I also felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to witness the tuna auction at the Tsukiji Fish Market. As for what I did not like - the hot and humid weather was a little bit of a challenge - it made some outdoor activities less comfortable, but it certainly did not overshadow the overall experience. After the first few days, I also came to enjoy the long walks around Kyoto and Tokyo.
What was the most enjoyable thing you did in Japan?
Tuna Auction
Lauren: There were lots of little moments that I loved, but here are my favorite activities (can’t choose just one!):
Walking the ten thousand torii gates at Fushimi inari shrine at dusk and walking back from the top of Mt. Inari guided by lanterns and moonlight.
Exploring the Arashiyama area: walking through the bamboo forest, enjoying the quiet of Nison-in temple, and taking the very scenic Sagano train.
Wandering through Nishiki market looking at the hundreds of stalls and enjoying some great tempura.
Eating sushi at the counter in front of the chef and watching the tuna auction at Toyosu fish market.
Godshen: Choosing the most enjoyable thing I did in Japan is incredibly difficult because each experience was unique and unforgettable in its own way. It is truly a tie between several highlights I noted before, but the serene torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine and our food get togethers were truly special.
Would you visit Japan again? If you visit, what would you do?
Lauren: Absolutely- I am planning to take my family there in fall 2026 and have already started to put together an itinerary!
I think we will start in Kyoto again and visit the cultural sites before heading up to Tokyo. I would definitely re-visit Fushimi Inari temple and spend a day visiting the Arashiyama area. I think I will also add in some day trips surrounding Kyoto, such as visiting Lake Biwa and Nara. I will be bringing my kids, so I think we will also plan trips to Disneyland Tokyo, Super Mario World, and the Studio Ghibli museum to keep them happy.
I hope to visit Japan many more times and see it in different seasons of the year! I might need to start learning some Japanese in earnest.
Godshen: Absolutely, I would love to visit Japan again, and this time I would like to share the experience with my family. If everything aligns, I see two trips happening in the future—one during the cherry blossom season and another in the fall. In addition to Kyoto and Tokyo, I would also love to explore Hokkaido and the northern regions. If we are able to secure tickets, exploring Studio Ghibli in Tokyo is certainly at the top of our list. I hope to take my kids to the Nintendo theme park near Osaka so they can immerse themselves in their favorite game worlds. While I have no illusions about climbing it, seeing Mount Fuji from a great vantage point is high on the list.
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