We took the plane at 1 am Singapore time and reached Osaka, Japan around 8 am Japan time. The moment we landed, I was already so fascinated by the country. The scenery was beautiful and I didn’t know that Japan’s airport is built on man-made land. Once we checked out of the airport, I got to feel the chilly air of Osaka. I loved the country already at that point. We took the bus to Uji City to have a bento lunch! It was my first time having a full-course Japanese meal with all the traditional food and setting. I tried my best to finish my food haha. Then, we visited Kanbayashi to have a Tea Ceremony Experience. Despite the short amount of time we spent there, I learned many things about tea making and the health benefits of drinking Matcha. Following that, we visited Kiyomizudera! I was so excited about this as I have always wanted to get an Omikuji. Omikuji are random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. After taking in the beautiful scenery at the Kiyo temple, we explored the Gion area which is one of Japan’s Geisha districts. We ended our day at a ryokan and enjoyed a Kaiseki dinner! Before going to sleep, I visited the onsen with my two friends. It was my first time visiting a Japanese onsen. I felt awkward at first but soon after became comfortable. Since I was the IC in charge of the group that day, I was allowed to choose how long to stay in each place before visiting the next attraction. I also had to make sure that everyone was always present and do frequent headcounts. Truthfully, I had shortcomings. There were times when I was too immersed in exploring the area which led me to not put so much thought into making sure that no one will be lost or confused about where to gather. However, I reflected on my actions and have since tried to be more attentive towards the group and make sure that I am more responsible.

   I started the day by waking up early and enjoying the fresh, chilly air of Kyoto. We then had a traditional Japanese breakfast before heading off to our first stop, Otabe Main Confectionary. I learned how to make Kyoto’s traditional dessert, Otabe, and brought some back to Singapore as well. Then, we headed to Omihachiman Brotherhood Senior High School for the school exchange. I was so excited to meet my friend, Miku! When we reached the school, we were warmly greeted by our Japanese counterparts. After which, the opening ceremony began and our Japanese friends presented to us with a Koto recital. We proceeded to carry out our presentation and dance performance. Following that, our Japanese friends showed us around the school and also presented us with a traditional Japanese archery performance. I was intrigued! After that, students were allowed to go back home with their host families. My friend and I met Miku and her mother. They brought us to our very first attraction, La Collina. I’ve always wanted to visit La Collina since 2022 as the scenery there looks like the ones in Studio Ghibli animes. We bought some Baumkuchen before heading for Aeon Mall to take some pictures (PuriKura). We had sushi for dinner and then headed for Miku’s grandparents’ house. Miku’s grandparents are farmers and they stay in a traditional Japanese house also known as Minka. I was so amazed and I couldn’t believe that I would have the opportunity to see a Minka in real life as I had only seen them in anime! Miku’s grandparents were very welcoming and her grandmother was so sweet. She gave me and my friend, Ee Ting, some Ocha. We performed a traditional Japanese ritual after that for good luck! Following that, we went home and enjoyed the Baumkuchen we bought. Miku, Ee Ting, and I decided to indulge in some skincare before we slept. We talked about the differences between education in Singapore and Japan as well. To end off the day, we made TikToks together in the living room until all three of us were knocked out hahaha.

   I was so excited for day 3!! We woke up at 7 am and I'm not kidding when I say the whole house was freezing. Miku, Ee Ting, and I kept shivering whilst savouring the breakfast Miku’s mom made. I love Japanese breakfasts! We had rice, soup, carrots, fruits, and mashed potato which Miku made. All the food made at home is made from the harvest by Miku’s grandparents. We left at 8 am for the train to Kyoto and once we arrived, we immediately headed towards the kimono rental shop. We picked out our preferred kimonos and donned them before getting a free hair styling session. After which, we headed towards Fushimi Inari shrine, also known as the White Fox’s Shrine. We walked around the temple and then looked for food. We had the famous 10 yen cheese bread and some white fox wagashi! Then, we headed back to the rental shop to change back into our normal clothes before heading to Nishiki Market. We ate and shopped at Nishiki Market! I bought a Snoopy taiyaki and some takoyaki. We also got Tanghulu and visited Animate, an anime shop. I was so mesmerised the moment I entered Animate. It was as if I was in Heaven. Thereafter, we visited an Otter cafe and played with them. We had raw beef for dinner and ended our day at Kamo River!

   Today is family day! Miku’s mom was so considerate and kind, she prepared a smaller portion for breakfast because Ee Ting and I had difficulties finishing the food fast the previous day. Breakfast was delicious, as usual. We had onigiri, eggs, veggies, fruits, and soup! Then, we headed for Nara as a family! We had so much fun feeding the deer there and walking around Todaiji, which is the temple homing the largest Buddha statue in Japan. I was so amazed by the insides of the temple and I got the chance to get some Omikujis as well. After that, we went to get the famous mochi in Nara called Nakatanidou! They make THE SOFTEST mochi ever and I devoured it. We also got cute Strawberry Daifukus with a deer cookie on top! Following that, we went home to make Okonomiyaki and Yakisoba for dinner! It felt as if I was a part of the Kurita family as I cooked together with them. Although I was away from my home country, the Kuritas made me feel at home. We enjoyed dinner and ate till we were knocked out hahaha. Then, we decided to go on a hike at Eigenji. We went up the mountain and were able to savour such picturesque scenery. Eigenji offered a beautiful view of Autumn leaves with 4 different colours in one frame. It was also very cold, with temperatures reaching close to 0°C. Following that, we went to Miku’s favourite outdoor onsen and spent the time enjoying the cold breeze whilst being in the hot water. Miku, Ee Ting, and I talked a lot and shared stories of our personal experiences. I didn’t want that moment to end. Finally, we headed home around 11 pm and immediately went to sleep as we had to wake up at 6.30 am the next day. 

   The day I've been dreading. The day I had to say goodbye to Miku. I was very sad, even from the moment I woke up. I jolted out of bed at 6 am and just sat on the bed, staring out the window for 30 minutes, wondering why time had to fly so fast. I didn’t want to get out of the room and change, because that would mean that I was going to have to leave the Kuritas’ home, and I wouldn’t get to see Miku anymore. I felt so empty and got ready as slowly as I could. We took one of our last pictures outside of Miku’s home and I already felt like bawling. It had only been 3 days, but the memories and experiences I gained while being with the Kuritas were invaluable. I had learned so much from them, from how things go about in Japanese homes to learning more about the Kuritas themselves. They’re such a loving family and I can tell how deeply they cared for me and Ee Ting just from the way they talk to us. They weren’t awkward at all and constantly made sure that Ee Ting and I would always feel at home. From giving us heat packs to even heat tech shirts to keep us warm. I felt so loved and I truly respect their Omotenashi culture. Once we reached the school, Miku delivered the farewell speech and we parted ways. We promised each other to keep in contact and meet again after my A Levels. I took the bus with the rest of my schoolmates and we headed for Gamagori Orange Park to pluck some oranges. Then, we took the Shinkansen to Atami and checked into our hotel for the night. 

   We woke up early and headed for the famous Nagoya Castle. I walked around the castle with my friend, Jamie, and read up on the different histories of artifacts displayed. Then we went to the Kamaboko factory and had a workshop on making two types of fishcakes. I learned something new and I was quite happy with how my fishcakes turned out. We had lunch at the restaurant next to the factory and it was delicious. Then, we headed for the Miso factory and had a tour of the factory. We enjoyed some miso delicacies before heading for Shibuya. I was so excited for Shibuya because of the famous crossing!! When we arrived, my friend Jamie and I went to L'occitane Cafe to do our reflection. We were seated facing the big crossing and it was such a breathtaking view of busy Tokyo. After we were done with our reflection, we went out and walked around the area. We looked for ABC Mart but didn’t end up getting anything hahaha. Around 5 pm, we headed to Sensoji temple and there, I was able to find the famous Candy Apples sold in Japan. Jamie and I bought one cup each and let me tell you, it was delish !! We walked around the temple area and bumped into our fellow teachers. Then we helped them to look for Daifuku haha. Following that, we checked into the hotel in Tokyo and went out for dinner at a buffet nearby. My friends and I devoured 20 plates of beef and pork. I also had 21 salmon sushis… my sushi cravings for the next few years have been fulfilled. We ended off the day doing reflections in the hotel and I think one section of it was memorable for me. It was a question on our roommates. I think when my teacher posed that question, it made me reflect and think about all the things I'm thankful for my roommate, Jamie. We were never friends before the trip but a mutual friend introduced us to each other. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to get to know Jamie because of how I sometimes see myself in her. She was someone that I was able to be goofy and silly around. I didn’t have to worry about being judged or having to fake my personality in front of her. She was one of the reasons why I enjoyed the Japan trip and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know her!

   The last day of the trip has come. I was quite sad since the trip would be over soon. Well anyway, we headed to the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Tokyo! We learned about the importance of Singapore’s relationship with Japan and why we should cherish such ties regarding its political importance. We were also given a tour of the embassy and it was so beautiful. After that, we headed off to Miraikan, a science museum. I wandered around the different levels of the museum with Jamie and managed to learn new things about Global Warming and iPS Cells which I have learned in H2 Biology! I bought some souvenirs, including food that astronauts eat in space! Then, we went to TeamLab Planets Tokyo! It was such a fun experience being there as my friends and I got lost in the maze multiple times hahaha. However, after getting more familiar with the route, Jamie and I entered the exhibition a second time and decided to finish walking through all the zones in the shortest time possible; we called it The Amazing Race. It’s kind of funny now that I think back about it hahaha. Finally, we went to Odaiba to enjoy our last few hours in Japan! Jamie and I decided not to have dinner as we wanted to spend our remaining time venturing the area. So, we walked around Odaiba as well as looked for ABC Mart to buy Jamie’s shoes. We stumbled upon our tour guide, Mr.Sunny, and had a short chat with him before continuing our small adventure around Odaiba. Jamie and I also took pictures in a photobooth; something that I will keep and cherish. We did our final shopping before heading back to the meeting point to head for the airport. Once we checked in, we bought a few more souvenirs such as the Tokyo Banana and the milk cookies before boarding the plane. I was filled with a mixture of emotions, both happy and sad. It has been such a memorable trip and I was downhearted as it was over. Then again, there will still be many chances for me to visit Miku and Japan again in the future!