I started my journey from
Thailand early in the morning
and enjoyed a nice meal at the
airport lounge before
departure.
When I arrived in
Japan, the airport was bustling
with incoming passengers-
many were students on school
trips and families traveling
together.
After going through the arrival
process, we headed to our
hotel. Since this was our first
trip to Japan, we decided to
take a taxi from the airport to
our accommodation, even
though the fare was quite
expensive-around 20,000
yen. For those traveling light, I
would recommend taking the
train instead, as it's a much
more economical option.
We chose to stay in the
Shinsaibashi area, which is a
lively and convenient spot to
explore the city.
And that's when the
excitement of experiencing
Japan's subway system began.
The network is incredibly vast,
with so many different lines
connecting every corner of the
city.
The ticket system is also
fascinating.
I can't help but admire the
brilliant minds behind such a
well-designed system; it truly
is impressive.
One thing I really love about
Japan's subway stations is that
every station has clean and
convenient restrooms available
for public use. However, you'll
notice that trash bins are quite
rare. It's common practice in
Japan to take your trash with
you, so I'd recommend
finishing your food and
disposing of any waste at the
restaurant before you leave. It
seems to be part of the
Japanese culture not to eat
while walking, I find very
respectful and thoughtful.
The first destination we chose
to visit was Osaka Castle. The
weather was perfect that day-
fresh and clear after the rain.
Cherry blossoms were in full
bloom, painting the park in
shades of soft pink. The area
was filled with both tourists
and locals enjoying the
beautiful spring atmosphere.
Many Japanese families and
friends were having picnics
under the cherry trees, while
others were cycling or walking
their dogs around the park. It
was such a peaceful and joyful
scene.
Even though it was only
our first day in Japan, I already
felt that my trip had been a
success, Seeing this view was
exactly what I had been
dreaming of.
As I walked deeper into the
park, I stopped to take a photo
of the stunning view of Osaka
Castle.
The castle was
surrounded by a tranquil moat,
with tall pine trees standing
proudly in the background and
delicate cherry petals falling
softly along the water's edge. It
was such a breathtaking,
dreamlike moment - one that I
will remember forever.
The cherry blossoms in the
park came in many different
varieties - some trees stood
tall and graceful, while others
spread their branches widely,
creating soft pink canopies
over the paths. Scattered
among them were tiny purple
wildflowers, gently carpeting
the ground and adding a lovely
contrast to the scene.
At the entrance of the park,
there were beautifully arranged
flower beds filled with vibrant
colors, perfectly designed for
visitors to take photos.
Each section was carefully
maintained, creating a cheerful
and welcoming atmosphere.
Our first meal in Japan was
unagi don - grilled eel served
over rice. The flavor was fairly
good, though I would say it
tasted about average for a dish
at a popular tourist spot. Still, it
felt special to enjoy our very
first Japanese meal while
surrounded by such a lovely
view.
After that, we took the subway
back to the area near our hotel.
We spent some time strolling
around, looking for something
nice to eat, and simply enjoyed
the evening atmosphere before
heading back to rest. It was a
pleasant way to end our first
day in Japan.
On our second day, we took
the train to visit the famous
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
One of the things I truly admire
about Japan's railway system
is how well-connected it is -
you can easily travel between
cities and attractions without
having to walk long distances.
However, navigating the
transfers between different
lines can be a little confusing at
first.
Here are some moments
from our journey to the shrine.
When we arrived, we were
greeted by a sea of visitors.
Many people were dressed in
beautiful traditional Japanese
attire, taking photos around the
area. As we crossed the railway
tracks and approached the
market in front of the shrine,
we could already see the iconic
red torii gates standing tall and
majestic, welcoming travelers
from around the world.
And here is the serene and
spiritual atmosphere inside the
shrine itself.
On our way back, we stopped
by the famous Gion district in
Kyoto - the historical area
known for its traditional
wooden houses and geisha
culture.
Many of the old
buildings here have been
converted into shops and
restaurants, yet the charm of
old Japan still remains
beautifully preserved.
Behind the area we visited,
there was a quiet riverside near
the Yamato-bashi Bridge,
where clear water gently
flowed through the canal.
Fallen cherry blossom petals
drifted along the surface,
creating a peaceful and
refreshing scene. The water
was so clear that it almost
made me want to step down
and walk along the edge.
Just before reaching the
bridge, there was also a lovely
tunnel of cherry blossoms,
forming a perfect spot for
photos. It was truly a
breathtaking sight - calm,
romantic, and uniquely Kyoto.
On our second night in Japan,
we went out to explore the
lively Dotonbori area. The
streets were glowing with neon
lights, filled with the sound of
laughter and the aroma of
delicious street food. One of
the highlights there was Don
Quijote, a famous shopping
spot where you can even take
a Ferris wheel ride to enjoy a
panoramic view of Osaka at
night.
Along the Dotonbori River, we
saw rows of vibrant buildings,
restaurants, and river cruises
gliding gracefully through the
water. The atmosphere was
electric yet charming - a
perfect blend of modern
energy and local culture.
The next morning greeted us
with chilly weather and a light
drizzle. We decided to visit
Tennoji Zoo, taking the
subway to get there. On the
way, we passed through a lively
shopping street lined with cozy
restaurants and cafes,
perfect for grabbing a warm
bite before meeting the
adorable animals at the zoo.
To my delight, I found several
cherry blossom trees
blooming beautifully around
the zoo. I honestly don't know
why I'm so captivated by
sakura even though I had
already seen so many during
this trip. Perhaps it's the soft
pink color and the way the
petals gently dance in the wind
that makes them so
enchanting. Each one feels
special in its own way.
After leaving the zoo, we
stopped for a satisfying meal
of okonomiyaki, Japanese-
style savory pancakes with
vegetables, paired with an
ice-cold glass of beer. It was
the perfect comfort food to
end the afternoon before we
made our way back to Umeda,
exploring the modern Grand
Front Osaka area near Osaka
Station.
On the third day, we visited
Sakuranomiya Park, one of
Osaka's most beautiful cherry
blossom spots.
The park was
peaceful and not too crowded,
perhaps because the rain had
just stopped and some petals
had already started to fall. The
scene was magical with rows of
cherry blossom trees forming a
soft pink tunnel, each variety
displaying its own charm.
By the riverside, we watched
sightseeing boats from the
Aqua Liner cruising slowly
under the blossoms, while
others were practicing jet
skiing or playing beach
volleyball nearby. Families
strolled together, children
laughed, and locals enjoyed
their weekend outdoors. The
area felt warm and welcoming
a true slice of everyday
Osaka life.
I even found a
small bakery that served the
most delicious pastries, the
perfect sweet ending to
another wonderful day.
A Peaceful Farewell
Our Day in Nara
The final destination of our trip
to Japan was Nara, the
charming "city of deer." We
took the train from Osaka and
arrived to find the town as calm
and welcoming as I had
imagined.
As we walked
through the park, we spent
some time feeding the friendly
deer that freely roam around
the area. They're such gentle and
curious creatures that have
become the true symbol of
Nara.
From there, we made our way
to the magnificent Todaiji
Temple, home to one of the
largest wooden buildings in the
world. Standing before this
grand temple, I couldn't help
but feel amazed at how people
over 1,200 years ago
managed to build such a
massive structure entirely out
of wood. It's no wonder that
travelers from all over the world
come here to witness its
beauty and historical
significance.
On our walk back toward the
train station, we stopped by a
few small shrines along the
way.
Each one peaceful and full
of character. It was a lovely
way to end our journey slow,
reflective, and deeply
memorable.
This trip has been truly
meaningful to me. I was able to
see the cherry blossoms I
adore in full bloom, experience
Japan's culture and kindness
firsthand, and admire the
everyday beauty of this
country, from people riding
their bicycles to those quietly
helping keep public spaces
clean. Japan is such a
thoughtful and graceful place,
one that everyone should visit
at least once in their lifetime.
Until next time, Japan.
Thank you for the wonderful memories.