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 Going to Japan has always been my dream. The glimpse of the Japanese culture I had attracted me so much, I didn’t really know why.

And last week, my dream comes true. I took advantage of the small holiday period I had before returning to France (I’m was studying for the semester in Singapore) to go to Japan for one small week, with a friend. Fortunately, I had a Japanese friend I met a while ago while traveling, and she was kind enough to make us discover Tokyo and its surroundings. Domo arigatoo Kaori!

Japan is a wonderful mix of traditional and modern culture. I was amazed at how the old ways of living are still common and present. For example, you could see businessmen and women in traditional kimono on the streets. And traditional houses along modern ones. Kabuki and Noh theaters along modern ones. Personnaly I am not a theater fan at all, but here I had the chance to see three different plays, a Kabuki one, a Noh one, and a modern one, and I loved them.

The religion is strong. The way of the Buddha is followed by Japanese people, and the multiples temples are often full, not like our churches. Japanese people are superstitious too. For example, I washed my money to bring me good luck! Wishes are written on wood blocks and hang on the temple, and we can have our fortune told. On a shrine, one shall throw a coin on a box before making a wish.

Food too is wonderful. Lots of new different tastes for me, some strange, some very good, some both (the green tea and purple potato ice cream was delicious!). Sushis of course, but it is far from the best. At the beginning I tried to remember the names, but I gave up! Ramens and udons (pasta and thick pasta on a soup) are pretty good!

I was lucky I came at a good time for the landscapes. At this time of the year, it is wonderful. Bright green, yellow, red all together, I have never seen that. I shot everywhere, I think I now have wallpapers for one good year.

Finally a funny thing : France and French is popular! While we can see some English on metros and some menus, French is definitely the cuisine and mode language. Look at this notice, it is the Lyon Bistro! (Lyon being my hometown in France)

During this week, I only stayed in Tokyo (in this hostel I definitely recommend) and to my surprise, one full week was still not enough for Tokyo. I will definitely come back to Japan in a few years, once I have some money!