From Tourist to Purist: My First Trip to Japan
So this trip to Japan? This was my first real travel experience—a journey I could actually remember, reflect on, and share.
The Flight: 13 Hours of Anticipation
Flying out from the UK, I braced myself for the 13-hour haul. If you’ve ever done long-haul before, you know it’s not exactly a joyride.
I didn’t sleep. At all.
Instead, I stared out the window, watching the European mountain ranges glide by under the plane. Somehow, exhaustion took a backseat—I was running on pure excitement.
As the sun began to rise and the captain announced our descent, I felt a burst of energy. I hadn’t slept a minute, but I was more alive than ever. With Google Maps in hand, I tackled the Tokyo transit system and made it to my hotel without a hitch.
Touchdown in Tokyo
Before checking in, I stopped at a 7-Eleven for my first meal: a crustless egg sandwich wrapped in packaging so sleek it reminded me of unboxing an Apple product. Then I checked into the APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower—30th floor, unreal view.
Tried to shower off the jet lag. Failed. Crashed at 6 p.m. like a toddler. Woke up at 4 a.m., still pitch-black outside but ready to go. My Japanese toilet added a twist to the morning routine, and with the rising sun came the start of something big.
Day 1: Parks, Swords, and Pokémon
I kept things simple for the first day. Former Yasuda Garden, right next to my hotel, was the logical first stop. Serene, sunlit, peaceful.
Inside the park was the Japanese Sword Museum—a quiet, minimal experience. No music. No interactive displays. Just swords in glass and the soft sound of footsteps on polished floors. Dull? Maybe. But also kind of peaceful.
Next stop: Taito City—Tokyo’s nerd paradise. Think anime, tech, trading cards. I spent most of the day vintage Pokémon card hunting (2006–2009 era). That addiction? Still strong. That Yen? Spent quickly.
Food Spotlight: McShrimp Magic
Dinner?
Golden arches. Yes, McDonald’s Japan.
And let me tell you: the Shrimp Filet-O is GOATED.
BRING THAT SH*T TO THE UK.
Tokyo, Art, and a Bookstore Like No Other
The rest of my Tokyo experience was a mix of gallery visits, a trip up the Skytree, and some business-related activities. But the standout? A bookstore.
Okuramae Shobō, a delightfully crammed antique bookshop in Asakusabashi. No photos allowed. Just you, the books, and the moment. I used Google Translate to chat with the owner while ducking and squeezing through stacks of old books. It felt like a cave—chaotic but curated.
I walked away with four Edo-period sketchbook reproductions for ¥10,000. As I left, the owner chased me down to hand me a red-printed cloth. A small gesture, but meaningful. Freebies like that? Rare in the UK.
Meeting the Master: David Bull of Mokuhankan
I also visited Mokuhankan, a studio/store dedicated to woodblock printing. There, I met David Bull—a master of the craft.
I told him I wanted to start making and selling my own prints. He chuckled, put his hand on my face, and gave me a look that said: “You’ve got no idea what you’re in for.” Or something among those lines, and I never claim to quote people with 100% accuracy.
He handed me resources, classes, tool guides. I bought a print to take home as a reference. When I returned the day before flying back to say thanks, he was off in Fukui Prefecture visiting Iwano-san, a papermaker and living national treasure. That’s the kind of work I’d love to do one day.
Beyond Tokyo: Saitama & The Peace Museum
Tokyo was great, but I wanted more. So I headed north to Saitama Prefecture for a solo day trip. Fewer tourists, more depth.
The highlight was the Peace Museum of Saitama. No English signage, which oddly made it feel more authentic. I saw raw, emotional displays of the devastation Japan suffered during WWII—including models of air raid shelters and schools affected by the bombings.
In a world still wrestling with war and division, the visit hit hard.
Rural Japan: Mt. Fuji and Narusawa
My most anticipated day had arrived: Mt. Fuji day.
Up at 4 a.m., I caught a coach to the countryside. The drive alone was stunning—lush green mountains, small Edo-era villages, and Fuji peeking out behind the landscape like a shy celebrity.
In Narusawa, I rented a bike and set off. Riding through rural Japan, Fuji towering in the background, music blasting in my headphones—it felt like bliss. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET! and maybe don't wear headphones...
I stumbled upon the Narusawa Mt. Fuji Museum, which was informative, if a bit dry. But the experience of biking around that area? Pure magic. I’m planning to do a full 360-degree ride around Mt. Fuji next time I go back.
Final Reflections
On my last day, it all hit me.
This trip wasn’t just a holiday—it was a shift. From tourist to something more. Japan showed me how much more there is to explore, to learn, to respect. And how much I still don’t know.
If you ever get the chance, visit rural Japan.
New memories await.
New people to meet.
New sides of yourself to discover.
International travel isn’t just about escape—it’s about connection.
Thanks for reading.
Daniel