I often have Japan on my mind. Not only for the beauty, but also for the amazingly kind and helpful people. My children had told me about it, but I still was overwhelmed.
I loved the streets in our area in Tokyo and Nara. Empty or crowded, morning or evening, the special light and people hurrying by on bicycles. It made me remember our first visits to China – thousands of bicycles in those days (1989)!
The Japanese are very disciplined, queueing patiently for their turn. If you look lost, within a minute, someone is there to help you. Smiling and good humoured. We were very grateful, because it was impossible to find the way with no street names… Our first day here, a truck driver even parked his car and accompanied us all the way to our hotel.
That first day, we went to Tokyo Sky Tree, as we wanted to see Tokyo by night from above. I have posted on it earlier – an experience to be recommended.
But, when we tried to find our way back through the darkening streets (they still had no visible names ), we realised we were lost.
And there was noone out in the street to ask. The shops were closed, so no chance there either. My husband is usually good at walking in the most probable direction…but not this time.
We kept walking, rather tired now, when I saw this shop – a must have photo. Strangely enough it cheered us up!
That is just another wonder with Japan – you don’t have to be afraid of empty streets or dark places. Not at all. A taxi would not have been wrong though, for tired legs.
We finally came across a biking man who could direct us towards Asakusa, where we lived. We realised we were kilometers away from our hotel. And hungry. It was one of those sooo good moments to be back in our own street!
Lost again? No, the bamboo forest is like an uplit highway through the grass – for it is a grass – that is fast-growing and very versatile. From bowls to knickers! I guess all of us have got something made of bamboo in our homes. And it is such a beautiful plant too with its marked stems and thin leaves. I hope not all of these were planted the same year, because bamboo dies when it has flowered. And it only flowers once.
More of Japan will pop up over time – it is one of the most special places I have ever visited.
Leya 
I enjoyed your post. Beautiful pictures, and I remember Japan as you described it.
Thank tyou so much!
Beautiful photos of Japan, AC! So glad you made it. We love to see Japan in Fall. 🙂 🙂
Yes!
WOW…so pretty. What an adventure. A college classmate just returned from Japan with her mother (who is Japanese).
Thank you! Then you will have good guidance if you want to go!
What a beautiful tour and taste of your experience in Japan. It looks like a wonderful place to visit.
Thank you – I wish I were younger so I could go again!
I share your fascination with this beautiful country and am always happy to revisiting through your lovely images and thoughts. And I’m wearing bamboo socks as I write this, in California!
Well, I guess most people who have been there love it! And yes, I have socks too – and knickers…
Dear Ann-Christine,
We enjoyed your story and the accompanying pictures. We have a friend who has lived in Japan for years and he really enjoyed his time there. He always mentions how friendly the people are.
Klausbernd loves wearing bamboo socks because of their fancy designs – but unfortunately, they are prone to getting holes.
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I understand your friend who lived in Japan. I too have socks..and more…but haven’t noticed holes yet!
Wow, those bamboos would reached the skies! what an amazing trip you´ve had.
I´ve had a fair share with Japanese culture, never been yet to Japan but I´ve worked for a decade in a Japanese company and i know their rightful mind on cleanliness, orderliness and punctuality. They are diligent people and somehow It is rather easy to learn Nihongo than German.
Can´t wait to visit this country soon.
Ah, You say it is rather easy to learn? I haven’t tried. My daughter is learning Chinese, and she says it is not that easy.
Lovely post, A C, and what an experience. Love the appropriate lost in Japan sign! But my favourite images are those of the bamboo forest….the height of the bamboo! I have bamboo socks….
Haha, yes, I have a bowl, socks and knickers!
I would certainly agree with your comments about Japan and the Japanese
♥ Thank you, Sheree! I think it would be difficult not to love them.
You seem to feel for Japan as I feel for South Korea. Our own trip was in 2017, but is still fresh in my mind. And almost everything to say, especially about the helpfulness, the safety, the discipline of the local population brings our visit back into my mind’s eye.
Good – good memories should often be brought back! South Korea seems lovely!
It truly is. And un-touristy.
That is a major point.
👍
Japan stays forever in memory. I visited in 2010 and it seems like yesterday
Such wonderful memories you shared. The photos are beautiful.
Thank you so much, Japan is beautiful, but it is hard to portray the way it deserves.
What a wonderful place to get lost in! I’m glad you found your way back and had fun doing it. Wonderful images Ann-Christine!
Thank you, Anne. I have many precious and fun memories from Japan. I guess they will pop up now and then.
😍
This was a wonderful wander about Ann-Christine. I even felt lost with you 🥰
Well, thank you – and thank goodness we were found again!
😀❤️
Your excellent photos bring back wonderful memories of my past visits to Japan, Ann-Christine. I can’t blame you for thinking about it on a Thursday— or any day at all! Really fantastic place and people. Thanks for sharing, and I don’t think anybody would mind more of it popping up over time.
Thank you for a lovely comment, Nes! So we share the same feelings about Japan.
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