The first time I went to Japan, I knew there was something about the environment that spoke to depths of my soul.

My entire time there, there was a nagging sense deep inside me that was sure of one thing: I’ll be back. I don’t know when, I don’t know how, I don’t know how long, but I’ll come back and get to know not only the popular spots of the country that everyone is familiar with, but the lesser known parts that more deeply connected with me.

As fate would have it, my organization introduced a sabbatical benefit the next year, and after thinking through if I wanted to spread my time across Asia or stay in one country, Japan was an easy choice. It was easy to travel, I always knew I’d come back (albeit much sooner than I expected), and learning the language won’t be extraordinarily difficult. 

Wow, what a journey. I couldn’t have imagined a better experience.

Sometimes, when dreams come true, they’re even better than what you’ve always envisioned. 

Japan isn’t just the shrines in Kyoto or the bars in Tokyo- the most special bits are actually out in its towns or nature spots that most foreigners don’t go to. It’s a truly special experience, to learn what it feels like to dance with the clouds, laugh with the snow, sing with the waterfall, swim with the fog, and feel the sun smile at you for days on end.

Of course, as life is, my journey wasn’t 100% clouds and rainbows. I was followed and approached by creeps in train stations more times than I should share, my plans in Kyushu were cancelled by a raging Typhoon, I got injured during my hike at Kumano Kodo, and missed a few trains here and there due to getting lost.

But it’s worth it. It’s so worth it, to stand in the center of Tateyama and feel be so taken in with the beauty that you almost forget to breathe; to gaze at Nachisan’s waterfall and feel your heart dance to its bustling waters; to breathe in the volcano at Jigokudani and have your body be enchanted by its warm passion; to stroll along the calm waters of Ine-cho and see your soul be comfortable with quiet contentment. 

I might be back home now, but my soul has stayed behind overseas. It’s probably taking in the sparkly blue waters at Shirogane Aoi-ike right now.

So, like last time, I’ll be back, Japan. I do need to visit the soul that stayed behind with you.

また近いうちにね.

Featured locations: Nachisan, Takayama, Fukui, Ine, Fujiyoshida, Biei, Ouchi-juku, Kifune, Tomonoura, Shirakawa-go, Miyajima, Onomichi, Yunomine Onsen, Tateyama, Noboribetsu, Otaru, Hakone, Tokyo, Kumano Kodo, Ashikaga, Hida Furukawa, Tsumago-juku, Magome-juku, Amanoshidate, Kurashiki, Kinosaki, Oyama, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Nara, Osaka, Nagoya, Toyama, Kurobe, Matsumoto, Niigata, Aizu-wakamatsu, Hakodate, Sapporo, Asahikawa, Furano.