Japan had been on my bucket-list for ages. We had even finalised a trip to the country back in the spring of 2011 which unfortunately did not materialise due to the devastating tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis. With the Singapore government issuing a travel advisory for their citizens and residents to avoid all travel to Japan, we had no choice but to cancel all our bookings and swallow our feelings of deep disappointment.
So, when a golden opportunity came my way last year, I was determined to make the most of it. I already had a well-researched and detailed Japan itinerary from 2011, and while I had to make a few adjustments to accommodate my elderly parents and young children this time, it proved quite useful.
I'm capturing my experiences on this holiday in this blog post because some memories are simply too precious to go unrecorded. I hope that whenever my children revisit these recollections, they spark the same joy and nostalgia in them as they do in me.
Japan: Spring 2024
Tokyo: The City That Never Sleeps
Our Japan adventure began in Tokyo, and what better way to get a bird’s-eye view of this buzzing metropolis than from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office? The South Tower observation deck offers spectacular nighttime skyline views.
The reason we specifically booked our trip to Japan in spring (April) was the real highlight of our trip so once in the country, we didn't waste any time getting to it.
Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. The cherry blossom, or "sakura" symbolises the arrival of spring, new beginnings, and the fleeting nature of life, which is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.
It isn't just the Japanese, but tourists from around the world flock to Japan to appreciate the beauty of the blossoms during their short blooming period which emphasises the impermanence of beauty and the importance of cherishing the present moment.
Next, we plunged right back into Tokyo’s energy at Takeshita Street in Harajuku. This place is a sensory overload in the best way - sweets, snacks, colorful fashion, and kawaii madness everywhere. If you ever go, try the rainbow candy floss from Totti Candy Factory or the colorful cheese toast from Rainbow Sweets.
No trip to Tokyo is complete without experiencing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. It gives you a snapshot of urban life in Tokyo. Photos don’t do this place justice. I'd say that you need to capture the organised chaos on a time-lapse (which I did!).
Right next to it, the Hachiko statue was a sentimental stop. I had told my dog-lover daughters the story of this loyal Akita, and seeing the statue in person made it even more meaningful.
Chasing Sakura and Exploring Old Tokyo
Another popular cherry blossom spot in Tokyo is Chidorigafuchi, a lush 700-meter walkway along the Imperial Palace moat and the lovely Kitanomaru Park. It was raining while while we were there but we still managed to soak in the beauty of the place (pun intended).
From there, we headed to Akihabara, a haven for anime lovers and tech geeks. Think seven-story buildings packed with the latest gadgets, vending machines spitting out plushies of every character imaginable, and cosplay enthusiasts everywhere.
An impromptu visit to a cat cafe too place while we were there. Our thrilled girls got a chance to play with, pet and feed some exotic-looking cats. It was a parenting win in our books!
We wrapped up our day with a visit to Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple, the city’s oldest temple. The street leading up to it is lined with fantastic souvenir stalls.
Yes, I got myself a jumbo melon pan—because when in Japan, you never miss any opportunity to try all the fabulous sweets and snacks.
A Lucky Day at Mt. Fuji
One of the most anticipated parts of our trip was our day trip to Mt. Fuji, Japan’s iconic active volcano. Unlike the rest of our trip which was completely self-planned, we booked a guided tour to the Fuji Five Lakes region, with Lake Kawaguchi-ko as our main stop.
The visibility of Mt. Fuji, isn’t as good in spring and summer as it is in autumn and winter months. In a year, it is supposedly clearly visible only on an average of a hundred days. The peak of Fuji acts as a magnet for clouds. And given the gloomy-cloudy weather in and around Tokyo since the past several weeks and the severe gale and rain the previous morning, I felt the odds of seeing the sacred mountain were stacked against us. But lo and behold! clear skies and gloriously sunny weather greeted us.
We also happened to be sitting on the side of the train that treated us to an early preview of Fuji-san in all her glory.
Oishi Park offered a surreal lakeside Fuji view. Various flowers bloom on the promenade along the lakeside according to the season which is a visual treat.
And of course, we had to indulge in the sweetest fresh ruby red strawberries and sakura soft serve while there.
Also Fuji apples - because, let’s be real, it isn't every day one visits Japan!
We also made the climb to the iconic Chureito Pagoda, which is hands down one of the most photogenic spots in Japan. A five-story pagoda framed by cherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji in the background—it looked straight out of a postcard.
Our last stop was Oshino Hakkai, famous for its crystal-clear ponds fed by Mt. Fuji’s melted snow. I’ll be honest, this was my least favorite spot of the day trip. It was overcrowded, overhyped and the famous Fuji spring water wasn’t as sweet as I imagined (our very own Kauvery water wins hands-down!).
Getting back to Tokyo, one district that I wasn't going to miss out on was glittery Ginza. Ginza is Japan’s most upscale shopping district. It reminded me of a more high-end Orchard road in Singapore.
We did some window shopping and had dinner at Ginza that night.
From Tokyo to Kyoto: The Shinkansen Experience
The next leg of our journey took us to Kyoto, and we hopped on the Shinkansen (bullet train) - a bucket-list experience in itself.
Kyoto: Timeless Charm and Beauty
Kyoto is Japan's ancient capital city known for its culture, architecture, shrines and gardens.
Our first stop in Kyoto was the Fushimi Inari Shrine, home to the famous thousands of vermillion torii gates. Even though we visited in the evening, it was still packed. But here’s a tip - keep walking. The higher you go, the fewer people you’ll see, and the better the photo ops. I kept thinking how magical it would be to visit at sunrise.
While in Kyoto, we checked into a Japanese ryokan. This is a traditional Japanese inn that offers a cultural experience. They are known for their tatami floors, futon mattresses, Japanese slippers, yukatas, hot springs or tubs, traditional cuisine and Japanese hospitality and service.
Even though compact and traditional, it still had all the modern amenities that most hotels offered. There was a hot tub on the topmost floor which my twins and mom made full use of. The futons were surprisingly comfy too!
There was more to come in Kyoto but before that, we had an important day trip lined up ahead of us.
Hiroshima: A Lesson in History
My husband and I knew that our trip to Japan would be incomplete without taking our children to Hiroshima. Visiting Hiroshima is an unmissable experience not only because of its sober history and the lessons one can learn there but also because unlike the temples, gardens and bustling metropolis that all other Japanese cities offer, Hiroshima gives visitors something unique that no other place does.
To take you back in time, at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, an American B29 bomber carried out the world’s first atomic bombing on Hiroshima. The bomb named “Little Boy”, created a wave of heat that momentarily reached 3,000-4,000 degrees centigrade on the ground. Winds of up to 440 metres per second roared through the entire city. Within half an hour, almost every building within a two-kilometre radius of the hypocenter was in flames. About 90% of the city’s 76,000 buildings were partially or totally incinerated or reduced to rubble.
The bomb exploded approximately 600 meters above the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, ripping through and igniting the building, instantly killing everyone in it. Since the blast struck from almost directly above, some of the central walls remained standing, leaving enough of the building and iron frame to be recognisable as a dome.
After the war, these dramatic remains came to be known as the A-bomb Dome. It was the only building near the hypocentre that withstood the bomb and and hence it has been retained and restored twice with generous public funding. It stands as a grim reminder of the horrors of nuclear war.
We crossed the nearby Motoyasu-bashi Bridge across the Motoyasu-gawa River and entered the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
On a lighter note, when in Japan, one must not refuse a Hokkaido milk soft serve.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park houses the Memorial Cenotaph, Pond of Peace, Peace Flame, Children’s Peace Monument and the Peace Memorial Museum. The park is not only peaceful but beautiful, thought-provoking and informative as well.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a must-visit place while visiting Japan and I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to do so with my family. Some of the most powerful history lessons aren’t found in textbooks - they exist in the places that bear witness to the past. We took more than an hour to read and take in all the sobering exhibits and victim testimonies. Coming out of the museum will leave you deeply moved and praying for world peace.
It is inspiring how Hiroshima has emerged from the shadow of its traumatic past into a vibrant, beautiful and thriving city.
Kyoto: The Cultural Heart of Japan
Our return to Kyoto was filled with anticipation, as there was still so much left to explore.
We began our day in Arashiyama, a district known for its scenic beauty and cultural landmarks.
Our first stop was the Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning gardens and traditional architecture. From there, we ventured into the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, taking our time to soak in its enchanting atmosphere as we meandered through the towering pale green stalks.
Nearby, we tackled the uphill trek to the Arashiyama Monkey Park—a 20-30 minute climb that, while slightly strenuous, was well worth it. At the summit, we enjoyed breathtaking panoramic views of Kyoto and had the unique experience of feeding the friendly (and surprisingly well-behaved) monkeys.
There is beauty everywhere in Japan. Don't you agree?
I'll tell you something else that is everywhere. Those delectable Japanese snacks!
The best part of our Kyoto itinerary was Kiyomizudera Temple, an iconic site renowned for its grand wooden terrace and historic significance.
The views from Okunoin Hall were simply spectacular. This was one of the highlights of Kyoto for me.
The adventure-seekers can explore Tainai-Meguri, an intriguing underground chamber shrouded in complete darkness.
To end our day, we took a relaxed stroll along the charming slopes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, soaking in the traditional Kyoto ambiance.
Let me take the opportunity to share with you that the plum wine that I tried for the first time in Kyoto, blew my mind. Highly recommended!
Nara: The Land of Bowing Deer
The destination our children were most excited about was Nara, home to historic temples, sacred shrines, and its famous free-roaming deer.
At Todaiji Temple, we stood in awe before Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statue, a magnificent sight housed within one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Next, we visited Kasuga Shrine, a revered Shinto shrine dating back to 768 AD, which has been rebuilt multiple times over the centuries.
Just outside these landmarks, Nara Park is home to around 1,000 tame deer, considered sacred messengers of the Shinto gods. Local vendors were selling special rice crackers to feed the deer which we eagerly bought. To our delight, the deer politely bowed before accepting them - an utterly charming and indelible moment, not just for the children but for all of us 😊
And for a fun, quirky treat? Deer-shaped ice cream - only in Nara folks!
We returned to Tokyo and then with a heavy-heart prepared to say Sayonara to Japan.
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| Stunning spring blooms in Japan |
Japan: My Musings and Takeaways:
- Japan is a country that should be ideally explored by foot. Even with senior citizens and children below ten years in the picture, we did a whole lot of walking, a minimum of ~12 km (18K) steps every day. Some days it was 25K steps or more.
- Japan has become increasingly crowded as a tourist destination in recent years. In 2024, Japan had a record-breaking 36,869,900 international visitors. I suggest you visit the most popular tourist traps as early in the morning as is feasible for you.
- The public transport is excellent. We were amazed at how timely and well-organized everything functioned. Remember: you cannot be late in Japan! That said, some of the subway stations (like Shinjuku station) are so befuddling that you may have a real hard time figuring out where you need to go. But we found the Japanese people helpful and despite the language barrier, stepped in a few times to guide us when we were left scratching our heads. And as I mentioned earlier, the bullet trains were amazing. I can’t believe the distances we covered in the short amount of time we were there. In my opinion, the JR Pass is worth it if you have planned to travel around the country a fair bit.
- I always knew that the country was safe and immaculate but when you go there, you realise to what extent. Even with the hordes of tourists, especially during the cherry blossom season in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, they still manage to maintain cleanliness everywhere. The hotel rooms, restaurants, taxis were spotless. To me, even the water flowing through the drainage canals in Japan looked clean!
- Despite being high tech, Japan is a very cash-oriented society, so it is handy to keep cash and change on hand. I noticed that even while making reservations, a phone call is the preferred mode of communication rather than online bookings.
- I was surprised by a few things like the lack of public trash bins. I found it mildly amusing (and a tad irksome) to carry a trash bag wherever we'd go and then head back to the hotel at the end of the day or to train stations or convenience stores/konbinis in between to dispose of it.
- There are rows of vending machines everywhere. And not just for snacks and beverages folks 😆
- Public toilets are next-level with heated seats, a range of bidet functions, and even heated bathroom mirrors in hotels. I did not quite expect to miss the Japanese toilets after returning home!
- I was also bemused to see Japanese dress in mostly neutral colors - black, browns, tans, beige and whites. I must admit feeling a bit self-conscious on many occasions walking around like a human rainbow. And don't let me get started on the suits. Men and women in black everywhere. Even school children in uniforms looked stiffly formal.
- I'm not sure if it was from a lack of looking hard enough, but I literally did not see one overweight local. Not ONE. Besides their remarkable diet, it must be from all the walking they do.
- The sweets and snacks in Japan were the best I have had anywhere in the world. Whether it was candied strawberries or grapes, tornado potato, steamed corn on the cob, grilled mushrooms, long fries, sweet potato fries, innumerable variations of mochi, Japanese cheesecake and mind-boggling varieties of biscuits, there is always something available. And I can't stop raving about the bread and sandwiches! I have never tasted such soft, fluffy bread anywhere else in my entire life. The dairy products and the fruits were top-notch too. I felt like a kid in a candy store in Japanese supermarkets and konbinis. And I must say that this travel experience sets new baking goals for me and I am determined to make omelettes the Japanese way going forward.
- Here are some items and souvenirs that I recommend you buy from Japan - Japanese cosmetics, make up sponges and brushes, stationery (think cards, sticky notes, stickers, notebooks, pens), electronics, sneakers from Onitsuka Tiger, useful kitchen items at stores like DAISO, Japanese kitchen knives, umbrella, nail cutters, Japanese Cheesecake, speciality KitKat, pokki sticks, sakura mochi, Tokyo Banana, cookies from Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, Tokyo Honey Sugar Butter Cookies, Press Butter Sand, Pista & Tokyo, Sake, Kyoto plum wine, Sensu folding fans, chopsticks, Anime and Manga souvenirs, Daruma Wish Dolls, Starbucks special cherry blossom edition merchandise and Japan fridge magnets.
To conclude, Japan is truly a one-of-a-kind destination in the world. It is ultra modern yet traditional; highly urbanised yet filled with awe-inspiring nature; the locals are inherently quiet except when enthusiastically slurping noodles, yet they embody respect, honesty, and an admirable sense of civic responsibility.
From fast-paced Tokyo to the stunning landscapes and captivating legends of Mt. Fuji to quaint and charming Kyoto to vibrant Hiroshima with its harrowing past and Nara with its unique culture and friendly deer, this was an enjoyable, enriching and unforgettable trip that just scratched the surface of this multifaceted country.
Arigato gozaimasu Japan 🙏
I hope to return to visit Hokkaido and Okinawa someday! ❤️
This was just a slice of my Japan experience, and there is so much more for me to share on this space. Writing this piece has reminded me why I love blogging in the first place, and while I may not be able to revert back to my usual pace just yet, I’m still motivated about sharing my life and food adventures with you.
So tell me - have you visited Japan during cherry blossom season? Or is it on your travel bucket list? Let’s chat in the comments! 🌸 💬
Megha
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