Am I alone in thinking bucket lists are overrated? Maybe!
But cynicism with bucket lists ends in Japan. Yes, I have a secret Bucket list (not
so secret now) that has ‘Visit Japan’ written in neon lit up like Shibuya
crossing! If you don’t what Shibuya crossing is, you have come to the right
place. Here I will tell you all the things I would love to do when I set foot
on the Japanese soil! Hajimemashou?
The minute you land in Tokyo, it is meant baffle you; tackle
you to the ground and break your ideas of humanity! I would like to keep this
for the last or at least a little further down my list. First, I would like to
see a giant who has been looming in my mind for long. Known to the locals as
Fuji-san and Mt. Fuji to us!
The view from afar is said to captivate your senses. I will take
to Fuji-san so we can understand the insignificance of worldly struggles, just
as an astronomer awes at space. Lake Kawaguchiko is said to sustain the best
view of the dormant giant. Though there are four other lakes which have decent
views, this Onsen town is the most developed and picturesque.
After basking in the brilliance of the snow topped Fuji, I
would like some hustle bustle to wake me from the stupor. I am going to be
taking you to Shinsaibashi and Dōtonbori in Osaka.
There is a saying that goes like, “Dress till you drop in
Kyoto and Eat till you drop in Osaka”. You will come to understand that when you
set inside Shinsaibashi and Dōtonbori. My suggestion is that we head to
Shinsaibashi first, as it aisles and aisles of designer and luxury lined up.
Take your shopping or window shopping game to the next level in these streets. When
the sun sets we will make our way to Dotonbori. The streets are full of
takoyaki(fried octopus dough ball), okonomiyaki(Fried pancakes) and
Kushikatsu(Fried food on a stick) vendors. Get your authentic bowl Ramen
(whoever is thinking Ichiraku Ramen, Dattebayo!)
To finish off this evening, take a boat ride on the canal
and melt into your experience of an authentic Japanese night.
Next up on the itinerary is Hayakawa-cho. In everyone’s life
at one point in time, we decide to live in a quiet mountain surrounded town. This
is where your dreams will come true, well momentarily so. Hayakawa is a town in
Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is well known for its hot
springs, view of its peaks. The town very sparsely populated and ready to be
explored by lost souls like us. Perfect hide-out if you want to escape the
mainstream and disappear into the steaming onsens. Find your place in this
complicated existence and get ready for the rest of your life. 😊
Let’s pace things a little bit! Here comes the city known for
its vibrancy. Tokyo, an Otaku’s dream and any human’s trippy dream! Times
square maybe a tourist’s moment of wonder but Shibuya crossing is a neon
wonderland on its own. This is a city of surprises; a city where the old values
and new ethics coexist in perfect harmony. Tokyo is an easy destination for shopping
(not easy on the pocket for the careless though). A pop culture heaven, head to
Akhibara if you are an anime freak, maid cafes and anime stores will welcome
with open arms. Roam around the city in your pace, make sure you have a pass
for the trains. The taxis within the city is famously known to be costly.
Tokyo is a city of various lifestyles. In this fast-paced
dream that is Tokyo you will understand that humans, whatever the lifestyle,
however they dress are humans that’s it. What makes us special in this infinite
existence is our power of choices and human nature of choosing happiness. So,
choose this experience, choose Japan.
