Around Japan in Eight Days

There's always a first time for everything!! And although this was not my first time to visit Japan what made it really special was that this was the first time I travelled by myself along with my son. Japan is a destination like no other when travelling solo and experiencing this country through the perspective of my son who is 9 years old made it a trip that we will cherish forever.

Our eight-day visit to Japan included stops in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Along the way we had the pleasure of eating Japanese food to our heart's content and breathing in the true energy of 'The Land of the Rising Sun' The abundance of nature intertwined with its ornate temples whilst nestled in the chaotic streets of cities like Osaka and Tokyo made it a once in a lifetime experience.

Our first stop was Tokyo which included visits to Asakusa Temple and a day in Disneyland. At the temple, we witnessed the dedication of the Japanese people to their wonderful Kimonos and their offerings to this holy site. Around Asakusa, one could eat every snack under the sun such as prawn tempura, sushi, miso soup, chicken teriyaki and desserts like cherry blossom-flavoured cakes and mochis. It is clear that Japanese cuisine played an integral part in our trip!

Just a two-hour bullet train away was our next stop, Kyoto, the cultural hub of Japan. In this uniquely authentic city, we had the good fortune of renting kimonos for our visit to the Fushimi Inari temple. We then were taught the tea-making ceremony with the locally made matcha tea. Our next visits included Kinkakuji Temple and two-day trips to Nara and Arashiyama.

Nara is known for its deer park and Todaiji temple which has the largest Buddha bronze statue in Japan. Arashiyama on the other hand is popular for its Onsen Baths, Bamboo Grove Forest and the monkey park.

My 9-year-old son’s highlight was Universal Studios in Osaka which included activities linked to Harry Potter, Nintendo World and Jurassic World. This park had the most futuristic VR rides I have seen. If you like gaming and digital entertainment then this is your place.

Our final day was spent in Kawaramachi Market in Kyoto. This is known as the Geisha District and includes many shopping opportunities for traditional and modern items.

We boarded our return flight to Dubai reluctantly but happy with the memories we had experienced.

The highlight of our trip was the Tea Ceremony at Koto. Here we had the opportunity to delve into the culture and the Zen living. What I learned at the tea ceremony gave me a deeper understanding of the ways of Japanese people's lives. Every place that I visited and every person I interacted with in Japan reflected the energy of calmness and the simplicity that I had experienced in the Tea Room during the Tea Ceremony.

What seemed like a daunting idea at the planning stage of this trip to travel by myself along with my son actually turned out to be a truly magical journey of new experiences, self-discovery and adventure. Sayonara and see you soon!