In November 2012, I had the absolute privilege of visiting Japan through the Estravel agent fam trip1 with a lovely group of fellow agents — one of those educational journeys that perfectly merge work and wonder. I couldn’t quite believe it at first — me? In Japan? I was so thrilled that it took days for my brain to catch up — every time I remembered I was going to Japan, I’d break into a silent internal happy dance.
I thought I was simply going to gather hotel notes, transport details, and practical travel info — but instead I brought back a suitcase stuffed with impressions, memories, and moments that still sparkle in my mind even thirteen years later.
Tokyo
Tokyo was my grand introduction to Japanese culture in full force—speedy, sparklingly efficient, and yet wonderfully kind. I loved the serene hush of the subway (even when packed!), the irresistible convenience-store treats that quickly became my daily snack mission, and the comforting softness of every interaction. And as a travel agent at the time, I was absolutely captivated by how effortlessly everything worked: helpful English signage just when you needed it, easy-to-follow transit, and service that felt genuinely warm—like people truly wanted you to enjoy being there.
One of my favorite memories from Tokyo was strolling through Nakamise-dōri in Asakusa. It’s like stepping into a cheerful marketplace suspended between history and modern life. On each side of this walkway, traditional shops offer snacks, sweets, handcrafted souvenirs, and tiny treasures you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. We continued through the grounds of the Sensō-ji Temple complex, exploring the spacious courtyard filled with incense, visitors, and gentle temple vibes. The shift from lively street market to peaceful open space felt delightful, like Tokyo was showing me two different smiles at once.
Next stop – East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen) – the manicured lawns, traditional landscaping with footbridges, and the contrast of modern skyscrapers rising behind the treeline. We absolutely loved exploring the peaceful green retreat right in the heart of Tokyo. One moment we were surrounded by sleek skyscrapers, and the next we were wandering along quiet pathways, over little bridges, and past carefully shaped bushes and ponds.
Harajuku was like stepping straight into Tokyo’s fun, youthful heartbeat! We wandered down Takeshita Street surrounded by candy-colored shops, bold fashion statements, and the kind of creative outfits that made people-watching an absolute joy. Even just strolling, snacking, and browsing felt like a mini adventure — full of energy, color, and style. It was impossible not to grin as we soaked in all that pop-culture cheerfulness.
When the sun went down, Tokyo somehow became even more alive. We strolled through shimmering neon streets, where every corner looked like a movie scene — glowing signs, laughing groups of friends, and an endless buzz of excitement. The night markets were a delight: little food stalls, sizzling aromas, and tasty bites I happily sampled one after another. It felt like the city had opened up a playful nighttime world where everything sparkled, and every step was part of the fun.
Osaka
Taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka was an adventure in itself. I’ve always loved train travel, but this ride was something else — smooth, speedy, and unbelievably comfortable, like train travel upgraded to a whole new level. I loved watching the landscapes blur past as we zipped across the country at incredible speed. And then suddenly: Osaka! A vibrant, bold, and deliciously energetic city that greeted us with bright lights, friendly vibes, and an instant spark of excitement. It felt like Tokyo’s fun-loving cousin — equally lively, but with its own flavor of joyful chaos.
Kyoto
From Osaka, it took only about an hour to reach Kyoto — and almost immediately we were greeted by one of the most breathtaking sights: the Golden Pavilion. Seeing Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) wrapped in brilliant autumn colors, perfectly mirrored in the still pond, felt like walking into a painting. The gold leaf shimmered, the gardens glowed with gentle serenity, and the whole scene had this fairy-tale elegance that made me pause and just soak it in. It was Kyoto at its most magical.
Our next stop in Kyoto was Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its winding tunnels of orange torii gates — such a fun place to walk and explore. But the real surprise was stumbling into the Shichi-Go-San celebration – a traditional celebration for children aged 3, 5, and 7! Families arrived dressed in elegant kimono and hakama, and the young kids looking like little living dolls from a storybook — tiny traditional outfits, shy smiles, proud parents, the whole heart-melting package. I kept thinking, look at these cute kids! The festive spirit mixed with the beauty of the shrine made the whole experience feel extra cheerful and charming. It was one of those travel moments where you feel lucky just to be present and observe.
Visiting the Gion district felt like walking straight into the world of Memoirs of a Geisha — have you seen it? It’s one of my all-time favorite movies. The narrow lanes, traditional wooden facades, and softly glowing lanterns gave everything this elegant, cinematic aura. And then I started seeing girls dressed in full geisha-style attire — hairpins, makeup, the works — and for a split second, I almost believed they were real geisha or maiko gliding by! It was Kyoto at its most elegant and timeless — a living scene from the film that has always captivated my imagination.
And then — just to clearly remind me that Kyoto isn’t only its temples and traditions — I had the view from my hotel window. Sleek buildings, busy streets, glowing lights, and a completely modern city stretching out in every direction. It was such a fun contrast: by day I wandered through ancient shrines and historic districts, and by evening I was looking out over contemporary Kyoto buzzing with life.
Our final stop on this whirlwind 5-day journey was the grand and majestic Kiyomizu-dera Temple — the perfect crescendo to our Japan adventure. The sweeping wooden stage overlooking the city felt absolutely epic, and the brilliant Sanjū-no-tō (Three-Story Pagoda) added a splash of iconic red against the autumn colors. I remember standing there, taking it all in — the panorama of Kyoto, the temple’s timeless architecture, and the cheerful energy of other visitors — thinking: what an unforgettable finale to an incredible trip.
Be sure to browse my Kyoto travel guide for my favorite places, tips, and personal recommendations.
Sushi
And of course — authentic Japanese sushi! Because truly — when in Japan, you have to eat authentic sushi! I happily embraced the experience: delicate nigiri that melted in the mouth, ultra-fresh sashimi, and even a fun conveyor-belt sushi session that brought tiny plates of happiness rolling right to me. There’s just something magical about sushi in Japan — simple, pure, and made with such care that every bite feels like a tiny celebration.
Trains
I absolutely adored the bullet train — it made hopping between cities so incredibly smooth and convenient, like Japan had perfected travel down to an art form. On our way to Osaka, we even got a wonderful glimpse of Mt. Fuji sitting proudly against the sky — one of those “wow, I’m really in Japan!” moments. And navigating the subway brought its own small victories: I still remember how proud we were when we bought subway tickets from the machine all by ourselves, without the help of our guide – deciphering buttons, navigating the fare map, and triumphantly getting the tiny paper tickets. We also discovered the “women only” subway cars, which at first surprised us, but once we understood the purpose, we happily used them and enjoyed the extra comfort. “Women only” subway cars in Japan are designated to provide a safer and more comfortable space for women, especially during rush hours. They’re meant to reduce the risk of unwanted contact or harassment in extremely crowded trains and to offer peace of mind for female passengers in busy urban transit.
Little moments, big joy!
Happy traveling!
- A quick note — this was a “fam trip,” meaning a fun familiarization tour for travel agents so we could experience Japan firsthand and later rave about it to our clients! ↩︎