A pretty picture in Pink
A trip to Japan is not just an expedition for the eyes and tastebuds, but also for your soul.
For me, travelling can best be described as a gateway through which one can widen one’s horizons. When it comes to leaving for a trip, the happiest moment is when I realise that the departure into unknown lands is just a little while away, something that will allow me to see that the world isn’t always what I’ve comprehended it to be. It is, in fact, a chance for one to explore the unexplored, and travel to the less travelled places. It breaks down habits, routines, monotony and brings adventure and enthusiasm in my life. Having had the desire to be a globetrotter since I was a teenager, I’ve yearned to connect with new cultures and places, and learn more about them and the people there.
And when the opportunity to travel to Japan came up, I definitely couldn’t give it up. For the country is nothing if not home to countless unique cultures and enthnicities, home-grown cuisines, world class cities, magnificent sites, and splendid natural panoramas. It has held a kind of pull for me as a travel destination for longer than I can remember. The first thing that hits you about the country is that it’s eventful all the time. And that’s something you learn to appreciate. The hustle and bustle, with so much happening in Japan, can get your pulse racing. However, in between all of this, the country also plays host to some of the most extraordinarily diverse landscapes, ranging from gigantic mountains and rolling hills, to flat farmlands and palm tree fringed beaches.
Like any seasoned traveller will tell you, springtime is easily the best to visit Japan, and that’s exactly when I took my chance. And it wasn’t anything less than a fairytale experience. If you’re a nature lover, scheduling visits around the Japanese cherry blossom should definitely be a part of your itinerary. Revered by people across the globe for its undeniable beauty and fragility, you will fall in love with the breathtaking views the trees make for. And Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has a lot of surprises up its sleeve with its beautiful green foliage and spaces. Popular must-visit places there are the Yoygi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Ueno Park.
I visited the Shinjuku Gyoen national garden, and it took my breath away. The iconic pink sakura had blanketed the entire area in soft, colourful splendour. And the serenity of the cherry blossom made me sit and stare, thinking about how overwhelmingly beautiful life is. Bathed in pastel pink light, with a blissful aroma and thousands of petals floating through the air, it was a magical time — soothing and wonderful. I came back thinking I had lost a little bit of myself to this scenic place. But Tokyo is more than just the pretty hues. There are a lot of layers to the city, with a plethora of bucketlist-worthy attractions to visit and things to do. As I felt both warmed up and overwhelmed at the same time with the sheer number of people — and migrants! — I charted out my next plan.
There aren’t a lot of places in the world that provide unusual and unruffled forms of views like Tokyo does. But here’s a city of many colourful facades — a mix of modern and traditional architecture. The Tokyo Tower, in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, which is the second tallest structure in Japan, is a must visit, thanks to the pleasing vista it offers to onlookers. Being the world’s tallest self-sufficient steel tower, it’s not just one of Tokyo’s most popular sightseeing attractions but also symbolises an international metropolitan. I was floored by the lights on the tower, which made it look breathtakingly glamorous in the night sky, adding a certain panache to the place.
But when you’re in Japan, you just cannot end your trip without a visit to Mount Fuji. It’s the country’s tallest peak, and considered to be one of Japan’s three sacred mountains. Besides the must-visit status, the clean, fresh and cool air, and the panoramic view that the hike up the mountain offers adds to the reasons why you should visit the place. Those fond of nature photography should ensure a full battery on their camera, because I assure you that you’ll be clicking pictures of the scenic view like there’s no tomorrow.
Through my travels in the Land of the Rising Sun, the courteousness of the Japanese folks was the icing on the cake. The locals were helpful and hospitable, and would bow down deep, with loud welcoming greetings of ‘Irasshaimase’ and ‘Arigato gozaimasu’. And if there’s one thing I’ve seen while travelling around the globe, it’s that warm folks often means you’ll find great food and good places to eat at. I wholeheartedly munched my way through Tokyo, enjoying delicious meals like the traditional washoku, a rice-based dish with miso soup. You just can’t say you’ve visited Japan without trying this age-old cuisine. I also tried seafood like sashimi and sushi, which made my taste buds roll in delight. Through my travels in Japan, I’ve started believing that the country is truly eternal. It’s a place where old traditions fuse with contemporary life, as if that’s the most natural thing in the whole world. It was one for the memory books.
— Evelyn is a Bollywood actress