5 Things We Have Learned This Week… #3
We are three weeks into our journey across Japan, and it’s been a whirlwind. This week alone, we’ve bounced from countryside to city and back again, chasing new experiences at every turn. One minute we’re trudging through the snowy streets in Nagano, the next we’re sipping coffee in Tokyo, pretending we’ve got life all figured out. The truth is, the longer we’re here, the more we realise that even two months won’t be nearly enough time to experience everything Japan has to offer.
Here are five things we’ve picked up this week:
1. Yukata: Casual Comfort Meets Tradition
During our stay at our ryokan (you’ll hear all about it in this week’s blog!), we were introduced to the ‘yukata’. It’s a casual, lightweight version of a kimono that’s both stylish and ridiculously comfortable. It’s the kind of outfit that makes you want to lie down on a tatami mat and never get up. At first, we weren’t entirely sure how to wear it properly (the sash gave us flashbacks to awkward attempts at tying ties when we were younger), but after some trial and error (and a lot of Googling), we finally got it right.
Apparently, we nailed it because the ryokan staff even complimented us. Wandering around in a yukata made us feel like we were blending in with the slower pace of traditional Japan though we may have taken that mindset a little too seriously when we found ourselves lounging around for the rest of the day!
2. Kirin Isn’t Just Beer
Before this week, Kirin was just a beer brand to us, a very good beer, but that’s beside the point. What we didn’t know is that Kirin is also a fascinating creature from Japanese mythology. Often described as a dragon-like beast with deer-like hooves and a flowing mane, the Kirin is a symbol of peace and prosperity. It’s said to only appear in times of peace or to mark the birth of a great leader.
In some stories, it’s a gentle creature that walks on water or steps so lightly that it doesn’t disturb a blade of grass. In others, it’s a fearsome guardian of justice, capable of punishing the wicked. Basically, it’s part benevolent protector, part mythological powerhouse.
Once we learned this, we started seeing Kirin imagery everywhere, on temple carvings, in traditional art, and even in souvenir shops. It’s a reminder of how deeply mythology is woven into everyday life in Japan, popping up in places you’d least expect.
See how many you can spot below!
3. It’s Na-ga-no, Not Nah-gano
Sometimes the smallest things are the most satisfying to get right. This week, we learned how to properly pronounce Nagano: it’s Na-GA-no, with the emphasis on the middle syllable. Every time we hear it now, we feel a tiny sense of smug satisfaction.
p.s. channeling our inner Hermione Granger here (IYKYK!)
4. Embracing Slow Travel and Changing Plans on the Go
We love a good itinerary, dates and times popped in a spreadsheet, colour-coded, and weeks’ full of ambitious plans. But Japan has a funny way of throwing surprises at you and has reminded us that we need to go with the flow. Heavy snowfall in Nagano forced us to hit pause and rethink our day. This rare moment felt like a gift and it one of those moments that forced us to reflect that this year isn’t about rushing around anymore to see this thing or that thing. We have no schedule, we don’t have to get up and go to work and that we need to remember that we’re on our own time now. We don’t need to cram everything into every minute. Slower travel makes space for spontaneity, and honestly, we’re starting to prefer it.
5. You Can’t See Everything and That’s Okay
When we told people we’d be spending two months in Japan, their reaction was usually somewhere between “Wow, that’s a long time” and “What will you even do for two months?” Well, now we’re three weeks in and wondering if two years would even be enough.
Every town, every prefecture has something unique to offer. For every temple we visit, there are five more we pass by. For every hidden alley we explore, there’s another we won’t have time for. At first, this felt overwhelming. We wanted to experience everything. But we’ve realised that travel isn’t about ticking off every box. It’s about the moments we do have and the places that leave a lasting impression.
We’ll miss things, and that’s okay. It just gives us more reasons to come back.
So, now three weeks in, and Japan continues to surprise us every day. We’ve got no idea what week four will bring, but we’re pretty sure it’ll involve more unexpected adventures, probably more snow and to expect the unexpected!
Have you experienced any of these during your time in Japan or whilst travelling? Let us know in the comments what surprised or inspired you the most!
