5 Things We Have Learned This Week… #6

Another week, another batch of discoveries! From unexpected skills to the rich history behind Japan’s traditions, here are five things we’ve learned this week on our Fuji to Fiji journey.

1. “Taki” Means Waterfall in Japanese

Japan is home to some breathtaking waterfalls, and during our hikes, we kept seeing the word ‘taki’ on signs. At first, we thought it was just a name, but after using Google Translate, we realised it was repeating itself, something like “Minoh Waterfall Waterfall.” A quick bit of research later, we had our answer: “taki” simply means “waterfall” in Japanese.

Our first waterfall (and only… so far!) in Japan was Minoh-no-taki, a beautiful cascade near Osaka, and it set the tone for our love of waterfalls in Japan. They’ve always been my favourite natural scenery, so learning this small but meaningful bit of language felt special. Now, every time we spot a “taki” sign, it feels like we’re unlocking another tiny secret of Japan, one waterfall at a time.

2. Kobe Beef vs. Wagyu Beef – So What’s the Difference?

Before this trip, we honestly didn’t know what made Wagyu or Kobe special and had no idea they were very different. Wagyu simply means “Japanese beef” and refers to several breeds of high-quality cattle. Kobe beef, on the other hand, is a specific type of wagyu from the Tajima strain, raised in Hyogo Prefecture (where Kobe is the capital). It’s like the Rolls-Royce of beef - strictly regulated, melt-in-your-mouth, and absurdly expensive.

Kobe beef must come from purebred Tajima-gyu cattle, which are raised under strict conditions. The cows are fed a meticulously controlled diet, given plenty of space to roam, and even massaged to maintain their muscle quality. The result? Insanely high levels of marbling, which give Kobe beef its signature buttery texture and deep umami flavour.

We learned this firsthand in Kobe, where we treated ourselves to a small (but heavenly) serving. The marbling was unreal, and every bite felt like it was dissolving on our tongues. It’s one of those things you hear hyped up so much that you think it can’t possibly live up to expectations - until it does. We’ll probably never be able to justify another Kobe beef splurge, but we have no regrets about experiencing one of Japan’s most iconic delicacies in the place it was meant to be enjoyed.

3. The 1995 Kobe Earthquake: A City Rebuilt

Kobe is now a vibrant and modern city, but we were surprised to learn about its tragic past. On January 17, 1995, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake devastated the city, killing over 6,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The Great Hanshin Earthquake, as it’s known, was one of Japan’s deadliest natural disasters and left much of Kobe in ruins.

While we didn’t visit the museum, we spent time at the Earthquake Memorial Park at the port, where remnants of the old waterfront have been left exactly as they were in 1995. Broken concrete, twisted railings, and collapsed sections of the pier serve as a stark reminder of the destruction. Seeing it in person made the tragedy feel incredibly real.

And yet, Kobe’s recovery has been remarkable. The city has rebuilt itself into the lively, welcoming place we experienced. The resilience of its people was inspiring and it’s a reminder that even in the wake of disaster, communities find ways to rise again.

4. The Importance of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

We’ve always loved a good cup of tea, but we never realised how much history and significance is tied to the Japanese tea ceremony. Ash is a true tea lover, while I tend to lean more towards coffee, but we both found the experience fascinating. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, this practice dates to the 9th century and is all about mindfulness, simplicity, and hospitality.

We were lucky enough to have a private tea ceremony led by an elderly woman trained by a tea master. It felt like stepping into a meditative ritual rather than just drinking tea. Every movement was intentional - the way the tea was whisked, how the cup was turned before drinking, even the way we were seated. It’s a world away from chucking a teabag into a mug. The entire experience made us slow down and appreciate something as simple as tea in a way we never had before. We’ll talk more our experience in our Kyoto blog in a few weeks’ time.

5. The Art of Cutting Each Other’s Hair

If you’d told us a year ago that we’d be cutting each other’s hair on the road, we would have laughed. Yet, here we are experimenting with DIY haircuts, albeit cautiously. So far, we’ve tried a few times on me and once on Ash, and let’s just say it’s been an interesting learning curve.

No scissors have been involved, just clippers and a bit of guidance from our friend and barber back home, who has taught us a good few tricks over the years. The results? Not terrible, not perfect, but serviceable for life on the road. Surprisingly, this little thing has oddly brought us closer together. Despite all the travelling, it’s these moments that really stand out. There’s something oddly intimate and hilarious about trusting each other with something as simple (but potentially disastrous) as a haircut. At this rate, we might just be giving travel haircuts by the time we reach Fiji!

Looking back on this week, we’ve learned that some things like the history behind a tea ceremony or the resilience of a city can offer a new perspective on the world. Others, like understanding what makes Kobe beef special or learning a new Japanese word, make us feel more connected to the places we visit. And then there are the small, personal moments like cutting each other’s hair that remind us how much we’ve grown together on this journey. Who knows what we’ll discover next? If nothing else, we’ll at least be improving our haircutting skills. (Hopefully.)

Let us know in the comments if you discovered anything similar whilst visiting Japan?