Being half-Japanese I have vacationed in Japan many times to visit my family and friends. My grandparents live just north of Tokyo in Tsukuba (Ibaraki Prefecture), known for its university and Space Centre, and my aunt lives in east Osaka, close to the mountains. I feel a deep connection to the country but I always felt like I didn’t know enough growing up.
Since then, I have made it my mission to explore areas that I haven’t seen before, try regional foods that my Ojii-san (grandad) doesn’t know how to cook, and experience seasons outside of the summer vacation. From Tokyo, I journeyed to the Japanese Alps in Nagano for relaxing and nature-filled views, and was delighted to walk around different historical Geisha districts in Kanazawa and Kyoto.
As I visited the spiritual Koya-san, I gained a true emotional connection to Japan and a stronger yearning to see more as each part offers something so diverse and beautiful, which everyone should experience.
Q&A with Lucie
What's your most vivid travel moment?
I'd just arrived in Hiroshima and the first thing on my list was to see the Hiroshima Peace Park & Memorial. I made my way over, not knowing of the sudden rain that was coming and when I arrived at the Children’s Peace Monument, it started to pour down. The sombre weather impacted my experience intensely. I sought shelter and took this moment to slow down and stare at the thousands and thousands of paper origami cranes that were encased here. A random person asked to pray to bring peace and health to me, surrounded by the rain and cranes, it was truly a soul-healing moment.
Where would you love to travel next?
I would love to do a road-trip around the Kyushu Island in the south of Japan. To be surrounded by dramatic and vast nature, massive waterfalls, plenty of freshwater rivers and close to the ocean. There is many regional foods that I want to try fried white flounder, raw squid and even horse meat, along with their versions of ramen, udon and katsu curry of course.
Your best piece of travel advice?
When you’re traveling around Japan visiting multiple different cities, definitely take advantage of the luggage transfer service most hotels offer. As most people take large luggage, sometimes multiple cases, it can get quite tricky to carry these through busy stations. Japan offers a fairly inexpensive way to deliver your suitcases, normally arriving the following day, meaning you only need to carry an overnight bag on your journey.