I first went to Japan while on a holiday with my friends during the spring cherry blossom season. We travelled along the golden route, wandering among the tranquil bamboo forest of Arashiyama, being chased by the cheeky deer in Nara, and sampling piping-hot Takoyaki from street vendors. During these travels, I absolutely fell in love with the country, and upon returning home, I decided that I wanted to live there.
In 2018, I joined the JET Programme and began teaching English in the snowy northern countryside of Akita prefecture. I ended up staying there for five years, taking every opportunity to explore the lesser-known areas slightly off the beaten track, participating in local festivals and deepening my understanding of the language and culture.
After returning to the UK, I’ve joined Audley Travel as a Japan travel specialist. Using my knowledge and experience of Japan, I hope to craft the perfect itinerary for you that will make you fall in love with Japan as much as I did.
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Q&A with Caitlin
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
Abura soba is a noodle dish similar to ramen, but instead of broth, the noodles are flavoured from a special blend of oils and sauces. The dish usually comes served with toppings such as raw garlic, egg, bamboo shoots, seaweed and chashu (braised pork belly). At first glance, the broth-less dish may look quite dry, but the flavourful oil is hidden beneath the noodles. After adding any additional sauces, you might want (such as vinegar or chilli), you take your chopsticks and stir the dish thoroughly, coating the noodles in mouth-watering flavour that will have you coming back for more.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
On a warm summer evening, I stood on Kanto Odori Street in the centre of Akita city, alongside many other excited onlookers. Various performing groups, carrying over 250 kanto poles (lantern poles) lined up on the street in front of us. The sounds of taiko drums beating and wooden flutes trilling filled the air, as onlookers started chanting “dokkoisho dokkoisho” (similar to ‘heave ho!’). After a signal, the performers began to hoist up their lantern poles, balancing them on their hips, hands, and foreheads. The sight of the lanterns and the incredible atmosphere filled me with awe and wonder and is a memory I’ll never forget.
Where would you love to travel next?
I’d love to travel to Iceland next. My favourite movie of all time, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,’ introduced me to the country, and I’ve been wanting to go there to see the incredible scenery ever since.