by Michelle
Trip you are going to take
In my heart, I have always wanted to go to Japan. Not just a few days, but two or three weeks at a stretch. This is so that I can enjoy myself fully in Japan, travelling as a free independent traveler and not as a backpacker. With this goal in mind, I am currently attending Japanese lessons and plan to work hard for about five years after graduation. Why five years after I start working? To have a successful trip without any translation mishaps and to bring my family along.
Firstly, I would love to attend the Seijin No Hi, the coming of age festival for young women. This festival is on the second Monday of January. It is for the young women who have reached the age of 20. It is to symbolize that the girls have become legal adults. On that day, the girls will wear their kimonos and visit a nearby shrine to pray for good health, success and money. Though by the time I have saved enough for the trip I would be overage, but it is still a dream of mine to dress in a beautiful black kimono and to visit the shrines to make my wishes.
I am a self confessed non-believer in shopping. Ask me to shop and I would tell you bluntly that I would rather stay in a bookstore for the entire duration. However I would definitely not miss out on the shopping belts in Tokyo, Ginza and Shinjuku area. There seems to be so many fun and exciting things to be seen and bought. My sister, who can be considered to be a fashionista can shop to her heart’s content. All my friends who have gone to Japan gush about the fantastic shopping which is guaranteed to turn any non-shopper to become a hard-core shopper in Japan with its leading fashion trend.
Besides shopping and festivals, food is also on my list! I love dango, which are a type of Japanese dessert made of rice flour. There are many varieties but the most popular ones are the Anko (red bean paste wrapped within the dango), Chadango (Green tea flavoured) and Bocchan Dango (three different coloured dango on a skewer). Secondly, I would really love to try the giant crabs in Hokkaido. Have you ever seen one of those crabs? They are really huge with long long legs!! The television shows have always said that the flesh is really sweet and yummy. I am so envious when the hosts gave out loud sighs of satisfaction. Other seafood specialties of Hokkaido are clams and scallops; of course, they are what I would like to try as well. Food is the best!
There are many attractions in Japan which I would love to experience too. For example: the ice hotel which can be found only during the winter, the capsule hotel and the family-run Ryokans in the sub urban areas. Japan is a traditional country with a rich culture. Personally, I feel that it is a must to stay at a Ryokan for a few days to get a taste of the life of a Japanese family. Otherwise, one cannot be considered to have gone to Japan at all.
Last but not least, Onsen! Onsen are hot springs which are prevalent in Japan. Japanese are known for their cleanliness and they love relaxing in the onsen as the hot water soothes away the stress of life. There are many different types of onsen in Japan. There are the newer types such as the wine onsen, tea onsen and also the more traditional kinds such as the outdoor onsen. I have tried one hot spring resort in China and till today, I have fond memories of the bubbling water on my skin and the excitement of frolicking in the different types of onsen.
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I like your original write-up, and I like the nuggets of information on food and events such as Seijn Ho. Never knew that was what it was called. While I like the beginning very much, I was hoping for a better conclusion, cos the wrie-up fees like it's hanging on air. Still, well done and good job!
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