![]() ![]() What a combo!ĭespite the dense, gleaming cities, imposing industrial districts, never-ending shipping harbours, and thousands of miles of rail lines, Japan is also a haven for nature and the outdoors. This is a country where you relive the past while experiencing the best of the present. I remember admiring the pattern of the yukata (kimono-like robe) I was wearing and imagining what I must’ve looked like as a samurai at the same time that I was savouring the taste of the incredibly-marbled Hida Beef (like Kobe or Wagyu beef) I had for dinner, and listening to the hotel bartender explain that the local Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky would be one of the best whiskies I’d ever tasted. It’s a neat feeling experiencing how Japan’s tradition combines with the best of the present day. A blend of Tokyo’s traditional and modern A blend of Tokyo’s traditional and modern attire Japanese beef, denim, whisky, and beer all rank among the best in the world, and that’s not even mentioning electronics, cosmetics, appliances, cameras, computers, and cars. For instance, although you soon realize the country is firmly rooted in tradition and certain ways of doing things, they haven’t let their traditionalism hold them back from innovation and improving on anything they set their minds to. This is a country that embraced globalism long ago, but still awes you with the strength and uniqueness of its own culture the Japanese have little-to-no fear of erasing their past and identity in the face of the global world, which is a legitimate concern for other countries that have opened their doors too quickly to foreign influence and tourism. However, the subway systems and train lines in Japan are not that hard to navigate and once you’ve got the swing of things, you’ll be amazed at how polite the workers and passengers are, how clean and well maintained the system is, and how incredible the shopping and food options are in all the stations, from the large centres in Tokyo and Kyoto to the little platforms elsewhere. For comparison, the entire New York subway carries about five and a half million passengers daily. For example, the three busiest train stations in the world are all in Tokyo and see over three million travellers daily, each. On a trip to Japan, you’ll visit train stations that have over three million commuters calmly pass through each day, including the single Zen monk meditating to the sound of a small bell. ![]() You won’t find people honking their horns, yelling at each other, or raging at the world around them the way commuters do in North America. Japan is commonly described as a land of contrasts, a country steeped in tradition and spirituality that simultaneously boasts cutting-edge technological advancements, dense populations, and huge crowds where people can peacefully co-exist. If you’ve been considering a trip to Japan, I recommend doing some research, but I also cannot emphasize enough how planning my trip in cahoots with a Destination Specialist allowed me to deep dive into the culture, innovation, tradition, and hospitality of the country, knowing that each subsequent day would be just as fulfilling as the first – and minus the jetlag! A warm and friendly welcome ![]() It delivered on all my expectations as a seasoned Globetrotter, but also left me bewildered, unable to easily sum up the totality of my experience in the country. At least, this is how I felt on my first visit. ![]() Japan has the capacity to simultaneously overwhelm and welcome a foreign visitor. The doors shut and a recorded voice spoke softly in Japanese, saying something that I interpreted as a kind of “thank you.” I was definitely in Japan. Current year is highlighted.Bleary eyed from my red-eye flight and a little crinkled from travel, I robotically entered my hotel elevator, turned to face the closing doors, and spotted the impeccably-polite front desk manager and his bellhop seven metres behind him bow low towards me in unison. Dates are based on the Gregorian calendar. Showing: Solstices & Equinoxes for Odesa Year Business Date to Date (exclude holidays). ![]()
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