A Trip to Tokyo: Part 4

Tuesday was my last day in Tokyo and I really didn’t want to leave! For breakfast, we had rice with dried seaweed, rice crackers, and water. We also had spinach with bonito flakes and soy sauce, and soup. I legitimately love Japanese food. I strongly prefer it to Korean food. It’s very mild in comparison (I don’t like spicy food) and there are a lot more vegetables!

After, we went to the train station to get an express ticket to the airport. Then, Eri’s dad drove us to an art studio to make traditional kiriko glass. We each picked a piece of glass to work with and the artist provided us with an adhesive template of a cherry blossom pattern. We both chose solid blue sake glasses. Then, we placed the template over the glass and cut around it with an X-acto knife. After, the glass was placed in a sand blaster, which removed the color from the glass where there was no adhesive. It was a long process, but we were very happy with our finished products. (Mine is the one on the left.)

Following our arts and crafts session, we headed to the train station and set out for Tokyo Station. From there, we would catch the express train to Narita Airport. We had some time to kill, though, so we wandered around and got lots of yummy things to eat. Like a tonkastu sandwich and shrimp dumplings. After we took the train to the airport, it was time to check in and make my way to the gate. Eri and I said goodbye and I thanked her profusely for such a marvelous time.

I am quite madly in love with Japan and found it far superior to Korea in many ways. The people are so friendly and helpful. I didn’t feel out of place as a foreigner at all, like I often do in Korea. Eri’s family was so welcoming and hospitable, which really added to my positive experience. I also found there is much more variety in Japan, specifically regarding personal style and fashion. You can see that there are different subcultures and it was comforting to me.

Additionally, while the public transportation system is massive, it is extremely efficient and gets you everywhere you need to go. When you visit temples and other historical sites, it is easy to forget that you are in a city of over 13 million people. In Korea, you always know when you are in a city. It is overcrowded and dirty, there is garbage in the streets, and you see the same chains whether you are in Seoul, Busan, or Daegu. Tokyo is very clean for a city, almost too clean!

The food is absolutely phenomenal. Japanese food has always been one of my favorite cuisines, but having real Japanese food in Japan was pretty next level. It’s hard for me to find food I enjoy in Korea, mostly because everything is so spicy. Also because everything is so expensive.

I’d really love to go back to Japan and see more of this incredible country! My trip was definitely too short, but I loved every second of it.