Trip to Japan---Full Circle.

In my first blog I mentioned that Den and I had been together for nearly 50 years.This year on 26th May we celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary by making a short trip to Japan.
Why Japan?
Since writing my book about an adorable beagle--Kai, and knowing his Japanese owner, Seiji, albeit briefly, we felt that we had an affinity with the country. We also wanted to fulfil something on our " Bucket List" and of course, to celebrate our many years together.

Seiji was born in Sapporo the capital of Hokkaido in the northern part of Japan, as a child he moved to Tokyo.
When he retired to France he got a beagle dog, and gave him a Japanese name, Kai, which means"sea". He was a generous and kind hearted person, when Kai was a puppy, he slept on the floor with him for a whole week to comfort him.
Although he spent many years travelling the world he returned to Japan on many occasions.

We started our trip with a comfortable non-stop flight to Tokyo. It was our first experience of a long haul flight without being in transit anywhere unlike, our long flights to Australia.

On arrival we received a warm welcome as well as small gifts for our anniversary from our travel agent's representatives. This welcome was replicated by everyone we met, wherever we went, throughout our stay and particularly by our two wonderful guides, one in Tokyo and one in Kyoto,--both named Meiko. They also gave us thoughtful and unexpected gifts.

Both guides were very knowledgeable and experienced in their roles. Furthermore, they shared with us personal anecdotes, experiences and photos from their lives in order to illustrate the information and details which they provided at the historical, cultural and religious sites that we visited. They were proud of their history, culture and country and we were privileged to have the benefit of their time and expertise.

Japan is a spotlessly clean country, with a blend of unique traditional and ultra modern architecture, some stunning stations(Kyoto) and shopping malls. Tokyo is the quietest major city we have ever visited. Cars and buses are predominantly electric/hybrid vehicles, so glide silently.
The people adhere to many of the values and beliefs enshrined in Confucian, older Shinto and Zen Buddhist teaching in their daily interactions and response to tourists, and this permeates and contributes to the unique atmosphere. They are helpful, respectful, welcoming, and polite, even when language is a barrier they do their utmost to assist.

Highlights of our trip included:

* The stunning view of Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen "Bullet" train on the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto.

* The Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, temples, the Golden Palace, Rock Garden, Nijo Castle as well as the Gyoen National Garden with 50,000 trees in Kyoto. Originally, it was the Imperial Palace garden and it was only a short walk from our hotel. We could not escape from the number 50 which seemed particularly apt nor from plenty of gold which was prevalent at the Palace and Castle!

* Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park which was extremely harrowing and emotionally upsetting as well as being a stark reminder of the tragic stories of many people who were doing routine, daily tasks when their lives were suddenly destroyed. Many of the sculptures, fountains, memorials to children, memorial rose gardens, lists of the names of every single person lost were touching and inspiring and the atmosphere was strangely calm and peaceful.

* A visit to a popular Pre School and After School Care Centre for children aged 1--13 years called Kids Duo where I took a complimentary copy of my book for story time sessions.

* Several unusual and huge shopping malls as well as individual specialist shops and tea houses.
We also discovered a 100 yen shop, the equivalent of a Pound shop!

* Walking huge distances, as well as navigating the extensive and complex transport system, particularly in Tokyo. It was much easier in Kyoto which is built on a grid system. We were able to do this because we went to Japan as independent travellers and could do things at our own pace.

I was pleased to give our guides copies of my book. Their appreciation and gratitude was very touching --especially as they both had experienced much loved dogs "crossing the rainbow bridge".
Somehow, through our connection with Seiji and Kai I felt that my book was in the right place which was comforting. I felt too, that the circle of life, love, loss. memories and connection had been completed, a circle that cannot be broken.
The book by CS Lewis " A Grief Observed" in which he says " In grief nothing stays put, one keeps on emerging from a phase but it always recurs. Round and Round" came to mind.

We loved visiting Japan. It was an amazing and memorable experience, one that will remain with us for a long time.

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