A Love Letter to Japan 💌

It’s highly likely that if you’re following me here on Substack, you’re almost certainly following me on Instagram or TikTok. If that’s the case, then you’ll also know that I’ve been inundating you all with Japan content because did you know I went to Japan?!

It happened. Me and my FIANCÉ (lol that’s new too!) hit our early 30s and decided we simply MUST go to Japan. It’s a rite of passage as you head into your mid-30s crisis, right? But we weren’t quite prepared for how overwhelmingly wonderful, scary, exciting, delicious and beautiful Japan would be. And so, I wanted to just write down some of what I experienced, loved, hated and long for now that I’m home.

• There’s nothing that gets me more hyped than people who are organised, and when I got to experience the subway system in Tokyo my heart was a-flutter. Two queues on either side of the barrier. People let other passengers off the train first. Actual quiet carriages. WOMEN’S ONLY CARRIAGES DURING RUSH HOUR? I hate travelling in London but this showed that we truly do not know how to organise ourselves here in the UK.

• There is a level of care and artistry to the service industry that truly cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. While I do see that service is great in places like the States, tipping is hugely frowned upon in Japan yet the level of service is the highest I’ve experienced. The art of pouring tea, serving rice, crafting sushi, it all feels theatrical, yet careful. There is a genuine love for the food and for the people enjoying it that I’d never experienced before but hope I get to experience again.

• If you don’t like crowds, you have to be awake at 5.30am. That is quite literally it. I didn’t think I’d be that overstimulated but I had no idea what busy could be like until I arrived in Tokyo.

• Don Quixote is an absolute monster that every tourist must experience.

• I actually love that adults embrace play and fun things in Japan. The lack of inhibitions when it comes to wearing cute clothing, or sporting merch, or attaching a cute plushie to your bag. Or playing video games, competing on a dance machine, trying really hard on the claw machines. There was such a sense of fun and childish wonder that I got to be in touch with while I was there and I want to embrace that more now that we are home.

• The Japanese are cat people and I am HERE FOR IT. But also, all their dogs are tiny and cute and I love it.

• Izikaya bar culture is incredible. Imagine the smallest, most intimate spaces (honestly like 8 crammed in seats around the bar), the best cocktails and new people you have to meet as you’re in such close proximity. It’s amazing to just be thrust into a social culture and ride along with it, especially as Londoners are so averse to engaging with strangers. We made so many friends on this trip I think purely because of our willingness to just get stuck in and meet these new people.

• I’m going to mention food again, but Japanese food is God Tier. Ramen, rice balls, katsu curry, mochi, wagyu beef, FATTY TUNA, radish, 7/11 egg sandwiches and smoothies, Famichiki, THERE IS NO END TO THE CONSTANT STREAM OF EXCELLENT FOOD.

• Skin and haircare is taken so seriously but also so simple. I took myself to a head spa and was SO relaxed. My therapist said most people do a head spa once a month in Japan, and I’m certain I have to implement some sort of hair care like this into my self-care routine moving forward.

• Lemon Sours and Sake are a dangerous combination that I recommend you avoid unless you want to sleep in until 4pm the following day.

• Visiting temples and shrines is one of the most calming experiences you can do, as long as you are respectful. I’m so glad I got to take some moments for serenity in some of these beautiful places of worship on what was otherwise a manic trip.

• Eating a train station bento box on the Shinkansen makes you feel touristy and special all at the same time.

• Japan is a country I truly hope you can experience, for the food, the people, the architecture, the history, the culture. It’s a beautiful place with a beautiful spirit and I’m so glad I got to experience it.

Japan, I absolutely loved you. I miss you already. And I sure as hell hope to visit you again in the future.

Lots of love,

Kayleigh x