Japan was my ultimate dream. But it turned out to be completely different from what I imagined.
I’ve been a huge fan of anime and manga for ages, and Japanese culture really resonates with me. But Japan itself always felt like it existed in another universe.
Visas, pricey flights, a different language—I was convinced it would be an incredibly complicated and outrageously expensive trip that I simply couldn't afford yet.
But then my boyfriend suggested: "Why don’t we go to Japan after all?"
I started doing my homework, crunching the numbers, and figuring things out—and it turned out I had just made up half of those hurdles in my head 😅
✈️ Our first impression wasn't exactly a fairy tale
Our flight from China was delayed by three hours, our three-hour layover stretched into six, and by the time we landed in Tokyo, we were absolutely exhausted.
We took the subway from the airport, mapped out our route... and got lost almost immediately 😂
We got on the wrong train, had to reroute, and made unnecessary transfers.
But I vividly remember the moment we finally emerged from the subway and started walking toward our hotel.
Cozy, narrow streets, quaint little Japanese houses squeezed between modern buildings, neon signs, lush greenery, and late-night bars filled with Japanese men in suits, chatting and laughing after work.
And that’s when it finally hit me:
I’m actually in Japan.
And I am already head over heels in love with it.
🤖 But some of my preconceived notions were shattered almost instantly.
For some reason, I thought Japan was this hyper-futuristic country where everything runs 24/7, the subway operates until the wee hours, and there’s a robot on practically every corner.
In reality, finding a place that’s open after 10:00 PM takes some serious effort.
The various subway lines shut down around 10:00 or 11:00 PM.
If you miss the last train, your only option is a taxi—and the fares are downright astronomical.
Oh, and we didn’t see a single robot roaming the streets either 😂
❤️ What made me truly fall for Japan
Spotless restrooms literally everywhere: the subway, parks, the streets.
Safety—we strolled around Tokyo late at night with absolute peace of mind, and I never felt uneasy for a second.
Konbini are a love story all their own. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart in Japan are hands down the best I’ve ever seen.
And the people.
There were several times when Japanese locals approached us on the street or in the subway, noticed we were struggling with directions, and offered to help. We didn't even have to ask.
At the same time, when night falls, a completely different Japan reveals itself 😂
Those very serious men in suits definitely know how to blow off steam VERY well after work.
It was a total culture shock for me to see "white-collar" workers passed out drunk right on the subway after hitting the bars.
For some reason, they don't show that part in those aesthetic travel reels about Japan 😅
🗑️ But Japan wasn't totally flawless either
The sheer lack of public trash cans drove me absolutely crazy.
And yes, Japan is clean—but not quite as sterile as people sometimes make it out to be.
Tokyo is pretty spotless, though you do spot litter here and there.
Osaka, however, threw us for a loop. Especially Dotonbori: the noise, the grime, the trash, and even rats.
All in all, Osaka just wasn’t my vibe—way too much partying, noise, and hustle.
🌃 Tokyo, on the other hand, stole my heart almost immediately
It’s massive and cutting-edge, yet somehow feels incredibly cozy.
Looking at it through a professional lens was fascinating: the facades, the sheer density of the buildings, and the way towering skyscrapers seamlessly blend with tiny houses and narrow alleys.
That juxtaposition of a modern metropolis and perfectly intimate, tucked-away neighborhoods is what captivated me the most.
♨️ And then came Gero—a totally different side of Japan
A small mountain town, lush greenery, dead silence, a traditional ryokan, and our very own private onsen...
And stepping into an onsen for the first time, thinking:
"DO PEOPLE REALLY SIT IN WATER THIS HOT?!" 😂
✨ There were moments I will absolutely never forget
Disneyland, a place I had dreamed of visiting for years.
At one point there, I literally burst into tears of pure happiness because it hit me: my dream had actually come true.
Universal Studios.
Dinner at a rooftop Japanese restaurant in Tokyo—a breathtaking skyline view paired with out-of-this-world sushi.
🍜 And, of course, the food
We found the best ramen of our entire trip not in some overhyped tourist trap, but in a tiny, unassuming cafe with near-perfect map reviews.
The funny part? Even the ramen at a Michelin-starred restaurant we tried later didn't blow me away quite as much.
Authentic Japanese sushi and the art of its presentation—that’s a whole other level of love ❤️
🚇 What about the language and getting around?
That was my biggest fear beforehand.
But after China, the language barrier in Japan didn't seem intimidating at all 😅
A surprising amount of people in the service industry understand English.
The transit system terrified me on day one, but we got the hang of it within a couple of days. Google Maps routed everything flawlessly, and from then on, it was smooth sailing.
💭 So, did Japan live up to my dream?
100%.
It just turned out I was dreaming of a slightly different version of Japan.
Not a country overrun with robots where everything runs around the clock.
But one where you can veer off a massive avenue into a quiet, narrow street at night; where a random stranger will go out of their way to help you navigate the subway; and where, just a few days in, you catch yourself thinking:
"I really don't want to leave."
And the best part is—I know for a fact this won't be my last visit.
Kyushu is coming up very soon.
And it feels like that’s going to be a completely different Japan 🇯🇵❤️