Back to Japan!

This Thursday afternoon, I’m flying to Tokyo for the first time since before the pandemic. And I can’t wait.

This holiday has been rescheduled more times than I can remember – all because of the waves of COVID sweeping the globe. A holiday was so much less important than staying well – staying alive! – but still, I couldn’t help notice it shuffling further and further away in my diary.

But now, it’s actually going to happen. Ten days of fun and games in Tokyo. We’ll be catching up with friends, partying in Shinjuku Ni-Chome, people-watching in Harajuku and shopping in Shibuya.

Over the years of our visits, we’ve been to so many landmarks and tourist spots. It’ll be nice to just take it easy and have a relaxing time without an agenda. We’ve got one dinner booked in with a friend, and that’s it! Everything else is going to be as it comes.

Food and shopping aside, I’m looking forward to spending some time soaking in the onsen. Our hotel has a small public bath and sauna in the basement, which is the perfect end to a day walking Tokyo’s streets. But I also want to visit some of the baths I’ve been to before, which include things like outdoor tubs, larger saunas and steam rooms and different kinds of soaking experiences.

I’m also looking forward to the journey itself. It’ll be my first time flying with JAL and their Business Class service is legendary. I’ve already been able to select the meals I want on both outbound and inbound flights. Plus, they have a menu of things you can order whenever you feel peckish – including their legendary curry and Pork Katsu sando.

I’ll inevitably come home heavier than I went out, but I couldn’t care less. I’ve been waiting for this trip for years and now that it’s here I don’t know what to do with myself.

Oh yes, I do.

I need to work through my extensive to-do list for work, so I can fly away with a clear conscience.

Brace yourself for lots of Japan-related content in the coming weeks!