EN ROUTE | Manila – Japan

Sunday, May 05, 2013

White and Pink Cherry Blossoms in Japan

I dream of Japan. I dream of white-faced geishas. Rains of blooming sakuras. Graceful white donjons and temples framed by poetic tree branches. The bright lights of Blade Runner-esque cityscapes. The snow-capped Mount Fuji on the horizon. Cosplay girls. Sumo wrestlers. Samurai warriors.

Cruising 28,000 Feet towards JapanI awoke and saw nothing but blue skies and streaks of clouds from my window. I was flying 28,000 feet above the fringes of the North Pacific Ocean, halfway between Manila and Japan; it was almost unbelievable.

Not a month ago, together with some travelers, we were just discussing the impossibility of Japan for budget backpackers. This country is definitely not easy on the wallet.

Microchip-Like Aerial Landscapes Over JapanOur plane flew lower and cruised over the coast of the Japan. Being picked by Sony Philippines to accompany its three brand ambassador in promoting their newest camera line was surreal. But seeing the microchip-like landscape from my window made me realize that this is no dream.

Patches of Sakura Over Japan's LandscapesIncomprehensible Japanese words echoed through the cabin as we slowly dove down to Chiba’s Narita International Airport. Winter has just passed but I can see some white-topped trees dotting the landscapes below; my first real view of the sakuras.

Transferring from Narita Internation Airport Arrival AreaSnailing past the immigration officers, we train-transferred to Narita’s main building, quickly exchanged dollars to yens and bought a ¥3,000.00 bus ticket. Tokyo awaits us.

Sakura Season Along the Roads of Japan“Please do not use your celphone while inside the bus as it might disturb the neighbor” a recorded voice announced through the PA system. Silence is probably more golden in Japan. But I really don’t mind, phones were the farthest thing on my mind. My eyes were transfixed on the unique Japanese scenery rolling before my window.

Japan at LastAn hour later and we alighted at the three-degree temperature of Tokyo. I wasted no time after dumping my bag in my room. And together with S, an old friend from Manila, we quickly went out and tried to unwrap what Japan was all about. I pinched myself; I can probably stop dreaming now.


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20 comments

  1. awesome! hinihintay ko talaga to. buti nag start na...akala ko makikita kita sa TV nung na feature ang trip nyo sa TV Patrol hehehe

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  2. Wala talagang tulak kabigin si Sir Idol Christian..panalo talaga mga shots. You really can put story behind the pictures. Sana may talent din akong ganon.

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    1. Kaya mo rin yan Kid! Here's a tip, when out traveling, i-visualize mo na how you would create the story for the trip para alam mo na kung ano yung mga kelangan mong picturan :)

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  3. Naka inis.. Nakaka bitin... Masakit sa tagiliran...galing kuha sa window ng train idol :)

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    1. Hahaha, mamaya I'll try and post the next part. Bus window yun :)

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  4. "masse masse!" hehehe kainggit ka! perfect sakura pix by the way!

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  5. I also dream of Japan. I' bet a lot of you secretly dream of a beautiful life in Japan.
    To dream the impossible dream lang ang PEG ko :D JAPAN JAPAN

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    1. Hahaha, ipon mode ako, I wanna go back next Sakura season :)

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  6. kelan kaya ako mkakatapak ng Japan. I should probably start dreaming now. :D

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    1. Ikaw pa, ang yaman yaman mo, barya lang sayo ang Japan! :)

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  7. bakit ang photos mo super duper ganda. parang "sige na, ikaw nalang ang nag-japan, kebs sa photos naming mga normal na tao....sir"

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  8. Goodness! Can I borrow the photography lobe of your brain? Lols. Galing po ng kuha!

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