I’m going to be a bit cheeky here and reuse posts from earlier this year in January that I had posted on my Instagram. A fellow Japan enthusiast Cakes With Faces was running what was called Japanuary. I was still in the glow of our trip and couldn’t wait to relive all the details.

Wait.. I’m still in that glow.

Anyway, Japanuary (or Japanuary 2024), it went through a couple of different hashtags because Instagram liked to make things a little bit diffcult.

Regardless! This blog is all sparkly and new so I’m going to do a bit of good ole copy pasta, and heck I don’t know if hashtags are a thing here but let’s roll with it.

I’m going to be editing a little of the text at times to either give context or expand (Instagram isn’t really the place for that).

Day 1 – What you love about Japan #japanuary2024

You probably expected some bright lights, the big city or some sushi for this one (because lets not lie to ourselves, our stomachs are actually in charge of the meatsuit). Something else about Japan that massively appealed to not only myself but Paul and W too.

That even in all that chaos (organised, polite chaos I would say), there are still places of calm and quiet, where you can take a deep breath and take a moment.

So I would say “what do I love about Japan?” was more of a feeling than an actual “thing”, (insert guitar from Boston’s “More than a feeling”).

Yokohama

This was in Yokohama, one of our favourite places we visited. Also one of the places we would consider moving to in the future.

There were apartment buildings surrounding this open space with families enjoying the sunshine. It was a stark difference to home and solidified itself in our hearts.

We were in Yokohama for the Cup Noodle Museum as well as the Gundam Factory (sadly, giant moving Gundam is no longer there *sad face*) but honestly these weren’t the things that struck a chord for me.

Walking along the promenade at Yamashita Park with people enjoying the October sunshine, picnics and people playing music. It was serene.

This wasn’t the sort of thing we would really find at home because for one the seagulls would most likely pinch your sausage roll right out of your hand. As well as there would most likely be drunk people starting an argument somewhere..

Anway, it was pleasant and felt like somewhere where you could spend a morning or afternoon, bring a picnic, read a book and just relax.

There was so much to do in the area, we barely scratched the surface but we did manage to squeeze in a visit to Cosmo World amuesment park. It was right across from The Cup Noodle Museum before our time slot there.

Cosmo World was a surprise as we hadn’t planned to visit but I have to say it was a great way to kick off our Japan adventure. I really enjoyed the ferris wheel that gave a birds eye view over Yokohama and W and Paul really enjoyed the canoe ride.

If you want to see more of our Yokohama trip as well as Cosmo World, the Cup Noodle Museum and the Gundam at The Gundam Factory, then check out our Youtube video!

And again, not sure if Hashtags do a thing but I’ll post the ones used on the OG Instagram post

#japanuary #cakeswithfaces #oot_a_wander #japan #yokohama #familytravel #lovejapan #autumnvibes #adventure #japanesesightseeing #ootawander