Three Weeks Before I Leave
In less than a month, I will scratch off an item that has been on the top of my bucket list for years. I will be staying in Japan for almost three whole weeks, traveling, visiting temples, gardens, museums, hiking, and more. I am still struggling to realize the reality of the situation. I have already been granted three weeks off of work, purchased a plane ticket, booked two weeks worth of lodging, ordered a JR Rail Pass, and have settled on a rough daily schedule for those first two weeks. I've been able to create this rough itinerary through a combination of Lonely Planet Guides, Quora.com, Reddit, and other internet resources.
Even with all of the planning, tickets bought, time off, etc., something about the situation doesn't feel real yet. Luckily, I have experienced feelings similar to these. For those who know me closely, I went to China for five weeks for a study abroad trip with the University of Northern Colorado. That was three years ago, and was my first international experience. The culture shock was expansive, but I had the fortune of going with a group of close to 20 students (several who were fluent in Mandarin) and two brilliant professors who were both fluent in Mandarin and had visited China on several occasions. Also, a majority of the expenses were pre-paid (planes, buses, hotels, etc.) and associated with the University. I also had the benefit of taking language classes while living in China, which allowed me to gradually get better at communicating.
My trip to Japan will be very different. I will be traveling alone, in a country I have never been, speaking Japanese, a language of which I have only a rudimentary understanding. Granted, I know more Japanese before going to Japan than I did Chinese before going to China. I am hoping this will count for something while I visit. I've never been particularly good at Japanese, so the language barriers I will undoubtedly come upon make me nervous.
All of these worries cannot extinguish a particularly enthusiastic attitude to my trip. I have no reservations stating that I am more excited than worried. I have recently re-familiarized myself with Japanese language and culture, Buddhism and Shinto, bunraku and no theatre, Japanese history (both ancient and modern), poetry, and more. I have even taken the time to watch a little anime before I leave. (For anyone who wants a nice, casual overview of Japan, check out Understanding Japan: A Cultural History, available on video through The Great Courses or as an audiobook on Audible.) Needless to say, I am stoked.
With all of this in mind, I've decided that I am going to try to start a separate travel blog while I am abroad. As I start traveling, feel free to check back for new updates throughout the trip.
The Itinerary
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi (one of five fires lit to end Obon)
That's enough talk about my excitement and nervousness. Here are my current travel plans, subject to change based on whatever whims are thrown my way.
Week 1 (August 13th-19th)
August 12th-13th: Make my way from Denver, Colorado to Kyoto, Japan. This will be approximately 12 hours of flying and 2-3 hours of train/car travel.
August 13th through 19th: Stay at hostel in Kyoto, while visiting Heien-jo, Ginkaku-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and several other Buddhist and Shinto temples. I'll hit up Kyoto Castle, a few museusms, etc. During this time, I also hope to make a few day trips to Himeji (to visit Himeji Castle/The White Egret Castle), Nara (which is a must for the Todai-ji, a great hall with a giant golden Buddha), and a few other towns.
On August 16th, Kyoto will end Obon Festival with Daimonji Gozan Okuribi. At sunset, fires are lit on the side of five separate mountains in order to bid farewell to the souls of the ancestors who have visited. I still need to work out the best location to view the fires. I've heard that Kibune is a good choice, but it is a little north of Kyoto, where I already have reservations.
Week 2 (August 20th-26th)
August 20th: Travel from Kyoto early in the morning to Ise and stay one night in Ise as I visit Ise Shrine, the most noteworthy Shinto shrine in Japan.
August 21st: Leave Ise on a 4 hour train ride to Tokyo. I will be in Tokyo for day and night. My top sights to see here are the Imperial Palace, Yasakuni Shrine, Meiji Shrine, and (if I have time) the Ghibli Museum.
August 22nd-August 26th: Leave Tokyo and go slightly down the road to Kamakura, the birthplace and central hub of Buddhism in Japan for hundreds of years. There is a hiking trail not far from where I am staying that hits several of Buddhist and Shinto temples, and a beach within 3 blocks of the guesthouse. I check out on the 26th.
August 26th-.... : I check out of Kamakura and leave for somewhere else. I have no clue where I will be staying during this time, but I am partial to staying in Nagoya for 2-3 days, then heading back to Osaka and staying at Osaka for 2 days, before I leave Japan on August 31st.
Week 3 (August 26th-August 31st):
August 26th-August 30th: Stay in Nara and see Todai-ji and other historical Buddhist sites. Might throw in one or two last day trips.
August 31st: Travel back to the airport to catch a plane back home.
