Japan : Bullet Trains, Bowing Deer & Popcorn Buckets- My Fabulous Japanese Adventure

Arrival in Tokyo – Hello Mount Fuji!

Some flights give you peanuts. Mine gave me a fabulous view of Mount Fuji out of the aircraft window as we were coming in to land in Tokyo. Not a bad welcome.

Tokyo has two airports: Haneda, the closest to the city (about 35 minutes by car), and Narita, which sits roughly 77 km outside the city.

A few things I noticed immediately:

• They drive on the same side of the road as us — comforting when your brain is jet-lagged.
• Many locals wear face masks, which feels very normal here.
• The streets are incredibly clean — almost suspiciously clean.

I flew with Japan Airlines, and I have to say the flight was very comfortable. The inflight service was excellent and the food was surprisingly decent for airline fare.

The time difference is wild though. I left Heathrow at 08:35 in the morning and landed in Tokyo at 07:25 the following morning. My body still hasn’t quite processed that one.

A Magical First Evening – Tokyo Disneyland

After landing at Haneda Airport, I transferred into Tokyo in a luxury chauffeur-driven car (journey time around 40 minutes).

Then… I did something that immediately set the tone for this entire trip.

I went straight to Tokyo Disneyland.

And it was fantastic.

A short Uber ride from the city, tickets were only around £25, and the whole place felt wonderfully festive and Christmassy. The queues were surprisingly manageable too.

I also rediscovered something important about myself:

I cannot resist popcorn buckets shaped like cartoon characters.

No regrets.

Asakusa, Taiyaki & a Shopping “Incident”

The following morning I headed to Asakusa, rolled up my sleeves and tried my hand at making Japanese taiyaki — those adorable fish-shaped cakes.

Mine looked… less like fish and more like abstract art.

But they tasted amazing, so I’m calling that a win.

I then visited the beautiful Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, before wandering down the famous Nakamise Street.

And yes, I exercised tremendous self-control and bought only…

…everything.

Shibuya Chaos & Tokyo Tower Nights

No trip to Tokyo would be complete without tackling the legendary Shibuya Crossing.

Pretty sure I crossed:

• diagonally
• horizontally
• possibly existentially

Thousands of people moving in every direction at once is somehow both chaotic and perfectly organised.

The evening ended with the glowing beauty of Tokyo Tower, lighting up the skyline.

Tokyo — you were an absolute blast

Bullet Train

Of course, one big question people always ask is:

What’s it actually like to travel on the Shinkansen?

Here’s what I learned.

Pack Smart

Take one medium suitcase and one cabin case.

Most hotels offer an incredible luggage forwarding service. I sent my larger suitcase from Tokyo to Nagoya for about £12.

It took around 48 hours, so I just kept essentials in my cabin case.

Travelling light on the Shinkansen = much easier.

Finding Your Train

Even in busy stations, the signage is excellent and everything appears in Japanese and English.

Just make sure to reserve your seat in advance.

The Speed

Honestly… you don’t feel it at all.

The train is unbelievably smooth and comfortable, and you’d never guess how fast you’re actually travelling.

Top Tip

There’s no food or drink service onboard, so grab snacks before boarding.

Another bucket-list moment completed.

Nagoya – Tie Dye, Tea & Samurai History

Nagoya was a wonderful surprise.

Day 3 – Arimatsu Shibori

I unleashed my inner artist with Arimatsu Shibori tie dye, a centuries-old local craft.

I am now the proud owner of a tie-dyed cloth, currently laid across my bed like a masterpiece.

Whether it is actually a masterpiece remains open to interpretation.

Later I wandered through Endoji, a wonderfully retro shopping street that feels like stepping back in time.

I also joined a Japanese tea ceremony — calm, beautiful and so peaceful that I briefly felt far more cultured than I really am.

Day 4 – Nagoya Castle

Next stop was Nagoya Castle.

If you remember the old Shogun TV series, you’ll understand the atmosphere here. I never expected to be fascinated by samurai history… but our guide was fantastic and now I genuinely want to learn more.

The castle is majestic, and inside the palace — built from cypress wood — the paintings and interiors are breathtaking.

Nagoya felt less crowded, more authentic, and full of charm.

Kashikojima & Mie – Authentic Japan

Day 5 took us off the beaten track to Kashikojima in Mie Prefecture.

Honestly, this day felt like stepping into the heart of real Japan.

First was a peaceful cruise around Ago Bay. I could have floated there all day.

The highlight? Watching an Ama diver in action.

These extraordinary women free-dive without scuba gear to collect seafood and pearls — an ancient tradition passed down through generations.

One incredible lady has only just retired at 95 after diving well into her 80s.

Absolute legend.

We also visited the Yokoyama Observatory, where the maze of islands across the bay looked almost dreamlike.

Lunch was unforgettable — freshly caught seafood grilled in an Ama hut, cooked by the divers themselves while they shared stories of their lives.

Authentic, humble, inspiring.

Pearls, Shrines & Wedded Rocks

Day 6 was another cultural deep dive.

At Mikimoto Pearl Island, I learned all about pearls (and yes, the Ama divers again — total icons).

We then visited Futami Okitama Shrine, home of the famous Wedded Rocks sitting in the sea.

From there it was on to Ise Grand Shrine, one of the most sacred places in Japan.

Even the trees felt holy.

The day ended in Okage Yokocho, wandering through traditional streets and eating… constantly.

My wallet was lighter, my stomach was fuller, and I regret absolutely nothing

Nara – Where the Deer Are in Charge

Day 7 might have been my favourite.

First stop: the incredible Tōdai‑ji, home to one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues.

The Great Buddha Hall is so vast it instantly makes you feel tiny — in the best possible way.

Then came Nara Park, where over a thousand deer roam freely.

They even bow politely for the deer cookies sold nearby.

Adorable… until they start nibbling you if you’re too slow.

10/10 would get nipped again.

We also explored the lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Taisha, which felt like walking through an ancient fairytale.

Lunch at Saryo Zeze was stunning — beautiful dishes, peaceful garden views, and the kind of meal that makes you sigh happily between bites.

The afternoon finished in Naramachi, with a sake tasting at Harushika Sake Brewery.

By the end of it, I floated back to the hotel slightly light-headed and very happy

Kyoto – Temples, Gates & Bamboo Forests

Next stop: Kyoto.

Highlights included:

• Walking through the thousands of red gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Visiting the golden beauty of Kinkaku‑ji
• Wandering the traditional streets of Gion
• And exploring the magical Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Kyoto feels like stepping back through centuries of Japanese history.

And here’s the surprise…

I think I actually preferred Osaka to Tokyo.

It felt vibrant, exciting, energetic and new.

One of the highlights was the futuristic Umeda Sky Building.

The exposed glass escalator shoots you up to the 39th floor, where the observatory sits 576 feet above the ground.

The views are absolutely surreal.

Then came the complete contrast — the iconic Osaka Castle, surrounded by the most beautiful parkland.

Old Japan meets futuristic Japan.

Final Thoughts

From bullet trains to bowing deer, ancient shrines to futuristic skyscrapers, Japan has completely captured my heart.

It’s a place where tradition and modern life exist perfectly side by side, where every day feels like a new discovery.

And honestly?

Japan… you’re stealing my heart one adventure at a time.

Until next time.