Last October, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Japan with a group of 24 senior citizens as their tour manager as soon as we landed at Narita Airport, I felt a sense of calm and excitement. The airport was so clean, the people were so polite and the air was crisp with the feeling of autumn. The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold just right for exploring. I was captivated by the charm of Japan. The fall season with its cool air and colourful leaves, made everything even more magical.
Our first stop was Tokyo, a busy city, full of life but it also has a peaceful side that makes it easy to enjoy. We spent three wonderful days there and it was a mind-blowing experience for all of us. We visited Odaiba, where we saw the Statue of Liberty and the beautiful Rainbow Bridge, a truly picture-perfect spot. We also visited the famous Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most spiritual places. Another highlight was our visit to the Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest towers in the world. The view from the top was breathtaking—seeing the entire city from above made us all pause and admire the beauty of Tokyo in autumn.
We took a day trip to the beautiful Mount Fuji. Where we enojoyed the peaceful and scenic Oishi Park. We then experienced the Panoramic Ropeway, which gave us a lovely view of the mountain and the surrounding area from above. In the evening, we relaxed on a peaceful cruise on Lake Kawaguchiko.
Our next stop was Hiroshima and to get there, we boarded a Bullet Train. It was my first time experiencing such a smooth and sleek ride and I still can’t get over how amazing it was! While in Hiroshima, we also visited the beautiful Miyajima Island, which is famous for its giant Torii Gate, known as Itsukushima. I was truly amazed—it looked as if the gate was floating on the water.
We also visited the Gandhi Statue, the Hiroshima Memorial Park, and the Hiroshima Peace Museum. It was a very emotional and touching experience. The Memorial Park is a peaceful place, filled with greenery and monuments that remind us of the importance of peace. Seeing the Gandhi Statue there felt very special—it was a strong message of non-violence and hope, standing tall in a place that has seen such pain.
The Hiroshima Peace Museum took us back in time, showing the heartbreaking stories of those who lived through the atomic bomb. Many in our group were moved to silence as we walked through the exhibits. It was a heavy experience but also a very important one. After our emotional and memorable visit to Hiroshima, we continued our journey with a road drive to Osaka. It wasn’t just a drive, it was a calm and soothing experience that brought us closer to our next exciting stop: Osaka & Kyoto.
In Kyoto, we visited the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the stunning Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) but the most special experience was taking part in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
The tea ceremony was held in a quiet, peaceful room with a calming atmosphere. A kind and graceful tea master guided us through the process, explaining the meaning behind each movement.
It was not just about drinking tea but it was about being present in the moment, appreciating the beauty of simplicity and showing respect to others.
We sat on tatami mats, watched the tea being whisked and then sipped it slowly from beautiful handmade bowls. The tea had a strong yet calming taste and many of us found it to be a peaceful and even spiritual experience. It gave us a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
After experiencing the royal charm of Kyoto, we went on a city tour of Osaka, where we explored Osaka Castle and visited the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. We even took a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. Later, we went shopping at Shinsaibashisuji.
I spent 9 days in Japan and it's been a year now but if you asked me to share my experience, I could transport you there mentally and physically. Many people prefer to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season but for me, I will always choose autumn. The peace and beauty of the red leaves make it an unforgettable experience.
Blog written by
Prashant Joshi
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