So Japan has always been a country that I wish to visit, so when I found a conference suitable for my research, I decided in an instant that I wanted to go. It was a trip that I had anticipated for a long time. Somehow, we managed to convince our friends to come along, and boom! suddenly there were 11 of us on the trip to Japan in October 2023!

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-- OSAKA --

We departed from KL at midnight and arrived in Kansai International Airport, Osaka early morning. With 11 of us, it took some time for everyone to settle at the immigration and collecting luggage etc. Once we did, we took a bus to the Osaka station at the city centre, where we left our luggage in luggage lockers, washed up and went for a stroll around Osaka. We didn't do much as we were only in Osaka for a day. But we did manage for walk around Dotonbori and ate lunch at a Halal Ramen Naniwaya. 

Group photo upon arrival at the airport! #Sheffieldfamtakesjapan

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-- KYOTO --

We started off pretty early the next morning and set out to Fushimi Inari Taisha. The plan was to get there as early as possible to avoid crowds, but oh well, apparently, every tourists in Japan has the same thoughts. haha. Since it was our first time in Japan, it took us some time to get used to the train systems, the cards, passes, tickets, which station to change at etc. - and bringing 2 kids means we always have to make stops for snacks and all. 

When we reached Fushimi Inari Taisha, there were already so many people, which I had already anticipated. So we just embraced the crowds and enjoyed the place. Our experience was enhanced by a beautiful sunny day with a nice chill breeze. 

The next day, we went to Ninenzaka, located in Higashiyama-ku. Ninenzaka's charm is their cultural alleys and historical buildings in traditional wooden architecture. It was quite a long hilly walk to go up to the Yasakanotou Pagoda and the famous Ninenzaka alley. Though the surrounding area was very picturesque, the walk was quite hilly. It was a warm autumn day, thank God for ice cream shops everywhere to calm the little one, haha

The leaves were only just beginning to turn yellow / orange, unfortunately. I had wished we would be able to witness the majestic autumn scene in Kyoto - but the city was still breathtaking nonetheless.

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-- OKAYAMA --

After Kyoto, we headed to Okayama the next, which was one of the main reasons why we were in Japan. I was attending and presenting at an international conference in Okayama University, Okayama (it was really an excuse to visit Japan, :p) 

With Kak Sarah!

Okayama is the capital city located in the Okayama Prefecture in the Chūgoku region. It is not a metropolitan city like Tokyo and I love the fact that conferences are usually held in small cities / towns like this, because you never would have visited these place otherwise. We were in Okayama for only 2 days for the conference, and we managed to squeeze in a visit to the Korakuen Garden, Okayama. The Kurakuen Garden is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and indeed it was a magnificent cultural heritage site. We visited the garden after the conference and were lucky to have caught a beautiful sunset, which enhanced the garden's beauty. 

This is the Korakuen Garden - a typical traditional Japanese garden. Even just by looking back at these photos I can still feel and re-live the serenity and calmness of this place. Every corner and view was just breathtakingly beautiful. 

Just look at how the sunset elevates this photo (and experience).

I guess that's all for this part of What We Did in Japan. Even for this post, I had to force myself to write at 12am due to being very occupied with life, family, work etc. But I know I wouldn't regret it and would love to look back and read all these travelling experiences again one day. Until then, Part 2 - Tokyo edition coming soon!