So this was a long long awaited trip. In early 2011 Tim and I spontaneously booked a trip to Japan. We were flying into Osaka, out of Tokyo, we were going to other cities, we had a guidebook and some basic Japan phrases, we were set to go. And then four days before we left, the large Fukushima earthquake and tsunami happened. Flights were cancelled, everyone was uncertain if it was safe to visit, and our trip was cancelled (we went to New Zealand instead).

I kept the yen I’d converted for the trip, knowing we would go some day.

Two years ago my friend Anna announced she was moving back to Japan and my reaction was conflicted. One – how dare you. Two – I will visit!

Then finally! Off on my own, on a long plane trip during which I read books and watched a movie, and then landed in Japan where we were greeted by Pokemon. I also ran into people I knew while we were waiting in the immigration queue.

Tokyo weather is a bit colder than it gets here, so I was extra glad that I’d bought a new jacket last winter. I didn’t get to use it much during Queensland winter but I used it every day in Tokyo!

My week there was fantastic. My Japanese language skills were very very basic and turned out to not be very useful except in thanking people. Google translate was handy when reading labels. My stashed away yen got transformed into presents for the kids (Sanrio, Nintendo and Pokemon!), and I managed to catch some new Pokemon on Pokemon go.

I got to see some highlights of Tokyo and got some ideas on how to do a family trip of my own. I said a very sad goodbye at the airport and consoled myself with plans to come back soon.