Japan: A Holiday Leaving a Lasting Impact of Kindness

Travelling is something I always enjoy. Seeing new places, trying different foods, and sharing these moments with the people I love is something I find extremely special. Recently, my family and I went on a trip to Japan, and today I’m going to tell you all about it. 

The first major place we went to was Takato Castle, which was absolutely gorgeous! It was like stepping into a fairy-tale land of cherry blossoms. The entire place was covered in sakura, gorgeous, blush-colored blossoms. Not only that, but the sakura had started to fall, creating a blanket of petals on the ground. It was absolutely magical, being surrounded by so many stunning cherry blossoms. Also, this was the first proper place  I ever saw cherry blossoms in my entire life, so that made the whole experience even more special. 

The next place we went to was Kamikochi, which is in Chubu Sangaku National Park. It’s part of the Northern Japanese Alps and is absolutely gorgeous! We were able to see this incredible view with the mountains and the tall trees next to a stunning lake. The scenery was breathtaking, and one of the reasons I loved it so much was because it not only had a lot less people compared to a lot of other places, but also because it had such a nature-y scenery, compared to a lot of other places in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. On the way back to the entrance, we stopped at Tashiro Pond, a gorgeous view with a mirror reflection of the mountain in the water. Our driver Masa-san was so kind and took so many photos for us, and patiently waited for us while we were there. He also told us all about how Kamikochi looks in the winter and in the fall, and some things about him as well. His kindness really made a big impact on us, and I felt a lot more happiness because of his enthusiastic smile and his genuine willingness to help. 

We later went for dinner to a place called Doon Shokudo Indoyama, which was a North Indian restaurant in a traditional Japanese courtyard, which was a super unique experience. The owners, Mayumi and Ashish, were extremely kind and welcoming, and not only served us delicious food, but also told us all about them and their lives. They gave us food that was filled with happiness along with genuine smiles and happiness. Mayumi even gave us some of her incredible homemade mango lassi. The compassion and generosity they showed really made our whole trip better, and the impact stayed with us all the way. 

Now looking back, this trip was about more than even the most gorgeous scenery. The views were beautiful, but it was the people who made it truly memorable. From Masa-san and his smiles and stories to Mayumi and Ashish with their warmth and generosity, the kindness we experienced stayed with us long after the trip ended. I have this quote which says “Sometimes, the smallest act of kindness from a stranger can stay with you forever” I personally love it, because it highlights the true impact that these gestures and actions can have on people and how it can completely change experiences for everyone. I hope all of you also get to experience moments like these, filled with compassion, care and joy.