Oh, hi! I’m on Spring Break, so that means I have a life again for about a week! I think I spent the first day of my break pretty well. I went rock climbing, had brunch with friends, ran lots of errands, spent some time blogging, and then I saw Beauty and the Beast! (SO good!)
I’m still sorting through my Japan photos (no surprise there!) and came across photos from a day I explored Japan alone after Adam left. We had gone to Yoyogi Park together earlier in the week, but I loved it so much, I decided to go back by myself.
I was blown away by how many people were gathered there. In true Japan form, everything was super orderly and trash was nowhere to be found. Tarps were provided so nobody needed to bring their own, and they were all staked down already so you didn’t need to worry about finding an open space. Having that many people together in one place and not worrying at all about crime or chaos was so different than what I’m used to in the states, haha. It was wonderful.
I saw an owl! Some guy was just standing there holding him like it wasn’t weird at all. I don’t think I had ever been that close to an owl before. They’re so beautiful/strange.
My phone/portable wifi had died earlier that morning when I was at the fish market, so I was wandering aimlessly and feeling a bit disconnected all day (which I quite liked, actually!). I was taking photos and ran into a group of people who invited me to sit with them. Four of the guys were from Japan, one girl was from China, one guy was from Spain, two other girls were from Germany, and there was an older couple to my left who were traveling from Canada. It was fun getting to know them and we spent a few hours drinking, laughing, and relaxing in the sunshine as cherry blossom petals fell from the trees above us.
It’s definitely one of my favorite memories from Japan. I love meeting new people when I travel, and it was the perfect way to end my trip. I can’t wait to go back. Thanks for reading! xo
Fiona says
So lovely, this post makes me miss Japan!!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
<3 <3 Ugh, me tooooo!
Craig Aude says
Beautiful, as always.
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, dad. 🙂
Jae x SCATTERBRAIN says
Beautiful photos, Amanda! Especially loved the one with the owl in it!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you! It was so cool to see!
Jacqueline says
What a perfect travel experience! This is my favorite thing about exploring the world. Those moments in which you connect with others in a real and meaningful way. Plus, that owl!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Yaaass. Totally! And I know. I want an owl now!
Laura says
Oh my gosh, those cherry blossoms are gorgeous! What a neat thing to experience. Also, I’m going to see Beauty and the Beast with my mom tomorrow and I can’t wait!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
You’re going to love it! 🙂
Mitzie Mee says
Sounds like such a nice experience! I heard about owl cafes when I was in Tokyo last year, but I haven’t yet seen anybody walking around with a live owl 🙂
amandaaude@gmail.com says
I know – I heard about the owl cafes, but not until after we left Tokyo. How sad!
Esther says
OMG! You’ve met some amazing colourful figures. It looks like the best day out to me. I really (really, really, really) want to go to Japan!
#WanderfulWednesday
amandaaude@gmail.com says
My favorite was the owl!! So cute! You’d LOVE Japan – I hope you’re able to visit!
Katherine says
“Oh hey, this is my owl, Winston. He’s a great conversation starter”. LOL, how weird, but cool at the same time! Gotta love a pet owl! #WanderfulWednesday
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Hahaha I know, right?? So random but I was beyond thrilled to meet him!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
That looks so much fun – Japan is right at the top of my Places To Go list. Sometimes, I think the best travel adventures of the ones that are unplanned!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
So true! I love traveling spontaneously! I hope you make it to Japan – you’d love it!
Sara says
One of my bucket list items is to see the cherry blossoms in Japan. How incredible that they facilitate space for the community to enjoy this with the tarps! (Definitely different that the states, lol.) How beautiful is that owl?? I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a real one – what a beautiful creature.