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Saihoji Garden in Kyoto

We (well at least Zen and I!) freely admit Japan is our favorite, mostcompelling destination in the world. Bev, Zen and I are heartened that normalcyis returning to this inscrutable land, despite the devastation and suffering ofMarch 11.

Despite our many travels to Japan, there always seems to be an impenetrableveil in truly understanding this wonderful land. As David Pillig noted, “inalmost every aspect of life in Japan from sumo wrestling and tea ceremony tobusiness, one has a feeling of something other than itself, beyond itself.” Abig part of Japan’s uniqueness is its wabi-sabi aesthetic. Wabi-sabi representsthe Japanese worldview emphasizing simplicity and purity. You may think ofwabi-sabi as a spiritual longing, the beauty of all things humble,unpretentious ephemeral and imperfect. In contrast to our Western celebrationof perfection, permanence, symmetry, and bravado, wabi-sabi exaltsimperfection, impermanence, asymmetry and humility. Many in Japan refer towabi-sabi as a feeling of hopeful sadness – nothing lasts; nothing is perfect,nothing is ever finished.

The pervasive Japanese spirit of jishuku has proven an indispensable assetin Japan’s remarkable recovery. Although we have sent clients back to Japanover the past two months, Bev, Zen and I have not returned to Japan since 2010.We are most excited about embarking on our fifth (yes, 5!) sakura/cherryblossoms trip this April 2012.

Pleaseclick into our Kipling and Clark’s 8-day Japan private luxury tour for2012. (PDF)

Hello fellow global kid travelers!

my cousins, Coco and Sofia, and Michelin – star chef Carrie at NAHA! Yes,that’s me with the tortuous braces!

Thank you to NAHA chef/owner Carrie Nahabedian for allowing my friends totake over her kitchen for my 11th birthday party. I loved the surprise pandabirthday cake, Carrie! Yes, I know pandas are a big China stereotype – but whocares, pandas are awesome!

I guess you heard my family and I will be returning to Japan for our 5thcherry blossoms/sakura trip. We will be joined this time by my Florida friend,Zoe (Zoe’s mom is Marta of TravNET!). My mom and I had a debate of Burma versusJapan last night. I have been to Burma twice, while I have visited Japan sixtimes. These are my favorite things in Japan and why it is my favorite place totravel:

Zen-chan as “maiko” Best food anywhere! Sushi(especially salmon eggs!),terrific ramen soba and udon noodle dishes, mochi ice cream, fun kaisekidinners, and cute bento (box) lunches on the Shinkansen (bullet!) trains. GreenCar (F class) Bullet Train – the Shinkansen (bullet trains) are so fast and soquiet – My 5th grade teacher, Mr. Stone, will be happy to hear I will haveplenty of time to read on the Shinkansen! Cherry blossoms/sakura – I am solucky that my Francis W. Parker School April spring break falls on the samedates of the cherry blossoms – so delicate and beautiful! I love Japaneseculture! The beautiful tea ceremony, creating wonderful fun origami shapes,spending time with geisha (both geiko and maiko) and staying at our favoriteryokans are so much fun. My favorite ryokans are Tawaraya and Hiiragiya inKyoto. I sleep so well on the soft cotton futons. Geisha makeover! A youngapprentice geisha (geiko) is a maiko. When I dress as a maiko, I truly do feelJapanese! Did I mention the wonderful Toto toilets!?

Happy Travels!

Zen Lynch

Yokoso!JAPAN Travel Blog by The Visit Japan Campaign Supporters

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