Japan

In Tokyo, surrounded by a flood of neon signs and crowds the likes of which we have never experienced. Went to any restaurant on the 5th floor of one of the random shopping centers lined up next to each other and immediately ate super delicious Wagyu with 4 different side dishes. Plus Kirin, which has somehow become our favorite beer. Immersed ourselves in Shinto culture at the Meiji Shrine and learned more about it at the Tokyo National Museum. From then on, it felt like I discovered many beautiful shrines and temples on every street corner. Ate the best ramen in the typical Japanese style (wait in line, sit, shut up, eat, leave) at Ichiran. Ate a delicious bento box on the train to Kyoto and fell in love with the city when we got off. In the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden we went jogging combined with sightseeing at the Imperial Palace. Enjoyed the cozy streets and alleys during an evening walk (of course with lots of places to eat). As it said on the awning of a bar, you really have the feeling “it’s all good” everywhere you go. Everything is organized, everyone is very friendly, attentive and hard-working, not a crumb in any corner and clean toilets everywhere. The monkeys on the Arashiyama Monkey Mountain were of course a highlight for Isabel! And we had a lot of fun with a very traditional but super fun form of rafting with unusually extroverted boatmen. Visit the amazing Inari Shrine, where you walk through an endless sea of red gates. A trip to Nara with tame deer and stags, bowing friendly as Max fed them. An unexpectedly, exceptionally perfectly staged dance/entertainment show in the Silent Theater that even left Max with tears (!) in his eyes. Continue to Hiroshima with an authentic ryokan hotel experience, Grand Torii Gate and a great hike on Miyajima Island. A slightly more serious but interesting day at the Atomic Bomb Memorial and an evening at a star-worthy restaurant. One of the largest aquariums in the world in Osaka. Action, sport and fun in the huge Spo-Cha Arcade. Diverse shopping (again, without actually buying anything). Back to Tokyo to Team Lab Planet with a modern art experience. A great evening with our friends Khoa and Rike, who were there at the same time, with good food and karaoke! And after an obligatory visit to the fish market with great sushi, the trip to Japan was unfortunately coming to an end... we'll be back at some point!