There I stood opposite the train doors as I waited until the maintenance had completed. I was told Japan had fantastic transportation however it was only when I experienced it firsthand that I could fathom the level of technology and the organisation Japan has. I hopped onto the Narita Express and made my way to my language school accommodation. I must admit, towards the end of my trip, I took a strong interest in the trains in Japan. They are one of the fastest trains in the world and many run on electricity reducing carbon emissions compared to cars.
After settling into my University accommodation, I took the chance to rent a bike to commute around the city. I noticed many Japanese had done so and it seemed to have all the right benefits, looking after the environment, exercising and sight-seeing. Cycling around felt so liberating. At first I thought ‘goodness, I hope I have good control over this bike’, however I continued on and soon after found myself going along paths, finding boutiques and meeting friendly faces. My mint green bike and I had formed an unexpected bond and I took the time to care for it. It was a fantastic adventure.
Whatever you do, when in Japan pack great trainers. Another way to explore is simply to throw on some comfortable trainers and venture out. It may be efficient to plan your day otherwise I found it was pleasant to take it slowly. There was one instance where I walked along a path about five times until realising which looking back does make me cackle. When in Japan, you will in fact get lost once. An app I found useful is google maps which helped me navigate my trips. Unlike other apps, Google Maps is more sustainable and efficient because you can download the city you are visiting to reduce your use of data. A website I found useful is Guru Walk which offers free walking tours around the city if you would also like an authentic experience to learn about the history and culture of the city.
Early on my trip, I learnt you are responsible for your rubbish which must be taken home. As a result of an incident in 1995, bins have been significantly reduced making it difficult to locate. This had taught me a significant message on how much packaging I consumed. Something felt very wrong about this furthermore I decided to ensure I minimised my consumption. From that point on, I refilled my own water bottle, carried snacks in my bag and supported local communities. Supporting local communities and buying local produce meant that the goods and produce did not go through immense transportation and packing and aided the local economy.
In conclusion, travelling abroad and immersing myself in a different culture has been a valuable lesson. It taught me that it is important to enjoy new experiences abroad while making conscious decisions to look after the planet and respect communities.
