Discovering the local side of Japan
You say Japan, and the first things jumping into everyone mind are its ancient traditions and the politeness of its inhabitants.
When I went to the country, I luckily got the chance to experience both of them from a local point of view. It happened in a very spontaneous and unplanned way, but I really loved it. Here’s my experience.
Getting started with the Japanese Adventure
Mr. Hitoshi is a 71 years old japanese man, the perfect example of all the kindness the land of the rising sun’s people are well known for. I got in touch with him through a website called Couchsurfing when planning my trip to Japan. Actually he got in touch with me, as I did only posted about my trip on the platform.
for those not knowing it, Couchsurfing is a kind of socialnetwork made for traveller. I talk a little about it in my post about finding travel buddies.
People can register both as an host, offering a couch (or even private bedroom) for free. And possible guest. And message each other when they found someone with inetersting plans. It can also be used to simply share open trips, or events. Usually to find travelmates or someone willing to help, like it happened to me with Mr. Hitoshi.
My long Journey to Osaka
After a long delayed flight and a couple of trains, I finally met mr. Hitoshi, waiting for me at the small station near his home.
Getting to him hasn’t been so easy: I left the Australian forest in the morning, slightly wasted by the farewell party my boss planned. The Japanese train system and ticketing is not the most intuitive at first. Out of the main stations most of the instruction are only in Japanese. And not many people speak English. Or most likely they do, but are quite shy about it.
Least but not last,free wi-fi seems to be not so common around Japan. Something I was not expecting from such a technologic country.
But I finally managed to find someone able to help me. And people are really nice. I guess I looked quite a bit overwhelmed, as a guy working in Mc Donald’s also gave me a free ice cream!
Meanwhile, my kind host was have been waiting for me for a couple of hours without getting any info from me. I felt soo bad, but he just told me he was a bit worried.
So we jumped straight into his tiny car, and start drifting uphill all the way to his home. Where a traditional futon bed was waiting for me in the room upstairs.
The night I arrived we only had a bit of conversation. He explained me in his basic self-taught english words that he started to study the language when he got retired, five years ago. And since then he has been hosting travellers to practice with. He then just showed me his small and traditional house. Including my bedroom and the place where I would have to be in the morning at 8 o’clock for the breakfast.
Exploring Osaka with Mr. Hitoshi
Willing to observe the typical japanese punctuality I woke up a little bit earlier, finding him in the kitchen. He was cooking okonomiyakies and making a smootie with his garden’s the fresh kakies. Toghether with his 93 years old mother, waiting for her meal.
We ate together and then made our way to the main train station, starting point of our biking tour of the city.
Only a few days before I was reading to watch out for the crazy bike riders around the japanese foodpaths. The only possible “danger” when visiting the country. I found pretty funny ending up being one of them, trying to follow him between people and other obstacles!
In just one day we went almost everywere, from the most touristy places to local markets and temples.
He also taught me how to do the Shinto’s praying ritual at the temple:
after the self purification in the Temizuya fountain, put a little charge in the offering box, ring the bell, bow and clap the hands twice. Then, after a while, bow again. In case the ritual is performed in a Buddhist Temple, don’t clap the hands and burn an incense stick instead.
I forgot to mention, I had two friends coming from Australia to join me on the Japanese trip. I told Mr. Hitoshi I was going to leave because of them, but he offered all of us to stay for a couple of days!
He was also waiting for other two guests coming from China and Singapore on the same day. So we all managed to meet at the same time and place.
We just didn’t realize we were too many people for his small car, until it was too late.
But we finally somehow managed to fit all of us and the four baggages together. We probably looked like sardines in a box, but it was fun.
Biking around Kyoto
The following morning I decided to wake up a bit earlier for helping him with the breakfast. I ended up cutting cabbage and onions for like half an hour. But he seemed glad to don’t have to do it, and that made me happy as well. After the okonomiyakies we left all toghether for anoter beautiful cycling day, this time in the nearby city of Kyoto.
Everyone instantly loved him as well. And enjoyed the trip too. We were like a small tour group riding around the beautiful city. With some quick stops only for visiting temples, walking around the Geishas District and checking that no one got lost along the ride. He took his role quite serious!
We also went to a supermarket to get the lunch: a traditional bento box to enjoy along the riverside.
For the third and last day at his place our plan was to stay in Osaka, and show the city to the other travellers. But when I asked him if he was going to guide us again, his reply really surprised me.
He said he already showed me the city the first day, and that now it was MY turn to guide them around.
I guess he just wanted to relax for a while.
So we cooked our last breakfast together. This time a warming noodle soup with tofu and veggies. Just before sadly having to say goodbye to him.
After all, nothing really remarkable happend. No big thinhgs or crazy Adventures. But I surely will never forget mr Hitoshi and his kindness. And all the semplicity that made this experience very special!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post!
Feel free to leave a comment below or share it with your friends, if you liked it. I would really appreciate it 🙂
Now keep exloring one of the related posts here, or pick another site area!
