Spring 2026
Trip to Japan!
I was so grateful to have the opportunity to travel to Japan with my husband, and 3 of our close friends following my university graduation! It was such a blessing that my friends family allowed us to stay with them, and additionally showed us some amazing things! We stayed in Osaka, additionally traveling to Tokyo, Nara, and the southern tip through some beautiful islands!
Osaka
Osaka ended up being one of my favorite stops on the trip. We wandered through the underground streets and shops, explored Osaka Castle, and spent time just taking in downtown and all the beautiful sights along the way. We also stopped by Don Quijote, which was fun to wander around and see everything they had. The food the whole time was incredible, especially the wagyu steak, which might honestly have been my favorite part of the whole city. Between the castle and just getting to explore every corner, Osaka gave us a little bit of everything.
Kyoto
The streets of Kyoto were such a wonderful experience, filled with the most unique shops, food spots, and creative products to see! I loved the small town vibe, with its narrow streets and strong sense of community around every corner. The beautiful structures at the top, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, really made the day feel like such a wonderful adventure. We especially loved watching, and trying ourselves, to lift Benkei's Spear, the massive iron staff on display there that's said to bring good luck to anyone who can budge it!
Shimanami Kaido
This was absolutely my favorite experience in Japan! The Shimanami Kaido took us through multiple islands in southern Japan, over majestic bridges, through small towns, and past some of the most beautiful sights I've seen. While I wish I had trained more for biking (saddle seat is real, and I was not expecting it!), it's hands down my favorite thing we did on this trip. There's something about covering all that ground under your own power, island by island, bridge by bridge, that made the scenery hit differently than it would have if we'd just driven through. What a special way to see somewhere so beautiful! I thought I was in Hawaii at times.
