Tokyo 2024 - Day 4

Our final day in Japan was mostly a long travel day. From our hotel in Hakone, we took a shuttle to the train station, then hopped on a train back to Shinjuku Station. We lingered there for a bit before boarding the airport limousine to Narita, catching our flight back home, and finally taking a taxi from the airport. Whew- what a day. I had worried it might be too much for my parents, but they handled the journey like pros, which was a huge relief.

I thoroughly loved my stay in Japan. If there was one word to encapsulate the whole experience, it is serene. Everywhere we went, there was a sense of calm, welcoming energy. Japan felt like a country that deeply values care and attention to detail. From the impeccably clean sheets to the pristine onsens and well-manicured trees lining the roads, everything seemed thoughtfully maintained.

What struck me most, though, was the balance between individuality and respect. People expressed themselves uniquely, but never in a way that seemed disruptive or inconsiderate. It felt like a culture that values personal freedom while prioritizing mutual respect -- a rare and refreshing combination.

Sharing this trip my parents as they revisited their honeymoon route made it all the more special. At some point, I found myself thinking, I'd love to come to Japan for my honeymoon one day.