Family Japanese Adventure Through Debasree’s Daughter’s Eyes
Hi! I’m Devi and I’m five years old, and I just went to Japan with my mommy, daddy, grandparents, and…oh, sushi. SO much sushi. Mommy said this was going to be a “big family trip,” and we were going on an adventure. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but now I know: adventures are when everyone laughs, gets a little lost, eats yummy things, and sees new places that look like they’re from a picture book.
Big Lights, Tiny Sushi
The first place we went to was Tokyo, and WOW. Mommy told me it was one of the busiest cities in the world, and I think that’s true because it felt like everyone in the world was there. Tall buildings, colourful lights, and SO many people walking in every direction.
It was like a giant game of musical chairs, except nobody bumped into each other. Mommy said the people in Japan are really polite, and I noticed that too—they bow a lot. Daddy said I should try it, so I did, and one uncle in a shop gave me candy!
The best part about Tokyo was the food. I’ve decided that sushi is my favourite thing ever. It’s small, fun to eat, and it tastes like a party in my mouth. Grandpa tried it, but he said, “Beta, I need something cooked.” Grandma agreed and said sushi is “not my cup of tea”.”
I don’t know what that means, but I think it’s a grown-up talk for “no, thank you.” Mommy and Daddy loved ramen—they kept saying it was the best they’d ever had. I tried it too and made slurpy sounds because that’s what people in Japan do. Slurping is FUN!
And guess what? Tokyo has cat cafés. Mommy said it’s a place where you can drink hot chocolate and play with cats. I tried to hug one, but it ran away. I think the cats didn’t like hugs, but that’s okay. I still loved them.
Oh, and something funny happened: Daddy got lost while looking for a bathroom. Tokyo has so many streets, and Mommy said it’s like a maze, but I think Daddy just forgot to read the signs. When he came back, everyone laughed, and Daddy said, “This city is too smart for me!”
Why Are Deer So Rude?
Next, we went to Hiroshima, a city Mommy said is very important. She told me it’s a place where people learn about peace and kindness. We visited a park with pretty paper cranes, flowers, and statues, and Mommy explained why people come here to remember how important it is to be good to each other. I liked the story, but what I liked even more was the ferry ride to Miyajima Island.
On the island, there were DEER. Not just a few—LOTS of them! They walked around like they owned the place. One of them came right up to Grandpa and tried to eat his hat! Grandpa said, “Shoo, shoo!” but the deer didn’t listen.
Mommy said the deer are friendly, but I think they’re a little naughty. I tried to feed one, but it sniffed me and walked away. I told Mommy it was rude, and she laughed.
Oh, and there was a huge gate in the water called the Torii Gate. It looked like something from a storybook. Mommy said it’s very famous, so we took lots of pictures. Grandpa said the view was peaceful, and Grandma just sat down and stared at the ocean. I think she liked it a lot.
Osaka: Pancakes, Castles, and Samurai Fun
Osaka was my favourite place. We stayed in a fancy hotel where the beds were so soft, I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. Every morning, there was a HUGE breakfast buffet, and I made my own pancake tower. Grandpa said I wouldn’t be able to finish it, but guess what? I did! Mommy said I looked like a samurai on a mission.
Speaking of samurai, we visited a big castle where I got to wear a shiny helmet. Daddy said I looked “fierce,” and I told him I was ready to battle for more sushi. Grandma tried to teach me how samurai bows, but she said I was too giggly to be serious. Grandpa tried to pick up a fake sword but said it was too heavy for him. I think samurai must be really strong!
Little Things I Loved (and Some I Didn’t)
- The vending machines in Japan are MAGIC. You press a button, and drinks or snacks just pop out! Grandpa tried to figure out how they worked, but I told him it’s magic, and that’s that.
- The people in Japan are the nicest. They smiled at me, helped me when I couldn’t read words, and even gave me a sticker at a store.
- The toilets? They’re scary. They make noises and spray water, and I was afraid they’d splash me, so I used regular ones instead.
- The food? YUMMY. Grandpa didn’t like sushi, but he loved something called okonomiyaki, which is like a big pancake with lots of toppings.
What I Learned About Adventures
Before we went to Japan, Mommy said that trips are about making memories, not just seeing new places. I didn’t really understand what that meant, but now I do. It’s not just the Torii Gate or the cat cafés or the samurai castles I’ll remember—it’s the little things. Like when Daddy got lost in Tokyo and made everyone laugh, or when a deer chased Grandpa, or when Grandma tried to use chopsticks and dropped her noodles everywhere. These are the memories that make adventures special.
I also learned that you don’t have to understand everything to enjoy it. I didn’t know why people bowed so much or why the toilets talked to me, but that made it even more fun. Mommy says trying new things is what makes adventures exciting, and I think she’s right.
Bye-Bye, Japan! (For Now)
When we got on the plane to go home, I looked out the window and whispered, “Bye, Japan.” I told Mommy I wanted to come back someday, and she said, “Of course, beta. Maybe next time we’ll see the cherry blossoms.” I don’t know what cherry blossoms are, but if they come with sushi, I’m ready!
So, that was my Japan adventure. If you’re thinking about going, you should definitely go. Just watch out for the deer—they might eat your snacks.
Read more: Thrillophilia Japan Reviews