Once upon a time in Japan

Once upon a time in Japan … actually 12 months ago today

19 October 2020

There has been much time to reflect in 2020.

We undoubtably took for granted the freedom to choose a place to visit, a culture to embrace, a cuisine to savour. Now it seems long ago when we could travel.

I write to document an amazing experience in Japan 2019 and pay respect to my fellow travellers, and all those we met who made our journey something very special.

Together, after arriving in Osaka, we travelled south to Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, where the RWC 2019 had reached the quarter finals. Over the next three weeks we journeyed through the island of Honshu from Yamaguchi in the south to Yokohama and Tokyo in the north. It was the most inspirational of trips with every day opening a new experiential chapter in sights, sounds, tastes, things to touch and stories to tell, with lots of laughter, fun and a few moments of sadness.

A detailed itinerary was prepared, as every true event organiser should, which allowed for all to add their individual suggestions, choice of activity and destination, and how to get there, as well as the daily choice of restaurant. A diary was created but instead of taking you on a chronological reflection I thought it better to create multiple journeys each with a story of hospitality, cuisine, culture and history, the people and sport.

Please join me over the next month through a series of blogs as I reflect on a Japanese experience we hold so warmly in our hearts and memories;

‘Once upon a time in Japan 日本’ BLOGS:

Omotenashi    おもてなし     hospitality plus!

Oishī               美味しい        delicious, a story of cuisine

Ryokō             旅行               travel, and all the experiences on the way

Ragubī           ラグビー        rugby, the primary decision RWC 2019       

Arigatō            ありがとう    thank you