According to Sri Swami Sivananda, Shintoism “involves spontaneously following the Way of the Gods.  It is a religion of the heart.”  Shintoism is what drives the lovely island nation of Japan.

Japan always held a mystical attraction for me.  I wanted to better understand this land of mysteries, of bridges and bento boxes.  In doing so, I wanted to find myself and sort out my own spiritual demons.

ARRIVAL

I don’t remember landing in Japan.  The Narita airport terminal is wiped from my memory.  I remember stepping out of the terminal and taking a train to Tokyo.

The train ride itself was unremarkable, but the foliage visible as the train whizzed along was unforgettable.  Wispy leaves on delicate and oddly shaped trees caught my eyes and reminded me that I was, in fact, in Japan.

KOI PONDS

Our hotel in Tokyo, a Marriott, had the most beautiful Zen garden.  It was enclosed by high walls, to keep out the hustle and bustle of the behemoth beyond. 

I ate breakfast by the enormous koi pond, watching as the carp and koi fish surfaced and dove into the gurgling water.  It was lovely to see the simplicity of it all.  The koi pond at the hotel also turned out to prepare us for the many koi ponds we would see all over the place.  Whether in public or private gardens, the ponds came to be synonymous with the lovely country of Japan.

Of course, one cannot mention koi ponds and not mention the bridges.  Naturally these are abundant as well - little ones in particular.  Japan’s bridges would fill many a photo book.

KIMONO

Most charming to me were the kimono, so beautifully adorning the people who hurried along on their daily beats.  Men and women have their own assortments, but I was particularly taken with those of the women, which like bright plumage provided an incomparable landscape.

Little girls in kimono made my heart stop.  They looked like beautiful little dollies, with their sweet little faces and these elaborate prints.  I found out that the Japanese have kimono for different seasons, with strong style dictates governing the types of patterns, fabric and sashes used to provide the finishing effect.

The kimono has to be one of the most beautiful national costumes in the world - it’s a pity so many of the modern kids eschew them in favor of westernized daywear.

TEMPLES

There are countless temples in Tokyo - small, large, public, private.  I spent some time in the more popular ones like the Meiji Jinku shrine and the giant Sensoji (Asakusa) temple.

There are some lovely traditions surrounding these temples.  After purifying one’s hands by dipping them in the water basins, one can put money in the offering box to pray for happiness, or select a fortune paper for a forecast of what the year ahead will bring.  One can also change the course of fortune by tying the fortune papers to trees or wood to divert the ill luck.

Along Asakusa, reputed to be Tokyo’s oldest, is a centuries old market.  All kinds of goodies are sold here, like fans and clothing like kimono and yukata.  One can stop and savor a delicious Japanese ice cream, or have some sushi in the tiny little hamlet-style shops.  Each doorway has its own charm to offer, little pendants, lights, symbols of shintoism and buddhism. 

At night, I was taken aback at the profusion of nighttime neon lights, despite having watched my share of movies set in Japan.  I was also taken aback at the sheer quantity of text outside buildings.  The signage in Tokyo is anything but zen, and I found myself pining for a little Minka house retreat in the foothills of Fuji.

Because of the incidence of markets next to the popular temples, I rubbed several Buddha bellies while there while getting my fair share of sushi.  I can’t say though, whether the sushi in Japan is the best in the world (perhaps my taste buds have been compromised by my western lifestyle).   

DEPARTURE

I could spend hours writing about the incredible fashion of the Japanese people, the landscape, restaurants and lifestyle.  For now, these are some thoughts about my little adventure in Japan.  Suffice it to say that I walked away with a new respect for the many creative ways to package and present something, charmed by the people and very much in love with shintoism.

Why you should go there: incredible eats, famous fashion (Harajuku, baby!)

Adventure worthy attraction: Tsukiji fish market (go before dawn), temples (Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Senso Ji)