Sunshine Japan

I have written this for all those who had been

 asking me about my experience visiting Japan.
Here is the compilation of my adventurous 

insightful visit. This blog will give you an overview
of Japanese culture, food, places, people and my 

perception why I find Japanese more 
successful.

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. That's how I felt 

the warmth in frozen wind. 

I visited Japan in the month of March. It was 

autumn season while little upsetting since I 
could not see much of cherry trees. However 

there were stunning leaves and beautiful
others flowers. 

Mainly cherry trees bloom from Jan to April and 

it is worth seeing, country lit by cherry 
blossom. I am sure it will be an enchanting 

moment if you visit during the season.

The magnificent statue of Kusunoki Masashige

 was my first breath taking moment at Tokyo’s 
Imperial Palace. Kusunoki Masashige was a 

great samurai warrior who fought for Japan’s 
Emperor. This place is beautiful for long walks. 

I went to this place in a bus with my friends. 

However the best way to experience this place
is to travel in bullet train. 

Japan is a place, bursting with contemporary 

urban culture. There are many sides of Tokyo
to explore, from fascinating museums and 

world-class shopping; to neighborhood 
backstreets lined with restaurants and 

karaoke bars.

My next destination on day 2 was Shinamomachi.

 This land is beautifully created by my 
mentor Daisaku Ikeda. It is most famous town 

known for Soka Gakkai. You will find people 
practicing Buddhism here and few shops for 

Buddhist gifts.

My trip to Japan was a training ground which 

made me realize a need to really nurture our
own buddhahood. Being courageous and loyal 

all time.

It was a great learning point to seek the true spirit 

of many in body one in mind from people there.

It’s difficult to develop taste for Japanese food

for everyone, so even I started with small meals.

On day one I started light at an Indian restaurant...

 but later rest of the days my pick for food was 

Japanese.

If you are traveling to Japan and you are a 

vegetarian then you will have to pay attention. 

For vegetarians there are limited options and like

 every vegetarian if you choose tofu then let
me tell you, its taste is not good. Also you won’t

 be able to read menu if you don't know 
Japanese.  So all you have to do is, order the food

 by looking at the picture. However in few
restaurants you will see dummy of food plating 

which will give a fair idea. 
I had sushi, ramen, miso soup, tempura which 

I believe is must. I will suggest have local 
Japanese food. Its taste is delicious. And yes as 

part of custom and tradition each dish you 
order cannot be shared. However depends from 

restaurant to restaurant. 

Green tea was another fomous thing there known 

as matcha. However my taste buds didn’t like it.

Coming to deserts, there were many delicious 

things.
The first must try innovative sweet on my list 

will be Mizu shingen Mochi. It is also known 
as raindrop cake.

My favourite one was maple syrup pan cake, 

which they call as Doryaki.

My next destination was Kamakura. It is a seaside

 Japanese city just south of Tokyo. 
There are many prominent resort town with 

dozens of Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto 

shrines
There are many famous temples around 

like Hasdera temle, Kotoku-in Temple and 
Nichiren Daishonin temple as well. You can 

also do surfing at Yuigahama Beach on Sagami. 
This place is best where you find mix of old and 

modern Japanese culture.

This is Shijo Kingo house. He was a great warrior. 

Refer to stories before 1945, you can
browse more on internet. This place is also in 

Kamakura. If his stories interest you...
then Japan should be must on your travel list.

While I visited shrines, I learnt their ritual for 

entering shrine which is known as 'chozu'. 
Chozumeans cleansing of self. It is the customary 

way to clean or purify our mind, body and
soul before making any prayers at shrines or 

temples in Japan.

And here comes an inspiring story which is about

 the building that looks down on airplanes. 
It is also about the spirit of man who worked for 

dreams rigorously. There were times when
he had nothing to serve food on plate for her ill 

wife.
 With conviction, faith and hope he changed his 

situation. 
This wonderful person who had nothing in life 

built a skyscraper building which is known 
as Sunshine City Prince Hotel.

Last but not least enjoy potty even in public toilet.

And that’s what you see the great Mt. Fuji on 

your return.
While returning the only thing that was running 

in my mind was to jump in air and fly 
above snow capped mountains.

The day I stopped saying ‘Hurry Up’

The story began in 1991, at the time of my birth, probably that was when I first heard the word hurry up said by doctors, at the time of my mom’s emergency delivery.

As I started sensing things and while growing up I realised everyone is in a hurry. Accidently it started with my mom and grandmother when I heard them insisting me and saying hurry up finish your food, my uncle saying hurry up, you will miss your school van, my sister asking me to finish my talks asap. (Sahiba can you hurry and speak fast), my brother hurry up finish your homework I want to play.

And it went on… school… examination hall… college… work… home… over all everywhere in life for any task you begin, you hear hurry up along.

There was one single person standing beside me saying sit, relax, don’t hurry up and asking me to work carefully. As I come back home, he is the one asking for hug and few moments of talk, discussing each other’s day.

One fine day when nothing was going right and felt undervalued, my dad said live your life the deserving will come to you. He adds on “You don’t have to rush. Just take your time,” He said gently and my whole face instantly brightened and shoulders relaxed.

All I can say is a daughter is little girl who grows up to be a friend. Every parent play a major role in their children life. Being a daughter all I can say is parent’s time is the best thing for their kids especially when you hold their hands at right time.

Many a times we caught up ourselves being a multitasking. And no matter how many ways you divide your time and attention, no matter how many duties you try and multi-task, there’s never enough time in a day to ever catch up. To dear parents your children are waiting for you. Hold them.

Finally I learnt to say no! And stopped hassling. This was the day when I stopped hearing and saying ‘Hurry Up’

And it was all because of my handsome buddy, my daddy aka popsi.

On darkest days when I feel inadequate and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my crown.

Love from daddy’s girl.