Rashmy’s Trip Through Japan’s Wonders with Thrillophilia
My friends and I had a pact—a promise whispered during late-night talks and coffee-fueled dreams. “When we start earning good money, we will treat ourselves to a trip to Japan.”
Why Japan? Because it was a land that seemed both foreign and familiar: of cherry blossoms and cutting-edge technology; of ancient temples and anime.
Japan was our dream destination, and this was our chance to make it real.
The City That Never Sleeps (and Neither Did We)
From the moment we landed in Tokyo, the city's neon glow pulled us into its vibrant pulse. Our first night in Shibuya was electrifying as we explored the famous scramble crossing, dazzled by flashing billboards. No doubt it's known as The Neon City.
Later, we dove into Roppongi's nightlife, sipping cocktails on a rooftop before hitting the clubs. The beats were infectious, and we danced until dawn, fully immersed in Tokyo’s never-ending rhythm.
Inspired by the Tokyo Drift soundtrack, we set out to find some underground car races, hoping to catch a glimpse of Tokyo’s high-speed scene.
We didn’t spot any races, but the city’s buzz was more than enough to keep us excited.
Of course, no visit to Tokyo would be complete without diving into its quirky culture. We found ourselves in Akihabara, the ‘Mecca for Anime and Online Gaming. It was like stepping into a giant arcade, with blaring music, flashing lights, and endless rows of gadgets and collectibles.
My other friend, who’s a die-hard anime fan, practically lost his mind when we walked into a multi-story manga store. "This is heaven!" he screamed.
Where Dreams Meet Drama
Our journey took a breathtaking turn when we ventured out to see Mount Fuji. The iconic peak was as magnificent as we’d imagined, its snow-capped summit piercing the sky. We couldn’t stop taking pictures, but of course, no camera could do it justice.
Then came the drama. We were on our way back to Tokyo when one of us realised something was missing. "Oh no, my bag!" It was that sinking feeling you get when you realise you’ve left something important behind—and in this case, on a bullet train riding away at 300 km/h.
Panic set in. We had no idea what to do, and the thought of losing our passports, wallets, and souvenirs was too much to bear.
After a few frantic minutes, we managed to communicate with the station staff, who were incredibly understanding. In true Japanese efficiency, they tracked down the train and found the bag, returning it to us later that day.
The relief was overwhelming, and we all burst out laughing at how close we’d come to disaster.
A Journey Through Shadows and Light
The tone of our adventure shifted when we arrived in Hiroshima. The city, with its painful history, felt heavy with the weight of the past. We visited the Peace Memorial Park, and the silence there was profound.
My friends and I walked slowly, each of us lost in thought as we stood before the Atomic Bomb Dome, the skeletal remains of a building that had withstood the blast. It was a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of peace.
Yet, Hiroshima was not just a city of shadows. The resilience of its people and the beauty of places like Miyajima Island gave us hope.
Where Food is Love and Chaos is Art
If Tokyo was a city that never sleeps, Osaka was a city that never stops eating. From the moment we arrived, it was all about the food. We made our way to Dotonbori, the epicentre of Osaka’s culinary scene, and were instantly overwhelmed by the sights and smells.
Takoyaki stands lined the streets, and we couldn’t resist trying the famous delicacies.
One of my friends, who prides herself on being a foodie, declared Osaka her "spiritual home" after tasting okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake that was unlike anything we’d ever had. "I’m never leaving," she joked as she polished off her plate.
Osaka wasn’t just about food, though. We took in the city’s unique vibe on a walking tour, visiting places like the retro Shinsekai district, where old meets new in a mashup of neon signs and nostalgic storefronts.
The Heartbeat of Japan
Our journey wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to Kyoto and Nara, where Japan’s ancient heart still beats strong. Kyoto was everything we had imagined—a city of golden temples and tranquil gardens. The highlight was the Kinkakuji Temple, its golden pavilion shimmering in the sunlight.
But the magic didn’t stop there. In Nara, we found ourselves surrounded by deer at Nara Park, where the animals roam freely and aren’t shy about approaching visitors. "They’re so cute!" my friend squealed as she fed them special crackers.
But the deer weren’t just cute—they were persistent. One particularly bold deer followed us for what felt like ages, determined to get more treats. We laughed and ran, and for a moment, we felt like kids again.
The Todai-ji Temple, with its enormous bronze Buddha, left us speechless. The sheer size and scale of the statue were overwhelming, and we spent a long time just taking it all in.
There was something deeply spiritual about the experience, and it made us all appreciate the rich history and culture that surrounded us.
A Toast to Memories
As our trip came to an end, we found ourselves gathered in our hotel room, reminiscing about the experiences we had. There was a bittersweet feeling in the air—sadness that the adventure was over, but also a deep satisfaction in knowing we’d made the most of every moment.
We had a great and luxurious experience with Thrillophilia. Their whole team was very supportive and knowledgeable with a touch of genuine care for their customers.
Tushar, who booked our tour, is a guy with a lot of patience and is very caring, even after booking the tour he was in constant touch with us. Bhavin was also very cooperative, extremely professional and was always in touch.
On our last night, we made a toast—"To Japan, and to many more adventures!" It was a promise, not just to return to this incredible country someday, but to keep chasing our dreams, wherever they might lead us.
Read More: Thrillophilia Japan Reviews