Life after COVID: Looking Forward to See the Rest of Japan

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.”  -Michael Palin

When I moved to Japan, I never really thought of travelling around it that much. I just wanted to experience the culture, do my job, go to Tokyo since it’s always popped in the manga(s) I’ve read and anime(s) I’ve watched, and see my favorite Japanese bands perform live.

Walking beside the vermillion 'torii gates' of Koizumi Shrine Inari 

But as I spend more time in the Land of the Rising Sun, I realized that it has more things to offer. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto aren’t the only places worth the visit in this weird, yet culturally rich country. It has 47 prefectures that has its own charm, which is not known to many because it’s overshadowed by the ‘big cities I mentioned before. So when I had that epiphany, I’ve decided that I want to VISIT ALL THE PREFECTURES IN JAPAN!

But COVID happened….

Staying at Home

I cancelled all my trips abroad and domestic. It was pretty depressing, but I tried my best to stay positive and use my free time to be productive and avoid watching too much Netflix. I then study, edit pictures, write, draw, do DIY projects, make a mini garden, and plan my next adventure.

Then after a couple of weeks, the State of Emergency has been lifted!

Being Cautious

This gave me hope that I can finally continue my journey of visiting all the 47 prefectures—as of now I’ve only been to 29. But on the other hand, I know the fight against coronavirus is far from over and I think the world will take some time to fully heal from it.

Hence, I’ve decided, if ever I’m going to travel, I’ll just focus on the places that are, wide and open, less crowded, and nearby or accessible by car. 

As much as possible, I don’t want to use public transportation, especially airplanes. I really don’t want to travel with my mask on for a long period of time. I feel the air gets very stuffy and a bit suffocating.  

So, even though I’m really eager to go to areas that are quite far from where I live, I don’t mind putting that goal on hold. I just want to feel safe when I travel— safety first!

Upcoming Itineraries

I really want to travel the Kyushu Region. 

I’ve only been to Fukuoka and I didn’t get to explore it that much because I just went there to meet a friend. That’s why I want to go back, then thoroughly plan an itinerary, and also travel around its neighboring prefectures: Kagoshima, Saga, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Oita, and Nagasaki.

The dazzling bridge in Kokura, Kitakyushu

I didn’t include Okinawa, because my husband and I already went there last March. But, I do want to visit it again someday. That island is such a lovely place! Although, I wasn’t very fond of Naha (Okinawa’s capital) it’s still one of my favorite prefectures in Japan.

Mossy stones in Cape Zanpa, Okinawa

I do hope that this pandemic will be over soon, so I could FINALLY proceed in exploring all the prefectures in Japan with ease and without wearing a mask.

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Travel: @lykishkeane

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