i'm back!

It's probably strange to open this post about my trip to Japan

with a picture of this cup, but I feel it is very much apt.

This cup was purchased on the day we were in Matsumoto, on the journey back to Tokyo,

after the wonderful few days we had in the Hida Mountains.

Matsumoto (Central Japan), turns out to be quite a city of the arts; for one, it was the birthplace of the famous artist Yayoi Kusama. The museum housed much of her history and works. One of their famous shopping streets too had countless crafts on sale; pottery was one of them. After browsing a cute shop full of handmade pottery, I felt like I needed to get something (partly cause we felt bad browsing endlessly and not buying anything) -- and in retrospect, I'm so glad I got the above cup. It's simple, but beautiful, and one of a kind. And there's something about it that reminds me of that essence of Japanese culture that I so admire -- an appreciation and a cherishing of objects and nature. It's not like I hadn't known it before, but it struck me more this time: how much respect these people have for things, and how that translates to respect for human beings and for the environment. Like this cup, most things are so well-made, well-thought out, and gently and quietly cherished; and it inspires one to respect the object and the maker. I absolutely love this cup now, and I'll always remember the quiet shop E and I tiptoed around in, for fear we might crash and break things; and the cute old lady, who quietly smiling, wrapped up my cup in paper and bubble wrap.

I love that about Japan; their quiet politeness and gentleness, and respect for things. All things. E and I talked much about how wonderful their recycling culture is -- when you finish at Starbucks (which of course we did more than once! gorgeous Starbucks too; this one here was a wooden warehouse building all on its own, in Hakodate, Hokkaido), you need to sort out all your trash into the correct bins: liquid and food waste separate, plastics down another chute, paper in yet another space. The spaces designated for all things, make you aware of how you treat your own space, and other people, and things -- I love how shoes are always neatly arranged for instance, no matter where. At one point, someone anonymous (likely a random guide), had arranged our shoes while we were blithely exploring a no-footwear museum space, and we were fairly horrified, and subsequently attempted to always arrange our shoes when we took them off. I've taken to arranging all footwear in my house in this manner, haha.

Ganbatte, S! to striving to continue to grow in respect and gratitude, toward all things, places, and peoples in this world. I came home even more psyched to continue to konmari and clean up my space.

I had said that I wanted to replenish my self by resting with beautiful things;

and I certainly got that.

I really, really, really loved the Hida mountains;

there was nothing short of splendour there:

loved the autumn trees,

the quiet majestic mountains,

the clear rivers.

The water was so spectacularly clean and sometimes an amazing blue,

I can't even -- (I want to burst with awe)

and the fact that we stayed a few nights in isolated ryokans in the mountains,

accorded us some of that quiet isolation we wanted with nature.

 The day we were in Kamikochi was amazing (and freezing cold, hahaha).

We were walking by this river, and when we had walked a fair bit, it became quiet,

because most people didn't seem to venture that far;

the place was a camping ground (we spotted a few tents).

The view was spectacular.

I couldn't believe we were just there on our own, trekking around;

it was so beautiful. And peaceful. I've decided I will be back some day.

And the yellow autumn trees! were everywhere.

I could indulge in my love for yellow; 

people have said I looked good in yellow, hehe.

not sure how to end this post,

but maybe with a series of ridiculously pretty and beautiful things.

even our food is so prettily laid out:

Shirakawa-go was basically like a fairytale place.

You can easily imagine Little Red Riding Hood walking by,

picking flowers.

and more of the beautiful trees and mountains:

(zero filters for all my pictures here;

they needed none.)

Thank You God for such beauty.