niracler

A perfect ending requires at least a second playthrough [^1]
Youth has no second playthrough
Thus youth must have flaws

Preface - Character Introduction?#

This is a travelogue about my trip to Japan, documenting my first experience abroad. There are many regrets on this journey, but just like youth, because it cannot be relived, those flaws have become the most profound memories.

This travelogue is mainly written for my future self ten years later and my travel companion Linkke, as well as for friends with 0-1 experience in traveling to Japan and netizens who love gossip.

The story may involve some characters:

1. Linkke: A classmate who traveled with me, camera operator, mobile videographer, information officer, wallet, hotel arrangement yuan. Also a good friend frequently mentioned in the blog. For example, this time and that time.
2. Classmate C: A classmate who went to Japan two days later. I learned unexpectedly during the trip that he was also going to Japan this holiday, with almost identical itineraries. However, we were two days apart the entire time, but this also led to an achievement.
3. Me: An unremarkable person in an unpublished vlog, actually someone who is not thinking about anything 😊.

Reasons for traveling:

1. Since ancient times: I had planned this trip to Japan during the Spring Festival of my first year of work, right before graduating from university in 2019. Unfortunately, first the pandemic, then work pressure (corporate slave), it kept getting postponed, and rounding it off, it was now this year's National Day.
2. Trend of the times [^3]: As a corporate slave, it's hard to take leave during non-public holidays; domestic travel during holidays is already hellishly difficult [^2]; I didn't want to join a tour group, and Japan is very friendly to first-time independent travelers; plus, Japan has achieved cultural victory (pseudo) — under various factors, choosing to go to Japan during National Day became a natural choice.
3. Japanese culture fan: Yes, I basically spend my free time reading manga, so I naturally have a strong interest in otaku culture.

(What's Our Problem? [^5])

Before the Trip - There's Always More to Prepare#

Well, traveling abroad is nothing more than passports, visas, hotels, routes, tickets, leave (slightly), internet, payment, language, culture, and so on; it's very simple (hindsight 🙈, I wouldn't dare do it alone). The minority has a very good tutorial "Travel is unpredictable, but you can prepare better: Things you need to know before going to Japan | Minority," so I won't elaborate. Combining various guides from Xiaohongshu and assistance from major LLMs, it's basically a perfect problem-solving plan. Here, I will only mention the diff items related to me:

Passport and Visa (late): I only went to apply for my passport in August and sent out the visa materials on September 1. The visa result took ten days to come out, which delayed the entire preparation process quite a bit. Thus, I ended up spending an extra three thousand yuan. It would have been much better if I had done it a month in advance. However, this was also my first time personally going through the entire visa process [^4], and I finally had a practical experience of this procedure.

6. Application Conditions (Choose one of five)

1）【Annual income of 100,000】:

【Salary flow application】
  Basic materials + employment certificate + proof of participation in social insurance for the past two years +
  Valid salary flow for the past year with a salary of over 100,000

【Tax payment application】
  Basic materials + proof of participation in social insurance for the past two years +
  Tax records for January to December 2024 and January to the most recent month of 2025 (provide records for separate periods) +
  Tax income details for 2024 with screenshots of 12 months over 100,000 and
  screenshots of all months from January 2025 to the most recent month

2）【Annual income below 100,000】:
【Salary flow insufficient for 100,000】
  Can add a savings certificate of over 100,000 for three months,
  Salary flow for 12 months and a balance of over 30,000 after each transaction in the last three months,
  No large transfers in the last three months + employment certificate

3）【Credit card application】:
  Basic materials + proof of participation in social insurance for the past two years +
  Credit card with a limit of over 30,000, front and back images + limit screenshots +
  Recent three months of statements with at least 10 transaction records + supporting materials

4）【Retirees】:
  Basic materials + copy of retirement certificate + retirement fund flow over 100,000 for the past year
  (Retirement certificate + retirement fund flow (over 100,000 retirement fund),
  If not satisfied, retirement fund flow for 12 months and a balance of over 30,000 after each transaction in the last three months,
  No large transfers in the last three months + 100,000 savings for three months)

5）【Special cases】:
  Full-time undergraduate or higher education verification report
  (Supplement student ID for foreign residents);
  Degree registration form within three years of graduation
  (Supplement graduation certificate + residence permit for foreign residents, additional information form for Shenzhen)

Route (Osaka in, Tokyo out): From September 29 to October 5, a total of seven days. 2 days in Osaka → 3 days in Kyoto → 2 days in Tokyo. This is a classic first-time Japan travel route, not retracing steps, allowing for exploration of both the eastern and western sides of Japan's main island (Classmate C's route is basically the same). Before landing, I didn't set too many must-visit places; although I marked many points I wanted to go to, only Universal Studios and Akihabara were must-visits. The rest were decided the night before for the next day's travel plan.

Leave: If we were to depart on National Day, round-trip tickets would cost at least six thousand yuan. So we took three days off in advance to set off.

Tickets & Hotels & Admission: As September approached, ticket prices started to soar, and I almost thought I wouldn't be able to go. If it weren't for encountering a good price on the way, it would have likely been canceled. The hotel and Universal Studios tickets were arranged by friends, and this time I didn't try Airbnb or similar accommodations.

Internet & Payment: I bought a Japanese SIM card for travel. Public transport was all done using a Suica card [^6], which can be activated directly in Apple Wallet. As for payment, the places I visited were mostly popular attractions, so 95% of payments were covered by Alipay or WeChat. Generally, carrying about 50,000 yen (approximately 2,500 RMB) in cash is definitely sufficient.

Language & Culture: If one knows Japanese and has enough understanding of various Japanese cultures, that would be great. Unfortunately, I scored 0 and 40. However, language was definitely not a problem; firstly, simple communication could be done in English, and secondly, there were always compatriots speaking Mandarin around, so I just had to follow their actions, and gestures were also very simple (translation software was indeed a trump card).

There was a classic scene. When buying things, the sales staff usually prepare various common language scripts in front of them, and many times if the staff only speaks Japanese, they can achieve simple communication by clicking the corresponding script. For example, "I need to apply for tax exemption," "Pay with Alipay," "Do you need a bag?"...

Travel Diary#

D0 On the Road - From Tension to Relaxation on the First Day#

After all, it was a budget flight, requiring a transfer. Two flights, exiting and entering the country, back and forth at the airport, I finally arrived in Osaka at 7 PM Japan time. Below is the itinerary recorded using rond [^7]. My phone automatically switched time zones, losing an hour. When I went to Yunnan before, I crossed more time zones, but still used Beijing time.

On the way, I chatted with Linkke about various work and life topics; this trip was his "escape from reality journey." Later, I found the photos I took for him with his camera; aside from the blurry, crooked, and eyes-closed ones, the rest all captured him looking like a corporate slave, somewhat like the Miku above 😂.

After getting off the plane, I saw a lady who had no experience and came to Japan all by herself. We helped her take the train to Osaka Station. Looking at her, I sighed that I wouldn't dare to come alone. My friend said he would also come alone, and there's no such thing as daring or not. Indeed, on this trip, I entrusted all the work of putting myself out there and talking to others to him; he speaks English well, knows a bit of Japanese, and has strong communication skills. At that moment, I thought they were all amazing. (But now that I'm back, I can also say I could go to Japan alone).

In Osaka, everyone speaks Mandarin, so there's no need to worry about language barriers. In the eight months before 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan exceeded 6.71 million [^3], while last year's total was only 6.98 million [^8], and this year's National Day period saw even more crowds. At the airport and train stations, it felt like one in every three to five people was Chinese [^8]. People on the same flight felt like part of the same tour group, and it was easy to find assistance. (Is that so? Even so, I was still very nervous on my first trip abroad. Luckily, I had a companion).

After entering the hotel, I finally experienced a Japanese bathroom. There was even a bathtub! The last time I encountered a bathtub was probably twenty years ago. I bought a bottle of Japanese sake at a nearby supermarket, drank a bit while soaking, and ended up with my feet turning red. Later, I realized it wasn't from soaking but an allergic reaction to alcohol, and my whole body turned red. All the hotels I stayed in during this trip had bathtubs; Japanese people have had the habit of bathing since the Edo period [^9], so it's no wonder even business hotels come standard with bathtubs.

The toilet design is truly perfect. First, there's a splash-proof design, so there's no need to use tissue; secondly, the cleaning function is very common, even public toilets in parks have bidet functions; third, the toilet seat is temperature-controlled (at least the hotels I stayed in were), and the feeling of warm water washing is so advanced. I've heard that 80% of households in Japan have smart toilets [^10], and this time I truly experienced why the Japanese praise them so much. (Should I order one when I get home?)

Tap water is also drinkable; hotels don't provide natural water, and the bathroom faucet is labeled drinking water, as are the tourist spots. Only 15 countries in the world can achieve this [^11], relying on strict water quality testing and advanced purification technology. However, I only drank tap water on the first night; after that, I bought bottled natural water every day.

The only downside was that the hotel Wi-Fi was particularly bad. All the hotels I stayed in during these seven days were like this; during peak hours at night, it was basically unusable, and I could only use it in the morning when I woke up. This is a common issue with Japanese hotels [^12], due to outdated equipment and everyone being online from 8 to 11 PM, the bandwidth simply isn't enough to share.

D1 Universal Studios Japan#

Today I went to Universal Studios Japan, which reminded me of my experience at Hong Kong Disneyland years ago, a similarly profound experience. All the staff were very friendly, and at the end of each attraction, there were a bunch of people applauding for you 👏, that scene was just fantastic, creating a very joyful atmosphere. The cashiers were also very eager to chat with you; upon seeing I was Chinese, they tried hard to squeeze out a few sentences in Chinese to strike up a conversation, and when they saw I was wearing a Shirobako T-shirt, they said it was great 😊.

I played four attractions today: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and Hollywood Dream - The Ride. Except for Mario Kart being a bit boring, the others were fantastic. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was especially impressive; I somewhat regretted not buying a magic wand as a souvenir.

After waiting in line for an hour, it was only natural to go buy various souvenirs; that impulse was real 😂.

At the end of the day, I was completely exhausted and couldn't think. Now when I think back to Universal Studios, I remember that kind of tiredness.

Riddle: Waited in line for 1 hour, played for 3 minutes
Hint: A game name from V 社
Answer: Half-Life, just half a life left, and my whole brain only has "Halloween" left.

Universal Studios Japan opened in 2001, being the first Universal Studios in Asia. In recent years, new areas like Harry Potter (2014), Mario (2023), and Donkey Kong (2024) have opened [^13], no wonder there are so many people. Beijing also opened Universal Studios in 2021, reportedly on a larger scale; I can compare it next time [^14].

Practical tips for visiting Universal Studios:

1. Try to buy a fast pass; although the price doubles, otherwise it's a cycle of waiting in line for 1 hour to play for 3 minutes.
2. Get plenty of sleep the night before; the ideal state is to sleep from 9 PM to 6 AM.
3. Depart at 6:30 AM; arriving early allows you to play one or two more attractions (physically speaking 🏃).
4. Pay attention to the weather forecast; it rained in the morning that day, so we didn't leave until around 10 AM (although this was beyond our control 😂).

D2 Umeda, Osaka - Slow Recovery Day#

I slept a long sleep, which revived me from the exhaustion of Universal Studios, but I still felt a bit out of it. The exhaustion from yesterday was the kind where my brain only had "Halloween" left. Today I decided to recover at a slow pace, mainly wandering around Osaka's Umeda shopping district. I also tricked Linkke into not bringing his camera to reduce the load, so the number of photos taken significantly decreased 😂.

For lunch, I had some okonomiyaki, but ended up encountering a reservation mishap. Okonomiyaki is said to be "Osaka's soul food," made by mixing chopped cabbage into the batter and frying it with various meats and seafood [^15]. However, the one I ordered, although the photo might not have captured it well, still had meat when I picked it up with chopsticks 😂. I accidentally ordered two servings of a double portion while ordering online. The ordering platform couldn't cancel it, so I had to eat one and take the other away. As a result, this takeaway okonomiyaki became a burden for the rest of the trip.

In the afternoon, I went to NAGASAWA Umeda Chayamachi Store, which was my first time visiting a manga bookstore in Japan. This store is quite special; the bottom floor sells manga, and the top two floors are Surugaya (a second-hand merchandise store). Upon entering, I immediately saw Masakazu Ishiguro's "Sleeping Fool" series and grabbed it. I also pre-ordered three Taiwanese versions on Taobao, but they haven't shipped yet; I guess it will be next year. According to Rond's records, I spent two hours and eight minutes browsing here.

After browsing NAGASAWA, I also went to the Nintendo Osaka store. Linkke is a fan of "Xenoblade Chronicles," and upon seeing a Pyra amiibo, he immediately bought it.

The biggest issue today was the unreasonable route design, frequently switching subways. Several locations required multiple train transfers, and since we had to take a train from Osaka to Kyoto in the evening, it felt like we were always on the road. To make matters worse, I bought a bunch of books and was also carrying that takeaway okonomiyaki, making it a heavy load throughout. I should have found a place to store my luggage, but my mind wasn't very clear at the time, leading to a poor experience.

While taking the train to Kyoto in the evening, I thought: the pace of this trip needs to be adjusted. The NAGASAWA I visited today might be the largest bookstore in this trip to Japan; after browsing it, I wanted to avoid bookstores for the next few days. Although I later went to Maruzen & Junkudo, by then I really didn't want to browse anymore. Who would want to buy Japanese books anyway, when I can't understand them?

D3 Nishiki Market - Shinkyogoku - Yasaka Shrine#

I've arrived in Kyoto, and finally, I can set off at 11 AM! The previous two days had over 20,000 steps daily, setting off at eight or nine in the morning, which was unsustainable for a seven-day trip. Today, I had Gemini optimize the itinerary, compressing the travel time to 11:00-18:00, aiming to keep the daily step count around 15,000. The following days will follow this rhythm. The three days in Kyoto were the most comfortable for me, with a slow enough pace. (During the trip, I often mispronounced Kyoto as JD, fuck).

The atmosphere in Kyoto is completely different from Osaka. Upon arriving in Kyoto, I noticeably felt there were fewer people speaking Mandarin, and more Western tourists. In the hotel we stayed at, most of the people we saw were Westerners, and I didn't see any Asian tourists. Even though it was the National Day Golden Week, I suspected other nationals' routes hadn't reached here yet. Perhaps it's because Kyoto, as a city of world cultural heritage, has a stronger appeal to Western tourists [^16].

The exteriors of the houses here are extremely clean. Japan has regulations requiring buildings to be regularly inspected and maintained [^17]. Walking down the street, I saw old houses that were forty or fifty years old, yet their exteriors looked less than ten years old, with hardly any water stains visible. What surprised me even more was that even the car windows on the street were incredibly clean, with almost no water stains [^19]. Is there not much dust in Japan? The entire city gives a serene beauty. In contrast, in the urban villages of Shenzhen, I have to fight against dog poop every day 😂.

In the morning, I first went to Yodobashi Camera to buy accessories for Pocket 3, and from today on, I started filming vlogs. Then I went to Nishiki Market for lunch, which is known as "the kitchen of Kyoto," a 400-meter-long shopping street with over 130 shops [^18]. I drank matcha pearl milk tea, bought black bean tea as a souvenir (another burden), and ordered a fish roe chicken skewer, which cost 1,700 yen per skewer; I couldn't eat it on the go, so I had to sit down and enjoy it slowly.

In the afternoon, I strolled through Shinkyogoku and Teramachi shopping streets; when my energy was high, I really tended to buy more things 😂. I bought cheap bagged figures at Lashinbang and even turned a gacha for a Gundam. Looking back now, I really should have used up the remaining few thousand yen coins in Akihabara; they could have been souvenirs.

While shopping, I noticed a strange phenomenon: there are almost no trash cans on the streets. After buying something and finishing it, I could only hold onto the trash until I either returned to the hotel or found a convenience store or vending machine to throw it away. This isn't unique to Kyoto; it's the same throughout Japan. Later, I learned that this is related to the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas incident [^20]. That terrorist attack caused 14 deaths and over 6,000 injuries, and afterward, the government removed most public trash cans to prevent terrorists from hiding dangerous items in them, and this has continued for thirty years. The Japanese have also gotten used to it, bringing their trash home or finding convenience stores or stations to throw it away; the streets are incredibly clean.

In the evening, I went to Yasaka Shrine, but it was a flop; it was too dark at night, making it inconvenient to take photos. It would have been better to reverse the route. However, the overall pace of the day was very comfortable, and I wasn't too tired. With Gemini's assistance, the route was much smoother, and there was no back-and-forth.

After wandering around today, I had a feeling: Japan seems to be frozen in the most glorious time of the last century. Many basic infrastructures were built in the 80s and 90s; they look old but are well maintained. Braille is everywhere, buses lower their ramps for wheelchairs when stopping, and I could still see delivery guys riding bicycles. These accessibility facilities began construction as early as the 60s and 70s [^21], and now they have fully integrated into daily life.

### **Plan One: Final Optimized Version - “Classic Central District, Quiet Amidst the Noise”**

* **Theme**: Shopping, food, classic sights, anime merchandise, camera stores
* **Leisure Index**: Still: ★★★☆☆ (There will be many people, so be mentally prepared)
* **JR Pass Utilization Rate**: Low (mainly relying on walking and buses/subways)

**Itinerary Arrangement (with new locations added):**

* **11:00 AM | Kyoto Station Electronics City (buy DJI accessories)**
    * Depart from your hotel and walk to **Yodobashi Camera** or **Bic Camera** next to Kyoto Station. This is a large electronics city with a complete range of accessories, making it easy to find what you need.

* **12:00 PM | Nishiki Market & Lunch**
    * Take the **Karasuma Line subway** from Kyoto Station to "Shijo Station" (only 2 stops, about 3 minutes), and walk about 5 minutes to reach **Nishiki Market**.
    * **Food**: Start your culinary journey in "the kitchen of Kyoto," tasting tamagoyaki, soy milk donuts, takoyaki, various seafood skewers, etc. Walk and eat, experiencing the lively atmosphere of the market.
    * **Photography**: This place is full of life and vibrant colors, perfect for your friend to do cultural photography.

* **2:00 PM | Shinkyogoku & Teramachi Shopping Streets (Anime & Camera Stores)**
    * After exiting Nishiki Market, head directly into **Shinkyogoku Shopping Street** and the parallel **Teramachi Shopping Street**.
    * **Photo House K**: **This store is located within Teramachi Shopping Street**, and you can easily find it. It's a great place for photography enthusiasts.
    * **Anime Pilgrimage**: In Teramachi, you'll also find Kyoto's largest anime store **Animate**, as well as **Lashinbang**, **Melonbooks**, etc. You can indulge in shopping for merchandise and figures here.
    * **Shopping**: **Daiso** is also in this area, so you can finish shopping there as well.

* **4:30 PM | Nintendo KYOTO**
    * Walk from the shopping area to **Takashimaya Department Store**, where **Nintendo KYOTO** is located on the 7th floor. Experience the charm of Nintendo and purchase limited edition items.

* **5:30 PM | Kamo River & Gion**
    * After leaving Takashimaya, take a walk along the **Kamo River** and take some photos; the scenery here is very pleasant.
    * Then cross the Kamo River Bridge and enter the **Gion** area. Stroll along the quaint **Hanami Lane** and feel the traditional atmosphere of Kyoto.

* **6:30 PM | Yasaka Shrine & Dinner**
    * At the end of Gion is **Yasaka Shrine**. In the evening, the lanterns of the shrine will light up, presenting a solemn and beautiful scene very different from the daytime, perfect for photos.
    * Afterward, you can enjoy dinner in Gion or return to the livelier **Kawaramachi** area, which has a rich variety of dining options.

This updated plan perfectly connects all your needs, making the itinerary very smooth. I wish you a great time tomorrow and hope you take many good photos!

D4 Uji - Matcha - Byodoin Temple - K-On! Pilgrimage#

Arriving in Uji felt like escaping from the city to the countryside. The scenery outside the train window slowly changed from high-rise buildings to bungalows; after getting off, I looked around and saw no tall buildings and not many people. The weather was particularly nice that day, neither hot nor sunny, with just the right amount of sunshine. The feeling was completely different from the crowded experience of the previous three days in the city; here it was quiet enough to hear my own heartbeat. Only D4 and D5 of the entire journey were not in the city; when in the city, it was basically crowded, and I could finally catch my breath.

At noon, I wanted to eat matcha soba, but when I got to the restaurant, I saw that there was a two-hour wait, which was quite the internet celebrity spot. We took a number and then went to visit Byodoin Temple while waiting. Byodoin is the building printed on the ten-yen coin; to be honest, it didn't leave a deep impression, just that the Japanese really preserve cultural relics well. Interestingly, the queue was surrounded by Chinese tourists, and those who didn't know how to order could guide each other; that scene was quite warm 😂.

Returning to the restaurant, while waiting for our number in the pavilion, sunlight filtered through the leaves, and the gentle breeze blew by; that feeling was particularly relaxing, possibly the most comfortable moment of the entire trip. I made a mistake when ordering — I didn't realize it was vegetarian soba, and even the fried tofu had to be added separately. As a result, I added noodles, turning it into vegetarian soba with extra noodles, which was a bit too much. Moreover, the menu seemed to indeed not have any meat dishes. However, the matcha soba, along with two servings of sundae, totaled 8,000 yen, averaging 4,000 per person, and it tasted quite good.

In the afternoon, I started the K-On! pilgrimage. It's quite interesting; I actually haven't watched "K-On!" but since I was in Kyoto, I thought of KyoAni, so I came. Here, there were obviously more Cantonese tourists, and fewer foreigners; East Asian people probably empathize more with this work. Along the way, I could see some fans, groups of male otaku traveling together (I am one too 😂), discussing "what this character did here" and similar plot points while I took photos and checked in.

The most memorable place was the Daikichiyama Observation Deck. We climbed the mountain at around five in the afternoon, and there weren't many people on the way. Upon reaching the top, we could see the entire city of Uji; the view was still great, with only four or five people at the summit. I had originally filmed a lot for the vlog on this trip, but unfortunately, I accidentally deleted it that day, which was a bit regrettable.

To be honest, since graduating from high school nearly ten years ago, I have found it increasingly difficult to watch campus-related works. There is a feeling of time being irreversible — youth never returns. Standing at the K-On! pilgrimage site, watching those fans discuss the plot, this feeling suddenly surged up. If I had watched K-On! before, my feelings along this journey might have been even stronger. For older people, reminiscing about school life is like recalling lost friends; that kind of fear is real.

Finally, I returned near JR Uji Station to buy souvenirs at Itohkyuemon. Although I took a roundabout route, it allowed me to time the purchase of souvenirs for the return trip. I still bought too few matcha souvenirs; I brought too many clothes on this trip, and my suitcase couldn't fit, so I could only buy a little as a token. After returning, I could only pick a few from a box to give to friends, rather than giving a whole box.

A completely relaxing day; this day was the best practice, the most comfortable day of the entire trip. The pace, scenery, and mood were all great. Compared to the previous few days, the pace today was finally right — no rush, not many people, and I could sit down and rest anywhere. If only I could adjust the other days to this pace as well.

### **Your Designed “KyoAni Pilgrimage & Uji Matcha Healing Journey”**

* **Theme**: Anime pilgrimage, top matcha, world heritage, natural scenery
* **Leisure Index**: ★★★★★ (Very relaxing, can stroll at your own pace)
* **JR Pass Utilization Rate**: High (round-trip transportation fully covered)
* **Photography Friendliness**: ★★★★★ (Both anime scenes and classical courtyards are very photogenic)

**Itinerary Arrangement:**

* **11:00 AM | Depart from Kyoto Station to Uji**
    * Take the **JR Nara Line** (free with JR Pass) from Kyoto Station to **JR Uji Station**, about a 30-minute ride.

* **11:30 AM | Itohkyuemon (JR Uji Station Front Store) & Lunch**
    * Right across from **JR Uji Station** is the famous **Itohkyuemon**. You can choose to enjoy lunch in their tea house.
    * **Food Recommendation**: Their **matcha soba** is very famous and an excellent choice for a savory lunch. For dessert after the meal, you can have a classic **matcha parfait** (Parfait), which includes matcha ice cream, mochi, red beans, and matcha jelly, offering a rich texture.
    * **Souvenirs**: This is also a great place to buy souvenirs, with various beautifully packaged matcha snacks and tea.

* **1:00 PM | Byodoin (World Heritage)**
    * After Itohkyuemon, it's about a 10-minute walk to **Byodoin**.
    * **Highlights**: This is the building printed on the 10-yen coin and is one of Kyoto's world cultural heritage sites. The courtyard and the architecture of the Phoenix Hall are very stunning, worth spending time to appreciate and take photos.

* **2:30 PM | K-On! Pilgrimage**
    * After leaving Byodoin, you can start your leisurely pilgrimage. Here are several core check-in points, all concentrated along the Uji River, easily reachable by walking:
        1. **Tachibana Bridge & Asagiri Bridge**: These two red bridges connecting the Uji River's Nakashima (Tower Island) have appeared countless times in the anime and are excellent photo spots.
        2. **Uji Shrine & Ujigami Shrine**: Walking upstream along the river, you'll pass these two ancient shrines. Especially **Ujigami Shrine**, which is also a world heritage site, features ancient and tranquil architecture.
        3. **Daikichiyama Observation Deck**: This is where the protagonists Kumiko and Reina climbed the mountain after the festival in the first season, making it one of the most important locations in the pilgrimage. There is a small hiking trail next to Ujigami Shrine, which takes about **15-20 minutes** to reach the top. From the observation deck, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Uji city.
        4. **Uji Bridge**: Returning to the center of Uji, the **Uji Bridge** spanning the Uji River is the classic scene where Kumiko cries out "I want to get stronger!" (うまくなりたい！) at the end of the first season.
        5. **Keihan Uji Station**: The station itself has a unique design and has appeared multiple times in the anime.

* **5:30 PM ~ 6:00 PM | End of the pilgrimage, prepare to return**
    * You can return to the shopping street near JR Uji Station for some last-minute shopping or sit by the river to rest.
    * Take the **JR Nara Line** back to Kyoto Station.

* **Dinner**
    * After returning to Kyoto Station, you can have dinner at the **Ramen Alley** or at a restaurant on the upper floor of **Isetan Department Store**.

This itinerary perfectly combines the culinary experience of Itohkyuemon with the anime sentiment of KyoAni, allowing you to spend a relaxed and meaningful day in beautiful Uji. Enjoy your trip!

D5 Arashiyama Moss - Bamboo Grove#

Today I went to Arashiyama, a day full of moss. I visited Jojakko-ji Temple and Gio-ji Temple, and Linkke took plenty of photos. Unfortunately, I didn't make a reservation, so I couldn't ride the Arashiyama small train, which was a bit regrettable; next time I need to remind Gemini which tickets need to be bought in advance.

While wandering, I saw a pilgrimage article for "Spring 物" and realized that the great teacher's footprints are all over Kyoto, with many places being where he fought. Unfortunately, I haven't watched "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU." It was also here that I realized that although I often read manga, I basically revolve around reality; the closer the work is to reality, the more I tend to avoid it. Just like yesterday, I couldn't get into campus anime — the result is that there are no suitable pilgrimage spots for me to empathize with during this trip to Japan 😂. Maybe there will be more in Tokyo, like Shinkai Makoto's works.

In the evening, I stayed at a hotel in Kameoka, which was the most expensive and luxurious night of the entire trip. Initially, I planned to take a late-night bus directly to Tokyo, but in the end, I decided against it and chose this hotel in Kameoka for a transitional night. Mainly because other hotels were fully booked, this one cost 1,400 RMB per night, including breakfast and a hot spring, and the room was much larger than the previous few. The hotel also hosted a baseball team, and next door was a large sports field, apparently with a match happening these days. Seeing those players made them seem very young and energetic; their spirit was completely different. The next morning, I took the Shinkansen to Tokyo.

### **Arashiyama Moss and Bamboo Grove Healing Journey (October 3)**

* **Theme**: Moss secret realm, natural scenery, luggage direct delivery, popular photography spots
* **Leisure Index**: ★★★★★ (Perfectly avoids mainstream crowd routes)
* **JR Pass Utilization Rate**: High

**Itinerary Arrangement:**

* **10:00 AM | Depart from Kyoto Station to Kameoka**
    * Take the **JR Saga Line/San-in Line** (JR Sagano/San-in Line) from Kyoto Station, taking a **Rapid** or **Local** train towards "Sonobe" or "Fukuchiyama."
    * The journey takes about 20 minutes to reach **Kameoka Station**.

* **10:30 AM | Store luggage at the hotel**
    * **Hotel Route-Inn Kyoto Kameoka Ekimae** is conveniently located right at the Kameoka Station exit. You can quickly store your luggage here and set off lightly.

* **11:00 AM | Ride the Sagano Scenic Railway (popular experience)**
    * Walk about 10 minutes from Kameoka Station to reach **Torokko Kameoka Station**.
    * Ride this retro scenic train, which travels along the Hozu River Gorge for about 25 minutes. The scenery along the way is stunning and is an excellent photography spot. This is one of the classic popular experiences in Arashiyama.
    * **Get off at the terminal station "Torokko Arashiyama Station."**

* **11:30 AM | Explore the moss secret realm of Okusagano (greenery, fewer people)**
    * After getting off, you'll find yourself on the north side of the Arashiyama scenic area, which is the essence away from the crowds.
    * **First Stop: Jojakko-ji Temple**: This is a temple covered in maple trees and moss, built along the hillside, very tranquil. The stone steps leading to the main hall are lined with thick moss, lush and vibrant, creating excellent light and shadow effects.
    * **Second Stop: Gio-ji Temple**: About a 10-minute walk from Jojakko-ji Temple. This is the "temple full of moss" you want! Gio-ji is a small and exquisite nunnery known for its moss courtyard that resembles a carpet. Sunlight filtering through the maple trees onto the green moss creates a dreamlike scene, making it an excellent photography spot.

* **1:30 PM | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (popular photography spot)**
    * Walking south from Gio-ji Temple, you'll naturally enter the back section of the **Arashiyama Bamboo Grove**. Entering from this direction usually has fewer people than coming from Tenryu-ji Temple, making it easier to take good photos.

* **2:00 PM | Lunch time**
    * After passing through the bamboo grove, you'll reach the central area of Arashiyama. There are many restaurants and convenience stores (like FamilyMart, 7-11). You can buy some rice balls or sandwiches and find a bench at **Kameyama Park**'s observation deck or by the **Togetsukyo Bridge** to sit down and enjoy lunch while admiring the scenery, which is very pleasant.

* **3:00 PM | Stroll around the center of Arashiyama**
    * **Tenryu-ji Temple**: As a world cultural heritage site, its garden is a prime example of a Japanese garden and is well worth a visit.
    * **Kimono Forest**: Located within the Arashiyama Station, the 600 Kyoto Yuzen pillars are very gorgeous and a must-visit photography spot.
    * **Togetsukyo Bridge**: The symbol of Arashiyama. Take a walk on the bridge and enjoy the expansive river view and mountain scenery.

* **4:30 PM | Prepare to return**
    * Walk about 10 minutes from the Togetsukyo Bridge area to reach **JR Saga-Arashiyama Station**.
    * Take the JR Saga Line, and it only takes 2 stops to return to **Kameoka Station**, retrieve your luggage, and check into the hotel. The sunset time in early October is around 5:30 PM, so this timing is more than enough for the return.

D6 Shinkansen - Tokyo - Shinjuku - Ikebukuro Animate#

In the morning, I took the Shinkansen to Tokyo, but it was delayed, and it was raining that day. On the way, I organized today's itinerary with Gemini; the rest of the time I was sleeping and didn't see much scenery. I only arrived in Tokyo in the afternoon.

Upon arriving in Tokyo, it felt completely different. This time, there were more Japanese people, a bunch of corporate slaves with tired faces; you could feel the living pressure from the flow of people and the rhythm at the station; this is a place with a lot of life stress.

Today's itinerary was focused on the western route of Tokyo: Shinjuku → Ikebukuro → Shibuya. First, I went to Five Star Camera in Shinjuku, where Linkke bought another second-hand film camera (yes, he also bought one in D3). This store had a student from Guangzhou working as a part-time sales assistant who could speak Cantonese; they hit it off immediately, placed an order, and got a tax exemption. Sales assistants usually mark which languages they can speak on their chests. I can't help but feel that locals from Guangzhou and Shenzhen only meet overseas 😂. This store also had many Chinese customers.

Next, we went to Animate Ikebukuro, which is said to be the Guinness-certified largest anime mall in the world [^22]. After browsing for an hour and a half, I didn't find anything that excited me, and in the end, I bought a few original soundtracks. Well, I haven't finished the game, and I haven't watched the anime, so I don't even know what I bought them for. The video from Water Cooling [^25] said that Akihabara has declined; I should have come to Ikebukuro Animate, but I ended up getting scammed. The next day, when I went to Akihabara, I realized that a skinny dead camel is still bigger than a horse; Akihabara is still on a different level than here.

The key point is that, as someone whose knowledge of otaku culture is still stuck ten years ago, Animate actually sells newer and larger IP works, such as various mobile games, Hololive VTubers, and the works that have become popular in the last five years. I later realized that I am more suited to rummaging through second-hand stores for merchandise related to IPs that were active ten years ago.

For lunch, I had ramen at a restaurant full of Indians, which was also an experience of Tokyo's diversity.

That night, there was even a 4.0 magnitude earthquake, which was ridiculous. I've heard that Japan experiences about ten earthquakes a day on average [^23], which is a Japanese specialty.

Originally, the plan for today was to connect Shinjuku → Ikebukuro → Shibuya, but due to the rain and not being able to find a place to sit, after an hour and a half at Animate Ikebukuro, I was completely out of energy, so I skipped Shibuya.

The most obvious feeling from this trip to Tokyo was that the service attitude of staff in Kansai is better than that in Kanto. Although it's said that Japan is repressive, I feel this is viewed from the perspective of domestic vested interests. Compared to similar positions in China, such as couriers, Didi drivers, waitstaff, and factory workers, the differences in salary and work standards in Japan are not small [^24]. When I see people in these positions in China, I see a big "trapped" character; it feels like they are trapped in a place they don't want to be, yet have no way out.

### **Core Idea**

* **First Day (Today): Focused Tour of the Western Loop (Shinjuku → Ikebukuro → Shibuya)**
    * These three places are all in the **JR Yamanote Line**'s western area, making it very smooth to connect them. Today, the main focus is on Tokyo's modern, trendy, and commercial entertainment core.
* **Second Day (Tomorrow): Eastern Classic and Cultural Tour (Asakusa → Akihabara → Ueno/Kanda)**
    * These places are geographically close, allowing you to experience the huge contrast from Tokyo's traditional downtown style to the world-class ACG holy land.

---

### **First Day (Today): Western Tokyo Loop Tour (Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shibuya)**

**Theme**: Experience the bustling heart of Tokyo, merging photography equipment, anime merchandise, and trendy culture.
**Time**: 14:00 - 20:30+

* **14:00 - 14:30 | Depart from the hotel to Shinjuku**
    * **Route**: Depart from **Nihonbashi Station**, take the subway to **Shinjuku Station**.

* **14:30 - 17:30 | Explore Shinjuku (about 3 hours)**
    * **First Stop: Map Camera (Five Star Camera)**
        * **Address**: Near the west exit of Shinjuku Station.
        * **Highlights**: For your photography-loving friend, this is paradise. One of Japan's largest and most professional second-hand camera stores, offering everything from film cameras to the latest digital cameras and lenses. Even if you don't buy, window shopping is also a pleasure.
    * **Second Stop: Shinjuku Street Tour and Photos**
        * 📸 **Photo Spot 1: Godzilla Head at Toho Building**: Right outside the east exit of Shinjuku Station, this is one of Shinjuku's landmarks and very suitable for photo ops.
        * 📸 **Photo Spot 2: Entrance to Kabukicho Ichibangai**: This iconic red archway is the filming location for countless anime, games (like the "Yakuza" series), and movies; when night falls, the lights come on, creating a cyberpunk feel.
        * **Anime Pilgrimage Point: "LOVE" Art Sculpture at Shinjuku Station West Exit**: This scene appeared in the anime "Your Name." and is a very well-known city sculpture, easy to find and perfect for a quick check-in.

* **17:30 - 19:30 | Ikebukuro ACG World (about 2 hours)**
    * **Route**: Take the **JR Yamanote Line** from **Shinjuku Station**; it only takes a few stops to reach **Ikebukuro Station**, very quick.
    * **Core Goal**: Head straight to **Animate Ikebukuro**, which is your main shopping destination.
    * **Quick Overview of Surroundings**: If time allows, you can also browse nearby K-BOOKS or Lashinbang for second-hand merchandise.

* **19:30 - 20:30+ | Shibuya Night and Dinner**
    * **Route**: Continue on the **JR Yamanote Line** from **Ikebukuro Station** to **Shibuya Station**.
    * **Core Experience**:
        * 📸 **Photo Spot 3: Shibuya Scramble Crossing**: This is when the crowd is at its peak and the lights are the brightest. The best shooting point is the second-floor corridor connecting Shibuya Station to Mark City, where you can safely capture the spectacular scene through the glass.
        * **Hachiko Statue**: Take a photo with Tokyo's most famous dog.
    * **Dinner**: Shibuya has a plethora of restaurants, from ramen, sushi to barbecue, so you can settle down here after a tiring day.

D7 Akihabara - Senso-ji - Akihabara#

Finally, I've come to the right place. Regretting not coming sooner, I want to explore every building in Akihabara. From 11 AM to 3 PM, I first visited the RADIO Kaikan [^27], the landmark building of Akihabara, spending almost three hours on its ten floors (it felt much larger than Ikebukuro Animate, mainly because I liked more of the IPs). After browsing, I was exhausted and lay down at the hotel for a bit.

In the afternoon, I went to Senso-ji Temple at 6 PM, but I was thinking about going back to explore Akihabara the whole time, so I didn't have much impression of it.

After 7 PM, Linkke went to Shibuya, and I returned to Akihabara for a second visit. This time I browsed TRADER and Surugaya [^28], mainly rummaging through second-hand stores. I saw the physical game of HENPRI at TRADER, but I didn't dare to buy it that day; I regretted it later and had Classmate C bring it back for me, which is the box I touched in the photo. Now I think, if I had brought back the new work from Yuzu Soft, that would have been great. At least I could show off a bit in front of colleague M. 🤣

This trip to Akihabara made me realize what stores are worth visiting: second-hand stores. For example, CDs of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Hikaru Utada for 500 yen each; if you listen to Japanese songs, buying some back as souvenirs is quite nice. There are also pop-up stores that only sell for a short time, which have niche merchandise. For someone like me who isn't a pro at this, it's just a matter of luck to encounter them; I can only see the goods that pop-up stores release in second-hand stores.

When traveling to Japan, you should buy things that are either double the price domestically or unavailable 😇.

I also bought a series of "foolish purchases": buying domestic export goods at double the price in Japan (no photos taken). For example, the collaboration between Blue Archive and China's Pizza Hut, which made me laugh; I can't believe I could find it in a second-hand store in Japan.

From this day on, I no longer had any fear of traveling alone in Japan. I could go ten more times without any problem; it's just that funds don't allow it.

### **Second Day (Tomorrow): Classic and Subculture Tour of Eastern Tokyo**

**Theme**: From Tokyo's oldest temple to the world's largest anime and electronics street, experience a strong cultural shock.
**Time**: 9:30 - 18:00 (can be extended)

* **9:30 - 12:00 | Experience Traditional Asakusa**
    * **Route**: Take the subway **Asakusa Line** from **Nihonbashi Station** directly to **Asakusa Station**.
    * **Tour Highlights**:
        * **Kaminarimon & Nakamise Shopping Street**: Walk through the giant lantern, browse the shopping street, and taste traditional snacks like ningyo-yaki while buying some unique souvenirs.
        * **Senso-ji Temple**: Visit Tokyo's oldest temple and feel the Edo atmosphere.
        * 📸 **Photo Spot 4: Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center 8th Floor Observation Deck**: This is **free**! You can overlook the entire Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street from above, with Tokyo Skytree in the background, making it a postcard-level photo spot.

* **12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch & Head to Akihabara**
    * **Lunch**: You can have lunch in Asakusa, where there are many century-old shops, such as tempura and eel rice.
    * **Route**: Take the **Tsukuba Express (TX)** from **Asakusa Station**, which only takes 2 minutes to reach **Akihabara Station**.

* **13:00 - 16:30 | In-depth Tour of Akihabara ACG and Electronics Culture**
    * **Core Experience**: This is a paradise for anime fans and tech enthusiasts.
        * **Chuo Street**: On Sundays, it becomes a "pedestrian paradise," with vehicles banned from the main road, allowing for plenty of photo opportunities.
        * **Store Exploration**: Yodobashi/Bic Camera (electronics and models), Mandarake Complex (second-hand goods), Super Potato (retro games), Akihabara Gachapon Hall, etc.
        * 📸 **Photo Spot 5: Akihabara Street Scene**: The huge anime billboards, uniquely styled shop signs, and the bustling crowd on the street are the best scenery.

* **16:30 - 17:30 | Kanda Myojin Shrine: A Must-Visit for Anime Lovers**
    * **Route**: About a 10-15 minute walk from Akihabara.
    * **Anime Pilgrimage Point**: This shrine is a significant filming location for the famous anime **"Love Live!"**, and fans can easily recognize the "Men's Slope" steps.
    * **Unique Feature**: Kanda Myojin is also an "IT guardian" shrine, selling "IT information security amulets" that protect computers and phones, making it a unique and excellent souvenir. The shrine itself has vibrant colors, making it very photogenic.

* **After 17:30 | Free Arrangement or Return**
    * **Dinner**: You can have dinner in Akihabara, where there are various themed cafes and delicious food.
    * **If you still have energy**: You can take the **JR Yamanote Line** from Akihabara to **Ueno Station** to stroll through the lively **Ameyoko Market**, experiencing another kind of urban atmosphere, which is also very suitable for photos.

This reshuffled itinerary makes the route smoother and the theme more focused, ensuring you have a more enjoyable Tokyo trip while capturing more exciting photos!

Practical Tips Sharing#

Tax-Free Shopping Guide#

During my trip to Japan, I found that many products are priced in multiples of 11, which seems to be because 1,100 yen (including tax) becomes exactly 1,000 yen (excluding tax) after tax exemption. The consumption tax is 10%.

Tax-free stores use passports for tax exemption; generally, for regular items (electronics, clothing, bags, etc.), purchases over 5,000 yen (excluding tax) can be tax-free [^26]. For my trophies, as long as I made a single purchase over 5,000, I got them tax-free. It's just a matter of scanning my passport, very simple.

"Can make tax free?" Generally, just saying this will suffice; if not, there will usually be a corresponding sign in front of the salesperson. Salespeople often have prepared scripts in various languages in front of them, so if communication fails, just point to the script. If that doesn't work, then translation software is needed.

The tax exemption policy is for foreign travelers; as long as the store is connected to this tax exemption network, it can be tax-free. Meals cannot be tax-free; anything consumed within Japan cannot be. After all, the places we went to had many foreigners, so they basically supported tax exemption.

AI Itinerary Planning Prompt#

Here is the prompt template I used with Gemini to plan the itinerary during my trip, which worked very well (possibly aided by Google Maps). You can modify it according to your needs:

• Replace the {…} parts with your actual information.
• The constraints section can be added or removed as needed.

{Destination} Travel Planning

We plan to embark on a trip to {Destination} in the next two days. Please organize a reasonable travel itinerary based on some basic information we provide. Initially, our schedule is mainly divided into two segments, and here are some of our requirements:

## Day One Itinerary

1. **Goal**: {Main goal, e.g., visiting ACG merchandise stores, cultural experience, natural scenery, etc.}
2. **Time**: {Departure time}-{Return time}, e.g., 14:00-20:00
3. **Must-Visit Places**: {List specific places you want to go}

## Day Two Itinerary

1. **Goal**: {Main goal}
2. **Time**: {Time range}, e.g., 9:00-18:00
3. **Must-Visit Places**: {List specific places you want to go}

## Basic Information

1. This is my first visit to {Destination}, I have no experience, and I don't speak {Local language}, but I can use translation software.
2. {Number of people} are traveling, {Special preferences, e.g., love photography, anime, etc.}
3. Currently staying at {Accommodation location}.
4. {Transportation information, e.g., have JR free pass, renting a car, etc.}
5. I want to arrange various foods.
6. I also want to consider souvenirs.

## Constraints

1. The must-visit places may be far apart, so please help balance them; some places may need to be sacrificed.
2. Try to minimize the number of times switching scenes by taking transportation.
3. Remind me which places need to be booked in advance.
4. Consider area-based travel, reshuffling attractions based on proximity.
5. Recommend photography spots or unique attractions along the way.
6. {Other special requests}

Please provide a detailed time schedule and route planning. Thank you!

Travel x Interpersonal Relations x Generational Differences#

[!NOTE]
This section was written before the trip; I had just read "The Anxious Generation" and wanted to apply it to the different behavioral habits of my family and me. I originally intended to write a separate article, but I was too lazy to do so, so I just pasted it here together.

However, many times it can be reversed. I don't know if you've heard some travel stories from my family. My dad particularly loves to travel; sometimes he goes with a tour group, sometimes with friends or relatives, and he has quite a few experiences traveling independently. Therefore, he often encounters various interesting things during trips. Here, I will briefly mention two of their journeys, which clearly reflect the differences in how I and they interact with strangers:

The first trip was my parents taking me on my first trip out of the province to Beijing:

1. They went on a tour group when I was about eight, and since they didn't take me, I cried at home for a long time. Later, after I got into a good high school at 15, they took me on a free trip to Beijing during the first winter vacation, following the sights from their memories.
2. The route was to fly to Shijiazhuang first and then take the high-speed train to Beijing. However, my first flight was delayed for quite a while, and as compensation, the airline sent us to a hotel for lunch. During lunch, we met two girls with tour guide qualifications who were also preparing to travel to Beijing (they would stay in Shijiazhuang for a few days first). So we chatted, and my mom even added them on WeChat, mainly to share travel tips.
3. After that, we took the high-speed train to Beijing. Once we got off, we had a bit of trouble finding our way, as it was already 11 PM when we arrived due to the delay. This time we encountered a tall guy from Shandong, nearly 1.9 meters tall, and his girlfriend, who were in a similar situation to us. So we teamed up to find the hotel and even ordered 24-hour KFC delivery to eat together at the hotel. The next day we parted ways and never saw each other again. But that tall guy left a deep impression on me; he seemed to have to bend down to talk to us the whole time. That was also my first experience with delivery.
4. A few days later, we reconnected with those two girls with tour guide qualifications. They suggested they act as our guides while we were tourists, so they could enjoy discounted tickets. Thus, we traveled together for a few days, visiting places like the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall.

Another time, about eight years ago, my parents traveled to Changsha, Hunan with a tour group (I didn't go this time):

1. During the trip, they met a couple of overseas Chinese who were slightly older than my parents and had lived in Europe for decades. This couple also had a residence in China and was on vacation back home, so they signed up for a tour group. They met my parents in the group, which was quite a serendipitous encounter.
2. This couple became close friends with my parents. Almost every winter, they would return to China for vacation and would come to visit us. The pandemic interrupted this for a few years, but starting in 2023, they resumed contact. This spring, they even invited me to join them for a few days in Hong Kong, treating me very well.
3. This year, both of my parents retired, but my dad was rehired by his unit and plans to work for a while longer. Next year, they plan to travel to Europe for a month, and this couple will act as their guides.

These two trips are quite typical, and I think they have similar experiences in other travels. These stories are not thrilling; they don't involve being heroically saved by strangers after encountering robbery during travel. But even so, I can feel that "this is something I can't do."

Last year, I took them to Chongqing, and this trip was led by me, so there weren't as many "serendipitous encounters." Since I started university, I can say that I haven't encountered such things during my travels. Today, while planning travel, I suddenly realized the difference:

1. When I lead the trip, I tend to make detailed plans in advance, arranging where to stay and where to go on which day. When encountering problems, I prefer to use search engines to solve them rather than seeking help from people around me. In this AI era, it feels even further from real people.
2. Meanwhile, when they encounter problems during travel, they always seek help from nearby people, naturally establishing connections with various strangers. Not just during travel, but also in daily life. Every time I go home, I am amazed at how extensive my parents' network is in the county town.

These two things almost determine that I won't have similar "serendipitous encounters." Perhaps this can be seen as their generation's ordinary stories of interpersonal relationships. It might also be considered their generation's way of survival. How to establish relationships with strangers, etc.

In recent years, what I have been wanting to do is to "go to more places and meet all kinds of strange people." But the unfortunate situation is that I unconsciously grade myself and the people I face, then measure them. Those with high scores I dare not talk to, and those with low scores I look down on, which is completely contrary to this idea.

Postscript - A Self-Talking Conclusion#

I won't write about the return journey; just ask the major manufacturers' large models about the return notes, such as the 5,000 RMB limit and how to get home from the airport. Of course, there were also some foolish moments, like landing in Macau and getting stuck in the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Tunnel for over two hours in the early morning.

Thanks to Linkke for the invitation at the beginning of the year, which saved me from the embarrassment of traveling abroad alone.

I bought a lot of things throughout the trip (who suggested exchanging 100,000 yen in cash to Japan...), and my all-in index was MAX. However, it also felt like settling the bill for a 20-year interest in ACG. Or rather, it was the first time meeting a netizen I had known for 20 years in person. After all, I have always been a freeloader, whether it's manga, anime, music, let alone galgames.

This trip also completed a mindset shift: from a long-lived mindset to a short-lived one. I used to think I had plenty of time and could take things slowly. After returning, when I sleep, I can even see death in my dreams; this feeling is quite strange, like suddenly realizing that life is limited, and the things that need to be done cannot be delayed any longer.

Writing this travelogue is also an attempt. I generally wouldn't consider who the article is for; I guess I was avoiding this question to avoid reaching a professional level. But this time, having an audience allows me to complete the context, preventing it from being too self-talking.

In the end, I still bought that HENPRI (this is a feat only achievable through the dual-body travel method). Thanks to Classmate C, who went to TRADER two days later, for bringing it back for me.

Writing Postscript: After a week of intense writing in the evenings, my mind is now filled with thoughts of quickly finishing this so I can play on netizen L's Minecraft server (they are almost done). However, finishing it still gives a sense of accomplishment, as I have at least recorded this experience completely.

Image Processing Tool: The image stitching in the article was done using Online Collage Maker, an online collage maker that allows for various image collages to be completed in the browser. Just enough to use.

Postscript of the Postscript: Many friends are curious about the prompt I used to write this article, so I'll paste it here as well.

## Role Positioning

You are my travelogue writing teacher and editing assistant, helping me improve the writing of travelogues.

## Assistance Process

### Phase One: Structure Diagnosis and Reorganization

1. **Reading and Analysis**
   - Read the current paragraph content.
   - Break down the paragraph, identifying themes (psychological changes, timelines, cultural shocks, etc.).
   - Point out areas of thematic confusion, poor rhythm, and missing reader context.

2. **Propose Reorganization Plans**
   - Provide 2-3 structural adjustment plans.
   - Explain the core clues for each plan (e.g., "from tension to relaxation," "by timeline," etc.).
   - Indicate content that needs to be deleted/moved and the reasons.

3. **Wait for Confirmation**
   - Let me choose a plan or suggest modifications.
   - Do not directly make changes; first, discuss.

4. **Create Material Files**
   - Do not discard deleted content.
   - Move it to a dedicated "XXX-Material.md" file.
   - Note the reasons for deletion and potential uses.

### Phase Two: Marking Supplement Points

1. **Rewrite Paragraphs According to the Selected Plan**
   - Maintain my writing style and tone.
   - Mark places needing supplementary information with: `<!-- TODO: Supplement XXX -->`.
   - Do not immediately check data; let me confirm the structure first.

2. **Wait for Structure Confirmation**
   - Let me check if the overall structure is satisfactory.
   - If there are issues, continue adjusting.
   - Only proceed to the next phase once confirmed satisfactory.

### Phase Three: Supplementing Details One by One (Core)

**Work Rhythm: Check one → Discuss → Write one → Confirm → Next**

For each `<!-- TODO -->` mark:

#### 1. Research Information

**Source Priority (from high to low):**

- Level One: Government official data (e.g., Japan Cabinet Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs), Wikipedia
- Level Two: Official organizations (JNTO, industry associations), well-known media (First Financial, Bloomberg, etc.)
- Level Three: Academic papers, professional industry reports
- Avoid: Blogs without sources, unknown websites

**Research Strategy:**

- First, look for authoritative sources.
- If the source level is insufficient, continue searching for more authoritative ones.
- Extract key data and calculation logic.
- If I question the reliability of the source, immediately look for a higher-level source.

#### 2. Discuss Writing with Me

**Propose Suggestions:**

- Summarize in one sentence + key data.
- Use my tone (conversational, natural).
- Avoid stiffly inserting data.

**Comparison of Examples:**

- ❌ Stiff: "The penetration rate of smart toilets in Japan exceeds 80%, with TOTO selling over 60 million units."
- ✅ Natural: "I've heard that 80% of households in Japan have smart toilets; I finally got to experience that."

**Iterate Based on Feedback:**

- If I say "too stiff," reorganize the language.
- If I say "the source isn't authoritative enough," research again.
- Keep iterating until I am satisfied.

#### 3. Write into the Article

**Body Writing:**

- Integrate personal experiences (e.g., "I only drank tap water on the first night").
- Use expressions like "I've heard" and "this time I finally experienced."
- Keep popular science content concise, avoiding textbook-like explanations.
  - ❌ Detailed: "The Building Standards Act in Japan stipulates that specific buildings must undergo a small exterior inspection every three years and a comprehensive inspection every ten years."
  - ✅ Concise: "Japan has regulations requiring buildings to be regularly inspected and maintained."
  - Detailed information can be placed in footnotes.
- Historical timelines should be summarized, avoiding a pile-up of years.
  - ❌ Detailed: "In 1964, XX; in 1967, XX; in 1972, XX."
  - ✅ Summary: "Construction began in the 60s and 70s."

**Footnote Writing:**