Happy New Year to one and all! While Christmas is mostly a novelty holiday in Japan, New Years is the real deal – it’s the biggest holiday of the year, and pretty much everything shuts down for nearly a week as people travel across the country back to their hometowns to be with their families. Suffice it to say the train stations have been a bit insane recently, especially for two Canadians from a small city with Western notions of personal space…
I’m sharing TWO original poems for Poetry Friday this week, inspired by the driving forces behind our trip, which are food and drink! We’ve been eating and drinking our way across the country, and walking our feet down to the ankles in the process.
Every area in Japan has its own local specialities, and it would be quite rude of is not to sample them all, wouldn’t you say? From sake and afternoon tea to beef tongue and a dozen different types of ramen, we’ve been tasting and enjoying it all!
Japan is a foodie paradise, full of so many amazing flavours and dishes. Everything is delicious, and we’ve discovered so many new favourite foods! We’ll certainly have to go on a bit of a diet when we get home, but that’s what new year’s resolutions are all about, right?
And so I give you two haikus, inspired by and composed in Japan:
Exploring the world,
Walking, eating and drinking,
Sleep is for the weak!
………………………….
A taste of this, and
A nibble of that, with a
Sip to wash it down!
Here’s wishing you plenty of delicious food and drink, wonderful companions, safe travels, and the good health with which to enjoy every moment of 2017!
Delightful! You sound so happy in your post and your haiku. And, the photos are incredible. Enjoy every moment. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! It’s been an exhausting trip at times, and the culture shock was a bit intense at first, but we’ve found our sea-legs now, and are having a blast! Still two more weeks to go!!
Yum! You’ve made me hungry, and it’s too late at night for a nibble! Darn it! LOL
Then I succeeded in my goal! 🙂 Food is such an important part of travel, you can learn so much about a culture by exploring it’s cuisine – and it’s delicious, too! 😉
Jane, thanks for sharing your trip with us through photos and haiku! The bottom treat could almost pass for a burrito. I love how cultures all have variations on wraps.
It’s so true! I have tried and enjoyed wraps, pancakes and dumplings from so many different traditions – all different, but with a common thread through them, and of course all delicious in their own way!
Jane – how fun! I love the whole post, with the yummy photos, your descriptions and the haiku for dessert. I’ve never been to Japan or any Asian country for that matter, but have seen photos and so this brought a smile; “Suffice it to say the train stations have been a bit insane recently, especially for two Canadians from a small city with Western notions of personal space…” Happy travels – make it home safe and Happy New Year (which, I believe, has already begun for you)!
Thanks so much!! Japan has been an incredible experience, and definitely a whirlwind for two folks from quiet, empty Canada! But the people have been so incredibly helpful, warm and friendly, so I cannot recommend Japan enough as a travel destination!
Lots to try! Have fun and think of the diet later!
That’s our attitude, for sure! ?
Happy New Year, Jane–I’m longing to go to Japan lately, so this is a real vicarious thrill. “Sleep is for the weak”–ha! Enjoy and safe travels!
Japan is an incredible country, so I’m happy to take everyone along with me! I’m a big armchair traveler and love exploring the world through photos, and poetry! ?
I didn’t know that about Japan and New Year’s, how neat! And that food all looks delicious! Cute haikus 🙂
Yummy post!
Love the haikus! Thank you for sharing this over at Food Friday! Excited to see what you’ll be sharing next. 😀