.png)
Time flies as fast as the first time I came to Japan. Now I have returned after 7 years. I come back here in Autumn, the best season for traveling every year in Japan. Unfortunately, I just stay for 1 month but there still have a lot of emotions and stories that I wish to tell you in this blog
The very first moment
Since every first step walks down from the airplane at Narita Airport, all of my memories of Japan had just appeared in my mind. I can feel the very familiar smell when arriving at Gene-san's house like 7 years ago, it was familiar to me.
One of the most reasons I want to be back in Japan is Ramen. Immediately, I went for a big bowl of Ramen near the apartment after arriving at Yokohama. I had tried a lot of Ramen shops in Vietnam but no place can have the Japanese taste like that. It was so delicious and deep taste.
Japan, the country of the technologies
Japan is famous for its public train system, very modern and convenient for people living here. 7 years ago, I had to buy the "Pasmo" card which I only used for train, but now there is a new one they call "Suica". It is such a miracle that I can pay for almost kinds of stuff like train tickets, supermarkets, convenience stores, or vending machines in Japan. And more than that, I don't even need a real card since it can be combined with Apple Wallet. I just need to add the credit card to the Apple Wallet, then deposit money to Suica and my phone becomes everything I need now, no cash, no card, nothing. And by the way, my credit card in Vietnam couldn't work with Apple Wallet, therefore, I have to use my boss' credit card and give cash to him.
My dream come true when the first time I saw the real Apple Store located in Ginza, Tokyo. It was awesome and gorgeous even just has only a white Apple logo on the front. There are 4 floors where I can spend all day to have experience with Apple devices. And one more thing, iPhone 14 Pro here is cheaper than Vietnam 7 millions VND. I think I will consider buying and selling in Vietnam :D
I have been working at WeWork Japan in Minatomirai, Yokohama for all the time living here.
WeWork as we already know, it's one of the best places for working in the world with a very open space. But here at WeWork Japan, I still have a huge impression when standing in front of its beauty. It has 3 floors with an enormous sea view. It has beer machine, coffee machine, tea machine, and vending machine, ... It has everything for living. I really love the beer machine because I don't even need to use my hand to get the beer, all I need to do is just put the cup into the machine. It was so convenient for me.
A bunch of The First Times
7 years ago, I had no chance to try Sashimi in Japan. It takes me too long to wait for the original Sashimi. It was very fresh, delicious, and also CHEAPER than Vietnam. I went with my colleagues and my boss to the restaurant near my apartment in Yokohama. Besides, I had my first experience talking with a strange man in there. He is an old man but quite good at English and very friendly and open, which made me so surprised.
I visited one of the World's largest Starbucks called Starbucks Reserve® Roastery, located in Meguro City, Tokyo. It was enormous and expensive as well with various kinds of drinks on the menu. My coffee cost around 1000¥. There are 4 floors and also contains the coffee packaging factory inside the shop
Again, the first time I see the real Tokyo Tower. It took me a quite long way to arrive on foot. I came here with Kei-san, one of atWare Japan employees. He is very cute and kind to me. I remember that I just told him I want to see Tokyo tower, then he planned everything and took me there. I feel so grateful for his kindness
First time I saw Sony and Fujifilm company building on the road coming home after work
Nagano is the capital and largest city of Nagano Prefecture, located in the Nagano Basin in the central region of Japan. It took me more than 4 hours by car. Matsumoto Castle is located next to the river with the white swan, which makes the land space looks like a hand-drawn picture. What a beautiful place!
The first time I can feel the Red Leaf Season in Japan. These photos were taken in Kamikochi, Nagano. Kamikōchi is a remote mountainous highland valley within the Hida Mountains range, in the western region of Nagano. It was very cold and peaceful when I arrived. I take the longest walk on this trip, around 20,000 steps (15km), 3 hours walking around the mountain
What a big bowl of Ramen ever! We call Jiro Ramen. Takekawa-san, one of the KDDI members invited me to a big bowl of Ramen shop in Tokyo after working with him. This bowl in the photo might be 1.5x size for a normal person like me. I couldn't complete it all.
I went to Asakusa 7 years ago, but still very new to me after I came back. Asakusa retains the vibe of an older Tokyo, with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls along Nakamise Street near the ancient Sensō-ji temple. There were a lot of people wearing Kimono around here.
Maybe this time is one of the most memorable moments I had on this trip. I had a chance to be a representative for atWare Vietnam in the atWare Group Half-Year Event. Before the presentation, I was a bit nervous since I had to speak English in front of a lot of Japanese employees, but I did it well. I was so happy about that.
Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo, that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. I was so impressed since there is a very old and large place located in Tokyo. I had to walk around the park inside for about 10 minutes
First time I go to work for a customer company in Toranomon, a business district in Tokyo. This place I heard is very expensive. There are a lot of high buildings around the area
People of Japan
Kind, nice and polite are the words for Japanese people. I like Japanese people in the way they talk, do and act in any situation. On this trip, I had a big chance to meet my old Japanese friends as well as new friends. I will not forget them
I am still living in Japan when I write this blog. There still have a lot of moments that I want to share with everyone. I wish I can tell you more. See you on the next trip.
Thank you for reading