Dreaming of Japan

As a little girl my parents traveled to Japan.  My dad, a successful businessman in the photographic industry, was invited to go with the Canadian government on some sort of industry tour.  I was about 7 so honestly I don't really remember all the details.   What I do remember is that on their return, my Mom had gained a deep love for Japanese culture, art and food.  They brought back beautiful art work,  kimonos, Japanese dolls and other items as souvenirs.    If we were celebrating something special, we would head to Toronto to one of the authentic Japanese restaurants for dinner.   As a result, I have a strong appreciation and affinity to all things Japanese.

I dream of one day going to Japan.   There are many destinations on the list, including Morocco, New Zealand and the Galapagos Islands but Japan is number one! 

My good friend Stephanie was visiting me last weekend.  She toured Japan a few years ago as part of a cultural exchange home-stay program.  During her visit the topic of Japan came up.  She's planning to go back again this April. By the end of the conversation we had decided that I  should go too! 

There are still lots of details to finalize but right now I am tentatively planning for two weeks in Japan in early April - just in time to see the cherry blossoms!  One week would be spent as part of a home-stay in Kariya, Japan, a smaller city in central Japan that will enable day trips to Kyoto and other areas and then the following week Stephanie and I would travel to other parts of Japan and maybe Korea on our own.  

Sounds amazing right?   As I mentioned nothing is confirmed yet but I felt it was best to put it out there into the universe that I  AM going to Japan.  Now I just have to make it happen!