7.1 Exceeded Expectations#

Did this journey meet our anticipated goals? It would be fair to say we “exceeded expectations.”

The massive Shimenawa (sacred straw rope) at Izumo Taisha—the largest in Japan—carried a sense of awe and spiritual gravity that absolutely did not disappoint us.

The sheer scale of Himeji Castle and the abundance of its turrets are rarely seen elsewhere in Japan. Encountering the fire drill was an extra surprise completely outside our planned itinerary.

When we visited Fukuoka last December, every train station featured spectacular Christmas decorations. Before setting out this time, we expected to see something similar. However, what we encountered this year was quite different from the last. Initially, there was a bit of disappointment. Take Tokuyama, for instance: the information claimed the illuminations were spectacular. While the scope was indeed vast, it felt repetitive and monotonous, creating a huge gap between expectation and reality. The illuminations at Osaka Station and Shin-Umeda were excellent, but the bitter cold significantly discounted our enjoyment.

Unexpectedly, things took a turn in Kyoto. The TeamLab exhibition was quite good, but the real highlight came without any prior planning: the illuminations at both ends of Kyoto Station. From the light art on the giant staircase to the elegant large-scale outdoor projections, they brought us delightful surprises.

Traditionally, my wife meticulously plans every trip, and this time was no exception; she had the itinerary ready as early as October. However, unforeseen circumstances arose just before our departure, forcing a drastic change in plans and compelling us to “play it by ear.” Yet, this inadvertently led us to visit several renowned industrial cities, making the trip undoubtedly worthwhile for a tech enthusiast like me.

Moreover, because the planning had to be done in such a short timeframe, the itinerary was filled with variables, which actually provided greater mental stimulation. In the past, with everything perfectly planned by my wife, I would simply follow her lead. This time, my participation increased significantly. There was more improvising, and my brain was forced out of its comfort zone to spin faster and adapt.