From March 29 to April 7 I was in Japan with my family. We stayed in Osaka for several days, with a daylong sidetrip to Kyoto, and then in Tokyo. It was my first time visiting those places, although it was my second time in Japan, the first time being in November 2013 when I stayed in Sakai for a week.

Needless to say, we enjoyed the trip, so much so that at Narita on our way home some of us were tearful. Our bodies may be tired, our finances stretched to the limit, but none of us were ready — nay wanted — to go home yet. We jokingly toyed with the idea of staying in Japan as undocumented immigrants. There was little mirth in that joke, however. Whether we like it or not it was time to go home and return to our obligations, responsibilities, routines…

This is the downside of having a vacation: it has to end. And coming down from such an emotional high is never easy.

For nine days, from arrival to departure, we had a full itinerary. We would usually emerge from our hotel rooms around noon and return — cold, tired but nevertheless happy — late at night. We went to as many destinations as our money and energy could take us — theme parks (Universal Studios Japan, the Tokyo DisneySea), nature parks (Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Osaka Castle Park), and religious places (Fushimi Inari Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple).

We also went cruising — on the Dotonburi canal where the gaudy neon lights of the establishments (including the famed Glico Running Man) were such a calming sight to behold at night; and on Lake Ashinoko where we hoped, but failed, to see the majestic Mt. Fuji (too many clouds).

Other destinations: Akihabara, to check out anime toys and action figures; Tsutaya bookstore across the famous Shibuya intersection, because both the wifey and I love books; DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, to see the giant Gundam robot; Don Quijote stores in Osaka and Tokyo, for the mandatory pasalubong shopping; Shinsekai, to check out the Osaka nightlife; and the Little Prince Museum in Hakone, for some art appreciation and nostalgia.

It is said that while traveling, one should try new things. In Japan, we tried some: ride the bullet train, shop for souvenirs while dressed in rented kimonos, eat puffer fish dishes, and feast on Owakudani Black Eggs. At a bar in Shinsekai I drank Kirin beer, although a friend pointed out on Facebook that I should’ve tried another brand because Kirin is available in the Philippines. Oh, well…

Everywhere we went in Japan, even in the crowded markets and train stations, we marveled at how exquisite and beautifully maintained the places were — a far cry from our country of origin. This spoke volumes about Japanese discipline, about which much has been said and written.

All this, and no wonder friends who’ve experienced Japan didn’t want to leave the place. Or would want to visit it again and again and again. I know we do. As a matter of fact, the wifey is already making plans for a return trip to Osaka, possibly by summer of next year. Fingers crossed…