Back to Japan – My First Long-Haul Flight After a Broken Hip ✨



This summer, I took a big step—literally and emotionally. It was my first long-haul flight since breaking my hip, and I wasn't quite sure how my body would hold up on a journey halfway around the world. ✈️☝️


I contacted ANA in advance to let them know about my condition and the need to drink plenty of water due to kidney cysts. The cabin crew were absolutely amazing. 😍 They brought me water bottles frequently, made sure I was comfortable, and even offered extra blankets and pillows. It felt like I was flying business class again! 🍾✋


Though I had to get up and walk a lot (my leg tends to go numb if I sit too long), the journey was far better than expected. On arrival, I was also pleasantly surprised to find that British citizens can now use Japan’s priority immigration gates — no queues at all! 🇯🇵✅ My wife, being Japanese, could go through with me too, which isn’t usually the case in the UK.

On Day 1, I met up with my friend Robbie at the airport and had a relaxing beer while Hiroko and the kids took it easy. 🍻

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📍 Day 2: Off to Akita 🗼



We flew to Akita to visit Hiroko’s family—the first time in almost two years. They met us at the airport, which was a lovely touch, and took us home. Of course, we stopped at a few conbinis (convenience stores) on the way. I still get a kick out of seeing fruit sandwiches and ham sandwiches not in the fridge. 🍓🥪



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🍽️ Day 3: Family Restaurant & Japanese Knotweed?




We went to a local family restaurant—cheap and cheerful! The exchange rate was nearly £1 = ¥200, so a 1,000 yen bottle of wine was just about £5. 🍷 A 500ml beer cost around 364 yen—roughly £1.50. Incredible value.

That day, I also discovered something hilarious: in Japan, people eat Japanese knotweed! In the UK, it's a notorious invasive species. Maybe we can start exporting it to Japan? 🤣

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⛰️ Day 5: Lake Tazawako & Samurai Village



After a short rest, we explored Lake Tazawako in Akita. The water there is crystal clear and stunning, renowned for its incredible deep blue hue. This striking color is due to a combination of factors, primarily its extreme depth (it's the deepest lake in Japan, reaching 423.4 meters or 1,389 feet) and the high transparency of its water. The unique mineral composition and lack of organic matter contribute to this vibrant blue, as sunlight penetrates deep into the water and scatters, reflecting the blue spectrum. It's truly a sight to behold!



We stopped by the Kakunodate samurai village on the way—a step back in time with rickshaw rides and beautifully preserved samurai houses. Kakunodate is particularly famous for its well-preserved samurai residences, many of which belonged to the Ashina clan and their retainers during the Edo period. The town's layout and architecture offer a rare glimpse into the lives of samurai, with several houses open to the public, showcasing traditional living quarters, gardens, and artifacts. It's also stunning during cherry blossom season, with many weeping cherry trees lining the streets. 🧙‍♂️


We stayed in a traditional ryokan with an onsen. The kids loved the games room with pool, ping pong, darts, and even an arcade. 🎣🎮🎱

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🎡 Day 7: Anime & Retro Heaven



My kids are obsessed with anime, so we took them to Animate in Akita City. But they love bargains too, so naturally we spent ages in Hard-Off, Japan's second-hand wonderland. Everything's in like-new condition. Great for the environment too! 🌍


I had my own fun looking at old Famicom games, MiniDiscs (which I still use), and other retro tech we never saw in the UK. 🎮

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🏀 Football Fever




That night we went to see Blaublitz Akita play their last game of the season. Win and they stay in J2, lose and they drop to J3. It was intense! Around 4,000 fans came, and the food and drink were cheap and top quality—nothing like UK stadium food. 🍾🏀


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🐾 Akita Zoo & Family Time



We visited Akita Zoo the next day. It’s a peaceful place with a small amusement park. Kai and Ted were great with their younger cousins, taking them on rides and bonding over Pokémon. 🐉


My Japanese is okay, but those Akita dialects are tough! After a few drinks I start to understand more—or at least I think I do! 🥂



We had delicious wagyu steak and sushi, and picked up a beautiful cake from a shop near Hiroko’s mum's house. 🍰

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🛅 Back to Tokyo – Kamata & TeamLabs



We flew back to Tokyo and stayed in Kamata at Route Inn. It’s a convenient hotel with a great onsen. If you skip housekeeping for a day, they give you drink tokens. Nice touch! 🍾💚



Hiroko was a bit under the weather, so I took the kids back to Hard-Off. Later, when she felt better, we all went to TeamLabs, a light-art experience that’s hard to describe but absolutely beautiful. 💡🎨


We had dinner at Kamata Café, which had giant portions—a gimmick, perhaps. Not bad, but not a must-visit either. 🍔

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🔬 Final Day: Temples, Arcades & Tokyo Vibes



I took the kids sightseeing around Tokyo while Hiroko rested. We started in Shibuya, then visited a temple where I added a stamp to my Goshuin-chō (御朱印帳) — a special book where monks write beautiful calligraphy and temple seals. It costs about 500 yen per stamp and is such a lovely way to record your journey. ✏️🕊️



We also stopped by the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and finally Akihabara to visit the arcade one last time before it closes in August. Sad to see it go. 😔



We made a quick stop at Yodobashi Camera (a must!) where the kids bought their first brand-new toys of the trip. I even won them both Demon Slayer characters from the claw machines. 🎮🥸

Speaking of Tokyo, the area around the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower is rich with history and beautiful spiritual sites. While the Imperial Palace itself is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan and largely inaccessible to the public, its East Garden (part of the former Edo Castle) is open and offers a tranquil escape with historical ruins.

Near the Imperial Palace, you'll find several significant temples and shrines. Yasukuni Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine, though it's often a subject of controversy due to its enshrinement of war dead, including convicted war criminals. Another important site is the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a vast and serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, surrounded by a beautiful forest that feels miles away from the city bustle. While not directly adjacent, it's a key spiritual landmark in Tokyo.



Closer to the Tokyo Tower, a symbol of Tokyo's post-war resurgence, stands Zojoji Temple. This grand Buddhist temple, with its striking red gate (Sangedatsumon), serves as the main temple of the Jodo-shu sect of Buddhism. It has a long history, dating back to the 14th century, and was once closely associated with the Tokugawa family, whose mausoleum is located within its grounds. The contrast of the traditional temple architecture with the modern Tokyo Tower in the background makes for a unique and iconic view. These sites offer a fascinating blend of Tokyo's historical and modern identities.

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🌟 Reunions & Heading Home




Our final evening in Japan, I met up with some old colleagues from my days at DKIB, RBS, and my time in Hong Kong and Singapore. It was great catching up, but I didn’t overdo it—we had a long flight the next day. 🛌





Once again, ANA cabin crew were amazing on the flight home. Kind, attentive, and made the whole experience a smooth one. Thank you again, ANA! 🙏✨


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📆 Final Thoughts




This trip was more than just a holiday. It was my first time flying long-distance after a major injury, a chance to reconnect with family, and a reminder of everything I love about Japan. From second-hand tech and hot springs to Pokémon and calligraphy, it was a journey filled with memories I’ll never forget. 🌏🌟

Until next time, Japan. ぞれまで！✈️🌞

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