Japan has been welcoming a massive number of tourists year on year. No wonder social media is flooded with images of Mt. Fuji, kimono-clad tourists, multi-tiered pagodas, vermilion torii gates, and many other icons of Japan. With all those crowds that come and go, you can easily find an itinerary for your Japan trip right away.
When it comes to traveling, a well-thought-out itinerary is a must, especially when you only have limited time at a certain place. However, rigidly following everything in your plan can become stressful at times, defeating the very purpose of why you’re on a trip in the first place: to unwind and enjoy.
So why not give your schedule some leeway to wander off a bit and be guided by the spirit of serendipity, which is encapsulated in “ikiatari battari”? This interesting Japanese phrase paints a picture of “going along and suddenly encountering something by chance.”
In my three years of living in Japan, I was able to explore much of the country, and some of the most memorable experiences were a result of letting myself be guided by a strong hunch to take the route that led me to great discoveries.
Spur of the moment
My mind was set: “I will spend my afternoon at this trendy cafe at the heart of Umeda.”
Upon arriving there, it was, as one would expect, crowded. What do I do then?
I had to forgo my initial plan of chilling there—thankfully, I was not that hungry yet. I told myself I might find other cafes nearby, and so I walked…and walked…and walked. Still, no luck finding a cozy spot for a cup of coffee until I reached a bridge that led to a small island in the river coursing through Osaka’s downtown.
Towering skyscrapers were still all around me, but it was becoming greener and quieter with every step. Then roses came into view. Pink, yellow, red, white. Over 300 varieties spread across some 3,500 rose bushes in the expansive garden on the island.
I never thought there would be an oasis of peace right at the very center of this bustling district.
The contrast of roses and the sky-high towers around, and the lulling chirps of birds that drowned out the distant hum of cars on the highway, left me enchanted as if I were in two different worlds: in the busy city, yet at the same time in a dream-like garden of roses.
A pause mid-way
As I was driving in western Honshu with the aim of reaching its tip, just right across from the entry to Kyushu by land, the scenic view of the Sea of Japan drew me to a place that bore a semblance to the world-renowned Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, with its long, winding tunnel of vermilion torii gates. Other than not being as crowded as the one in Kyoto, what made it more impressive was that it was situated by the sea, giving me a breathtaking view of the blue and emerald waters as I walked through the torii gates.
Not far from it lay the Tsunoshima Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Free of any vertical supports, its simple design offered a one-of-a-kind experience as I drove across it, with the unobstructed view of the pristine waters that met the lush coastal mountains. The long drive was indeed exhausting, even intensified by the scorching summer heat. Beholding these two hidden gems of Japan and immersing myself in their charm, however, swept me off my feet and rid me of all my fatigue.
Cherished “core” memories
Playing it by ear does not just lead you to unexpectedly breathtaking places. Along the way, you can end up meeting amazing people or even building a lasting friendship, and I am pretty sure people who love traveling can attest to this. Even getting a little lost at times spices up your travel experience, as you are forced to interact with locals or other fellow travelers, which then can lead to initiating small talks, getting to know each other, and sharing fun times in each other’s trips.
On long breaks, when I go somewhere just to unwind, my colleagues often ask me, “Where will you go specifically in X city? What will you do there?” Sometimes, honestly, I do not have any idea as well. So, I just respond smugly, “Ikiatari battari,” much to their amusement.
I am not relating these to persuade you to do as I do. I just want to share with everyone how an off-the-cuff exploration can result in a lifelong keepsake of your free-spirited adventure.
I would like to leave you with a scene from the animated film Ratatouille. At the end of the movie, we see the cynical, captious food critic Anton Ego exclaim, “Surprise me!” when asked what his order was. This was after his transformative experience of learning to embrace the unexpected and unconventional.
Who knows what fun awaits you when you let go of that fear and brave the unknown?
