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Katherine and her husband Aysajan travel to Japan for their first trip abroad together. In Osaka, he looks for Xinjiang noodles, and they encounter a smoking room in a container, a bunch of grapes costing about $50, convenience stores and a goat near Katherine’s bicycle. They travel to Kyoto for matcha and a quieter atmosphere, then continue to Ishigaki Island. Katherine teaches Aysajan scuba diving after intensive training; underwater they see marine life including a baby shark and manta rays. The route also includes a dinosaur-staffed hotel, rural cycling, vending machines and Aysajan’s reactions to new experiences. Their trip ends with a return to China and thoughts about future travel in North China.
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First stops in Osaka and Kyoto
Katherine travels with her husband Aysajan on his first international trip. Their honeymoon begins in Osaka, where Aysajan immediately looks for Xinjiang noodles, a humorous reminder of home while they explore Japan. They see a smoking room housed in a container, notice that a bunch of grapes costs around 50 dollars, and visit convenience stores known for their orderly layout. A goat investigates Katherine’s bicycle during one of their local encounters. Katherine compares Osaka’s busy city life with the quieter atmosphere of Kyoto, where they enjoy the architecture and matcha.
The trip includes several small surprises that shape their impressions of Japan. The couple meet locals who greet them, discover unusual playground equipment and stay in a dinosaur-themed hotel where staff appear as dinosaurs. These moments add a playful dimension to their travel between cities. They also consider food costs, including expensive fruit, and notice vending machines in unexpected locations.
Ishigaki Island and a first dive
Katherine and Aysajan continue to Ishigaki Island in Okinawa. Scuba diving becomes a major part of the trip. Aysajan completes intensive training before his first dive, while Katherine takes the role of instructor and supports him through the experience. Underwater they see marine life including a baby shark and manta rays. The dive is a highlight for both of them and gives Aysajan a first look at the underwater world.
They also rent bicycles to explore rural parts of the island. The countryside gives them a quieter contrast with Osaka, and they encounter water snakes during the ride. Katherine is more experienced with travel and diving, while Aysajan’s reactions to unfamiliar activities remain part of the story. The trip returns to China at the end, and the couple look ahead to further travel in North China. Their account combines city visits, food, quirky hotel details, cycling and scuba diving into a personal first journey abroad together.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the most memorable part of the trip?
- A: Katherine says scuba diving in Ishigaki was especially memorable. It was Aysajan’s first dive after training, and they saw marine life underwater, including a baby shark and manta rays.
- Q: What was funny about the hotel stay?
- A: The couple stayed at a dinosaur-themed hotel where staff appeared in dinosaur costumes. Aysajan did not expect the receptionists to be dressed that way.
- Q: How did the food compare across the trip?
- A: Katherine describes the food as mixed, with some restaurants being ordinary and the home cooking at the Ishigaki dive shop standing out as the best meal of the trip.
