Q. How wonderful that you are traveling the world!!

We are planning a two-year world trip, which started last June and is now in its 10th month. I have traveled to Russia, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and came to Japan.

William loves Mario and was impressed with Super Nintendo World at USJ in Osaka. We dashed out of the gates early in the morning to get an area ticket.

Q.After traveling to various places, what do you find attractive about Himeji?

When we arrived in Himeji, the first thing that surprised us was that the streets are quiet and people are not crowded. But when we get to this park, we see so many families and friends, all chatting and relaxing happily.

In Japan, sometimes we see people in groups playing on their cell phones, but we don’t see that in Himeji. It’s very comfortable, and we like it. Of course, the magnificent Mt. Fuji against the blue sky was wonderful, but Himeji has a different charm.

There are many castles in France, but Himeji Castle is exceptionally beautiful. Especially when combined with the cherry blossoms, it is a magnificent sight. We wanted to enjoy the atmosphere even more, so we laid out a sheet in the San-no-maru plaza, set up a desk, and chilled while enjoying a little drink and food. This kind of thing is called “Hanami” in Japan, right?

Q.Do you use a campervan for your trips in Japan?

Yes, the advantage of renting a campervan is that we can keep travel costs low. And we don’t have to book hotels, etc. at each location. We can go where we want to go when we want to go. Japan is a very camper-friendly country. There are free parking lots and 24-hour parking. Public toilets are plentiful and very clean.

Q.Why do you travel around the world?

When you travel to different countries, you are exposed to the local culture and values, which opens a world you never knew existed. In one Asian country, they shared their food with us, strangers. It was very touching. Through our travels, we were touched by the kindness of the people and encountered landscapes we had never seen before. It was full of unexpected joys and impressions, and it was truly a daily discovery.

We can’t buy a lot of souvenirs on our trip because of the extra luggage, but I have decided to buy one bracelet in each country we visit. In Japan, I bought a cherry blossom bracelet. Each bracelet on my arm is a treasure, with memories scattered all over it.

Q.Any last comments please!

We have traveled to many countries, but Himeji is our favorite city. Himeji Castle is one of our favorite that we have ever seen. Especially during the cherry blossom season, you should not only see the castle, but also take your time and enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms.