She said Konichiwa!

Shruthi Murali, along with a few other families, headed to Japan for a business retreat. She discovered that the locals are very friendly and courteous, and discipline is a way of life for them. Be it waiting to board the bullet train, or maintaining the cities, they are spic and span, and organised in their routine. Apart from this, she also found nature, tradition and history imbibed in every aspect of Japan. Amidst a busy schedule of meetings and discussions, she made time to visit a few tourist sites, and shares her experience with us. Be it walking through the serene bamboo forests, or having fun at the Universal Studio, she enjoyed every bit.

Sangano bamboo forest, Arashiyama

My sister Sneha and I dragged my father and few others to visit this splendid forest. The 15 minutes we spent walking through this serene location, was the highlight of the trip! We realised that a song from Vijay’s movie Jilla, was also shot at this location! It’s such a calm and serene feeling to be walking through bamboo trees planted on either side. For a nature lover like me, it indeed felt like paradise.

Ushiku Daibutsu

The sakura (cherry blossom) trees were in full bloom during our visit. And amidst these beautiful trees, stood a 120-metre tall bronze statue of Buddha. A meditation hall is built inside the statue — we could climb till the top. We also got to visit many monasteries. One such visit took us to a Buddhist temple, which was pitch dark on the inside. We’re given meditation beads and asked to pray. Even though I felt a bit claustrophobic, it was a memorable experience.

Performance by Geishas

The geishas are an integral part of Japan’s history. We were lucky to witness a performance by these mystical women, whose faces are painted white. They wear expensive silk kimonos, which are discarded after the month-long festival ends. Before the show began, we were served traditional Japanese tea. Speaking about their dance, the nine-piece act was slow compared to our Indian dances, and the music was soothing.

Gallopin’ Gooseberries!

Where: Put on your fanciest hat and head to Louisville, Kentucky, for the most famous horse race in the world: the Kentucky Derby. Known as “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” the event is the first of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. It is also the nicest time of year in the Bluegrass State, when the dogwood trees are in magnificent bloom. Thunder Over Louisville, the largest annual fireworks display in the country, kicks off the event, as spectators flood the banks of the Ohio River. Other festivities include hot-air balloons, a marathon, the Pegasus Parade and an old-fashioned steamboat race.

When: Kentucky Derby is set to happen on May 7 this year.

Stay: For lodging during these events, check into the Seelbach Hotel, which was mentioned in a scene of The Great Gatsby, written by author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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