After spending more than a year in Africa, we finally had the chance to spend part of our summer holidays back in Japan, reconnecting with our family and friends.
Japan was scorching hot during our visit, but that did not stop us from going out and enjoying our time together. As usual, we planned many of our activities around places where Reina could have fun—parks, swimming pools, and other family-friendly places.
We also visited many of the small neighborhood parks we used to go to when Reina was little. Going back to these familiar places brought back so many memories and made me realize just how much she has grown.
A Day at Nagoya Public Aquarium
One of the highlights of our holiday was visiting the Nagoya Public Aquarium. It is such a wonderful place for children because they can see so many amazing marine animals up close.
Reina loved seeing the dolphins, killer whales, beluga whales, and penguins. We also saw jellyfish, sea turtles, and many different kinds of fish. Watching these animals swim and move around right in front of us was much more exciting than simply seeing them in books or on a screen.
The aquarium was also a perfect activity for such a hot summer day. We could spend several hours indoors exploring while escaping the heat outside. Most of all, I loved watching Reina's curiosity and excitement as she discovered each new animal.
A Fun Family Day at Oasis Park, Gifu
Another favorite was Oasis Park in Gifu. It has playgrounds, water-play areas, open spaces, a Ferris wheel, and plenty of things for children to enjoy. The best part is that admission to the park is free.
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Reina enjoyed feeding the koi fish and playing at the playground, but what she loved most was the cool river beside the park. She spent much of her time soaking in the refreshing water with her dad. |
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There are so many activities for children there, and we could easily spend a whole day exploring. It is also a great reminder that children don't need expensive activities to have fun. Sometimes, a cool river, a little playground, and quality time with family are more than enough. |
Experiencing a Bon Odori Festival
We also attended a Bon Odori Festival in our neighborhood, a traditional Japanese summer festival where people gather to honor their ancestors, enjoy taiko drums, and dance together.
Reina wore her little pink flower yukata, and she looked so cute! ❤️ She enjoyed watching people dance the Bon Odori steps and listening to the drums. But the biggest excitement for her was seeing a firetruck! She was thrilled to wear a little firefighter suit and sit inside the truck.
She also tried the Super Ball Sukui (スーパーボールすくい）with Dad. It is a traditional Japanese game played at summer festivals where you use a thin paper scoop to catch as many colorful, bouncy balls as you can before the paper breaks.
It was such a simple but special evening, and I loved seeing Reina experience a little piece of Japanese summer culture.
Good Food, Friends and Karaoke
Of course, our holiday would not have been complete without seeing our friends.
We cooked okonomiyaki, enjoyed plenty of sushi, and even went for karaoke. I have to admit, I probably enjoyed the karaoke more than Reina! 😂
After being away from Japan for more than a year, I realized just how much I had missed Japanese food. I definitely made sure to eat as much of it as I could before our holiday ended.
Sometimes, you don't realize how much you miss the little things until you are away from them.
A Little Airport Perk Before Flying Back
Our holiday went by far too quickly. Before flying back to the Philippines, our flight from Chubu Centrair International Airport had a short delay, which gave us some extra time to relax in the Coral Lounge.
I was able to use a complimentary DragonPass lounge voucher from my Maya Black Card. One of the perks I enjoy is receiving one complimentary DragonPass voucher every quarter, and you can check participating lounges through the Maya app.
The Maya Black Card currently has no annual fee. I also have a referral code, @mitzukai, which may give you 1,000 miles when your card is approved, subject to Maya's current terms and eligibility.
The Journey Continues
Our Japanese summer holiday was short, but it was filled with so many wonderful memories.
From swimming and visiting our old neighborhood parks to seeing amazing marine animals, playing in a cool river, enjoying our favorite Japanese foods, and spending time with family and friends, it was exactly the kind of break we needed.
Most of all, I was happy to see Reina enjoying herself and making new memories.
After more than a year in Africa, being back in Japan reminded me how special it is to have familiar places, good food, family, and friends waiting for you.
But our holiday doesn't end here. Before heading back to Africa, we're making a short stop in the Philippines to spend a few days with family. 🇵🇭
For now, I'm simply grateful for the opportunity to spend this summer moving between the places we call home—Japan, the Philippines, and Malawi, Africa.
And with a full heart, a happy little girl, and many beautiful memories, our journey continues. ❤️
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