Let’s be honest, everyone travels these days. And I love that because traveling often kills prejudice and teaches how different and still the same we are as a community and human race.
However, with the inverted exodus of masses visiting a place, a lot of “once upon a time” pearls, became a tourist trap with hordes of people pushing and shoving to take that selfie for the gram.
For the last few years, I feel like is becoming so hard to find a place where you feel like you truly are in touch with the local community because everything seems being affected by the tourist bug these days and places are losing its charm and authenticity.
So it’s been a while since I have found a little pearl there hasn’t been completely damaged by the tourist masses – especially that big chunk of the new generation that goes to a place just to publish on their social media rather than absorb the culture and truly enjoy the place.
Recently has been some big changes in my life and I was in need of a trip, but a special one.. One dedicated to these gems and also, dedicated to my wellbeing and wellness.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Japan is one of my favorite countries (somehow I always place it on top 3 countries that I love and perhaps the #1 I would visit in a heartbeat).
After traveling to Japan for almost 3 months back in 2014, from North to South, I wanted to see a new Japan. Less touristy, less modern and rawer. The traditional version that is saved for the most quirky tourist.
Even though I absolutely adored my first visit, I wanted to try something completely new, are you ready for this? – I wanted to do a tour!!!! I know I know… but honestly did.
For once, I wanted to be taken care of, to have local experts and professionals taking me to the best locations and landscapes – but not necessarily the ones that everyone wants to go because it’s on the guide books and wanted to do a lot of experiences that would be unique and that I wouldn’t find everywhere else… don’t get me wrong, geisha dress up or tea ceremony for tourists it’s fun, I just wanted to try the eccentric stuff most people don’t even think of.
And that’s exactly what I got.
I just spent a wonderful time in Japan, where I choose to spend it mostly at Nara prefecture.
I choose Nara for different reasons, first, because I had visited before, twice on a day trip – once with friends and other alone, but only Nara city. I fell in love immediately because was less touristy than most areas in Kansai region and the story of the town – Nara was, in fact, the first capital of Japan so was perfect to venture on Japanese history and tradition. On top of that, Nara city is full of deer, that roam free and live in harmony with people, and for that reason, I was always happy to return.
Hanging with Bambi in Nara <3
As for the tour, I knew I wanted to be taken care of, however, the last thing I wanted was to be part of some crazy excursion full of Chinese (they can be the funniest people to do excursions with but definitely the loudest too) or anyone else. I wanted peace and quiet, being by myself so I could reflect in this new phase of my life and very important, I wanted a tour completely tailored to my needs and preferences, so I choose Kansai Nara Treasure Travel : nara-sightseeing.com , not only because they organize luxury tailor made tours in Nara prefecture but because they seemed to have strong ties with locals, offered unique experiences and programs, some of which I could not find anywhere else online or with other agencies, and obviously, because they were considered the best DMC (Destination Management Company) in Nara and had ties with the Nara Prefecture Government, so was a no brainer – it helped their customer service was top notch too.
And what a treat it was.
I felt like Beyonce or Lady Gaga the entire time. Not just because I had a team looking after me and the only thing I needed to worry about was to wake up on time and get dressed – everything else pretty much was done for me, but because I felt so privileged in any place we went.
And I will explain, for example… before, when I would travel by myself, I would visit a shrine. All good. Sometimes I would invest in a local guide to do me the tour and explain to me a bit deeper or share with me some interesting details. However, with Kansai Nara Treasure travel, I would visit a shrine, but I would also have the head priest of the shrine doing the tour. Not just a normal guide. In my case, I was even luckier, as I had the curator. For myself. Together with the English translator. But still having the head priest giving you a private tour is pretty awesome.
And if was a temple, I wouldn’t have just a special tour guide showing me around, I would, in fact, have a private ceremony with the main monk (and if was a shrine it would be the head priest) of the entire place that would then even showering me in gifts.
And this is why I felt like Lady Gaga because I would have a top-notch treatment, something I could get used to – because it truly made all the difference.
So, yes, Nara prefecture was very special. Not only I have toured precious sacred places, checked the cherry blossoms, did wonderful hiking tours through nature and spiritual paths, collect a bunch of new Japanese traditional cultural experiences, slept at some of the most wonderful places you can dream of, ate some of the most delicious food I ever tasted but also was treated like royalty.
Thank you Kansai Nara treasure travel to organize such incredible and memorable itinerary.
I will come back!
As for you dear reader, can’t wait to share more with you, so keep an eye open to the next posts where I will share more of my adventures in Nara prefecture and my favorite country: Japan.
Lots of love,
Emma
xoxo
It’s my dream also to visit Japan, I would like to do it 4 times (see it in all 4 seasons), thank you for this, I am glad you enjoyed it.