WHY I'M CRAZY ABOUT JAPAN

By ASHUTOSH V. RAWAL and ADARSH THAKKAR

Amazing real life experiences in Japan changed the Author's life and perspective forever. Join him on his journey as a curious student, entrepreneur & professional to discover the remarkable culture of Japan. This book is a Must Read for anyone planning to travel to Japan or is fascinated by its techn

• Language: English
• Publisher: a4adventure.in
• Release date: Jul 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9789354737237

ASHUTOSH V. RAWAL

Ashutosh Rawal is a world traveller, photographer, teacher and, self admittedly, a student forever. Leading an Ahmedabad based travel company, Kairamya Journeys LLP, his professional work takes him to many countries, apart from the length and breadth of India. His company specialises in customized, bespoke, luxury travel experiences across the globe.Many trips to Japan since his first being in 1991, when he represented student organization AIESEC, Ashutosh enjoys teaching tourism students. He is passionate about travelling and writing his experiences and has been associated with Ahmedabad Management Association and Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat.Adventure is oxygen and camera his companion, where sports like para-gliding, sky-diving, bungee jumping, river rafting, zip-trekking, canyoning, trekking and scuba diving take turns to thrill, ensuring there is never a dull moment.

Book preview

Preface

Having grown up in a middle-class family in Ahmedabad has had its own advantages, though some disadvantages too. Going to school was never a 'burden' and we enjoyed simple pleasures of playing with friends, cycling, climbing trees and sometimes just running around without any reason. However, there were financial constraints…We did not have a telephone or even a television set until I was in college. I would walk to school, and in later years, I had a cycle that I shared with my sister.

I always dreamt of travelling to Japan and other distant lands. This was only a dream since my family would barely be able to send me even to Mumbai. And hence, travelling abroad was out of question. But, as they say, magic happens and it changed my life. If you strongly desire something while also work towards it, you often end up getting it.

Fast forward to September 2018, I was part of a team that hosted lunch and a small function for the First Lady of Japan – Her Excellency Ms. Akie Abe in Ahmedabad. She mentioned how she felt a special connection with India and that her fortune teller once told her that she had a spiritual and past life connection with India. She added that India was a holy land and only those who are destined or summoned can visit India. The feeling was mutual and I could relate to what she was saying since I felt the same way for Japan. I strongly feel that I have a past life connection with Japan.

She was touched by the warm welcome she received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of Ahmedabad. To know from her that she had travelled across the world with her husband, but India was one of her best experiences, was like music to the ears. For me, Japan offered some of the best experiences of my life.

I first went to Japan in 1991 for a Asia Pacific Student Leadership Development Program and then in 1992 as an exchange student. Both the programs were partially sponsored. I was able to get scholarship for the balance amount from my family and friends.

The student exchange program between Gujarat University and Otemon Gakuin University in Osaka is the oldest exchange program between two countries since 1970. So obsessed was I with Japan during my college years that my friends would call me 'Fukuoka', the first city I visited in Japan. I always harboured a feeling of having some deep connection with Japan. It was so deep-rooted and emotional, and as time went by, I realized some of my best friends and most endearing experiences are from this land.

While some may think it was because of the impressionable age while in college, this love for Japan has only grown deeper with time. I also think that this book was destined to be written during the lockdown. Corona crisis has been the worst nightmare of our generation, however for me, it came as a blessing in disguise since I managed to write this book which I had been meaning to do for 30 years now. My objective of narrating some experiences is to bring a smile on your face and to bring India and Japan closer.

The corona lockdown gave me the time and creative space to complete this book. It was a challenge considering I wrote some stories as soon as I came back from Japan and then added some more, many years later. I lived through three decades, all the while travelling to Japan back and forth. This book brings forward my experiences from college times to the most recent visit in 2017 as a part of goodwill delegation from Gujarat to Japan. Gujarat and Hyogo prefecture are now sister states.

Everyone who visits Japan is bound to be touched by its absolutely amazing culture, unmatched discipline, dedication to work, seemingly flawless systems and 100 per cent sincerity in everything they undertake. It can be mind boggling as well as spiritual at the same time. It is also too good to be true, but to say it in Indian context, it is similar to the 'Ram Rajya' we often talk about.

My student days in Japan have been most enriching and form an interesting part of my life. I have had a series of heartwarming and life -changing experiences. My immaturity, curiosity, youthful enthusiasm and naughty-crazy attitude gave me a wide range of experiences that make this book interesting not only to me, hopefully, to you as well.

Ikigai

In recent years, what has caught my absolute attention is the Japanese concept of Ikigai. It talks about following your passion, developing your hobbies into your profession and enjoying every moment of life. It talks about the people of Okinawa Island in Japan, who have mastered this art over the years and are the happiest people in the world. It talks about creating happiness for the self in very simple terms. Okinawa region also has the highest number of people across the world living well beyond a 100 years.

This book talks about patriotism, about being selfless, honest, sincere, and having attributes that would lend true meaning and happiness to our lives. In many incidents my perspective is that of a college kid but in the later years, as I became more mature, I have derived a completely new and deeper meaning out of the same experiences.

Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also has great admiration and friendship with Japan. I am not sure if you are aware, but he has been to Japan thrice during his tenure as Chief Minister in Gujarat and tried to emulate the Japanese model of development, discipline and success in Gujarat. When the Vibrant Gujarat Summit was launched for inviting foreign investments and collaboration to Gujarat, Japan was the first partner country in the summit. This is a unique collaboration and first of its kind wherein a country partners with a state for development of mutual ties on academic, culture and business fronts.

In the recent years, this word has become quite popular and I would like to use it to describe myself – I am proud to be called Japan-Bhakt!

I do hope this book creates a fresh interest for travellers and businessmen to visit Japan. I have been a part of the travel trade for over 25 years now and I would highly recommend visiting Japan for leisure, culture, temples and its natural beauty. For any globetrotter, the journey is incomplete without a visit to Japan. And surely, one visit is not enough.

This book has real life experiences. However, if I have to write about tourist experiences, it could turn into an entirely different book. What I can promise is that you will definitely want to visit Japan again if you visit there once.

I would like to hear your views and feedback on my experiences. I would also like to connect with you on social media and hear about your unique travel experiences. My social media handles are mentioned below.

- Ashutosh V Rawal

[e-mail] | www.ashutoshrawal.com

ashutoshvrawal AshutoshRawal13 ashutoshvrawal ashutosh-rawal

Chapter 1

Questions that Changed my Life

She paused for a minute, but it felt like eternal silence. The young and innocent Japanese lady at the counter was definitely bewildered, confused, and after a long pause, asked me, Why? Why would somebody take away my things?

Allow me to explain the entire story, please: The hotel I was staying in had a small ice-cream and convenient store near the reception on the ground floor. Just when I reached to buy some ice-cream, the lady was closing shop and leaving for the day. However, she was kind enough to give me an ice-cream before she called it a day.

I noticed there was no door or shutter at her shop. She merely covered her counter with a tablecloth and then put up a small barricade in front of her shop to indicate it was closed. However, everything lay open for anyone intending to steal from the shop at night. Back in 1992, CCTV cameras weren't a norm. It was indeed easy for anyone to lift things without making any payment. I was intrigued and puzzled both and asked her why she did not lock her shop. And that, what if someone took away her ware!

She seemed confused at what I asked her. I thought she was stupid, but actually, it was the other way round. It took me years to understand her question in reply to my question! And, in fact,