Ever imagined yourself stepping off the plane onto the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time? If you’ve not had the chance to experience it for yourself yet then you can do so vicariously with our competition winner Ashley in the video below. Warning: things get a little bit emotional!
Although Ashley has visited the country once before it was only for a few days, which means that there are many things she’s experiencing for the very first time, and this time round she was visiting completely free of charge, courtesy of our little website. It was great seeing her reactions to everything.
Ashley arrived at Narita Airport from the US safely on Tuesday night (JST). She was as impressed as she’d hoped to be by All Nippon Airlines’ (ANA) service and food, which was a relief after she’d built it all up! Also, how is she so chipper after just stepping off a long-haul flight?!
After getting her JR pass sorted we all took the airport bus to Tokyo Station, where Ashley got a bit overwhelmed about being in her dream country. There were a few tears, but she assures us they were of the happy variety.
Then it was onto the train, which presented the challenges of buying tickets and getting through ticket gates. The Japanese train network is a beautifully complex system that runs like greased lightning, but it can be overwhelmingly complicated for a first-time traveller. After living here for a while you get used to it, but it’s always nice to see a newcomer’s reaction to remind us of how awesomely impressive it really is.
On the way to the hotel we stopped by a convenience store for some snacks and Ashley took in the bright lights of Shinjuku at night. It was a whirlwind first few hours in Japan, and things are just getting started. Be sure to check out our other articles under the Japan Wish tag to follow Ashley along on her adventure!
Photos and video © RocketNews24
We say goodbye to our Japan Wish winner and look back on her time in Japan【Video】
Announcing the winner of the RocketNews24 Japan Wish competition!
Japan’s Hello Kitty Airport theming gets extension, avoids autumn end
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
One Piece teaming up with 5 NCAA basketball teams
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Genuine Muramasa blade and Muromachi katana on display at Tokyo’s Touken Ranbu store【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply