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
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Mother’s note to son in the final bento of his high school life gives Twitter the feels
Not a fan of dishwashing? Get yourself an electric, plate-scrubbing robot appendage
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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