When it comes to Japan, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, sushi, tatami mats, kimonos, and Mount Fuji are some of the representative things. You can see them in books, on television, and in photographs. I too came to love these things through books.
The reason I became interested in Japan was because, as a child, there was a large doll of a Japanese woman wearing a kimono in my house. Seeing that doll, I dreamed of one day wearing a kimono and taking a picture. Gradually, I became interested in Japanese culture.
Moreover, I am interested in traditional Japanese items and places. I researched old Japanese buildings, the Great Buddha, shrines, and more in bookstores and on the internet. I looked into not just tourist spots but also UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Himeji Castle, Todai-ji Temple in Nara, and Itsukushima Shrine. I want to do more than just read about them; I want to actually visit these places.
The only places I have been to are Himeji Castle, Todai-ji Temple in Nara, and the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto. I took many photos and learned a lot about their history, so I was satisfied.
Especially with shrines, I learned a lot not just from books but also from actually visiting. For example, I found out that the color of the torii gates varies depending on their direction – north, south, east, or west. I noted this down along with photographs.
Someday, I plan to write about such knowledge in Japanese, Burmese, and English. That’s why I want to visit various places I haven’t been to yet. Once I return to Myanmar, I won’t be able to visit as many places, so while I’m in Japan, I want to go to the “Kamakura Daibutsu” and “Itsukushima Shrine”, places I haven’t been to yet. Being in Japan is a great opportunity to visit these places. Whether I have money or not, I am determined to go.