AYA – Travel in Hokkaido Japan – Indonesia

2024-04-21

Meet Aya, from Indonesia, a passionate traveler who fell in love with Japan’s culture and landscapes since her first visit in 1989. She’s explored various cities but finds peace and beauty in Biei, Hokkaido. Aya dreams of opening a restaurant there with her sister. Her advice: embrace new experiences in Japan.

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Interview – Story in Japan

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Indonesia

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JAPAN?

My first time visited Japan was in 1989.

I was a little girl at that time. My father got a business trip to Tokyo and we tagged along with him. It was love at first sight with Japan. I’ve been interested in Japan since then. Their culture, landscape, nature, and cuisine are fascinating.

After I got a job, I started to visit Japan regularly from 2008 up to now. I saw how Japan started to change with time. Before, almost all restaurants and shops prohibited taking pictures and videos, I was once getting scolded by a monk in Asakusa for taking photos , but now everyone seems to be okay with people taking photos and videos.

I also experienced travel in Japan where there was only Japanese language in public transportation, then it added English, not it has Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean language

I saw Tokyo and Kyoto adding new train stations over the years, and more and more tourist coming to Japan, and how Japanese people adapted to it.

Everything about Japan is interesting in my personal opinion.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?

During my trips, I visited some cities in Japan.

1989: Tokyo. 2008: Tokyo, Kamogawa, Chiba. 2012: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kawaguchiko, Karuizawa. 2016: Okinawa, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kurama. 2018: Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu, Sendai, Miyagi, Nikko, Enoshima, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Dazaifu, Yanagawa, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto. 2019: Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto, Asuka, Kobe. 2020: Osaka, Kobe, Akashi, Awaji, Kurama, Himeji, Kanazawa, Fukui, Kaga Onsen, Ueda, Tokyo. 2023: Sapporo, Asahikawa, Furano, Biei, Obihiro, Tokachi, Otofuke, Jozankei.

Between those cities, I especially felt attracted to Biei. Biei is a very beautiful small town with the main areas being farms. The air and water are very fresh.

Surrounded by mountains, no matter where you look, it’s beautiful. I didn’t see any tall buildings there, and not much public transportation. Most of the restaurants closed at 16:00, but some Izakaya opened until midnight.

The city is very quiet and beautiful.

WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?

There are so many beautiful scenes along Biei. The Famous Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfalls (you can ride a car and see the waterfall from the bridge, alternatively, you can hike from Shirogane Blue Pond to Shirahige waterfalls and enjoy the scenery along the way), Biei Fuji, Shikisai No Oka (very beautiful in summer), hiking in Tokachidake and Kurodake, enjoying the beautiful view of Biei from the pyramid in Hokusei No Oka, etc.

I recommend you eat local products in Biei such as the famous white corn that can be eaten raw, asparagus, and grilled golden corn. You can find it in Biei Senka, the market in Shikisai no Oka, or local merchants in Hokusei No Oka.

I also recommend you to try Biei sweets in Ferme La Terre Biei, their sweets are delicious, and the restaurant also has a beautiful landscape.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?

I really wish I lived in Japan, but for now, I am just a traveler. I especially love the atmosphere in Japanese suburbs/villages. I found inner peace and a feeling of safety like I’ve never found in other places while I was in Japan.

DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS AFTER YOU START YOUR JOURNEY?

My trips to Japan has always been an anchor to my sanity, to survive from my work in the place where I currently live now lol:))) I can stand tall and strong because I have the purpose of traveling XD

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?

My dream is to be able to live in Japan, if possible, in the Hokkaido area, together with my dear sister who currently living in Okinawa. I was inspired by Ohisamaya (a vegetarian restaurant we visited in Sendai), I saw 2 old nice ladies serving in the restaurant. I started to have an image in my head of me and my sister opening a restaurant together in Hokkaido someday. I hope my wish will come true.

MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO JAPAN.

Just go and let your heart leads you. Dont be afraid to go to off the beaten path and trying new things, who knows you might end up falling in love with your new experience.

HOW DO YOU LEARN JAPANESE?

I took an online course here in my home country and asked my sister whenever I needed help, she learned Nihongo at university and is currently teaching English in Okinawa.