Japan 2023: Gratitude for the Journey

Japan 2023: Gratitude for the Journey

By Travelgirl Abisola

To our beloved Cinnamongirl family, the Travelgirl cohort would like to express a heartfelt 'arigatou gozaimasu' (thank you) to our wonderful donors, incredible parents, and our committed travel girl leads. This journey would not have been possible without any of you!

Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, was a great welcome to Japan. Our exploration of the Tsukiji Fish Market led us to traditional flavors of Japan, such as fried fish cakes, fresh tuna, and so much more. We stepped into a whole new world at the Team Labs immersive art experience, and dove into the past at the historic Kaminarimon Gate. A meeting with Motoko Rich at the New York Times office in Tokyo broadened our perspectives about journalism and the lives of women in Japan.

A day trip to Hakone offered us an entirely different perspective of this beautiful country. Our highlight was a visit to the Hakone Jinja shrine, where we deepened our understanding of Japanese religious practices. We embarked on a breathtaking boat ride to the base of Mount Fuji, culminating in a stunning aerial tram tour over the serene landscape. 

We had the privilege of meeting several Black Expats in Tokyo and Osaka, including Tia Haygood and Ayana Wyse, who shared their experiences and perspectives on Black lives in Japan. This was an important step on the journey to building global mindsets and really helped us Cinnamongirls imagine living a life outside of the states.

In Osaka we got hands-on experience at the Ramen Noodle Museum and were able to see Osaka Castle. In Kyoto, we engaged in insightful discussions with Dr. Fumiko Sakashita at Ritsumeikan University's Kinugasa Campus about the study of Blacks in Japan. We also immersed ourselves in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

At the heart of Cinnamongirl is our motto, "Girls Destined for Greatness." This sentiment resonated throughout our journey in Japan. Each experience, each cultural interaction, and every new understanding reflected this motto. It was not just about visiting a foreign land, but about expanding our horizons, understanding our global community, and appreciating the diversity of cultures that make up our world.

We Travelgirls are so grateful to everyone who supported us and helped us to see that the world is big, beautiful, and full of lessons for us. Here's to learning, growing, and journeying together!

With love and gratitude,

Travelgirl Abisola