A week or so of staying on couches or in spare rooms, arranged through the couchsurfing website, has given me some memorable experiences. In fact, Kuwana and Nagasaki were the first places I have visited - almost a month into the trip - where I have been out sightseeing or socialising in the company of other people, Japanese or otherwise.
The last time I went travelling on my own on a trip comparable (in terms of duration and budget) to this one was interrailing in 2006. Almost every hostel I stayed at on that trip was a party zone, and I was rarely alone. In Japan, I have often walked into a hostel common room to be met with either silence or complete emptiness - despite the fact that everywhere seems to be booked in advance.
The best experience I have had in Japan was in Kuwana, at home socialising with a group of local people and going for a hike in the countryside. My recent birthday - celebrated in Kuwana - saw my age, increasing relentlessly with each passing year, reach 31. A ripe number for a hosteller.
Backpacking has changed, and so have I. The attitude to travel I learnt as I cut my teeth in various hostels around Europe that heady summer in 2006 has become outmoded. It has probably been so for quite some time.
The last time I went travelling on my own on a trip comparable (in terms of duration and budget) to this one was interrailing in 2006. Almost every hostel I stayed at on that trip was a party zone, and I was rarely alone. In Japan, I have often walked into a hostel common room to be met with either silence or complete emptiness - despite the fact that everywhere seems to be booked in advance.
The best experience I have had in Japan was in Kuwana, at home socialising with a group of local people and going for a hike in the countryside. My recent birthday - celebrated in Kuwana - saw my age, increasing relentlessly with each passing year, reach 31. A ripe number for a hosteller.
Backpacking has changed, and so have I. The attitude to travel I learnt as I cut my teeth in various hostels around Europe that heady summer in 2006 has become outmoded. It has probably been so for quite some time.
