From fish that was still moving on my plate to unexpected friendships in Seoul, my first trip to Asia taught me lessons no guidebook ever could.
My husband and I had been watching an episode of Everybody Feeds Phil when he visited Japan, and something clicked. We're both foodies, and the thought of experiencing authentic Japanese cuisine firsthand was irresistible. But honestly, I was nervous. This would be our first trip to Asia, a long flight to somewhere completely different from anything we knew in Canada. That mix of excitement and uncertainty is exactly why I needed to experience it myself before ever recommending it to clients.
We booked a 12-day cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, which turned out to be the perfect choice for a first-time Asia trip. Starting in Taiwan Taipei and ending in Seoul, with stops throughout Japan, including what became our favourite city: Osaka. I wanted that peace of mind knowing that if we found nothing we liked to eat in port, we could always come back to the ship for something familiar. That flexibility made us braver when exploring.
The Culture That Changed Everything
What struck me immediately was the respect woven into everyday Japanese life. If you're not a few minutes early, you're late. Their subway systems run with precision, and everything, absolutely everything, is so clean. Even parts of Tokyo that you'd expect to be dirty were spotless. We learned that there are no garbage cans anywhere on the streets because of security concerns about bombings. So what do people do? They carry their garbage home with them or tuck it in their pockets. Little things like that are so different from what we're used to, and they stayed with me long after we returned.
Osaka stole our hearts. We did a food tour there, and I found myself eating things I never would have tried back home. Octopus in these deep fried ball things with amazing sauce. The kind of food you'd put your nose up at here, but there? It tasted incredible. That said, one experience truly tested my adventurous spirit. Our tour guide took us to an authentic Japanese restaurant where I ordered sushi, and the fish was still kind of moving on the plate. I'll be honest, it freaked me out. It took me months after that trip before I could eat fish again. But that's the thing about travel: some moments are uncomfortable, and those are often the ones you remember most.
An Unexpected Day in Seoul
When we got off the ship in Seoul for our final port day, I had an authentic Korean barbecue restaurant all researched and ready to find. Then reality hit. Google Maps didn't work. We had a map but no real sense of where we were going, and it was honestly a bit scary at first. But then we spotted another couple walking down the street who looked just as lost as we were. We started talking, spent the whole day together, and ended up becoming friends. We still follow each other on social media. That unexpected connection turned out to be one of my favourite days of the entire trip.
What I Know Now
There are so many things I understand now that I couldn't have known before going. Japan is much bigger and more varied than I realized. The weather changed as we traveled north, from warmer at the beginning to colder toward the end. Mount Fuji has a completely different feel than Tokyo, yet it's all Japan. Knowing which cities we loved, like Osaka, and understanding how the distances work means I can now put together itineraries that flow properly for my clients.
I'd also tell anyone considering this trip to arrive early. We had only 24 hours in Taiwan Taipei before boarding, and we wished we'd taken three days. That city was a pleasant surprise, and I'd absolutely recommend building in extra time there. For anyone nervous about the food, a cruise is a smart way to ease into Asian cuisine while still having familiar options available. But if you're open to trying new things, the food scene alone makes this trip worth it. This is definitely one of the best trips ever for curious travelers who appreciate culture, history, and incredible food. I can't wait to help my clients experience it for themselves.
