Three schoolfriends: Japan in their 80s

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Some friendships really do last a lifetime. Shamim, Nalini and Nila first met at secondary school, and all these decades later, they're still making memories together. Every three years, the three friends choose somewhere new and go on holiday together. This year, they finally ticked Japan off their bucket list.

We felt very lucky to help plan such a special trip. When Shamim got in touch afterwards to share their story, we absolutely loved seeing their photos. They truly melted our hearts! So we'll hand over to her, in her own words.

Published onWednesday 4 November

Written byDavid

In Shamim's words

“We are three secondary school friends now in our 80s. Myself (Shamim), Nalini, and Nila. We love to get together for a holiday every three years to share lots of fun and laughs. For this trip, we decided to tick Japan off our bucket list, and we could not have picked a more magical destination.

First and foremost, we have to mention the Japanese people and their wonderfully welcoming culture. They are very polite, friendly, and despite their busy lives always ready and happy to help.

Japan felt like an absolute dream come true, moving effortlessly from the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo to the peaceful, serene, and breathtakingly beautiful temples and shrines of Kyoto.

Our visit to a local sushi restaurant and an incredible food tour with our guides were both hugely enjoyable, interesting, and jolly experiences.

“One of our most unique and peaceful moments was staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan. Swapping our shoes for slippers at the door, soaking in the deep comfort of an open-air onsen bath, and lounging in lovely yukata robes felt wonderfully relaxing.

Walking among the towering bamboo trees of Arashiyama gave us the magical feeling of being completely detached from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

We loved visiting the Open Air Museum, taking a memorable day trip to Mount Fuji, and experiencing a traditional, sacred tea ceremony.”

“We also recommend TeamLab Planets in Tokyo. Walking barefoot through mid-calf-deep water with digital koi fish swimming around us, the crystal universe, and thousands of living orchids was truly out of the ordinary!

Trying to navigate our journeys by metro, local trains, and bullet trains with all those colour-coded lines and finding the right station exit was admittedly a bit daunting at first! However, it turned out to be so much fun, and we felt a huge sense of achievement when we pulled it off without making a single mistake.

We are so glad we encouraged and supported one another to make this holiday happen. It turned out to be an unforgettable experience, made all the smoother with the help and guidance of Rickshaw Travel.”

Thank you so much for sharing with us Shamim! You can see more of their photos on Instagram.