I’m not the one to rise and shine on a crack of dawn on a weekend, but I made an exception for May 20th. Justin promised me a day trip to Shibazakura Festival at the base of Mt. Fuji as a birthday treat.
I always loved my birthdays. I never had birthday parties as a kid or a teenager for that matter (it’s complicated), but I still woke up giddy with excitement every year. It was a special day – my day – and I believed that some sort of magic was going to happen. It was up to me to decide what it was. Perhaps, the 20 roses that my mom gifted me, or a delicious strawberry cake she used to make for me. It wasn’t much, but it meant everything to me. I chose it to be my magic of the day, even if the rest of it was quite ordinary.
It took me longer than planned to get ready (as always), but we finally got into the car and set off at 0900 a.m.. Justin put on a podcast Pod Saves America, but it had me lost 20 minutes in. President Trump was the last name I wanted to hear on my birthday. During the 160-minute drive you inevitably let your mind wonder. Jeez, 32 years old. Where does the time fly?! And no, this is not a rant about how old I feel, because I don’t. On the contrary, I am the happiest I have ever been. I feel like I am in the best place possible – in love, living in a wonderful country (for now), working at a great job, with even better side jobs (freelance writing and photography coupled with this blog). Although, besides the obvious and superficial (albeit, very important) aspects of life listed above, I came to fully appreciate life – my life – and there are two main reasons why.
I grew up and spent 27 years of my life in a society where everyone pokes their nose into your business and holds you accountable, and where your life is subjected to constant scrutiny and criticism. “What will others say?” is always on your mind, and thus your actions are aimed at pleasing and impressing others, getting their approval, doing the “right thing.” In my late 20s I came to realize how much I should not care what others think of my life, of what I do. Instead I do things for myself whether or not “they” approve.
On the opposite side of spectrum, I stopped minding others’ life. It is so easy to get sidetracked by looking at social media nowadays: everyone is trying to showcase the best parts of their life. Gifts, travels, purchases, success stories, glamorous meals. And that’s normal. But onlookers should not forget one fundamental thing – everyone is fighting their own personal battle behind the scenes. At the risk of sounding cliché, grass is always greener on the other side. No one’s life is perfect. And because you don’t have what someone else has doesn’t necessarily mean your life is not good enough. Instead of focusing on what I don’t have or could have, I learned to appreciate and cherish what I have. I quite simply stopped comparing my life to someone else’s, my Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20. It doesn’t mean I choose to settle for less. Believe me, I do not. I admire and get inspired by others every day. My dreams and aspirations are sky high, and I work my butt off to make them come true one day. But along the way, it is important to feel grateful and be present and love what you have. Learning to find the joy in little things is as important. I also firmly decided that there is no place for negative people (who disguise themselves as friends) in my life: backstabbing, bitter and utterly jealous personalities with low self-esteem, whose ego thrives on dimming someone else’s light. These are the type of people I quite simply eliminated from my “friend list.”
“You arrived at your destination” – finally, a loud beep of GPS brought me back to reality. We were here! We visited the festival last year too, but it was cloudy and the flowers were not yet in full bloom so we left utterly disappointed. Needless to say, I was thrilled to check it out this year, especially with perfect blue sky and not a single cloud to cover Mt. Fuji. Shibazakura Matsuri is an annual festival that features pink moss or phlox moss called shibazakura. Imagine the delightful vast fields carpeted with colorful flowers with a lush forested mountain on one side, and a glittering lake and Mt. Fuji on the other. The scenery was truly postcard-worthy. The festival is typically held from mid-April through late May. Festival stalls selling pots of pink moss, shibazakura-themed souvenirs, food and local produce complete the experience. They even hold concerts during the day! Oh, and if you have a sweet tooth, then trying one of the decadent themed desserts at the café is a must – sakura eclairs, sakura dewberry, sakura cheesecake, sakura Mont Blanc. You name it, they have it. The matsuri has comprehensive web-site where you can get detailed information on how to get to the Shibazakura Festival, as well as cost and hours. Since the park is located near Fuji Five Lakes it is definitely worth making the day out of it and touring spots like Kawaguchiko Lake, Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai Village, and Oishi Park.
We had to drive back home to change and head out for dinner later that night, so we didn’t have much time to stick around (sobs for not being able to try the desserts!) and enjoy the festivities.
As I took my last set of photos (more like, the 200th really) and we headed back to the car holding hands, I looked back at Mt. Fuji one last time and smiled. I chose this moment to be my magic of the day.
What is the best birthday memory you have? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.
xoxo, nano
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Linking up with Monday Escapes, Wanderful Wednesday, Faraway Files #30.
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The beautiful colours!!!!! Thank you for sharing this lovely experience!
Tofu, thank you for reading! xx
Mont Fuji looks so beautiful on the pictures, it looks unreal T_T visiting japan is my dream, i’m so envious!! <3
I hope your dream will come true soon, Japan is truly incredible!
As the Danes would say – Tillykke med fodselsdagen! Congratulations with your birthday! What a beautiful way to celebrate. I love the flower mountain! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin #FarawayFile
First of all, WOWOOWOW! These photos are incredible! So colorful and bright! It looks like a fake backdrop or something. Secondly, happy belated birthday! Looks like you had a great one! It’s also great to hear that you are feeling happy and that you’re in a good place right now! I so agree that we should learn do things for ourselves, and not based on what others have/do! Social media can be so tricky because no one really shares the bad going on in their lives. But we have to remember that our personal happiness is what’s important! :D
Happy birthday! Your photos make Mount Fuji look unreal, really beautiful!
Nano I love this post it is all so true, I refuse to surround myself with negativity there is no place for it in the world or my life. I love you little piece of magic and experience are so much more important than things. Gorgeous photos the colours are stunning I so want to visit x
Happy Birthday! Sounds like a heavenly day! I love love love this! Viewing Mt. Fuji was a highlight of our visit to Japan, and I have been thinking that I’d like to take a closer look next time I find my way there… I’m definitely going to consider making this festival a highlight of our next trip! #farawayfiles
Thank you Hilary :) It is so beautiful you’ll surely love the place!
I honestly felt the same way when I entered the thirties – I finally felt like I’d found a bit of perspective, after so many years of wasting so much energy worrying about what other people were thinking or doing or accomplishing, I realised that none of that actually mattered! It’s definitely a liberating experience!
Jane, I totally agree. In that respect, life in your 30s is so liberating! We mature and gain confidence and that makes a difference.
Happy Birthday!! I love your positive outlook on life!! I agree I’m happier in my thirties then I’ve ever been in life!
Thanks Angie! I hope it only gets better :)
You have such a healthy outlook on life!! Happy belated birthday :) Mt. Fuji looks gorgeous and you were so lucky to see it as well!!
Thank you, Vanessa! I’m glad you think that way. Also, the blooms were perfect :)
Mt Fuji, flowers AND cakes?! Definitely the best birthday ever. Wonderful photos and words as always. I really related to your words about trying to let go of negativity (I find it so hard), to try not to compare your chapter 1 with someone else’s chapter 20. Wise words. Happy Birthday, dear Nano. Thanks for being such a force for positivity. I always come away feeling inspired after reading your posts. #FarawayFiles
Clare, thank you so much. I won’t lie, it is hard for me as well at times. But every time I feel down I make myself to list all the things I’m grateful for. I also try to channel that comparison to determination to do better and get inspired. It’s work in progress, but we can all overcome it if we put our minds to it. :)
You got a gorgeous view of Mt Fuji, beautiful flowers AND sweets? What a fantastic birthday! #FarawayFiles
Thank you Kathrine. It was unforgettable day :)
What a wonderful birthday day trip! Those are always the best trips! :) #WanderfulWednesday
I agree! It turned out to be the best b-days ever :)
Happy belated birthday :) What absolutely gorgeous colors. That shot of you with the flower-mountain and the real mountain is my favorite!
Sarah, thank you!! I must confess that’s my favorite shot too :)
Happy belated birthday. What a magical celebration! xx
Thank you Isabel!
Happy belated birthday! I’m happy to hear it was magical. :)
#WanderfulWednesday
Thank you Urska! :)
Oh my those photos are just stunning, look at those colours!!! #mondayEscapes
Thank you!! Colors were indeed incredible :)
Happy Birthday! What a beautiful location for it. The contrast with the bright flowers and the background looks too good to be true, truly beautiful!! :D
Thank you Marcella, it turned to be a special location indeed :)
Happy belated Birthday, Nano! I wish you all the best. I think you are even more energetic than many 20s I know :) Bthe way, flawless post as always! This year you got a flower carpet as a birthday gift ;)
Haha Len, doing my best to stay active ;) Thank you a lot for reading :)
Happy Belated birthday! Mine was actually the day before yours, wooo, May babies! The pictures, as always, are gorgeous! A great way to spend your birthday.
OMG, how awesome, happy belated birthday to you too! Thank you so so much for your lovely words, they mean a lot, always.
what a gorgeous place to spend your birthday, the photos and scenery are stunning #mondayescapes
Thank you tons! :)
Belated happy birthday, Nano!!! Such wonderful lessons for you to have reflected on during your drive to the beautiful festival. I can totally relate! You are a beautiful person inside and out and should be surrounded by friends who fully appreciate you for who you are. Sending love to you, my blogging friend!
xo Jaime
Angloyankophile
Jaime, you are the best! Thank you so much for your sweet words, I’m happy you liked the post. :)
Belated Happy Birthday :-) nice clicks…looks like you guys had fun
Thank you!! :)