"Jiao Awakening Essay"

I haven’t been to the airport for three years, and I wasn’t as excited as I imagined before departure. Probably because most of the shops and restaurants in the restricted area were closed. I used to go to Popeye’s for fried chicken before boarding the plane, but that’s no longer the case. There is only xxx near the boarding gate. Of course I won’t patronize a coffee shop if it gives up on it.

When I stepped into the cabin, I was greeted by a flight attendant wearing a mask. The welding-like mask made it difficult for me to accept her welcome words. It doesn't matter, I believe not many passengers will care about this, everyone will just take their boarding pass and go straight to their seat. The time was 8:15 in the morning, and the entire plane was full of passengers heading to Tokyo Narita. Although they looked tired because it was such an early flight, when the plane was about to land at Narita Airport, I could see through their masks that they were full of passengers. An expectant expression.

A long queue greeted everyone as they stepped out of the cabin, holding a very warm sign: Please show the blue quarantine code. Yes, Japan requires incoming passengers to meet local epidemic prevention conditions before entering, and they must fill in information online in advance to obtain a blue quarantine code before entering.

Japan is less strict than Hong Kong in requiring masks. You don’t need to wear it indoors as long as you can keep a certain distance and don’t talk, and you don’t need to wear it outdoors unless there are many people and dense crowds. After a long immigration process, I can finally breathe fresh air: Ah! So sweet.

"Please note that the airport bus to Tokyo Station is leaving now." The driver said before driving off.

"I'm really in Japan!" I suddenly became inexplicably excited.

I visited Sensoji Temple again three years later. The difference from three years ago is that there are more locals than foreign tourists, but it is not very crowded and it is easy to shop. What is a bit disappointing is that there are fewer shops in Nakamise Shopping Street. Just like three years ago, I was lucky enough to get a lucky draw, and I will remember the advice it said.

It coincides with the end of the year and the beginning of the year in Japan (similar to the end of the year and the beginning of the year before the Lunar New Year). Ame Yokocho in Ueno is filled with people buying new year's goods, the shouts of shops, and the smell of food. It is very lively and business is good, even better than Huayuan Street. To squeeze. It was not easy to find a location to take photos.

I have been away from Japan for three years. This time I did not arrange any special itinerary for tourist attractions. I have the mentality of "I want to travel and forget about the world." Traveling is my second life. As long as I can temporarily forget about Hong Kong, I can go anywhere. Can. After all, everyone has been depressed in the past three years. It is rare to go away, hang out in other places, drink coffee, and relax for a while. It is already very happy.

Towards the end of the year, temples prepare to decorate for the New Year, and Renxinji Temple in Kawagoe City is already ready. Japanese people all like to count down at various shrines and temples on New Year’s Eve. This time, I was lucky enough to witness the grand countdown of Japanese people at Sensoji Temple, and participate in “Hatsusaki” on New Year’s Day, which is the custom of visiting shrines on New Year’s Day. In Hong Kong, few young people go to temples to worship, but in Japan it is the opposite. People of all ages go to temples to worship, and many couples regard going to temples as a dating activity.

I sincerely hope that all my neighbors and Hong Kong people will continue to be safe and healthy in the new year!

Pictures and text: David Hui