Mihwa | Japan

One of the most important things about traveling is the people. The ones you travel with or the people you meet along the way often completely change the vibe of your journey.

In Kyoto, I had the pleasure of walking through the rainy city with two siblings in their 60s. The sister has lived in Japan for nearly 40 years, and her brother came to visit her. One of my goals in life is to be a cute, feisty grandmother. While traveling with them, I saw so many things I want to emulate.

1. The sister often used the phrase, ‘I’ll show you something fun.’ Having lived there for so long, she knew many interesting little details that only locals would know. When we came across one, she’d share the story behind it. And when she said it, her eyes would light up with mischief, filling me with the same joy. What I loved most was the way she never lost her sense of curiosity and excitement, even about everyday things.

2. That day was when Typhoon Shanshan hit Japan. The rain started early in the morning as the typhoon moved toward Osaka and Kyoto, and many tourist spots and shops closed to prepare.

Fortunately, the rain wasn’t too heavy, so we were able to travel safely. Despite the humid and damp weather, the brother focused on the positives. He said, “I like how the rain is gentle and not pouring,” “I like that it’s not too hot because of the sun,” and “I like that there aren’t too many tourists.”

Recently, family travel commandments have become a bit of a joke:

1. No “Are we there yet?”
2. No complaints about food being too sweet.
3. No complaints about food being too salty.
4. No “Is this all we came for?”
5. No “Is this all the breakfast?”
6. No saying it’s a waste of money.
7. No “I could cook this at home.”
8. No “This tastes so bad.”
9. No “How much is this in Korean Won”
10. No “Water’s the best.”

Complaints and negativity spread easily, so these have become words to avoid. But the brother kept his focus on the good aspects and always used positive language. His attitude made me appreciate the light rain.

3. The sister works in several fields, including hotel management. She collaborates with local artists and students to decorate and grow hotels. Over coffee, I told her about the Ante Room Hotel, where I was staying. The Ante Room is a boutique hotel where you can experience Kyoto and Japanese art. The hotel was converted from a student dormitory, and its name, “Ante Room,” refers to a waiting room, a space for preparing before the main event. I think it perfectly symbolizes the hotel as a place to briefly stay before continuing on to the next destination.

From the lobby to the rooms, local artwork is everywhere. The theme changes often, and this time they had an exhibition in collaboration with BitSummit, Japan’s largest indie game festival, focusing on the intersection of modern art and the artistry of indie games.

As I shared some memorable details about the hotel, the sister listened attentively, almost as if she could see right through me. She said she’d like to visit the hotel soon to learn more. I believe that listening with an open heart is an attitude we should always hold onto. It’s what leads to endless growth and development, and I want to bring that mindset into my own life. If I visit Kyoto again, I’ll definitely stay at her hotel. I am excited to see how she will evolve her hotel.

4. The brother retired from his government job 8 years ago. Now, he is building a wooden house and a sauna. But he’s not just building them; he’s selling them too. Can you imagine jumping into a completely new field in your 60s and becoming skilled enough to sell houses? Many people hesitate to try new things even in their 30s, but his courage to learn and try new things was truly inspiring.

5. At Fushimi Inari Shrine, also known as the “Fox Shrine,” the sister had a conversation with the priest. Here’s what happened: In Japan, there are many Korean tourists, so it’s common to see signs in Korean. But there was a typo on one of the signs. Most people would have just thought, “Oh, there’s a typo,” but she didn’t just think it. She acted. She wrote the correct characters on a piece of paper and showed them to the priest, explaining the difference.

Seeing someone take action when they spot something wrong, not just pointing it out but offering a solution, is something I find admirable.

Unexpected connections are one of the best parts of traveling. I feel so lucky to have met these wonderful, inspiring people and been able to walk with them!