is for kyou, or the Japanese word for Entertainment. If nothing else can be said for life in Japan, it’s that there is always something to do. Whether you are in the city, suburbs, or rural areas two hours from any train station, there is something going on. Festivals, plays, fireworks, street performances, ceremonies, gourmet fairs, flea markets, concerts, theatre productions, and a million other activities fill the pages of every newspaper, magazine, and billboard. In addition to all of that, there are classes for students of every age, and “circles”, or clubs for people of every interest.
When you’re unused to that much activity, it’s easy to experience burnout. My first year in Japan, I did so much, and went to so many places, but it never felt like I was even close to experiencing everything the country had to offer. Five years later and I still feel that way. 2013 was a hard year for me; I experienced significant burnout from all the activities, and finally needed to take some time to recuperate (that year I only took about 900 photos; less than half my normal.) Still, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Images hosted on Flickr.
Ariel Hudnall 
55 responses to “E is for 興”
Some amazing photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photos, especially the last one. I can’t imagine having so much to do all the time – I think I’d burn out in a week.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I burn out a lot more frequently than I used to, haha. I went on an overnight trip last week that totally knocked me out afterwards. I need to work on my stamina. 😉
LikeLike
Burning out and needing a long break from squeezing in as much life as you could sounds like you were doing something right 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the hope! We really will have so many memories to take back with us when we leave… and then it’s time to explore Vancouver!
LikeLike
That’s the spirit!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be absolutely fantastic. I live in a place were very little happens any time, so I can’t imagine a place where there’s always something going on.
Sounds exciting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really has been. I think the biggest effect it’s all had on me is I will really try anything at least once. Even the totally bad decisions (spa in Seoul) make for interesting stories later. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have certainly taken advantage of your time. I was entertained must looking at your photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you were entertained! I had a lot of fun at these events, especially the fireworks show!
LikeLike
It’s one of the reasons we want to come back so badly. We were only there for a week, and didn’t get to experience near as much as we wanted to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see that happening so easily. I couldn’t imagine only being ANYWHERE for just a week, haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A city that provides you so many things to do…wow! That is so good! Loved the pictures Alex and enjoyed knowing kyou about Japan 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of your pictures are so lovely you could probably pursue a career as a photographer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very kind of you to say! But I’m nowhere near that skill! Trying to learn though. It’s a hobby that relaxes me. 🙂
LikeLike
So, if I ever get to Japan you’re saying to make sure I have lots of space on my camera?
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee’s Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe even bring two cameras! 😛
LikeLike
Wish I could live a lifetime in every city in the world. Well, almost every city… 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great photos! I like the fireworks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely and amazing clicks there! I would definitely want to try out the same but then I shudder to ponder how I would cope with all that.. would burn out in a week I guess! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Shanx! Burnout is a very real thing and not to be underestimated! (I’m worried I’m going to burnout this April, haha!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every time you talk about how many pictures you’ve taken, it reminds me how much I need a new camera.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah…. I wore the shutter button off my last camera, haha. Granted, it was made of plastic, as is my current one. I’m about to upgrade to a Canon for better quality.
LikeLike
Mine’s just old. Like, maybe, 15 years old. Maybe older. I have a better one, but I can’t, currently, connect it to my computer, so it’s just sitting around. Of course, it’s old, too, but it’s a better old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan is one of the places I most want to visit. Clearly I will need a month at least if I have any hope of pacing myself! With such a wonderful culture and so much to see and do, I can imagine it is overwhelming. I’m not a planner, but this is one of the occasions when I will certainly take the time to schedule 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
You definitely want to! And while the cherry blossom season is the most famous, I actually recommend October/November more. The red maples, and TONS of festivals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the tip – that’s going in my notes 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
October is actually when we are hoping to make it. I want to see the Jidai Matsuri as it is only 3 days after my birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That first picture is from Jidai Matsuri! It’s a fun festival, but the better one happens the same night in northern Kyoto (Kurama Fire Festival). Not many foreigners know about it, so it could be a unique experience!
LikeLike
Amazing photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My husband and I are planning to visit a good friend of ours in Japan later this year. We’ll only have a week there, so trying to figure out what to do is completely overwhelming! Our friend asked us what we wanted to see and all I could come up with was, “Pretty things. Show me pretty things.”
I need to stock up on memory cards. 900 photos is one day on vacation for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooo! What part of Japan will you be in? And yes, extra memory cards would be a good idea, haha.
LikeLike
Not sure yet! Our friend lives in Yokohama but she just got her Japanese driver’s license so now we have way too many options to try and narrow down.
Ideally I will have mastered time travel by the time we leave in October so that I can just stay forever and see everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha…. nice. Yokohama is a wonderful city! Way better than Tokyo. You’ll love it there!
LikeLike
You are really making me want to go to Japan for a while. 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
MopDog – 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
LikeLike
You totally should! It’s a life-changing experience, truly. 🙂
LikeLike
As an introvert, I’m naturally horrified by the idea of that much activity. Does everyone participate, or do some forgo the chaos? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many forgo it. 🙂 I thought I was an introvert until I came here… but I have my days in the big cities and during tourist season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loving those lanterns! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pretty sure they’re where the lantern idea came from for Tangled! It was gorgeous!
LikeLike
So true! I never lacked for things to do in Japan – even just shopping could have occupied all day, every day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love all the lanterns on the water! Beautiful.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B ~ One of Tremp’s Troops with the
A to Z Challenge
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that you mention it, the Japanese seem to love festivals and special events.
Was the fifth photo taken in Takaradzuka?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of a book at Takarazuka, since photography isn’t allowed. It was SO fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be honest, due to a bit of ignorance, I’ve never considered Japan as a travel destination, even though lots of people speak about its beauty. 🙂
Your pics have captured my imagination!
The night life looks amazing… and varied too!
(I’m in the entertainment/educational fields…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You would love Tokyo, then, or Yokohama/Osaka. Basically the port cities. There’s a lot of fun stuff to do at night that amalgamates old and new ideas of entertainment. Not to mention the streets and streets of bars, karaoke dens, etc. It’s a blast. 🙂
LikeLike
I loved your comment about taking son many photos. I am so thankful for the digital era but my hard drive is packed. I am the official school event photographer and take hundreds of photos at some opf these events. I also just love photography. Our zoom lens broke a few months back and we’re saving our pennies for a new one. Tax return due soon so fingers crossed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to final upgrade to a lens changing camera!!! Super excited. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What are you currently using? You are getting some great results xx Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m using a Sony HX100V. ☺ I’ve liked it, but it doesn’t do low light, macro, or motion shots very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of the Sony. I have been a Nikon girl for over 20 years. Not always perfect but it’s hard to change over once you’ve started buying lenses.
My nephew does the best macro nature shots I’ve seen. He did one of a butterfly’s wing which was incredibly detailed and absolutely perfect. I am a bit of a butterfly fan. I love their beauty and freedom xx Rowena
LikeLike
Does your nephew also use Nikon? I’m looking into a Canon 70D at the moment. 🙂 I really want good macro, long exposures, landscaping, portraits… the whole deal… I know it’s all in the lens, but I’m still biting my nails over Canon or Nikon. 😉
LikeLike
No he uses Canon. I’m not happy with the lack of fill flash on my current Nikon. I might have heard some talk about Canon changing direction but could be wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] C is for 文化 (72 comments vs. 59 last year) D is for 地異 (50 comments vs. 59 last year) E is for 興 (54 comments vs. 27 last year) F is for 冬 (58 comments vs. 20 last year) G is for 庭 (90 […]
LikeLike