The less-than-perfect trips are the ones you never forget

The other day, I went on a day-trip bus tour to Gifu.

What I was looking forward to most was the 'three-breed beef tasting'.

It was a luxurious spread featuring sukiyaki, hamburger steak, and teppanyaki, so I was excited and ready to eat a lot before we even left.

When I was younger, I definitely would have finished it all and enjoyed dessert on top of that.

However, once I actually started eating, I got full right away.

Everything was delicious, but I couldn't eat as much as I thought I would.

'Huh? Was it always like this?'

A while ago, I might have felt frustrated, but strangely, I feel differently now.

Maybe it's just my age that I can't eat as much as I used to.

But in exchange, I've started to savor every single bite slowly.

Quality over quantity.
I think I've reached an age where that phrase really resonates.

The other goal for the day was Mount Ibuki.

However, it was unfortunately raining.

Because of the high altitude, the wind was incredibly strong, and the rain was lashing down sideways.

It was like being in the middle of a typhoon.Looking out the bus window, the people around me also gave bitter smiles, saying, 'This is impossible.'

I didn't even have the courage to go outside to look for souvenirs.

It's a shame, since I'd come all this way.

That was certainly true.

But on the bus ride home, I thought about it.



Even though I couldn't see the view of Mount Ibuki in the sunshine, that stormy Mount Ibuki will surely become an unforgettable memory.When it comes to travel, we tend to focus on 'what we saw' and 'what we ate'.

But as I get older, I feel that 'what kind of experience I had' stays in my heart even more.

Sometimes things don't go as planned.

Sometimes you can't eat as much as you want.

But that is also part of who I am now.

I can no longer enjoy everything with full force like I did when I was young.

I can't eat as much, and I can't push myself.

Even so, when I go out like this, I make new discoveries.

It's strange how even days that don't go as planned turn into funny stories when you look back on them later.

A spectacular view on a sunny day is nice, but seeing Mount Ibuki in a storm will surely be a memory unique to me.

What I think now that I'm in my 50s is that

an 'unforgettable day' stays in your heart more than a 'perfect day'.This bus tour became just such a day.