Hello, this is Paulina from Sakura-an Tokyo🧔♀️！
More than ten days have already passed since the start of 2025—it feels like time is flying!😆
Over the New Year holidays, I lost my beloved dog, Jack, who had been by my side for 17 years. It’s been difficult to grasp the passage of time, and I’ve been a little quiet on social media since.
The main goal of my trip is to visit a shrine in Kyushu and get a special charm that I fell in love with when I saw it online. Interestingly, the shrine is located on a mountain about 360 meters high! This will be my first solo trip, my first visit to Kyushu, and even my first time hiking a mountain. It’s going to be a journey full of firsts!
As I was daydreaming about the trip and gazing at the night sky, something magical happened—I saw a shooting star for the first time in my life! ☆ Although I was too surprised to make a wish, I’m determined to work hard and make my dreams come true on my own.
The charm is something I could easily buy online, but the idea of crossing a mountain and making an effort to get it in person feels so meaningful. I think the experience will give me a deeper sense of confidence and energy for the future.
By the way, today I had a portrait photoshoot in a forest in Kanagawa. It felt like light hiking, and it reminded me how much I love walking along mountain trails—it’s so invigorating! This little adventure has helped ease my worries about my upcoming trip.
Since I often ride my bike and take stairs, I realized I might have more stamina than I thought!
Oh, and here’s a little bonus—
A photo of the origami kadomatsu (traditional Japanese New Year decoration) I made!
I’ll be sure to share photos from my trip if everything goes as planned😆🎵
Japanese Massage Therapy
Sakura-an Tokyo Asakusa
Paulina
