It reminded me of anime scenes where pink petals fall from the trees as characters walk to school or through a park. Seeing cherry blossoms on my own walk to school made the experience feel even more real.
Another thing that makes me feel like I am in an anime is walking through Japanese neighborhoods. The streets are narrow, clean and usually do not have many potholes. Some homes have small gardens, plants, or flowers in the front, which adds to the beauty of the area. I also bought a bicycle so I can explore more of the neighborhoods around me, and the times I have gone biking have been amazing. I even found a few blocks filled with sakura trees! I love finding hidden gems, and biking is a great way to do that. It's also very safe to bike here, as cities are much more bike- and pedestrian-friendly and you don't have to drive everywhere like most people do back in the U.S.
Finally, there are the temples and shrines. I remember watching anime episodes where characters celebrated the New Year by visiting a temple or shrine. Ever since then, I have wanted to experience that part of Japanese culture in person. So far, I have visited a few temples and shrines in Nara and Kyoto, but there are still many more places I want to see, especially in Kyoto.
Being in Japan and connecting these real-life experiences to anime is a feeling that is hard to put into words. Sometimes it feels like I am living inside a dream I had when I was younger. However, studying abroad has also helped me understand that Japan is more than what I saw in anime. Anime first sparked my interest, but actually living here has helped me appreciate the culture, places and everyday life in a much deeper way.
