A few days ago, I shared the story of my daughter leaving for Japan on a cultural trip organized by her small elementary school in rural Korea.
She traveled to Osaka with her fifth-grade classmates and teachers for three nights and four days. The school covered the entire cost of the trip, giving the children a wonderful opportunity to experience another country.
On Saturday, October 17, at around 2 a.m., my daughter finally returned home.
It was very late, but I was happy to see her back safely.
And once she was home, I was especially curious about what she had experienced in Japan.
What Did My Daughter Think of Japan?
When I asked my daughter what Japan was like, her first impression was surprisingly simple.
“It felt quite similar to Korea.”
She said the cities, streets, and general atmosphere reminded her of home.
But there were also things that made her trip special.
She loved the beautiful night views and the attractive buildings she saw during her travels. And, of course, visiting Universal Studios Japan was one of the most exciting parts of the trip.
She told me how much fun she had there.
It was lovely to hear her talk about the places she had visited and the things she had enjoyed.
A Sad History She Learned About in Japan
However, not everything she remembered was fun or exciting.
One story that left a particularly strong impression on her was about the Ear Mound, known as Mimizuka, in Kyoto.
The Ear Mound is connected to the Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century. During those wars, Japanese forces cut off the noses and ears of people in Korea and brought them to Japan as evidence of military achievements. Some of these human remains were buried in Kyoto.
When my daughter learned about this history, she found it deeply sad and cruel.
Hearing her talk about it reminded me that overseas cultural experiences are not only about sightseeing and entertainment.
They can also help children encounter difficult parts of history and begin thinking about what happened in the past.
As a parent, I hope she continues to learn about history, appreciate different cultures, and develop her own thoughtful perspective.
Japanese Food Was Good, but She Missed Korean Food
I also asked her about the food.
She said Japanese food was delicious, but compared with the food she was used to eating in Korea, it tasted a little less strongly seasoned.
After spending several days in Japan, she had one special request when she came home.
“Can you make me kimchi jjigae?”
Kimchi jjigae is a traditional Korean stew made with fermented kimchi. Its rich, spicy, and savory flavor is familiar to many Korean families.
My daughter had enjoyed eating Japanese food, but she was already missing the familiar taste of home.
That small request made me smile.
Sometimes, traveling to another country makes us appreciate the everyday foods we usually take for granted.
Snoopy Souvenirs for the Whole Family
My daughter also brought home several souvenirs from Japan.
One of them was a Snoopy cookie tin from Universal Studios Japan.
It was a colorful and adorable souvenir, filled with Snoopy-themed treats.
But the most meaningful Snoopy gifts were four matching plush charms.
My daughter had bought the same Snoopy character for all four members of our family.
She wanted us to have matching Snoopy dolls, just like a coordinated family set.
I thought that was a sweet idea.
While enjoying her trip in Japan, she had taken the time to think about her family and choose something we could all share.
The dolls themselves were small, but the thought behind them made them special.
ROYCE’ Nama Chocolate: Something I Would Love to Eat Again
Another souvenir was ROYCE’ nama chocolate, a well-known Japanese chocolate.
My daughter brought home several boxes, and I had the chance to taste it.
The texture was incredibly soft.
It almost melted in my mouth, and the sweetness was just right.
It was not overly sweet, which made it even more enjoyable.
I liked it so much that I thought I would definitely want to eat it again if I had another chance.
Among the snacks she brought back, this chocolate was especially memorable.
She also brought home some Japanese MINTIA mints in different varieties.
These little snacks and sweets were another fun part of exploring the souvenirs she had chosen.
Three Japanese Rice Paddles for Her Mother and Grandmothers
One of the most practical souvenirs was something I had not expected: Japanese nonstick rice paddles.
My daughter bought three of them.
One was for her mother, one for her paternal grandmother, and one for her maternal grandmother.
Rice is an essential part of everyday meals in Korea, so a rice paddle is something we use almost every day.
These particular paddles have a textured surface designed to keep cooked rice from sticking.
I had never tried this kind of rice paddle before.
When I used one, I was genuinely surprised by how little rice stuck to it.
It was simple, practical, and surprisingly convenient.
I also liked the fact that my daughter had chosen gifts that the women in our family could actually use in their kitchens.
It was another small example of how she had thought about the people waiting for her at home.
More Than Just a Trip to Japan
Looking back on my daughter’s trip, I think the most valuable things she brought home were not the souvenirs.
Of course, the Snoopy dolls were cute, the chocolate was delicious, and the rice paddles were useful.
But I was even more interested in the stories she told us.
She had seen beautiful streets and buildings, enjoyed Universal Studios Japan, tasted different food, and learned about a painful chapter of Korean and Japanese history.
She had discovered things she liked about Japan and also realized how much she missed Korean food.
For a child growing up in a small rural village in Korea, these experiences can become meaningful memories.
I hope this trip encourages her to remain curious about the world, understand its history, and respect people from different cultures.
And perhaps, many years from now, she will remember not only the places she visited but also the lessons she learned and the family members she thought about while traveling.
For me, the happiest part of the trip was simple.
My daughter came home safely, carrying new memories, interesting stories, and thoughtful little gifts.
And, of course, a craving for a warm bowl of Korean kimchi jjigae.