I’ve been working to continue building my confidence in speaking Japanese. Today, after class, I went to get a massage. Determined to get more practice in, I started chatting with the masseuse.

I decided to ease into the conversation with a bit of humor, asking if my shoulders were the hardest he’s ever worked on. He laughed, which helped break the ice. From there, I told him that I’d be in Japan for three months and that in three weeks, I’d be renting a camper van.

I explained my plan to drive all the way south to Kagoshima and then move north, following a path similar to the cherry blossoms as they bloom.

It felt good to push myself to have a natural conversation, even if I had to think through my words more carefully. Moments like this remind me that every small interaction helps build my confidence, one conversation at a time.

The Best Bowl of Soba So Far

Afterwards, I grabbed a bowl of soba at a shop recommended by the school. It turned out to be the best bowl of soba I’ve had so far.

The broth was creamy, the meat was tender, and the egg was perfectly cooked. But my favorite part? The crispy strings sprinkled on top. I have no idea what they were made of, but they added a unique texture and a distinct flavor that brought the whole dish together.

Mmmmm. Definitely a meal worth remembering.