As part of a joint initiative of HI Hosteling Slovenia, JYH (the Japanese national youth hostel association) Tokyo and SPIRIT (Slovenian tourist organization), Slovenia was visited by a young Japanese travelling journalist Hanaka. In this issue of globetrotter we’re publishing an interview Mateja Mazgan did with the journalist from the far east. Hanaka Matsui is a young girl that travelled through quite a few European countries, among them also Slovenia. Our little patch of Earth thrilled her and she noticed interesting things we’d take for granted and wouldn’t even see. She’s been travelling on her own for just two years now, but has many plans and ideas fo the future.
Do you travel a lot?
»YES«, confirmed with authority. Until now Hanaka travelled to eight countries, which is quite a lot for a girl of only twenty years.
As Japan is located on islands, it’s not as easy for an average Japanese to travel and organize a travel as it is for us, who live in the heart of Europe – Hanaa pointed that out immediately.
How do you travel?
»As I live on an island, I must first fly to mainland. Unfortunately I don’t have the same opportunity as you have here in Europe, where you can take a train, a bus or even just a bicycle and go abroad. And then I use public transport to travel around. Otherwise my travels are either solo (backpacker style) or with friends.«
Where did you get the inspiration for your travels? Does it originate from your family?
»My family also travels, but their travelling is usually connected with their business. When I was still a child my parents usually took me with them. But I also have my desire to explore the world, to see and experience many new things. That is why I started traveling on my own, which is a special challenge. It’s interesting to travel alone, and fun to travel with friends.«
When do you usually travel?
»I usually travel in the spring or summer as that’s when we have our break from studies.«
Hanako got so fascinated by traveling, she even sets out twice a year, when her school obligations would let her. As for most travellers, the same unwritten rule applies to her as well – once you start to travel, you simply cannot stop. The length of the travel, however, must follow her schedule, meaning – catching school breaks.
Which has been your favourite journey and why?
»I must say it was my visit to Spain. It was just one of those things where everything I’ve experienced was just perfect for me. I especially liked the Spanish tapas.«
Seeing how Hanaka travelled eight different countries, it’s interesting that Slovenia made that list of countries she has visited. Among all the famous traveling destinations, she chose our little country, a place many don’t even know exists. She stayed in Slovenia for 11 days, which is longer than an average tourist spends in Slovenia.
What impressions did you get about Slovenia?
»I was positively surprised, for the country is really beautiful. I was most fascinated about your culture that I noticed right away with your students. On weekends most students would return home to their families. I understand that the distances are not so long, to make this a problem, but I was surprised at this feeling of attachment. This made a deep impression upon me. Also, I was really surprised with clean water. And not only that, it wasn’t that I was always able to drink tap water, I was also surprised at how clean the lakes, rivers and the sea was.«
Where did you go, while you stayed in Slovenia?
»I could say I visited all parts of the country. Naturally I went to the capital – Ljubljana, and also visited the main tourist centres: Bled, Bohinj, Škocjan and Piran… but I also visited Nova Gorica, Ajdovščina, Koper, Maribor and Ptuj.«
Hanaka hasn’t had any bad experience on her travels. She says if something happens that was not part of the plan, it happened for a good reason.
Do you share your travels with others?
What’s life like in Japan? Can you compare it to life in Slovenia?
»Ufff… that’s a hard question. Our religion and culture are completely different from yours. We are in a way isolated from the rest of the world as we have no neighbouring countries as you do. It’s clear with you that cultures mix and neighbours take upon habits of each other. I’m sure it goes both way. I also see that many women finish their studies with you and start thinking about their careers.«
Hanaka is a world traveller who loves to get to know the local people. That’s the point of traveling to her. As she’s still at the beginning of her world wonderings, she is strongly convinced she’ll go to many more countries of the world in the future.
See her detailed program in the Japanese language
HERE!
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