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🔴 Dreams Unleashed In The East (Chapter 5) 🎌🗾

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Real Estate Agent with Big Block Team @ LPT Realty 858.232.8722 CA BRE# 01261476
Japan-z8.jpg

Chapter 5: Wrapping Up Our Epic Journey

Previous Chapters:

(Chapter 1)
(Chapter 2)
(Chapter 3)
(Chapter 4)


We traveled through Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka; then circled back to Kyoto and Tokyo before finally boarding our flight home. We had a family reunion, made new friends and achieved a Bucket List Goal! Looking over our journals from the past 25 days, it’s clear we were blessed with a remarkably smooth and memorable trip. In every sense, it was the experience of a lifetime; a journey that imprinted itself on us in ways we’re still discovering.


       

     

What truly contributed to our trip, was my ability to leave work behind; no calls, texts or emails - no checking in. I had no idea what was happening in America let alone the office - we emersed! I highly recommend this approach. Be Present!


Family Reunion


New Friends

It’s said that on Day 1 in Japan you’re a little lost; a bit dazed by the signs, the pace, the beautiful order of it all. By Day 21, you’re filling out job applications and scouting apartments; 😂 Japan has a way of capturing your heart before you even realize it’s happened. ❤️

Surprising Mom with a First Class Flight Home!



Previous Chapters:

(Chapter 1)
(Chapter 2)
(Chapter 3)
(Chapter 4)



本当にありがとう日本！

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon...
We shall return again!

Posted by


Thomas J. Nelson
REALTOR®, CRS, RCS-D, CDPE, e-Pro, Certified Military Home Specialist, Luxury Home Specialist, Author, Keynote Speaker and  Podcast Host 

Serving Coastal San Diego from Carlsbad to Coronado, Downtown, Balboa Park Area,
La Jolla/UCSD & Mission Bay Park Areas
I Offer Rebates to Veterans & Active Duty

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RCS-Divorce     Southern California Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists (CRS)

 
 
Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, medical advice or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice, health or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thank you for sharing your trip with us Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP I can honestly say "I wish I was there".

Dec 05, 2025 08:13 AM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, make it a great Friday and enjoy your weekend! Bill 

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Dec 05, 2025 11:00 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

What an incredible adventure! 🇯🇵✨ I’ve really enjoyed following along with each chapter of your journey. The memories you made with family are priceless, and the way Japan captures the heart is something special. Thank you for sharing the highlights — what a beautiful experience!

Dec 05, 2025 11:19 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Walking this path is a whole lot brighter with good people like you to share it with. Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by my little corner of The Rain!

Dec 05, 2025 03:16 PM
Patricia Feager
Appraisal Review Board, Denton County, TX - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP - these memories are for a lifetime. You touched so many souls in Japan and they in turn touched yours. You're coming home with new insights, new cultural diversity, photographs and memories you never knew could be so beautiful and interesting, 

Thank you for sharing your blessings with your family. It was a privilege to follow along with you on your journey. 

Dec 05, 2025 02:17 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

I appreciated having folks like you to share the journey with - thank you for your kind words and for popping by my posts!

Dec 05, 2025 03:14 PM
Ailina Nelson
Vision Drive Realty - La Jolla, CA
Learn To Dance In The Rain

I am still coming down from the high of our epic trip! Of all the trips we have taken, this one is one that will always be my most memorable and special. It was a dream come true...so many years we have talked about doing it, and planned and saved up for it.  Definitely a trip of a lifetime!! I loved re-living our moments through your well-written blogs. Until we meet again, Nihon!!!!

Dec 05, 2025 05:21 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Ailina Nelson ...
It was the epic trip of our lives to date - definitely special and indeed 3 weeks later - still high on all we did in Japan! I love traveling the world with you My Love - and I especially love coming home to you! ❤️

Dec 05, 2025 05:39 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Thomas- Thank you so much for taking us along on your Bucket list trip. I enjoyed it!!!  More than seeing Japan, it was being with Ailiana's family. 

Dec 05, 2025 07:20 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

I loved every minute of being the token hakajin (white guy 😂) in the family for a month. My family is extraordinary, and this trip gave me the rare gift of reconnecting with loved ones I hadn’t seen in 22 years — and finally meeting others for the very first time. I’ve admired Japanese culture from a distance for most of my life (even studied the culture, cooking and language in college), and Japan still managed to exceed every hope I carried with me.

 

It’s a journey I’ll never forget, and a joy to share with all my friends in The Rain. Bucket-list dreams demand planning and patience, but they do come true — stay faithful in the small things, and life has a way of handing you the big ones. ❤️

Dec 06, 2025 07:41 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Thomas - following your AR posts over the years has shown me that you know how to prioritize your life well.  You definitely walk the talk.  Good for you.  I can understand how this trip was memorable, special and unique in many ways, but I hope countless other opportunities remain a part of days to come.   

Dec 06, 2025 05:27 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Michael Jacobs Thank you (always) for your thoughtful words and observations and for visiting my posts along the regular. I always enjoy my encounters with you my friend.

Dec 06, 2025 07:34 AM
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
Retired from real estate; active in life!

How wonderful! It sounds as though it was an amazing trip - and the fact that you could totally disconnect: priceless.

Dec 06, 2025 05:28 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

100% disconnected was the true value indeed Kat, and Japan was a gracious hostess - a true gem of a country!

Dec 06, 2025 07:33 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Thomas. Your train picture reminded me of taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto... that was an amazing experience. Love seeing all the photos from your trip... still feeling like I was there with you. And I bet Mom enjoyed that first-class flight home...

Dec 06, 2025 07:10 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP I'm so with you on the etiquette/hospitality aspect... compared with what I grew up with, we have gone so far downhill in our country.

Dec 06, 2025 07:44 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

Nina Hollander, Broker oh yes - Mom is still reeling from the experience and my son-in-law stock has never been higher 😂 I'm still getting texts from her thanking me for the extravaganza!

We rode the Shinkansen  six times!!! We logged almost 15 hours of Bullet Train travel (First Class Green Car of course) 😂 - and yes Mom was treated to that too as she was on 3 of those trains with us.

We’re about ready to buy a vacation home there! Japan leaves you wanting to return to America and immediately hire a maid… and an etiquette/hospitality coach for our whole country. We really need to step it up here. I'm certainly looking to make improvements as a result in my business service - I learned so much there!

Dec 06, 2025 07:32 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

What a gift to read this journey, Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP. It's so filled with presence, connection, and the joy of discovery 🙂. Your reflections capture the spirit of travel in a way that lingers, and I’m grateful you shared it ❤️.

Dec 07, 2025 12:33 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

It was a joy to share our journey!

Dec 07, 2025 01:22 PM
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