Debasree’s Family Adventure in Japan with Thrillophilia: Laughter, Sushi, and A Few Surprises

“Are we really going to Japan?” That was the first question that popped into Debasree’s head when the trip was confirmed. It was hard to believe. Debasree, her husband, their five-year-old daughter, and her in-laws were venturing into the land of sushi, shrines, and surprise deer encounters.

Japan seemed so distant, so orderly, so different from the chaos of their usual family holidays. But it was happening, and they were honestly thrilled.

With a trip planned through Thrillophilia, everything was laid out for them—hotel bookings, transfers, activities and all they had to do was show up. The most thrilling part was experiencing Japan like never before, without the stress of planning each detail themselves.

Tokyo and Lots of Sushi

The family touched down in Tokyo, ready to tackle the adventure head-on. Tokyo was a neon-lit city blinking like it was on caffeine, streets bustling with people moving at the speed of light, and service at every turn felt almost robotic.

Japanese breakfast buffets were not for the faint of heart. While the in-laws were still figuring out how to pronounce "miso soup," their daughter, adventurous as ever, was already deep into her sushi obsession. Raw fish for breakfast was her ideal start. Meanwhile, Debasree and her husband admired the tempura with a level of awe usually reserved for fine art.

Tokyo offered everything: shopping, shrines, and vending machines that seemed impossibly complex. The in-laws spent half an hour figuring out how to buy a bottle of water from one. Meanwhile, their daughter was mesmerised by the local cats in cafes.

Hiroshima and Unexpected Philosophy

Their next stop was Hiroshima. The Peace Memorial Park left the family speechless. Walking through it, they felt the weight of the city’s tragic past.


On Miyajima Island, they encountered the local deer. These were not ordinary deer but little deer royalty. A deer approached her father-in-law, gently nipped at his bag, and looked up as if to say, “You gonna share that or what?”

Naturally, her father-in-law tried to feed them crackers, which turned into an intense, one-sided standoff. The deer were victorious. 

Culture, Chaos, and Culinary Adventures

Next up was Osaka, a city that combined rich history with unrelenting energy. They stayed at the Rihga Royal Osaka, where five-star luxury and incredible food awaited them.

The breakfast buffet was impressive, especially with the abundance of sushi. Even the vending machines appeared to be stocked with sushi.

Osaka Castle offered a glimpse into samurai history. Their daughter donned a samurai helmet for a picture, ready to take on any imaginary battle. Her husband spent half the time trying to convince her father-in-law to pose with him in an oversized kabuki mask for memories.

Dotonbori, the neon-lit district, captured Osaka’s essence: bright, loud, and packed with every kind of food imaginable. They tried okonomiyaki, Japanese savoury pancakes. The in-laws were impressed and declared it their favourite. It was heartwarming to see them enjoy something completely new.

Warmth, Politeness, and the Ever-Present Bow

Every day, Japanese culture continued to surprise the family. Japan was kind in the smallest ways. From the moment they arrived, they felt surrounded by politeness and respect.

Everywhere they went, there were smiles and bows. Debasree found herself trying to bow as low as possible in return.

One of the most touching moments occurred in Kyoto when a stranger noticed their daughter struggling with a vending machine. Without a word, the stranger helped her choose the drink she wanted.

The simple gesture left Debasree teary-eyed. In a world where many things are rushed, Japan reminded them that kindness is never lost.

Homeward Bound

As the family boarded their flight back home, their hearts were full of memories, food, and the knowledge that they had experienced something truly special. Japan gifted them not just famous sights but also its people, culture, and moments of sheer joy. There were laughs, discoveries, and deer.

This trip was not just about ticking off a list of attractions. It was about family, bonding, and appreciating the quiet beauty of a place that had opened its arms to them. Debasree was already thinking about when they could return—perhaps next time they would try to befriend more deer or simply stick to the ramen.

Read more: Thrillophilia Japan Reviews