May 2025 Wrap-Up & Favorites

Source: personal collection

Hello fellow readers! In the last wrap-up post I wrote that I was busy planning and researching for a trip. It's a two-weeks Japan trip in May. I didn't read anything because I was busy enjoying my trip (and watching films and series in between). This post will mostly be about my Japan trip.

May Favorites

Films

5cm per Second (Live Action)

I didn't plan on watching this film at first. I watched the anime version and it left such an impression on me and I didn't want to taint it. However, I was in a 7-hours plane ride and I couldn't sleep. This film was on the selection so I decided to watch it. It was fine until the last part of the film where the protagonists are already adults. I thought it wouldn't affect me as much since I've watched the anime version and the live action version doesn't differ from the anime one. How wrong I was. I cried on the plane and I didn't care. It was good. It left me feeling good though. Even if you've seen the anime version of this film, I still recommend watching this version.

Miscellaneous

Theme Parks

I went to three parks on my trip to Japan, Universal Studios Japan, Disneysea, and Ghibli Park. They are all different from each other. Before this trip, I've went to two other theme parks, Universal Studios Singapore and Disneyland Paris. USS was my first experience with theme park, I felt overwhelmed and I felt like it could potentially be more enjoyable than I experienced it back then. While at Disneyland Paris, I felt underwhelmed because I had such a high expectations of Disneyland. It's a place where even my younger self couldn't dream of going, but somehow from my adult self's perspective, the park is smaller than how I expected it to be and it rained! So I only rode several indoor rides and didn't even experience the fireworks show. This time however, I think I enjoyed it a lot more. Perhaps because it wasn't my first so I kind of know what to expect and what to prepare. I watched the harbor show at Disneysea and it was magical! This time Disney delivered. Universal Studio was fun too. I didn't ride a thrilling roller coaster ride but the ones I did ride left nice impression on me. Ghibli Park is a bit underwhelming but it's a new experience. I think I've had my fill of Totoro to last for a year (lol).

Stationaries

As a person who journals and loves to draw, of course I have to visit art and stationary shops in Japan. There are three that I visited and I did some damage there. I went to Kyukyodo, a stationary store in Ginza, Loft Shibuya, and Itoya Ginza. I bought a lot of stickers, some washi tapes, and some journaling tools. I actually looked for Hobonichi undated planner or Traveller's notebook. However I couldn't find the type that I want so I ended up buying some undated planner at Muji. I'm happy with my purchases. I highly recommend going to Loft though, because you can find not only stationery but ceramics, chopsticks, snacks, coffee, coffee, tea, and many aesthetic homegoods.

Kyoto

This trip was my second trip to Japan but I visited a lot more places and cities this time. Still, Kyoto is my favorite. If I had the time and resources to do a relaxing and chilling trip, Kyoto would be my destination. I remember one afternoon seeing a woman sitting on the edge of a bridge reading a book while sipping on a matcha latte in Arashiyama. What a life. One thing that I kind of regret is not visiting an old stationary shop in Kyoto. Thankfully as I explained before, I've had enough stationary haul to keep me happy.

Magical Girls Anime

If you must know, I love Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura. Love with the capital L. For this trip, I intentionally added some Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura related places to the itinerary. I bought some merchandise and visited some places which supposed to be the setting of Sailor Moon. My younger self is so happy I want to cry. It's like revisiting things I love as a kid and reconnecting with her.

That's it for May! I know there's no books involved in this post but I'm genuinely happy with what happened in May I had so much fun on my trip. Time to get back on track since next one will be the middle checkpoint of the year.