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This week’s B ME Bites Trivia Question:

Welcome to edition #61 of B ME Bites! After a 13 week break to celebrate my 50th and my daughter’s 30th birthday, the newsletter is back — and so is the adventure! For five unforgettable weeks, Japan became the playground, filled with magic, mishaps, and memories. And, true to form, it all began with a comedy of errors that made the journey even more memorable.

Japan Adventures Part 1 - Comedy of Errors, Harry Potter and Country Charm

From Airport Mix-ups to Ancient Temples – A Whirlwind Beginning

The Japan adventure began with a comedy of errors, but quickly turned into a magical whirlwind — from sipping Butterbeer at Universal Studios, to rustic charm in Nose, to owls under sacred trees and an unforgettable tea ceremony. This edition takes you through the first four days of the trip — the laughs, the lessons, and the unexpected beauty.

A Rocky but Memorable Start

The adventure started before we even left the airport! Business Class with Jetstar had us cheering, until we discovered Business Max is the one that gets you into the lounge. First mistake ✅. Second? Accidentally booking an Airbnb near Itami Airport in Osaka… when we actually landed in Kansai. Cue a comedy of errors: missed buses, needing cash we had forgotten to get, trains leaving seconds before we arrived, and finally an expensive taxi ride made less painful due to a wonderfully kind driver. But in true travel magic fashion, our Airbnb host Yuriko was waiting at 1:30am with a smile, and the cutest little place became our first home in Japan.

Rain, Butterbeer and Wands

Despite grey skies and rain (hello wet season ☔), Universal Studios was calling. Getting there was surprisingly easy thanks to the bus from Itami airport. Nataasjia made a beeline for Ollivanders. While the “wand chooses the wizard” experience is no longer available, she found something even more special — a cherry wood wand, exclusive to Japan. Butterbeer was sipped, selfies with the Hogwarts Express and the Weasley’s flying car snapped, Mario World explored, and even a cheeky Minion made an appearance. After a long day, it was back to our AirBnB for an early night.

Rustic Country Charm

After a much-needed sleep-in, we headed to the small country town of Nose — but not before our first Pokémon Centre stop in Osaka (essential!). Our stay was at a traditional country inn that wasn’t “luxury polished,” but something much more special — rustic, authentic, and full of heart. Guests can choose between the smaller guest house (with its unforgettable traditional wood-fired bath) or the larger guest house (perfect for families or groups, with a full kitchen but without the wood-fired bath). In the fridge? Locally made sodas and beers, starting with a delicious ginger soda. That night, Shohei and Mami, the inn owners, cooked us an incredible homemade dinner. Even picky eaters (Nataasjia) were catered for (tofu was the only miss). Homemade plum wine was shared, and the highlight? That wood-fired bath — steaming, earthy, and magical.

A Day of Shrines, Owls and Tea

Naoya, our guide, met us at the inn and whisked us into the Japanese countryside. We wandered through forests and shrines, including the sacred Tenno Akagashi tree (500+ years old). At local artisan shops, we learned purple dye can be made from moss, and pink dye from tiny cactus-eating bugs (cochineal). We lunched under a sacred 1,000-year-old tree where owls nest — one even posed for us via telescope 📸.

At Shinnyo-ji Temple, we came across a nature waterfall shower tucked into the grounds. I didn’t step under it myself — I was too busy capturing photos and video — but it was stunning to watch. The water cascaded down with such power, I could only imagine how bracing it must feel, especially in the middle of winter! No wonder waterfalls like this are tied to purification rituals in Japanese traditions.

From handmade candles and silk to temples where Buddhist and Shinto practices coexist, the day was full of awe. We ended with tea and pottery at Sunsui Coffee, history lessons in samurai fields, and a farm tour where Naoya grows everything from rice to chestnuts. Dinner back at the inn was followed by sake, plum wine, and a Japanese tea ceremony guided by Naoya and Rumi. Learning both sides of the ceremony — guest and host — was the perfect way to end such a rich day.

🌏 Travel Lessons So Far

✈️ Even the best-laid plans can go sideways. Airport mix-ups and missed trains don’t mean failure—they just make for better stories.

🍜 Trying something new (even if it’s Butterbeer in the rain or tofu you’re not sure about) can surprise you. Sometimes it’s delicious, sometimes… not so much.

🌸 Beauty is often found in the unexpected. From moss-dyed purple bags to centuries-old sacred trees, the little details are the ones that stay with you.

💬 What’s the most unexpected travel hiccup that ended up being one of your favourite stories?

Next up: More Japanese adventures, more Pokémon Centres, and a whole lot of wonder—rain or shine 🌂✨

In Case You Missed It: B ME HQ Weekly Recap

🌅 Sunrise Bite of the Week:

Sometimes the sky just won’t cooperate—but the beauty shows up in other ways. This short reel captures a reminder that even on the grey days, there’s still something worth noticing.

🎥 Watch it on YouTube:

📺 Explore the full journey on the B ME Sunrise Bites YouTube Playlist
(Remember to hit subscribe while you’re there!)

🎯Weekly Challenge

Your mission for this week, if you choose to accept it, is to do the following:

Find Joy in the Unexpected

Travel (and life) doesn’t always go to plan — sometimes you miss the train by seconds, sometimes the rain falls all day. This week, try flipping a frustration into an adventure. When something goes “wrong,” pause and ask: What’s the hidden story or lesson here?

If you need some help, feel free to hit reply - let’s help you get started if you’re stuck!

B ME Bites is deliberately sent on a Friday morning (Aussie time) so that where ever you are in the world, you have the weekend to give yourself the gift of implementing a small change towards a better you. What will that small change be? Is there a change that you have been trying to make and haven’t yet succeeded? Give it another go, applying the above - you can do it!

Resource Roundup

Below is a resource list that has been created with you in mind. Whenever something new that could be helpful is discovered or created, it’s added to the list, so check it out from time to time. If you’re strapped for time, once you open the page below, click on Resource List in the top menu, then click on the “Health Tools” link for a list of items that could be helpful on your path to a better you.

The answer to this week’s trivia question is:

Thanks for reading and the hope is that you found something helpful inside this issue. If you did, remember to share it with others whom could also find it helpful, using this link: https://bmebites.beehiiv.com

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Hit reply and answer either 1,2 or 3, and, if the answer is 2 or 3, give the deets on what would make it a 1 for you!:

1. Loved it!

2. It was OK

3. Meh!

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Until next week, keep taking one S.T.E.P.S step at a time! (If you missed the issue explaining The S.T.E.P.S Formula, you can check that out here)

Warm regards,

Shari Ware Chief Encouragement Officer at B ME Bites

PS - Here’s a little Friday funny for you!

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