Emma had always dreamed of visiting Japan. After saving money for two years, she finally bought a plane ticket to Tokyo. The flight from London took twelve hours. Emma could hardly sleep because she was so excited. When the plane landed at Narita Airport, her heart was beating fast. She collected her luggage and walked through customs. Everything looked different and fascinating to her. She took the express train from the airport to central Tokyo. The train was incredibly clean and quiet. Emma watched the city appear through the window as they approached. The skyline was a mix of modern skyscrapers and traditional buildings. She arrived at Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world. Thousands of people rushed in every direction. At first, Emma felt overwhelmed by the crowds. But she followed the signs and found her way to the exit. Her hotel was a small traditional inn called a ryokan. She had to take off her shoes at the entrance and wear slippers inside. The owner was an elderly woman who spoke a little English. 'Welcome to Japan,' she said with a warm smile. Emma's room had tatami mats on the floor and a futon for sleeping. She had never slept on the floor before, but it was surprisingly comfortable. The next morning, Emma woke up early because of jet lag. She decided to explore the neighborhood before breakfast. The streets were already busy with people going to work. She found a small convenience store and bought an onigiri, a rice ball wrapped in seaweed. It tasted delicious and only cost a hundred yen. After breakfast, Emma visited the famous Meiji Shrine. The shrine was located in a beautiful forest in the middle of the city. Tall trees surrounded the path, and the air smelled fresh and clean. Emma watched people write wishes on small wooden tablets called ema. She bought one and wrote a wish for a safe and happy trip. Next, she took the subway to Shibuya to see the famous crossing. The Shibuya Crossing is where thousands of people cross the street at the same time. Emma stood on the corner and watched in amazement. When the light changed, she joined the crowd and crossed with everyone else. It felt like being in a movie. For lunch, Emma decided to try authentic Japanese ramen. She found a small restaurant where customers sat at a counter. The chef prepared the noodles right in front of her. The ramen came in a big bowl with pork, eggs, and vegetables. Emma slurped the noodles loudly, which is polite in Japan. It was the best noodles she had ever tasted. In the afternoon, Emma visited the trendy neighborhood of Harajuku. Young people wore colorful and unusual fashion on the streets. She saw styles that she had never seen before in London. Emma bought a cute phone case shaped like a cat from a small shop. She also tried a crepe filled with strawberries and whipped cream. By evening, Emma's feet were tired from walking so much. She decided to visit a traditional Japanese bathhouse called a sento. She had to wash herself completely before entering the hot bath. The hot water relaxed her muscles and made her feel refreshed. The next day, Emma took a bullet train to Kyoto. The shinkansen traveled at over three hundred kilometers per hour. She could see Mount Fuji in the distance through the window. The snow-covered mountain looked beautiful against the blue sky. Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The city had hundreds of temples and traditional gardens. Emma visited the famous golden temple, Kinkaku-ji. The building was covered entirely in gold leaf and reflected in the pond. Emma took many photographs to remember this beautiful sight. She also walked through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. The tall bamboo stalks created a magical atmosphere. The sound of the wind through the bamboo was peaceful and calming. On her last day in Kyoto, Emma decided to try wearing a kimono. A shop offered kimono rental for tourists. The staff helped Emma choose a beautiful blue kimono with flower patterns. It took thirty minutes to dress properly in the kimono. Emma walked through the old streets feeling like she had traveled back in time. Many people smiled and complimented her on the kimono. Back in Tokyo, Emma had one final experience she wanted to try. She wanted to visit a karaoke bar and sing Japanese songs. She rented a small private room with a microphone and screen. Even though she did not know many Japanese songs, she had great fun. On her final night, Emma walked around Shinjuku one more time. The neon lights glowed brightly against the dark sky. She felt both happy and sad that her trip was ending. Japan had been everything she had imagined and more. The people had been incredibly kind and helpful. The food had been delicious, and every temple had been beautiful. The next morning, Emma packed her suitcase and checked out of the ryokan. The elderly owner gave her a small gift, a lucky charm called omamori. 'This will bring you good luck and safe travels,' she said. Emma thanked her warmly and promised to return someday. On the train to the airport, Emma looked at all the photos on her phone. There were hundreds of memories from just ten days in Japan. She smiled as she scrolled through pictures of temples, food, and city lights. At the airport, Emma bought some last-minute souvenirs for her family. She chose green tea, traditional sweets, and small Japanese toys. As the plane took off, Emma watched Tokyo disappear below the clouds. She felt grateful for every moment of her adventure. This trip had changed her in ways she had not expected. She had learned to be more independent and confident. She had discovered that she could handle challenges in a foreign country. Most importantly, she had made wonderful memories that would last forever. When Emma arrived home, her family was waiting at the airport. They hugged her tightly and asked about her trip. Emma had so many stories to tell them. That night, looking at the omamori charm in her hand, Emma made a decision. She would start saving money again. Someday, she would return to Japan for another adventure.
English Story (B1)Tokyo Adventure
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Emma travels to Tokyo after saving money for two years. She stays at a traditional ryokan, visits famous landmarks like the Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, and the golden temple in Kyoto. She tries authentic ramen, wears a kimono, and experiences Japanese culture firsthand. The trip transforms her into a more confident person, and she leaves Japan with wonderful memories and a promise to return.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
How long did Emma save money before buying her plane ticket to Tokyo?
2
What type of accommodation did Emma stay in during her trip?
3
What did Emma see from the bullet train window on her way to Kyoto?
4
What gift did the ryokan owner give Emma when she left?
Vocabulary
40 words from this story
