Empty nesters: My husband and I rekindled our relationship in Japan

My husband and I decided to go to Japan for our first trip since becoming empty nesters. That son is now a college sophomore, and as we approached our 25th wedding anniversary we knew it was time to get back out there in a big way, together. Choosing an itinerary became an exercise in compromise: I lobbied for Morocco while my husband wanted Japan, and we immediately booked plane tickets to Tokyo with a side trip to Kyoto.

Japan was everything we expected: immersive art in Azabudai Hills, prayers at historic temples, immaculate gardens, a 14-course omakase, the Shibuya Scramble, matcha-infused beer at Tokyo City View, and the views aboard the Shinkansen. Neither of us speaks Japanese, so we relied on each other and solved problems together.

Being empty nesters redefined our relationship. The trip restored the shine that day-to-day routines tend to dull, gave me the confidence to try an onsen in the nude, and reminded me of all the reasons I was drawn to my husband.

Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto

japan, tokyo, kyoto, empty nesters, shinkansen, omakase, shibuya scramble, onsen, azabudai hills, matcha beer