Where would you go if time and money weren’t an issue? This was the question that Knee Product Manager Julia Cuny and her husband, Adam, debated on their first date. They agreed: Japan. So, when her five-year anniversary with Arthrex came around, Japan was the obvious answer.
Having celebrated her Arthrex anniversary in 2020, the trip was postponed until 2023. By then, she had gotten married – and her Trip of a Lifetime turned into a honeymoon.
The couple wanted to experience authentic Japanese culture and just disconnect from everyday stresses.
Still, they made a quick stop at Arthrex Japan when they landed in Tokyo.
“Since we were there, it seemed like the perfect time to see it,” Julia said.
Before embarking on their journey, she and Adam explored Shibuya Crossing – one of the most recognizable sights in Japan. Around 2,000 people cross the intersection every two minutes. Julia was amazed by the sight.
“It was so chaotic, but also very organized,” Julia said. “Very different from any other city I’ve seen.”
After leaving Tokyo, they stayed at a beautiful ski resort in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, where Julia and Adam only worried about when to ski and how much to relax.
They lingered in Kyoto for a few days and toured the Imperial Palace. From there, they took day trips to Osaka and Hiroshima.
The couple enjoyed a wide range of activities on their vacation: exploring shrines throughout the country, visiting Tokyo DisneySea and go-karting in character onesies.
But Julia’s favorite moments were when she immersed herself in the history and traditions of Japan.
“I loved diving into the culture,” she said, “it’s so quiet and respectful. Definitely a change of perspective.”
In Hakone, a town at the base of Mt. Fuji, they stayed at an inn which offered a selection of kimonos for them to wear, a traditional fish dinner and an onsen, a small hot spring, in each room.
The highlight of the trip was near the end of their vacation. Julia, a sushi enthusiast, booked an Omakase meal. She and her husband were the only two people in the room – other than the sushi master. The chef chose the ingredients and planned the menu the same morning. He handed them each course as it was completed.
“It takes longer to become a sushi chef in Japan than it does to become a doctor,” she recalled, “and the food was delicious! My husband hates fish and even he loved it – that’ll tell you how great it was.”
After two-and-a-half weeks exploring the island, the couple returned to Tokyo for the trip home.
“Japan was a major bucket list location for my husband and I,” Julia said. “We are so grateful to Arthrex for helping us make our honeymoon unforgettable!”
While she hasn’t decided on her destination for her 10-year trip, she’s excited to see if she can out-do Japan.
“I don’t think it’s possible,” Julia said, “but I’m going to try!”
For every five years of employment with Arthrex, employees are eligible for a company-paid Trip of a Lifetime to recognize their dedication. Look for more Trip of a Lifetime highlights on the Arthrex Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.