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Filshie’s in JapanFilshie’s in Japan
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Traveling with Sharon, Leandra, Marty, Chippa and Jenben Read more
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  • Filshie’s in Japan
    1
    Day 1

    Melbourne to Tokyo via Manila

    April 2 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Here we go. Japan for a few weeks. Very excited.

    Our Ubermate Neil picked us up 4:15am dressed in driver attire.

    Found our buddies near Gate 6 and had breakie.

    The flight to Manila is about 8.5 hours with a short stopover before we fly north to Tokyo.

    We landed in Manila and saw slums from our windows. Not a good first impression. It is hot here and just after midday. At least we can now say we added another country to our bucket list.

    As we exited the plane Sharon was asked by the airport staff if she required assistance in the form of a wheelchair. We laughed, but she was unimpressed.

    On to Tokyo Narita airport. Hopefully our transport booking will work and we will successfully navigate our way to the hotel by late evening.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 2

    Tokyo you are amazing

    April 3 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Our first impression of Japan were really long queues at the airport with only a few customs staff working. Our patient driver was waiting for us. We think he is used to customs taking so long. Finally after 3.5 hours we were at our hotel.

    Our hotel was supposed to be where the tour started in the original itinerary but that changed so now we have to head to another starting point. The good news is that it looks really flash.

    Once we worked out how to navigate the train system there was no holding back. We found a cheap and cheerful breakie place and then made our way to the local station.

    It took us longer than it should to move hotels as we made a few platform errors but in the end we transitioned from the surface rail to the subway in downtown Tokyo and then down to the port area.

    This place is unreal. The size of Tokyo station defies belief. It is so big and spread out you can’t help but get lost. Shouldn’t be a surprised considering 38 million live here!

    We are all delighted with our tour “starting” hotel. Definitely 5 star and rooms are lovely. Our rooms were ready early so that gave us time to head back into Tokyo with newfound confidence.

    Under Tokyo station there are lots of local eateries so we tried our luck and it was awesome. The food is cheap and the portions ample and good eating. This was our first experience of cash only!

    The rain has now arrived so we parked our butts in an Irish pub because all the other local bars are closed until late afternoon.

    The girls left us after a few rounds and headed off in search of a shopping epiphany while us menfolk stayed to solve the world’s problems.

    The trip home included buying more food to eat back in our room. The locals seem to cook at home. Our sushi & shrimp salad were fantastic, but I have to confess my best purchase was a bottle JB for just $A15.

    Our trip home on the train was fun. Tokyo station is a zoo of people finishing their day and heading home. The train travel rules are no speaking, phones on silent but sleeping is acceptable. We cannot work out how they know which stop to get off.

    In the morning we will meet all the others who are on this tour. Our visit so far has been superb.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    1
    Day 3

    Let the tour begin

    April 4 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We joined our group of 36 and as expected there are mainly Aussies and Kiwis. This will be our group for the next 12 days.

    First stop was a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market which is an enormous spectacle of all types of local and imported seafood. It’s a dream for foodies but we had just had breakie so didn’t indulge. The crowds were overwhelming.

    It is now spring so the local and international tourists alike flock to Japan to see the renowned cherry trees bloom and join in the sakura (cherry blossom) festivities. The blossom lasts 10 - 14 days and has just come out. People here are just as excited as we are.

    Our next stop was a beautiful public park that has served many purposes over the centuries. It was originally built as a feudal lord’s Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo period, but later served as a strolling garden and an imperial detached palace, before eventually being opened to the public. The 300 year giant bonsai pine tree was impressive.

    Last stop for the day was Chiyoda ward where the cherry blossoms line the waterway beside the Emperor’s Imperial Palace. The blossom is so beautiful and at night this lights up for an hour but we mistimed coming back for that.
    Rookie error.

    We told Ken we would leave the bus group and make our own way home. Nearby we found the Yasukuni Shrine. Locals pay their respects and of course there was more Sakura. So much to see here.

    Tokyo is so nice. We have much to learn from their culture. No litter, clean cars, no smoking in public, calm and polite crowds. You feel safe here.

    Our late afternoon was spent trying to find a bar but we eventually gave up. They are not a thing here in the areas we were walking. We had a big day and were all exhausted.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    1
    Day 4

    Last day in Tokyo

    April 5 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We leave Tokyo tomorrow morning so after today we will not be back until after the tour ends.

    We witnessed the serenity of Ueno Park, the city’s largest green space and home to numerous temples and museums. Picnics here are called banquets and you reserve your spot with large tarps.

    There’s even a zoo here which Sharon went to see the baby Pandas. I went to the museum for the Samurai swords and artifacts.

    More than 800 cherry blossom trees line the wide central path. The first cherry trees were planted here by legendary shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, whose reign began the Edo Period (1603-1868). It’s said to be one of the oldest Hanami.

    Hanami, usually with a picnic, is a chance to celebrate the arrival of spring but today there were mostly university students celebrating their acceptances.

    We stopped next at Yoyogi Park. It has around 600 cherry trees, it’s another lively spot for hanami parties. We did some great selfie group shots in the forest and of course saw more sakura.

    Next stop nearby Meiji Shrine
    (Meiji Jingu), located within a 170-acre forest in the centre of Tokyo. The shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji, who presided over Japan’s industrial revolution in the second half of the 19th century. It was built in 1920 and was rebuilt in 1958 after it was damaged in WW2.

    The current emperor of Japan is the 126th. Born in 1960 he took over in 2019. What a responsibility.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 5

    Tokyo to Kawaguchiko

    April 6 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We are heading to Kawaguchiko today, about a two hour drive on the expressway. The terrain is mountainous with random cherry blossoms sitting in amongst the pine forests.

    It is nice to get away from the congestion of Tokyo for a while.

    Arrived at Lake Kawaguchiko, known for recreational boating, fishing and water sports. More importantly this is where we got our first view of the iconic Mount Fuji. The picnickers were out in force again! More cherry blossoms of course.

    The bus then drove us up Mount Fuji as far as the 3rd station carpark which is where the roadblock is before the snow and avalanches stop the traffic. We got some great pics of the peak. Some wild deer were startled by our bus.

    Our overnight resort hotel is quite new and very traditional. They have a public bath and there is a long list on the do’s and don’ts on bathing etiquette. Our room has two futon beds which will be a challenge to sleep on comfortably tonight. Upside is the view to Mount Fuji. Early morning is the best time for a view.

    We were told that there is a local bar restaurant called New York so we gave that a try. Didn’t feel like a great choice so we stayed for one round and headed back to a family restaurant outside our hotel.

    Food here is really reasonably priced but ordering is a nightmare. Our waitress was the owner's daughter. She looked about 10 years old. The orders got mucked up and the drinks were slow to arrive. It cost about A$110 to feed six of us. We all had a full belly and headed off to bed.

    Up early tomorrow as we leave at 8am.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 6

    Mt Fuji to Takayama

    April 7 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Woke up to the most breathtaking views of Mt Fuji. We slept rough but it was worth it. Our rooms had traditional Japanese dressing gowns which they encouraged us to wear to breakfast. Um nah.

    Today is a drive to Matsumoto Castle, also known as ‘Crow Castle’ due to its dramatic black exterior. It proved to be more of a physical challenge than expected. You must remove your shoes and carry them in a plastic bag at the same time as climbing 8 flights of wooden stairs. The steps were very steep so you hang on to the bamboo rails and off you go. The 5th story was worth it for the vistas of the surrounding town. The donjon (keep) is Japan’s oldest remaining wooden keep, completed around 1593 – is listed as a National Treasure.

    The pictures show the surreal snow capped mountains. Truly Japan at its best.

    The next few hours caught us by surprise. We drove straight up and over the alps. The snow from winter is still plentiful so we just sat back and had a most beautiful drive. In a few weeks it will all have melted away.

    Our Takayama hotel is in a city that
    still retains a traditional feel, especially in its beautifully preserved old town (Sanmachi Suji).

    We visited the Takayama Jin’ya, the former government headquarters under the Tokugawa Shogunate from 1692-1871. Shoes off again.

    Loving the old latticed wooden buildings and Sannomachi Street, with pretty homes, restaurants and sake breweries.

    Dinner in town tonight.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 7

    Takayama to Kyoto

    April 8 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Breakfast was different this morning. It was a set tray and the variety was interesting. A bit of a taste and eat exercise.

    Our driver changeover happens today. After 6 days they must rest. Yoshi-san did a great job. Our bus is immaculate and his driving over the alps yesterday was excellent.

    We are at Shirakawa-gō Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has more than 100 'Gassho-style' houses which feature steeply-pitched thatched roofs. They must be a fire hazard. Built many hundreds of years ago, these historic houses stand together in a
    beautiful natural setting. In winter the village is blocked in by deep snow falls. The water runs off the mountain throughout the village. They use the icy cold flow to chill drinks! The houses all have rice paddy’s as the main crop.

    The mountain road trip continues. There are over 10,000 tunnels in Japan. It is the only way you could get around in this country. Clever engineering.

    Heaps of bus and roadhouse time today. The blossom we are seeing now is in full bloom so we are looking forward to more exploring.

    Soon we are arriving in Kyoto where we will stay 3 nights. It gets a bit challenging when you only do overnight stays. Our tour guide Ken is excited because this is his home town.

    The hotel is our first hiccup on the tour. Rooms are squeezy Japaneezy so we asked them to remove the table and chair so we can open our suitcases. Oh well we have been spoilt up until now.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 8

    Koyoto Night Outing

    April 9 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Having spent a very full day out in the bus it was decided tonight we will go and find the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine on our own.

    Before we could do that I had to catch a bus with the tour leader to go and pick up our prepaid VFT tickets to get us from Osaka to Tokyo at the end of the itinerary. Ken is such a great support to his guests. I also then had time to plan with Ken our movements tomorrow which is a free day on the trip.

    By the time I got back it was dinner time so we ate across the road at a Japanese teppanyaki pancake restaurant that Ken recommended . It was squeezey in the booth but the food was great.

    Next we had planned to master the train system which we had mixed success at after we caught an express and missed our stop. All part of the fun.

    Eventually at about 9pm we hiked up to the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. The entry is through 10000 brightly painted orange gates. It was quite hilly and hard to see the paths at night but we managed and achieved our objective. Weird doing this shrine at night.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 8

    Kyoto Day Tour

    April 9 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Our first night here was really wet. We walked a long way to see the blooms by the river but unfortunately we got caught in the downpour.

    In the canal they cleverly put a piece of wood across the water to build up the falling blossom so it looks pink. Magnificent.

    This is a thriving city and crowd looks young and more affluent. The main street has all the big brand stores. We also spotted our first genuine Geishas getting out of a taxi and shuffling into a restaurant.

    I noticed a Pokémon machine that costs 200 yen to knock a card into your tray. We watched kid have a few goes and Sharon stepped up and got two! The kid was not impressed.

    This morning we walked along the Philosopher’s Path, running alongside the Lake Biwa Canal. It’s perfect for a slow stroll under the fragrant blossoms. Nearby we entered Ginkakuji temple and has been one of the highlights of our trip. The Japanese gardens were immaculate and tranquil. Just how you would imagine. The girl's stamp books were hand done much to their delight.

    Lunchtime was at a temple which also had excellent gardens and buildings. You learn the difference between temples and shrines. You worship your god at temples but at shrine you hope for life goals and good life.

    Kinkaku-ji temple is a UNESCO site and the busiest one in Kyoto. We were warned about massive crowds but it wasn’t that unbearable. The temple is famous for being gold plated so no wonder it is popular.    Read more

  • Filshie’s in Japan
    Day 9

    Kyoto Free Day

    April 10 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The tour company left us to our own arrangements today so anything could happen.

    Ken gave me notes and I photographed timetables for us to go by suburban train to the bamboo forests but Chippa convinced us the bus was a better option and he was right. The bus went out through suburban Kyoto and you get to see more that way.

    It is our warmest day so far in Japan and great for playing tourists. The Bamboo forest and nearby Kimono poles were really busy. Rickshaws are a novelty if you want to take it easy.

    Further out of suburbia is a Buddhist temple in the Arashiyama neighborhood. Empress Shōtoku founded this order in the middle of the eighth century. It has been flooded by the Kamo River a few times but in the last 50 years it has been restored as an offshoot of the Enryaku-ji temple. There are 1000 Buddha carvings that gather moss and look great.

    For something different we caught a tram back to the hotel. We had time to do some shopping and then we caught up at a boutique brewery for pre-dinner beers. My beer was stout and 10% proof!

    Dinner was back to the same place as last night but different meals on the teppanyaki tables.

    We move on tomorrow to Osaka    Read more

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