Parting is such sweet sorrow

See you all on June 4th morrow! Excitement and a few jitters are combined as we strike out for 10 weeks of travel in Asia. We promise to embrace each day with curiosity and excitement
Tokyo Welcomes Us

After 10,000kms and 13.5 hours of air travel we arrived at Narita International airport in Tokyo. Clearing customs was long, given the crush of travellers, but well organized, our luggage easilyЧитать далее
Sightseeing in Shinjuku District

We hit the rails at 10am this morning and headed out to Tokyo’s famous Scramble Crossing in Shinboya, a bustling, iconic intersection, in which there can be thousands of people crossing at the sameЧитать далее
Biking the Highlights of Tokyo

In a sleep deprived state around 3am today we decided that a bike tour of Tokyo would be a fitting way to celebrate Gilles’ birthday. What we didn’t check was the weather forecast! We spent aЧитать далее
The Swallows vs The Giants at Tokyo Dome

Today we rose early and took a walk downtown in search of breakfast. We’re still struggling with the time change and are awake in the middle of the night. On the wish list for today was a plan toЧитать далее
Same, Same, But Different!

We visited 4 distinct districts of Tokyo today with our new travel mates. We are two groups doing the identical itinerary so will get to know each other well. Our group of 13 is led by Neil and theЧитать далее
Mt Fuji Day Trip

The weather played a nasty April fools’ joke on us today, and snowed like we were back home. When we arrived at Oishi Park, where we were to enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Fuji, all we saw was denseЧитать далее
Riding The Rails

We struck out at 7:50 am, with our full luggage in tow, and after 3 subway rides (one that required us to be shoved in) and 2 bullet trains (260km/hour) we arrived at our destination of Yuganaka atЧитать далее
Enjoying the Snow Monkeys in Yuganaka

We spent a magical afternoon amongst the wild Japanese macaque ( snow monkeys) at he snow monkey park in Jigokudani ( hell valley) This is the only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hotЧитать далее
Our Japanese Ryokan - Yamazakiya

We were picked up from the train station by the 81 year old owner of our ryokan who told us she lives this lifestyle and will continue to offer tourists this experience for as long as she can. AЧитать далее
Matsumoto Castle

We hated to say goodbye to our Ryokan hosts but there are miles to travel before we sleep, so after a superb traditional Japanese breakfast, we boarded the train back to Nagano and then on toЧитать далее
Takayama

We took the bus for 2.5 hours this morning, travelling comfortably and with precision timing, through the tunnels in the mountains, to Takayama where we will be staying for the next 2 days. TakayamaЧитать далее
A Side Trip to Nearby Furukawa

We visited the Miyagawa Morning Market early today and make some purchases at the local food vendors and artisans booths. We then caught the train to Furukawa where we enjoyed a walkabout through theЧитать далее
Hida Folk Village

This morning we had just enough time to walk to the Hida Folk Village before catching a train to Nagoya and then a bullet train to Kyoto (160km in 30 minutes) where we will spend 3 days. Such aЧитать далее
To-ji Temple Night Lights

For two weeks the To-ji Temple and surrounding Sakura trees are lit up for a spectacular night display. What a magical and enchanting experience this was on our first night in Kyoto.
Highlights of Kyoto Walking Tour

We toured for 6 hours today seeing lots of temples, shrines, pegodas, a small bamboo forest, lovers lane, the largest bell in Japan, and many beautiful Japanese couples in traditional costume havingЧитать далее
Beautiful Faces of Japan

Both love and the cherry blossoms were in bloom today as we strolled through beautiful Kyoto.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Bamboo Forest

We loved this serene place at the end of our tour as the crowds were closing in on us as they day wore on.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine-Part 1

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is a very important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermillion Torii gates which straddle a network of trails behind its main building.Читать далее
Fushimi Inari - Part 2

Lots to see around the Shrine as well. Probably my favourite site in Japan to date. We rode the train to get here. It is becoming second nature.
Nijo-jo Castle

The Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has witnessed some of the most important events in Japanese history in the 400 years since it was built. It was completed in 1603 on orders of ShogunЧитать далее
Osaka Castle

We took the subway back to Kyoto station and then a bullet train to Osaka this morning (30 mins). We quickly dropped our luggage at the hotel and hopped on the subway to head to the Osaka Castle. ThisЧитать далее
Osaka Walkabout and Okonomiyaki Dining

We took the subway to begin our walkabout at the Tsutenkaku Tower, then walked through the Nipponbashi Denden Town, the Sennichimae Doguyasuji shopping district and then to the Hozenji Yokocho StreetЧитать далее
Nara Town and Deer Park

What is a day in Japan without a train ride? I wouldn’t know. Today we took the train from Osaka to Nara (1 hour). It is an oasis of calm, packed with a super cute deer population, some of whichЧитать далее
Hiroshima

We travelled by subway, bullet train and streetcar for most of the morning to arrive at Hiroshima. This afternoon we visited the Hiroshima Castle and then the beautiful and serene Shukkeien Gardens.Читать далее
ПутешественникSafe journey, friends🥰