Japan

September - October 2023

A 30-day adventure by Maria Read more

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- Sep 20, 2023, 4:37pm
- 🌬 19 °C
- Altitude: 55 m
- Australia Victoria Mildura Shire -34.923327, 142.18745534°55’24” S 142°11’15” E
Day 1
On board.
September 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Very comfort seats and great service. Love a good flight map. On route to Singapore one must have a Singapore Sling. Leaving Melbourne weather behind.
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- Sep 20, 2023
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 121 m
- Australia Victoria Hume Tullamarine Airport -37.668319, 144.84635237°40’6” S 144°50’47” E
Day 1
Japan
September 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Traveler Bon Voyage....
9/20/23Reply
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- Sep 22, 2023, 5:49am
- 🌧 24 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- Japan Tokyo Minato-ku Hamamatsuchō Daimon Eki 35.65822, 139.75684435°39’30” N 139°45’25” E
Day 3
Arrival Tokyo
September 22, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Early morning arrival in Tokyo. Sunrise just before landing. Spent ages in immigration. Once we left our luggage at the hotel we then exchanged our JR vouchers for our actual rail tickets. Tokyo station is a massive underground complex. Some art installations at the station. Walked around Ginza with its high end stores. The food hall in Mitsushima had fruit and vegetables individually wrapped. Beef at nearly $250 for two pieces. Guess this wouldn’t be your normal supermarket. View of Tokyo Tower from our rooftop.Read more
Traveler Wow
9/27/23Reply
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- Sep 22, 2023, 11:17am
- ☁️ 28 °C
- Altitude: 43 m
- Japan Tokyo Shibuya Yoyogikamizonocho Minami Ike 35.6755, 139.69966235°40’32” N 139°41’59” E
Day 3
Exploring Tokyo 1
September 22, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Today we explored Meiji Shrine, which is in the center of a beautiful park which was a welcome relief from the heat Here we were treated to a wedding which was spectacular. A workman was busy sweeping up leaves from the paths. A labor intensive task. Beautiful detail features. From here we joined the mad throng at Shibuya crossing. Able to get a viewing from Starbucks. Back to our hotel before the deluge started. Dinner at a small restaurant.Read more
Traveler It all looks very relaxed.....
9/22/23Reply
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- Sep 23, 2023, 10:16am
- ☁️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 37 m
- Japan Tokyo Chiyoda Kanda-surugadai Tokyo Medical and Dental University 35.703217, 139.76547235°42’12” N 139°45’56” E
Day 4
Further Adventures in Tokyo
September 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Today set out to visit the Origami Workshop. Closed but the sign did say it was meant to open today. A disappointment but not to be thwarted we headed to Yanaka Ginza. This narrow shopping street was full of interesting and quirky stores. Hidden among them were temples in beautiful peaceful grounds. From here we went to the glass museum which was a very small artisan workshop. Here you could learn the craft of decorating glass. Some of the pieces were stunning. Early morning start tomorrow for Kanazawa.Read more
Traveler Brilliant pics... keep them coming... Enjoy your day....
9/23/23Reply
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- Sep 24, 2023
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- Japan Ishikawa Naruwamachi 36.57819, 136.66372436°34’41” N 136°39’49” E
Day 5
Kanazawa
September 24, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Boarded the bullet train for Kanazawa. All very efficient. Had a view of Mt. Fuji as we left Tokyo. Arrival in Kanazawa. Impressed by the massive train station. Kanazawa Castle near our hotel was once the fortress for the city. The gardens and grounds allowed you were not in the middle of a city. Visited the gold leaf museum. Here the gold leaf is produced by hand. The only place where produced in Japan.Read more
Traveler No free samples.....
9/24/23Reply
Traveler Unfortunately no.
9/24/23Reply
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- Sep 25, 2023
- ☁️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 477 m
- Japan Gifu Ōno Gun Hatotani 36.27482, 136.89944736°16’29” N 136°53’58” E
Day 6
Shirakawago
September 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Today did a bus tour to Shirakawago, an historic village in the mountains about 2 hours out of Kanazawa. This world heritage site is made up of houses that are A frame about 3 stories and covered with thatched roofs. Known as gassho houses as they are like praying hands. In total visited three villages. It was a great side trip. Outside of some of the houses rice was being dried. At the last village I had a go at making washi paper.Read more
Traveler A side of Japan we don't usually see! How many pages were created?? I loved doing paper making with the kids!
9/25/23Reply
Traveler A very different style of paper making. Water has a glutinous mix from the fibers of the mulberry bush. Only made one sheet larger than a placemat.
9/25/23Reply
Traveler A time to toast Sue.... what would have been her 85th birthday! We thank Sue for her friendship & happy memories.... Enjoy a glass of bubbles & some chocolate! Sue would be enthusiastic follower of your Japanese adventure... Cheers xox
9/25/23Reply
Traveler Yes so true. Will do so. So hard to believe that 3 months have passed since her death. She was keen to know all about what I was planning. Yes Happy Birthday to Sue today. 🥂
9/25/23Reply
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- Sep 26, 2023, 2:22pm
- ☁️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- Japan Ishikawa Mameda-honmachi 36.566013, 136.64990336°33’58” N 136°38’60” E
Day 7
Last day Kanazawa
September 26, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Today a more relaxing day. Walked through the Samurai district. The houses ranged from those of the lowly to a large house of a Samurai overlord. The gardens were stunning. Many of the houses in the narrow streets are private homes. There were artisan galleries along the way but not pushy.Read more
Traveler Just realised I had to download the app to comment🤪
9/27/23Reply
Traveler 🥰
9/27/23Reply
Traveler You might like to use it for your trip. 🥰
9/27/23Reply
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- Sep 27, 2023, 1:19pm
- ☁️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Japan Ishikawa Mameda-honmachi 36.563652, 136.65098636°33’49” N 136°39’4” E
Day 8
Kyoto
September 27, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Now In Kyoto. How about buying your Gucci or Prada at the train station. Massive underground shopping and food mall. Saw these Kokodama bonsai at one of the stores In Kyoto. Cecilia found a fabric store to get lost in. I found an art store. Bought paint sets for $12 back home $50. The art supplies were extensive.
Signs at the crossings for cyclists.
Walk through Pontocho Alley. Originally home to geishas from the Edo period. These tea houses today are small restaurants and artisan stores. Walking along the Main Street to this area you were confronted by high end shops and department stores. It is amazing that this area has survived.Read more
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- Sep 28, 2023
- ☁️ 30 °C
- Altitude: 106 m
- Japan Kyoto Kyōto Keage Nanzen-ji 35.010314, 135.79516735°0’37” N 135°47’43” E
Day 9
Out and about Kyoto
September 28, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Today the Philosopher’s Walk. A peaceful walk along a canal with many temples and shrines. Slow going as it was very hot. Apparently in spring it is spectacular as the walk is lined with cherry blossom trees.
Near the start is the twisted tunnel. Also an area of very wealthy people. Kyoto tower during the day and at night.Read more
Traveler Another peaceful walk, without the tourists.... love the pics!
9/28/23Reply
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