Japan

October 2022

Another trip we were booked to take in 2020 and was cancelled due to Covid. Inspiring Japan is a 15 day tour run by Inspiring Vacations - a travel company we have not travelled with before Read more

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Brad and Mandy Pearce Japan
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- Oct 27, 2022
- ☁️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 597 m
- Japan Nagano Matsumoto 36.233603, 137.96908236°14’1” N 137°58’9” E
Day 11
Through the Japanese Alps
October 27, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
A big travelling day with a couple of unique stops.

First stop was to see the small, historical village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Japanese Alps. We walked through this village of traditional thatched houses (gassho-zukuri) set amongst beautiful mountain scenery.
We are seeing a lot more autumn foliage. Managed to find a hill to climb that overlooked this quaint village.

Then we headed to the city of Takayama, nestled in the Hida mountains.
This city still retains a traditional feel, however the main reason for this stop was to break the journey and have lunch. Some of us had a bento box meal (we did), while others participated in sake tasting.

From Takayama we drove to Matsumoto (about 3 hours) through some spectacular mountainous scenery, sometimes quite narrow and winding. Our bus driver - Ken San- is doing a fantastic job. Funny guy who is trying to pick up our Aussie lingo - G'day mate, see you later etc.Read more
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Brad and Mandy Pearce Japan
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- Oct 28, 2022
- ⛅ 10 °C
- Altitude: 1,360 m
- Japan Yamanashi Narusawa Mura Kenmarubi 35.421277, 138.7430235°25’17” N 138°44’35” E
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Day 12
Castle climbing and magnificent Mt Fuji
October 28, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
What a marvellous day!
This morning, we toured historic Matsumoto Castle and the charming old town area surrounding the castle. Matsumoto Castle, with its wide moat, is also known as ‘Crow Castle’ due to its dramatic black exterior. Not as big as Himeji Castle and while there is not a great deal to see inside these castles, the challenge it to climb to the top (because it's there! ). The steps in this Castle were steeper than Himeji and in some cases the treads were 45cm high (normal steps are 20-25cm). This, combined with the million school kids on excursion (ok, slight exaggeration - hundreds), really took me out of my comfort zone and I was glad when we arrived back to safety on the ground.

We left Matsumoto for the three-hour journey to Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we arrived closer, our beautiful sunny day began to cloud over and we were worried we wouldn't see the peak. Making our way up to Mount Fuji 5th Station, about halfway up the mountain, at an elevation of 2,300 metres the clouds seemed to get thicker... we would be lucky to see anything. We arrived and almost miraculously the sun broke through and there she was...Spectacular!

We stayed in a hotel in the Lake Kawaguchiko area, one of the Fuji Five Lakes; Every room faced over the lake with Mt Fuji as the backdrop. Can't wait to see the morning view.Read more
Great photo [Nod]
10/29/22Reply
Nice [Nod]
10/29/22Reply
Traveler How gorgeous
10/30/22Reply
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Brad and Mandy Pearce Japan
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- Oct 29, 2022
- ⛅ 13 °C
- Altitude: 875 m
- Japan Yamanashi Akasaka 35.484586, 138.77114535°29’5” N 138°46’16” E
Day 13
More Fuji and finally Tokyo
October 29, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Woke early hoping to catch Mt Fuji at sunrise. Oh no! Fog everywhere - you wouldn't know there was a mountain there. However, during breakfast, the fog lifted and the view was just magnificent. This iconic mountain is truly a highlight of this trip and we feel very fortunate to see it in all its glory as it is often hidden by cloud.

Leaving the hotel we drove to a park area for a different viewpoint, however by this time the clouds had returned and the mountain remained hidden. There were mass plantings of these bright pink bushes which I think may be called Summer Cypress or Kochia. I wonder if we can grow them at home?

Nearby, we visited the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to learn about the revival of the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing for kimonos. Kubota Itchiku was a textile artist who revived this rather tedious technique. At first look at the array of kimonos around the exhibition hall we thought, that's nice, but... not sure what the big deal is. After watching a presentation we realised each kimono was part of an intricate landscape... then you went Wow! Photos not permitted in the gallery so will try and find one online. The complex has lovely gardens and a traditional tea room. A very nice tour.

Then it’s onto Tokyo, home to 38 million people. We stopped at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for panoramic views over the city.Read more
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Brad and Mandy Pearce Japan
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- Oct 30, 2022
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- Japan Tokyo Taito Ueno Okachimachi Eki 35.708367, 139.77449435°42’30” N 139°46’28” E
Day 14
Last day in Tokyo
October 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Our tour comes to an end with a few hitting the highlights of Tokyo. Somewhat of an anticlimax really as Tokyo is just like most other large cities and the focus seemed to be on various shopping experiences.

We walked by seventh-century Sensō-ji Buddhist Temple with its imposing entrance gate, Kaminarimon (also known as ‘Thunder Gate’), and its magnificent red lantern.
The Temple happened to be in the same area as Nakamise, the shopping street. Plenty crowded - not something I enjoy dealing with.

Then, onto the Tsukiji Outer Market, a shopping district adjacent to the enormous former wholesale fish market. This was to be our lunch stop but there didn't really seem to be anywhere to suit and eat so we ended up getting some lunch from the local Lawsons (like a 7-11). Not my favourite place but if you like sashimi or oysters etc you probably would be in your element. Seemed somewhat expensive too - they had huge prawns there (over 30cm long) but they were 2000¥ (roughly $20) each.

We explored the outer grounds of the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Would look nice during cherry blossom season.

Our day’s touring finished in Ginza, an upmarket area with high-end shopping, galleries and restaurants. It was crowded - well at least the street was. I can't say I saw many people in the shops of Louis Vuitton, Prada or Versace.

So, our trip is over. I am completing this post at the airport while we wait for our Jetstar flight home via Cairns. It's been a good trip - 2 weeks is long enough - we were pretty well on the go all the time. The accommodation was comfortable enough although quite small and mattresses and pillows were firm to hard. Probably not as fancy as many of the tours we have been on, but then we didn't pay a fancy price.

Japan has now been ticked off. Still catching up on some of the plans made during the covid era. Next trip is early next year to see the Northern lights in Sweden/Norway - something Brad has always wanted to see.Read more
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Japan

Through the Japanese Alps

Castle climbing and magnificent Mt Fuji

More Fuji and finally Tokyo

Last day in Tokyo