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Cultural Tour of Japan
  • Graham and Debbie
June 2024

Cultural Tour of Japan

A 15-day adventure by Graham and Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 15, 2024
    Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Interesting lunch choicesTokyo's Statue of Liberty with Rainbow BridgeFuji TV OdaibaFlame of FreedomView from our hotel rooftop bar

    Day 1 Toyko

    June 16, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Our first day in Tokoyo was very hot & humid but that wasn't going to stop us.
    Hopped on to the Hop On Hop Off Tour Bus for a trip around Tokoyo - great way to see the highlights of the city.
    The Skytree Tower was a great experience, two lift rides to the very top of the very tall tower for an amazing view of Tokoyo.
    Our first lunch in Tokoyo was in a tiny little cafe, no English spoken but we managed to order beers and lunch - so good and so cheap.
    Enjoyed an evening work along the riverbank, surprisingly we saw the Statue of Liberty, some unusual shaped buildings. Ended the day with a drink in the rooftop bar of our hotel.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Team Plant Labs - Floating Flower Garden

    Day Two Tokyo

    June 17, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Our morning was spent trying to navigate the Tokyo train system ….. buying tickets and changing trains was an experience not to be repeated ….. we will use taxis for all further transport needs.
    Made it to Shibuya Crossing or Scramble Square the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world - amazing to watch how everyone crosses at once, moving in all directions. Three huge television screens mounted on the buildings facing the intersection flash all day, while the rest of the area is covered with lights, advertisements, and more lights - sensory overload!
    We watched all the action from the cafe at at L’occatine, enjoying a lovely lunch.
    This afternoon we took a taxi to Team Lab Planets “together with others immerse your entire body, perceive with your body and become one with the world”.
    A museum like no other …. It was a full on sensory experience, a unique, immersive experience with projection mapping, music, lights and effects.

    A nice walk around the bay tonight with dinner at a Japanese noodle & tempura bar.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan

    Day Three Tokyo

    June 18, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Rain, rain and more rain a very wet day in Tokyo, but the rain was not going to stop us.
    Started the day with a traditional tea ceremony and partook in making our own Matcha tea. The tea making is a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea typically in a traditional tearoom with tatami floor.
    We then visited the oldest shopping street in Japan in Asakusa. Nakamise shopping arcade - lots of animal cafes, we didn't try the experience of lunch with puppy dogs, kittens or rabbits, but we did find a great teppan-yaki restaurant for lunch.
    In the pouring rain we visited the famous Buddhist Temple Senso-ji - the oldest temple in Tokoyo.
    This afternoon we wandered through the Tokyo National Museum where we saw some ancient but beautiful art and antiques.
    Tonight was the Welcome Dinner for our tour group.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Fruit SandwichTwo cherries $108Yakitori Alley, ShinjukuYakitori Alley, Chiyoda City, TokyoVery Wide Zebra Crossing, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

    Day 4 Tokyo

    June 19, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    The sun was shining again today for our visit to Meiji Shrine dedicated to the Emperor Maiji and Empress Sjoken. located in beautiful forest just outside of Tokyo. The forest was planted with thousands of donated trees.
    A quick visit back to Scramble Crossing and heard the story of the very loyal dog Hachiko, who waited every day at the train station to meet his owner even after his owner had died.

    This afternoon we visited the Ginza District one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world so many high end designer shops , we browsed but didn't buy. Experienced one the most amazing food courts I have ever seen, so much beautiful fresh produce displayed like artwork but tasted great.

    Tonight off to Shinjuku Kabukicho - the city that never sleeps …. Glad that we were with our amaing tour manager Shizu, who managed us all on the Tokyo train system during peak hour ! The train station of Shin juku experiences 3 million passengers per day …. and yes they really do have people pushers.

    The immersive 3D cop cat was a sight to be seen and experience, Yakitori Alley so many tiny Yakitori eating places, izakaya pubs, amusement centres, Godzilla, neon lights and just the people so many people.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Mount Fuji
    Best dumplings in JapanCedar Trees - Old Takaldo roadBlack Eggs - No thankyouOur hotel - view from the lake cruiseMount Fuji In The DistanceReady for the Onsen

    Day 5 Hakone

    Jun 20–21, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Leaving Tokyo today and heading to the lakeside resort town of Hakone famous for its hot mineral spring baths.
    We had our first view of Mount Fuji with a sprinkling of snow on top, lucky for us we had a fairly clear view of this iconic mountain.
    A lovely cruise on Lake Owakudani with more views of Mount Fuji. Lunch in Hakone was at a tiny dumpling restaurant and despite the language barrier we managed to order the most delicious dumplings and refreshing beer.
    We enjoyed an interesting walk along the cedar lined passage of the old Tokaido and walked through a reconstruction of the Hakone Checkpoint.
    Then it was a cable car ride on the Halone Ropeway seeing a crater that was created 3000 years ago and emits sulphur gas. The area is famous for the Black Eggs, which are eggs cooked in Sulphur, we didn't fancy trying them.

    Finally made it to our beautiful hotel in Moto-Hakone, it is very quaint and old fashioned with beautiful views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji.
    We had a traditional Japanese bath experience at the hotel , before we bathed we had to understand and follow all the many rituals of bathing at the Onsen. The bath in the hot mineral spring bath was as so beautiful and relaxing - and in true Japanese tradition we bathed in our birthday suits - ladies only.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Our new favourite coffee

    Day 6 Osakwana and Takayoma

    June 21, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Spending a few hours on the bus today so just as well it was raining again.
    Our lunch stop was at the motorway parking station, apparently Japanese families have outings to the motorway parking stations. Ours today was a smaller parking station but had many options of food ...Japanese fast food like McDonald’s 😂 or pick your noodles, choose a number from the vending machine and pick up your food in a couple of minutes. Many other food & gift choices in the shops, so much is packaged in multiple layers of plastic which really surprised me. Can’t find decent coffee anywhere so changed to our new favourite...cold coffee latte at $1.70
    We had our first views of the Japanese Alps it was rather foggy so the view wasn't the best.
    Back on the bus we passed some time learning how to make an origami warrior hat.
    Made a stop to visit the Black Castle, a national treasure of Japan, no shoes allowed inside, we climbed up 5 stories to the top of the castle using very steep and narrow stairs. Beautiful gardens and a moat with very large Koi - keeping the castle safe from fire.
    Arriving in Takayoma we visited one of Japan’s 200 year old Sake breweries and were treated to tasting of three different Sakes. Afterwards we experienced a Japanese dinner, with a traditional rice wine paired with a special Hida beef dinner.
    Checked into the hotel and we were supplied with a very pretty and beautiful Yukata, so visited the Onsen for another bathing experience, I could easily get used to this way of bathing.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    So many chopticks
    Best coffee in Japan - coffee in a cookie

    Day 7 Takayama

    June 22, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Spent this morning at the Morning Markets were we sampled the local cuisine and visited many traditional shops; the chopstick shop was amazing so many designs of chopsticks. We walked through the historical part of the city, very small narrow streets and a traditional style of house.
    This afternoon we had some much needed free time so opted for a traditional Japanese massage, I felt so good afterwards and then off to the Onsen for my usual Japanese bathing experience.
    Dinner tonight was a traditional Japanese celebration dinner “Kaiseki”- we all dressed in our beautiful Yukata and sat in traditional style, the food was sensational. Sushi very different to how it is served in Australia and miso soup was served as the third course. We cooked our own pork, vegetables and tofu. Tempura was served cold. Simple fresh fruit for dessert. We had fun learning a traditional working dance.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    One of the most beautfiul trian stations in the worldBento Box - so good

    Day 8 Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa

    June 23, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    Rain rain and more torrential rain.
    Visited a world heritage UNESCO village at Shirakawa-go high up in the mountains. The traditional house have very thick thatched roofs, some are still lived today. Unfortunately it rained very heavily and we got very wet.
    Stopped at the central train station in Kanazawa - one of the most beautiful train stations in the world to visit - so big and so many lovely looking food shops. We found a little Japanese restaurant and somehow managed to order an amazing Bento Box - despite not understanding the menu and no English being spoken. Our Japanese is non existent but we can count to ten !    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Artist at workThe finished artwork !Very large oysters

    Day 9 Kanazawa

    June 24, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    No rain today! and a busy day ahead.
    We walked to the Samari district to visit the former home of Nomuras a wealthy samurai family who served the ruling Macda family. The gardens here were so beautiful and the Koi so large.
    Next we had an hands on experience discovering the ancient craft of gold leaf making and decorated on own lacquer box. Such fun but it’s much harder than it looks!
    Then on to the Geisha quarters of Kanazawa, the Higashi Tea district - as very historical district. We saw a young woman in full traditional dress celebrating her 20th birthday with her family (a traditon in Japan). Visited a jewellery shop and bought a beautiful gold leaf bracelet.
    After a walking tour of the Omicho Fish Markets we found a sashimi restaurant and had a fabulous sashimi lunch with beers of course.
    Then on to the Kenton-En, Garden of Six Qualities, said to be the most beautiful gardens in Japan - and there was so much beauty and so many workers picking up all the leaves.
    After a big day touring it was a quick visit to the food hall near our hotel for a delicious takeaway dinner for only $15 !    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    So many people - it was a quiet day !
    1000 Tori Gates, Fushimi Inari Tanisha ShrineOmlette for sushi - made in square pan cooked using chopsticksMade by GrahamMade by Debbie

    Day 10 Kanazawa to Kyoto

    June 25, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Started early this morning with a 5 hour bus trip heading to Kyoto.
    After our usual stop for lunch at a one of the many parking stations we headed for a tour of the most revered shrine of Inari - Fushimi Inari Taisha, we followed the rows & rows of the orange torii made famous in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha and managed a walk half way up the mountain and were rewarded with magnificent views over Kyoto. There were many shrines and temples all guarded by fox statues.
    Then on to Kyoto and to a traditional Kyoto Townhouse were we had a busy time cooking our own dinner ….making sushi the traditional way and seeing how our hostess made miso soup, spinach and sesame salad after dinner we tried our hand at making a crane origami- not as easy are thought it would be.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    Floating Tori Gate, Itsukushima Shrine, MiyajimaBonsai grown on the tree branchesSo many origamo cranesHiroshima - when the atomic bomb explodedMemorial for the victims of the bombMemorial to the childrenThe Atomic Dome

    Day 11 Bullet Train to Hiroshima

    June 26, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    We are going on the bullet train!
    Headed to the station early this morning and boarded the Shinkansen Bullet Train to Hiroshima - thank goodness we had Shizu with us to guide us through all the people and the maze of escalators and train platforms. A 1.5 hour trip on which we averaged 260km per hour.
    On arrival in Hiroshima we boarded the ferry for a short trip to Miyajima Island (UNESCO) famous for its very large oysters and eels. Lots of deer roaming around but best not to feed them.
    After a walking tour of the island and a quick stop for lunch we head back onto the ferry and to Hiroshima City, visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum which I found to be so very sad, so much emotion …. a truly remarkable museum. Then to the Peace Memorial Park and the ruined Atomic Done (UNESCO), the children's memorial statue and the peace tree - a Hibaku tree that survived the atomic explosion - seeds from these trees are distributed around Japan and grown as a symbol of peace, we walked to the Hypocenter of the explosion.
    We heard the story of a young girl who battled leukaemia for 10 years and made 1000 paper cranes out of her medication wrappers wishing for a cure. People now leave paper cranes at her statue in her memory.
    After a long, confronting and emotional day we headed back to Kyoto on the bullet train.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan

    Day 12 Kyoto

    June 27, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    A welcome free day today. We enjoyed a bit of a sleep in and a late breakfast before venturing out into Kyoto for a little bit of retail therapy.
    Walked through a very busy arcade (markets) full of so many varied food stalls, eventually leading into a shopping arcade, we managed to buy a few bits & pieces before finding a lovely British Tea Shop which we couldn't resist, we sat and enjoyed a lovely pot of Lipton Tea with a very yummy cream cake.
    This evening we headed out a found a great Japanese bar and restaurant that only served Pork but in many different ways, so good and tasty    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    The skill of preparing fabric for hand painting a kimono.

    Day 13 Kyoto

    June 28, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    It’s raining - a lot
    Today we visited the the home of the first Shogun, Nijo Castle (UNESCO), saw many intricate wood carving, wall paintings and the beautiful Ninomari Garden designed by Kobori Enshu a landscape architect and tea master. Unfortunately as the building is classed as a national treasure we could not take any photos inside.
    Later we learnt about the ancient art of stencilling and fabric painting we stencilled and painted our own hankerchief. Such an intricate art form and not at all easy.
    Our final night tonight and we all got together for a special farewell dinner made even more special by a performance from a Maiko (mature Geisha) we experienced two beautiful dances and got to ask her many questions about her life.    Read more

  • Graham and DebbieTravelerCultural Tour of Japan
    A bit of a wait so why not a beer ...guess who has which beer ?
    This is where we visitedOur fellow travellers from USA and Australia

    Day 14 Kyoto to Tokyo

    June 29, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    The holiday is coming to an end and we find ourselves once again at the train station this time on our own - we successfully managed the purchase of our tickets, found our way to the right platform and made it on to the right train with luggage in the required loading time of 3 mins !
    Tonight we are staying close to the airport for an early morning flight home.
    We have enjoyed a amazing holiday, experiencing so much of Japan, learning about the culture, the people and experiencing some fantastic food. Sharing the holiday with our friends Bernard and Cheryl we laughed, experienced and enjoyed everything Japan had to offer.    Read more

    Trip end
    June 29, 2024
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