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Mar 2018 – Sep 2025

Japan 2018

An open-ended adventure by Wendy Read more

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Day 16
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 9:01 AM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 37 m
Japan Sengoku 35.725006, 139.73836235°43’30” N 139°44’18” E
Last day of shopping and the best!
March 27, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
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Day 15
Monday, March 26, 2018 at 3:30 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 35 m
Japan Hongō Sanchōme Eki 35.70575, 139.760635°42’21” N 139°45’38” E
Junie Moon Blythe shop Tokyo
March 26, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Another shopping day and what a wonderful one it was. April performed another wonderful feat and got us to the Junie Moon Blythe shop, a very obscure place. It was a magnificent shopping centre. The Blythe shop was wonderful but of course as expected the clothes were way to expensive but I got some shoes and some books so I was very happy.
Turned the corner and there was a hobby shop with Blythe books so I got a few more , I was even happier. Then we found these fabulous dress and hat shops. Imogen tried a skirt on that she fell in love with and was so excited with the way it looked and made her feel that we were both nearly in tears. April tried a magic dress with corset but wasn't 100 % happy so didn't get it which was a shame but they were premium and I was glad as I couldn't think where she was going to wear a short dress like it was. Immy pick out a wig to match her skirt and I rang Julie to see if she would like a nice shade. We had a great lunch April and I but Ray for some reason just had a Salad.Read more
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Day 15
Monday, March 26, 2018 at 9:01 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 37 m
Japan Sengoku 35.725006, 139.73836235°43’30” N 139°44’18” E
Last night in Tokyo
March 26, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Gateway Hotel Narita near the Airport ready for our flight home tomorrow.
Had a long train trip here lots of walking and waiting to get the right train.
Booked in to the Hotel fairly late after catching our first Taxi for the holiday.
The Italian Restaurant was still open and we were met down stairs by the two girls
fresh from showers and wearing the robes from their room.
Next morning we were up and out to the mall after a visit with the fish.Read more
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Day 14
Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 1:09 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 37 m
Japan Sengoku 35.725006, 139.73836235°43’30” N 139°44’18” E
Sunday full of Blossoms
March 25, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
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Day 13
Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Japan Suehirochō Eki 35.701847, 139.77124335°42’7” N 139°46’16” E
Maid Cafe Akihabara Tokyo
March 24, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Yes a Maid Cafe , it was an unusual experience and one that I don't need, desire or worry about doing again I'm sure for me once is enough. April on the other hand really seemed to enjoy it and I think she has a hankering for the costume and the stage where the maids do a cute song and dance act. It was a time filled with rituals and no English, but once again we got through it and no one was injured. It was a bit sad when the other Maid brought out a Birthday ice-cream with a sparkler for the girl sitting alone and we sang Happy Birthday to her. Time slipper by ever so slowly and out we popped down the lift and back to the street below ready for another adventure.Read more
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Day 13
Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 9:01 AM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 37 m
Japan Sengoku 35.725006, 139.73836235°43’30” N 139°44’18” E
Train back to Tokyo
March 24, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
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Day 12
Friday, March 23, 2018 at 1:56 PM
☀️ 7 °C
Altitude: 770 m
Japan Yasaki Yama 36.682222, 137.8383336°40’56” N 137°50’18” E
On the snow
March 23, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
Ray and April sent some photos of their skiing adventure so far.
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Day 12
Friday, March 23, 2018 at 10:20 AM
☀️ 5 °C
Altitude: 776 m
Japan Yasaki Yama 36.682415, 137.83772736°40’57” N 137°50’16” E
Our Cabin in the snow
March 23, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
We crossed the packed snow and entered our cabin for the first time, probably my last time as it looks like Imy and l will be here until we leave on Sunday morning.
The cabin is so cute with a little bathroom like the one at Nikko a whole unit that is prefabricated and added into the building looks like a caravan bathroom on a bigger scale , but l don't think l will be having a shower here maybe an Onsen?
My favourite thing is the beautiful bowls in the cabinet they happen to be blue and white my colours.Read more
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Day 12
Friday, March 23, 2018 at 8:24 AM
⛅ 3 °C
Altitude: 773 m
Japan Yasaki Yama 36.682364, 137.83792336°40’57” N 137°50’17” E
Skiing buddies
March 23, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Ray and April are all set for a day skiing on the Japanese snow said to be one of the best in the world and host to the 1998 Winter Olympics. They had better be careful and come back whole!
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Day 11
Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 1:25 PM
☀️ 7 °C
Altitude: 860 m
Japan Itabashi 36.751906, 138.1784836°45’7” N 138°10’43” E
Bullet train to Nagana
March 22, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
We took a train from Universal City to Haka-something then a train to Osaka then to Shin Osaka now on bullet train to Nagoya . We had our Bento boxes for lunch on the train. Speeding along at 200-270 km/hr.
Will pick up a train to Matsumoto. Then a train to Shinano-omachi Station then another to Nagano onto Hukuba by bus because it will be quicker on the bus. There we hope to be picked up in a shuttle van by owner of cabin .
Yes it all went well except when we got to Nargarno l had to go to the toilet and we missed the bus so had to wait for the next one that was another hour, Ray was not impressed. We had an interesting lady on the bus Tatiana from Winnipeg Canada traveling to speak at conferences about global economics so the hour went quick. The man from the cabins pulled up just as we got our luggage from under the bus and took us to the reception centre to book in. Lots of action here with April going into management mode. Then he took us to the supermarket then onto our cabin.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 11:11 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Japan Sannō-eki 35.152843, 136.88801635°9’10” N 136°53’17” E
Leaving Universal City
March 22, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Packed up and ready for a day traveling to the Northern Alps snow country. We have our second week train pass so we all are ticketed hopefully he who shall remain nameless doesn't lose his pass on the first day again!Read more
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Day 10
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 9:01 AM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Japan Kindacho 34.759336, 135.59651634°45’34” N 135°35’47” E
Harry Potter World Universal City Osaka
March 21, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Yes it rained but it wasn't freezing, yes it was cold and April and I had to buy the overpriced rain ponchos but it was still awesome at Harry Potter World and one of the main highlights of the trip.
We made a bee line for it when we got in and just as well it got busy very quickly.
We joined lines not really knowing what they were for and went on the ride which was great.
It is really well done, we let our heads go at the end and brought a whole lot of stuff like wands and Dobbie key rings ect. The girls got chocolate jumping frogs.Read more
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Day 9
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Japan Ōsaka-jō Kitazume-eki 34.69663, 135.52621234°41’48” N 135°31’34” E
Owl Cafe Osaka
March 20, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
We made it to an Owl Cafe and it was amazing, the Owls were awesome sitting up on their purchers with their great big eyes watching what we were doing.
The Snowy Owl was a bit of a biter and had a few goes at me but didn't hurt I think I was to accustomed to Lumi chewing on my fingers.
Very clean and we were instructed to stroke their beaks only, they don't like having their feathers touched.Read more
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Day 9
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 9:01 AM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Japan Minamihommachi 34.68371, 135.50313334°41’1” N 135°30’11” E
Train to Osaka Universal Tower
March 20, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
No we didn't get a Taxi we got a few trains. It didn't take long to get to Osaka from Kyoto.
Beautiful Hotel, April booked this one. It was a stones throw from Universal Studio's entrance.
Universal City is just a fabulous tourist city with it's very own Station. Lots of Restaurants, we had our first dinner at Bubba Gump's and the second nights at Hard Rock Cafe.Read more
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Day 8
Monday, March 19, 2018 at 7:30 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 87 m
Japan Keage 35.022616, 135.78629635°1’21” N 135°47’11” E
Kyoto
March 19, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Another day of tasting ice-creams, we sat outside on our balcony and had pastries from the bakery.
Dinner was the famous Cabbage Pancake with two sauces. Very quiet tonight, Imogen refused to eat again so stayed home.Read more
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Day 8
Monday, March 19, 2018 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 286 m
Japan Kurama 35.106983, 135.7270535°6’25” N 135°43’37” E
Train Museum Kyoto
March 19, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Ray and I got very adventurous and ventured out on our own onto the train and bus routes of Kyoto. Having had plenty of dolls and cosmetic shopping it was inevitable that a revolt would happen at some stage and today was the day just when April had reached the end of her patience with us. So off we went with instructions in hand and not much in the head.
We did make it but not without a couple of spat dummies but nothing out of the ordinary for us.
We were just happy to get to the train Museum so we could tell Richard that we'd been.
It was raining and late in the day so it wasn't crowded so we could enjoy just wandering about.Read more
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Day 8
Monday, March 19, 2018 at 10:36 AM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 39 m
Japan Takase-gawa 34.998663, 135.76373234°59’55” N 135°45’49” E
Kyoto
March 19, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
It took us a while to get organised this morning. April and I attended to the washing but then realised that there was no dryer so we had to ask if there was a laundry about. April was given a map with directions and off we all went. Eventually after asking a couple of road workmen we were still unsure as to the location of the allusive launderette. A Japanese man stop and assisted us to a house saying that it was what we wanted so we went in but it was an empty house which we walked through. Luckily we weren't found out and charged with breaking and entering!. Not long after this April found the establishment on the corner. After depositing our clothes we then went in search of a somewhere for brunch . We had a delicious meal at Bruno's and met a couple traveling around like us I think they were from a Scandinavian country. They shows us photos of blossom in Ueno gardens that had just come out. We picked up our dry washing and headed back to our room to consume some pastries on the balcony and workout want to do this afternoon.Read more
TravelerSounds like an adventure to find a laundry! Hope u r all having a great time away! 💕
3/19/18Reply
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Day 7
Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 10:24 AM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 232 m
Japan Itaga 36.640499, 139.72688936°38’26” N 139°43’37” E
Nikko Shinkyo Temple and bridge
March 18, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Up early and off to Shinkyo bridge and Temple. We got to the bridge before it opened so just took photos then walked up to the Shinkyo Temple. On our journey up the stairs we saw a pair of deer having a munch.
When we got to the Temple we discovered it was housed in a giant facility for protection.
The smoking urn I'm sure is for good health so l partook of the smoke directing it over me much to Imogen's disgust.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 3:00 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 145 m
Australia The Basin -37.851319, 145.30769237°51’5” S 145°18’28” E
Edo Wonderland
March 17, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
We rushed off to Edo Wonderland the special place that April was really excited , this being one of the main reasons she wanted to come to this area.
Unfortunately all the navigation devices died and the car's system kept defaulting to Japanese so we were left to navigating ourselves. We did stop to get directions which proved to be a waste of our time. We did find it be didn't have long until it closed and most of the attractions and shows had finished.
It was still very interesting but we couldn't take photos unless Ray's GOPRO was working.
Would like to come back and spend a whole day here. I felt so bad for April she must have been so disappointed.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 12:01 PM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 37 m
Japan Sengoku 35.725006, 139.73836235°43’30” N 139°44’18” E
Fox Village
March 17, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
11-3 Fukuokayatsumiya, Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0733, Japan.
Up in the mountains but where I still couldn't tell you.
I missed a very important turn when the navigating job was handed over to me while April had a sleep. As a result it took 5 plus hours and a few paying toll gates before we were on the right track. Ray ended up driving all day without complaint.
The Fox Village cost 1000 Yen each and was an experience. The foxes looked well cared for and there wasn't much doggy smell. There were lots of Foxes and a few different colours, they were so cute you really did want to pat them. Inside there were Goats , one took a liking to Imogen and I think she thought it was sweet.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, March 16, 2018 at 1:34 PM
☀️ 11 °C
Altitude: 335 m
Japan Imaichi 36.702904, 139.71194536°42’10” N 139°42’43” E
Nikko
March 16, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
We are on our way to Nikko, catching multiple trains and ascending from 113 mts to 533 mts. Have been excited to see our first real blossoms on the occasional tree while looking out the train windows. There are so many high rise buildings to house the incredible population then all of a sudden there is a Temple or Shrine 100's of years old just sitting under the shadow of these multi-story concrete constructions. Before our change of train at Utsunomiya the scenery became increasingly rural with larger homes , more trees and farms. We went past a solar farm and then could just see snow on the tops of the mountains.
Charles and his wife ran the Guest house and cook all the meals, magnificent meals oh so tasty. We had the four beds in the one room an a unit bathroom, it's a prefabricated bathroom that looks like it's just lifted into the house in one go.
We arrived in Nikko, it was a bit cooler than what we had experienced in Tokyo so coats were on. We found the hire car Nissan place and hired a nice big van. It wasn't hard to find The Teddy Bear house as it was on one of the main roads from the village.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 10:26 AM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Japan Tawaramachi Eki 35.708654, 139.79126735°42’31” N 139°47’29” E
More shopping & Eating
March 15, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Slow start today.
We had breakfast at Familymart al lsorts of fried Chicken which had become Ray's favorite food, I was happy with my Red Bean Bun. Imogen stuck with her Chocolate milk for breakfast as always and April had a variety happened in her space.
Don Quote store was a blast with everything you could imagine but no dolls or good Pokemon stuff. Imogen got upset and down tools staying home for the rest of the day.
We went back to the shops and went to Seiko which is Walmart in Japan. We tried to find a Sushi Train Restaurant with no luck. Eventually we found an upstairs out of the way place that served the cabbage pancakes April & I love with the brown and white sauce. Normally you would cook it up on the hot plate yourself but the fellow took one look at us and decided he would do it for us. It was great and now I just can not get that taste out of my mind.
We returned to the Walmart shop and picked up snacks and dinner for that night.
Went back to the hotel , while I had my Nanny nap April went to Akihabara and visited with some Hedgehogs at a cafe and there was an Owl and a Rabbit.
When April returned to the hotel Ray and I went for a walk and ended up at the Tokyo Skytree it was late and very quiet , no lines so we went up to the Observation deck.
We had a late dinner back at the hotel and sat with a couple from Hong Kong , their son was moving to Japan to go to Uni and was moving into an apartment so they were helping him set it up. We did the clothes washing in between chatting . They shared Strawberries with us and they were great we then started our addiction to Japanese Strawberries, it didn't take much to hook April too.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Japan Edogawabashi Eki 35.709889, 139.73260235°42’36” N 139°43’57” E
Cat Cafe near Agora place Tokyo
March 14, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We went to a Cat cafe and we were very excited about the whole thing but the Cats seemed to be over it. They must have had a busy shift and couldn't really be bothered with us. We had pats but it was so hard not being permitted to pick them up and cuddle them.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Japan Yamabukichō 35.70798, 139.73038835°42’29” N 139°43’49” E
Shopping Tokyo
March 14, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Shopping time, shopping time lots of cute things to look at but not enough dolls, where are all the dolls?
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Day 3
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 10:01 AM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 37 m
Japan Sengoku 35.725006, 139.73836235°43’30” N 139°44’18” E
Shopping in Tokyo
March 14, 2018 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
It was a big day.
We had trouble trying to decide where to have brunch and ended up having it
in the Tokyo Station complex, a city in it's own right. Shops galore , food everywhere and
restaurants all over the place. We settled on sweet pancakes Japanese style at Fari-beurre very sweet , tall and fluffy.
We did see the entrance to the Imperial Palace and a beautiful white Swan
The shops in the Tokyo Station took up a lot of our time especially the Pokemon shop..
Lots of cute stuff like Hello Kitty and Snoopy.
We set off to find a toy shop or two and found a shop that sold the fish shaped red bean biscuits and ice-cream Ray had a Sesame seed flavor and Immy had Strawberry.
We brought some novelty items mainly pens then were off to a Cat Cafe but he who will remain nameless lost his JR pass and we had to back track a few stations both subway and above so we lost alot of time not to mention the cost of the weeks pass.Read more
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