Japan 1st trip 2016 | FindPenguins

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Trip start
March 19, 2016
Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
First time in Tokyo
March 19, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Trip report so far....2adults + 2yr old and 6yr old first timers.
We arrived at narita after a good jetstar flight. Had a udon and karage meal cheap at airport 300yen for udon bowl. We stayed overnight at narita excel hotel. (2 beds plus sofa bed for 11700yen) the hotel was nice and free shuttle was handy, beds were very firm, but good after 8 hours on a plane. Travelled into Asakusa from airport and found our hostel (khaosan laboratory tokyo ) its a good location and we really like Asakusa. We dropped bags and went to tourist centre for 8th floor viewing deck. Met up with my japanese friend who took us via train and monorail to Odaiba (a cool place – also bought disneyland tickets at the store there) then we rode the boat back up to Asakusa. From there we walked to skytree (giant maze of a place) and on 31st floor at a restaurant we had a private corner room overlooking skytree and ate an amazing 8 course meal. This was a mind blowing experience (will have to provide name later was in japanese only) that was day one on the ground.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 2 - Ghibli, Shinjuku
March 20, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Day 2 on the ground. We went to sensoji early and got to see it with few people around on our way to the train.
New train system via subway to mitaka (transfer at kanda) we met my friend again and went to Ghibli museum – its a cool place for a film teacher like me. I just wish i was allowed to photograph it. Anyway our 2yr was struggled with waiting in line for the cat bus play area. Other than that the kids enjoyed it. We saw our first cherry blossoms as inokashira park right next door. The bus from mitaka station to ghibli is easy to find. We stopped at shinjuku on our way back. It was crazy. They had closed off the streets to traffic and people were walking everywhere. Such a fun experience and some great photos. We saw what the basement food level of a department store is like omg!!! Double crazy town. Such exquisite food. A must do experience to blow your mind. On our return to Asakusa we again visited the 8th floor and nakamise street and sensoji at night for a different view.

We love 7-11 good snacks, umbrellas, and beer for hubby. Also atms are there. Getting the hang of train. We seem to be going through our credit very quickly and have recharged 3 times so far.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 3 - Shinjuku, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine
March 21, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Ok here we go for day 3 on the ground. So today was public holiday observed. Not sure of any impact it had. Our day started by train from Asakusa (our base) to shinjuku. From there we went to the Shinjuku metropolitan government building viewing deck. It was good and they had english guide/hosts walking around. From there we walked to shinjuku gyoen park and saw the nice japanese garden (200¥) a few cherry blossoms wee out and many so close. After that we walked to Meiji shrine and experienced that. It was quiet busy. From there we walked to harajuku and walked down the jam packed street (went to the daiso store) the area definitely has the youth vibe. From there we walked to shibuya and saw/walked the crossing. Our poor kids were spent by the end of it. I think we walked about 6km. The pram was both god sent and pain in butt. We also had a baby carrier for when both their legs were spent. Went back to Asakusa for dinner as it is so much calmer here. Off to disneyland bright and early in the morning.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 4 - Disneyland
March 22, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 5 - Tsujiki, Kanda, Akihabara
March 23, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
This morning we taq-q-bin 2 of our bags to the mountains (hopefully) the bags were rolling duffle style and only cost 2,500¥ to send to shiga kogen from Asakusa. Then we went to Tsujiki fish markets in the morning where hubby bought a matsumoto knife, then we walked around and took a train to Akibahara (the mario karting was shut -bummer) so we walked to Kanda and checked out the ski shops – so many!!! Then we walked back to Akihabara and had dinner then caught the train back to Asakusa. Off to Kyoto in the morning on the shinkansen.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 6 - Tokyo to Kyoto
March 24, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Today saw us leave Asakusa in the rain and take the shinkansen to Kyoto. Its bloody cold here – very windy. We found our air bnb easy and love the architecture of Kyoto station. You must go up to the sky view. There is also a nice view from the garden above all the esculators. We went to Fushimi-inari and walked through the gates. Note -we kind of made a mistake and changed traind to a local to get off at the Fushimi-inari station. There is no need to do this- just use jr train the whole way and get off at inari station. Then we came back and explored a small bit of Kyoto as the Higashi honganji temple was close by.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 7 - kiyomizudera, Kinkakau-ji, Osaka
March 25, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Yesterday was day.... (i can't remember anymore) we are in kyoto and caught the local bus to Kiyomizu-dera temple, I really enjoyed this and didn't have it on the list to see. From there we caught 2 more local buses to kinkakau-ji. While it was beautiful, there was less to see here and we got through it quicker. All of these bus journeys we were the only foreigners. From here we caught the train to Osaka, getting off at Osaka station to visit the aquarium (our 2 kids absolutely loved this). We ate in the mall beside/ before the aquarium. Hubby loves the fact you can get beer anywhere. When we bought our aquarium ticket we got the combined one for the giant ferris wheel. We waited to get in the clear carriage – wow. As it was just becoming night we had a great lit up view. Then dinner in the mall again and back to kyoto.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 8 - Himeji, Kyoto
March 26, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
We got up very early and caught the 7:20 shinkansen from Kyoto to Himeji. I love this city. It is such a nice place. I like it much better than Kyoto. We arrived and went to the castle. Tip – people are handing out things on the way to buy tickets, take them, it is entry to the main keep. After you buy your ticket keep the flyer for main keep and you hand it over before entering (your entry ticket is not needed here- just main keep flyer). So the castle was cool, cherry blossoms were so close, and the floors cold with just socks. You also remove shoes for the long hall entry ( the other building). After that there was some street fair on in the square across the road, so we ate while the children took photos with all the characters roaming around. Then we came back to Kyoto and packed our 2nd bag and pram off to the mountains (hopefully we see them again). We used 7-11 this time (family mart last time) The staff members were a bit confused as to what to do here, unlike at Asakusa, but we were able to show them our copy of the last one for them to copy from (cost was 3400yen for 90lt duffle and pram in bag). I tried the kyoto station one first but they said it would be shut for 2 days and to go to the post office. So i just went to the 7-11 up the street. So both our bags are going somewhwre, hopefully its the same place we are. Ready for our big trip in the morning we catch the 7:29 shinkasen to yudanaka via kanazawa and nagano. Our plan is to do the snow monkeys on the way up to shiga kogen where we will ski (info has been hard to find on the net. So tomorrow will tell.)
P.s. Only a few times did people want photos with our kids today.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 10 - Kyoto to Shigan Kogen
March 27, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
So it was another early morning to ride the shinkansen from kyoto to Kanazawa then onto Nagano. Nagano is a really nice place. We grabbed some food and info about getting to the snow monkeys. Bus was quicker so we took that (1400¥ one way). We were able to stash the bags at the Shiga Kogen roman museum ( paid 500¥ entry fee, but there were also small 100¥ lockers before entry.) Then it was a 1.8km walk into the monkey park (very muddy under foot, no snow on the ground and a bit smelly 500¥ adult 250¥ child). The kids loved it and the monkeys come very close. After our hike back we caught the local bus up to our hotel at Shiga Kogen (local bus was 500¥ as it turns free from sun valley). As we arrived it proceeded to snow. The kids loved their short play in the snow. Hitting the slopes tomorrow.
Oh, and i was very happy to see our first lot of bags were at the hotel waiting for us. Hopefully the second lot arrive tomorrow.Read more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 11-13
March 29, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
Homeward bound. So we had 2 awesome days skiing at Shiga kogen. The snow was ok, our 6yr old skiied like a champion and the 2yr had a decent go between his fathers legs, then into a backpack for the rest of the day. Though we did manage to get him on the slopes himself for a few tiny runs. We are now waiting for a bus back to nagano, then train to tokyo. Where we will get some last minute gifts (after ditching luggage at tokyo station) then train to narita and fly out. Wish us luck – we are fully loaded this journeyRead more
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Japan 1st trip 2016 Traveler
Day 14 - Homeward
April 1, 2016 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
Last trip report. We travelled from shiga kogen to nagano via bus, then shinkansen to tokyo. Found baggage storage and left our luggage. We did a quick trip to Akihabara and got sone last minute gifts at don quiote. Then made a big rookie error. Hubby bought his alcohol there (no duty and tax free) then packed it in his carry on. We travelled back to tokyo got the bags and took the nex to the airport. Returned wifi in postbox and checked our bags. We were eating dinner when i realised/remembered you couldn't take more than 100ml of liquid. Hubby had 4litres in carryon. He began to stress as we would have to check it – a backpack (we have has smashed bottles before) so on the quick dash back to check in I see a luggage shop and brainwave we buy a hard case, pack the grog and race to check in. Main check in is closed, but a nice lady took pity on us and sent the bag through oversize (which was still open) and luckily they didn't charge us for the extra bag (i had pre bought much more weight than needed). So stressed out crisis avertered, cleared securty and raced to the plane arriving right as boarding had started.
So note – pack grog securely in checked baggage or buy after security.
On a happy note all luggage made it back to gold coast safe and well. Holiday over. We sure have some great pics and memories.Read more
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Trip end
April 1, 2016