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Japan in Autumn

October - November 2023
A 23-day adventure by Souter Sightseeing Read more
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  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 2–4

    First day in Japan

    October 30, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We landed at Tokyo's Haneda airport at about 5.30am. We successfully navigated the monorail and trains to our hotel where we left our luggage so that we could start exploring. We had organised a portable wifi router (Foxwifi) which had been delivered to the hotel reception. We had purchased a Welcome Suica card at the airport and later got a 48 hour subway transport card from Ueno-okachimachi station tourist information office. We also located the JR East office to pick up our J Rail pass. Jobs done we spent some time looking at the sights around Ueno area including Ameyoko shopping district, Ueno Park, Shinobazunoike Bento-do, Gojoten Shrine, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Reflection Pool and enjoyed the lovely park. We returned to the hotel to check in and rest before heading out in the evening. We dined at a restaurant we had seen earlier in the day at Ueno and purchased a correct Japan power point adapter before returning to the hotel to enjoy the magnificent views from our tiny room on the 29th floor of our hotel (APA Ryogoku Eki Tower).
    Weather has been lovely, warm with clear skies, perfect for our first day in Japan.    Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 3

    Another day in Tokyo

    October 31, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We returned to the JR East office to book our tickets for the Shinkansen (bullet train) tomorrow and then caught the subway to the Metropolitan Government Building where there is an free observatory. After a security bag check we were guided to the lift to the observatory which has amazing views of Tokyo. There was also some entertainment and a gift shop. We stopped for lunch at a 7 Eleven, along with many office workers, who sat in little booths, all glued to their mobile phones. Our next stop was to see the Shibuya Scramble, the famous large pedestrian crossing. We returned to the subway for the journey to Meiji Jingu Shrine, an impressive Shrine in a forest. There was also a Chrysanthemum exhibition. Leaving the Shrine we went in search of Harajuku girls who are usually found in this area. Back on the subway we went back to Ameyayokocho in Ueno where after some searching found a nice little restaurant where we sat outside for a very tasty dinner.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 4

    Onward to Takayama

    November 1, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We joined the morning rush hour, with our luggage, and squeezed on to the trains from Ryogoku station to Tokyo station to catch the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Toyama. We had reserved seats so we lined up, waited for the cleaning crew to finish and pay their respects to the waiting passengers, and then boarded. The trip took about 2 hours. We had lunch at Toyama but decided not to venture too far from the station so we wouldn't miss the Hida express train to Takayama. With larger windows and a window seat we enjoyed the picturesque journey which followed the river valley and passed some small towns, rice paddies, dams, and orchards. We arrived at about 3pm and walked to our hotel to check in. After making some bus and train reservations we wandered around Takayama which has some lovely old streets, buildings and interesting shops. We had a delicious dinner at a Nepalese restaurant we had discovered earlier.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 5

    An Autumn Day in Takayama

    November 2, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    This morning we walked to the markets which are held along the riverside. Then we returned to the hotel to get the bicycles which we had organised to borrow. (For some reason we were told 'secret' - perhaps not enough bikes for everyone). We rode about 4km to Hida Folk Village which has more than thirty preserved buildings from around the region including thatched and shingled roof houses, a water mill and shrines surrounding a lovely pond. There was plenty of colourful autumn foliage. After a lunch stop at 7/11 we explored more of Takayama by bike stopping at other places of interest including various temples, shrines and ancient grave sites. We returned the bikes and rested for a while before heading out for a walk. We ended up at the same Nepalese restaurant for dinner as last night.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 6–8

    Shirakawa and Kanazawa.

    November 3, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We set the alarms early to check out then walked, with our luggage, through the cold, foggy morning to catch our 7.20am bus to Shirakawa. We travelled through many tunnels and arrived at the World Heritage Site showcasing a building style known as gasshō-zukuri (traditional thatched houses). We stowed our luggage in a coin locker and then explored the village. The sun was emerging from the fog as we wandered about this lovely village. Later we stopped for an early lunch of skewered sesame dumplings and beef patties before making our way to the bus terminal for our bus to Kanazawa. It was running late due to traffic so we chatted to a couple from Melbourne while we waited. We arrived at Kanazawa at around 2, found our hotel and were able to check in. After we settled in to yet another tiny room we walked to Kanazawa old district near the river (about a 30 minute walk). Here there is a preservation area from the Edo era. In this area tourists often dress as geishas and there are streets of old timber buildings. On the way back we stopped at a convenience store (Lawsons) and picked up dinner which we heated in our room's microwave. We have a nice city view from our hotel.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 7

    A day in Kanazawa

    November 4, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We walked to Kenrokuen Garden where we strolled around the paths enjoying the ponds, fountains, lanterns and statues. This meticulously kept landscape garden dates back to 1546. Next we went over to Kanazawa Castle Park through the impressive fortified gate and across the moat where we saw the watchtower, park and learned about its history. We exited the park into another beautiful garden, the Gyokusen'inmaru Garden. This garden was built as a privately courtyard in 1634. Next we found Oyama Shrine which is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the powerful local Maeda Clan It is surrounded by lovely gardens and ponds. It is known for its unusual gate. We stopped for lunch before visiting a couple of museums dedicated to life in Kanazawa and Samurai history. We caught a bus back to the station where we booked some further train journeys then walked back to hotel via 7 Eleven where we bought dinner and tomorrow's breakfast.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 8

    Travelling to Okayama

    November 5, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We caught the Shinkansen Thunderbird 18, 1995 model, from Kanazawa to Shin Osaka. We had a quick change to the Shinkansen Hikari 509 Super Express to Okayama. This train reached speeds up to 310 km/hr. We arrived at Okayama at about 3.15 so walked the 1.2 kilometres to the hotel to check in. Then we went for a walk to the Nishigawa Canal where there was some live music and families enjoying the area. On our way back we stopped to pick up dinner and tomorrow's breakfast at a convenience store. Slightly bigger room at this hotel.

    Note: Momotarō is a popular hero of Japanese folklore and his origin is said to be in Okayama. His name is often translated as Peach Boy, but is directly translated as Peach + Tarō, a common Japanese given name.
    Momotaro, the brave samurai born from a peach, journeys to Ogre Island to battle the evil oni. With the help of a giant dog, a clever monkey, and a courageous pheasant, the young warrior fights to rescue his family and village from plunder.    Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 9

    Okayama and Kurashiki

    November 6, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Our first stop today was to visit the lovely Korakuen garden which is located close to our hotel. This quintessential Japanese garden was created roughly 300 years ago by the area’s daimyo (domain lord). Centered around Enyo-tei House, which was built as living quarters, the garden covers some 13 ha and includes a Noh Stage as well as ponds, hills, plum groves, and a tea plantation. Next we crossed a bridge over the Asahi River to reach Okayama Castle which features a black exterior and gold leaf tiles. After a brief stop at the hotel we caught a street car to the railway station and caught a train to Kurashiki then walked to the Bikan Historical Area. This townscape, known for the characteristically Japanese white walls of its residences and the willow trees lining the banks of the Kurashiki River, has earned recognition as an Important Preservation District. Afterwards we caught the train back to Okayama, then had another ride on the street car, before returning to the hotel to rest.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 10

    Hiroshima Sights

    November 7, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    In Okayama we caught the street car to the station where we caught the Shinkansen Hikari to Hiroshima. On the way we spotted the Hello Kitty Shinkansen. We arrived at Hiroshima and caught the street car to our hotel where we dropped our luggage. It is located close to the Hiroshima Peace Park so we set out to explore the memorial park. There are multiple reminders and memorials of the terrible day in 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. There were many school groups visiting the park and we witnessed a moving scene where one group paid respects and sang at The Children's Peace Monument. After the Peace Park we visited the reconstructed Hiroshima Castle which was originally built in the 1590s, but was destroyed by the atomic bombing. It is surrounded by an impressive moat and large grounds and inside there is an interesting museum and great views of the city. We left the castle and walked to Shukkeien Garden. What a beautiful garden...Shukkeien literally means shrink-scenery so it has many miniaturised landscapes. The centre is a pond with inlets surrounded by mountains, valleys, bridges, arbours, bamboo, tea houses all connected by a path. As a senior (65 and over) Malcolm once again was admitted for free! As we weren't sure of the correct street car to take we walked back to the hotel via the Peace Park and checked in. It has an amazing view over the river and once settled we went to a local Japanese fast food restaurant for chicken and rice bowls.Read more

  • TravelerJapan in Autumn
    Day 11

    Ferry to Miyajima

    November 8, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    This morning we walked to the station and caught a train to Hiroden Miyajimaguchi Station where we transferred to the ferry to Miyajima. We walked along the shoreline to the O-torii Gate which is about 16 metres in height and 24 metres wide. The giant, orange, gate is partially submerged at high tide and marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century. We wandered about the island enjoying other sights especially the Daishoin Temple Complex which is located on the side of Mt Misen and has many temples, halls and statues. We particularly liked the paths lined with 500 Rakan statues with red knitted hats. Each statue represents a disciple of Shaka (Buddha) and each one is totally unique. While at Miyajima we tried a Momiji manju, the maple leaf shaped cheesecake which is a speciality specialty of the island and we witnessed one of the wild deer steal and eat a tourist's brochure. We returned to the O-torii Gate to see it at low tide before catching the ferry and train back to Hiroshima where the JR rail lady helped us book further train journeys on the ticket machine. We caught the street car back to some shops then walked back to the hotel.Read more

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