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Japan in Autumn

oktober - november 2023
Een 23-daags avontuur van Souter Sightseeing Meer informatie
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  • 23dagen
  • 433foto’s
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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    1
    Dag 12

    Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle

    9 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We rose early to catch the cable car to the station to catch the Shinkansen to Himeji. When we arrived we stowed our luggage in a coin locker and walked to the Castle. Himeji castle is also known as White Heron Castle and is both a Japanese National Treasure as well as a World Heritage Site. We toured the Castle and then walked to the Kokoen Gardens, a lovely Edo period style Japanese garden. We decided to catch an earlier train than originally planned so that we would have some time to see some of Osaka today. We successfully navigated the train system and found our hotel. We checked in and headed to Osaka Castle which was about a 20 minute walk away. We wandered around the castle grounds, saw the sun set over Osaka and looked around the neighbouring Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine at dusk.Meer informatie

  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 13

    A Rainy Day in Osaka

    10 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We decided to see Osaka Aquarium so booked online then set out in the rain to the station. The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world. It has a huge tank housing an array of sea creatures including two enormous whale sharks, rays, sharks and fish. It also has many other displays of other sea life such as otters, dolphins, seals and penguins. We spent a few hours enjoying the exhibits along with many school children. After the Aquarium we headed to catch a train to Dotonbori shopping area. This is a very busy area near a canal. It has long wide arcades with many restaurants, boutiques, high end stores, cafes etc. We looked around and stopped at a restaurant for lunch. Later we realised we were close enough to our hotel to walk back.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 14

    Arrival in Kyoto

    11 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We left Osaka and travelled by train to Kyoto successfully making the required transfers with our luggage. We found our hotel in Kyoto and left our bags. We decided to visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). It is a Zen Temple - the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Getting there was by train and crowded bus and it was a very busy destination. It is an impressive structure on a large pond. We left the crowds and walked back to catch a bus back to the station where we found a little Japanese restaurant to have lunch. Next we walked to Nijo Castle but decided against paying to go inside the grounds (we've already seen a few castles!). Then we wandered up to the Imperial Palace grounds. The grounds are extensive with wide gravel paths, lots of different tree varieties, various buildings, a shrine and impressive gates. We caught a couple of trains to get back to our hotel to check in and relax.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 15

    Kyoto sights - Nara Park & Inari

    12 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    In an attempt to beat the crowds we rose early and caught to train to Nara where we caught a bus to the Park. The journey takes approximately two hours so we arrived at around 9am. Nara Park was already bustling with tourists so we headed straight for Todai-ji Temple to see the Vairocana Buddha. Housed in an impressive structure it is almost 15 metres in height. It is made of cast bronze, plated in gold. The Great Buddha Hall is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. The 660 hectare park contains other interesting buildings, a bell tower and is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered the messengers of the gods, Nara's deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. Next we walked back to the station and caught the train to Inari. Fushimi Inari Shrine is right at the station exit and is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates donated by companies and individuals. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. It was also a very popular tourist destination. This ancient shrine was founded in the year 711 to house the Shinto deity Inari Okami, making it a site of worship for more than thirteen centuries. The name “Inari” comes from Inari being the god of rice. We spent a couple of hours walking the trails and exploring the shrine before heading back to Kyoto.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 16

    Kyoto - Gion and Nishiki Market

    13 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    It was a cold, wet morning in Kyoto. Having just finished reading Memoirs of a Geisha I was keen to visit Gion (Kyoto's Geisha District) so we set out to catch the train to the area. First we found Yasaka Shrine (once called Gion Shrine) which has several buildings, including gates, a main hall and a stage. Next we wandered through the Gion streets where some tourists were dressed in traditional kimonos. We crossed the river and found ourselves in a main shopping street and large arcade. We had some lunch and shopped for a while then eventually found Nishiki Market which is a narrow, five block long shopping street. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, sake and sushi. The rain had stopped when we made our way back to the station and returned to the hotel.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 17

    Hakone Highlights

    14 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    It was a very chilly morning as we left our Kyoto hotel to catch the Shinkansen to Odawara to see the sights of Hakone. We caught our first glimpse of Mt Fuji from the train. It took about 2 hours to reach Odawara station where we stored our luggage in coin lockers then bought a Hakone pass. First we caught a train and then a bus to the port where we boarded the Pirate style ship for a cruise across Lake Ashi. It cruised past a Tori gate to the start of the Hakone Ropeway. The ropeway's gondolas depart every minute and fit around ten people each. Traveling the full length of the ropeway takes around 30 minutes. Along the journey, we had amazing views of Mt Fuji as well as the active, sulfuric hot spring sources. After the ropeway we caught the very slow cable car back to the station. We collected our luggage and were able to catch an earlier Shinkansen to Tokyo where we transferred to a local line to get to our hotel in Asakusa. Our hotel has the usual tiny room but lovely river and skytree views.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 18

    Asakusa Sights

    15 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    No trains today! We explored our local Asakusa area starting with Sensoji Temple and the nearby Five Story Pagoda. It was reasonably quiet as the surrounding shops don't open til later. I even tried my luck and spent 100 yen on an Omikuji (fortune). Luckily it was a good one so I didn't need to tie it to to a hanger. We had a look in the well known Don Quijote Shop and nearby arcades and found a nice place for lunch. We ordered via a screen and soon our food arrived at our bench. We had a brief rest at the hotel before continuing to explore the area and some shops on the other side of the river. We walked back to the hotel in the early evening via the Skytree.

    PHOTO COMMENT: Uryū Iwako (February 15, 1829 - April 19, 1897), also known as Uryū Iwa, was a noted Japanese Social Worker during the Meiji period. She established a midwifery research institute and relief facility to care for orphans and the poor, and promoted social work and girls' education. The statue was erected in 1901.    Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 19

    Tokyo - Museum and more

    16 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We started by getting a train to the Tourist information office at Ueno Station to get a 72 hour subway pass. Job done we decided to visit the Museum of Natural History and Science. It was free for Malcolm (over 65) so just paid for one 670 yen. It's a great Museum with a good variety of displays. We spent a few hours there then sat in the park while we had an icecream. (Malcolm was impressed with the packaging!) Then we caught the subway to the Metropolitan Government Building to go to the observatory which is on the 45th floor (202 metres). As it's a clear day we were able to see Mt Fuji in the distance. We went to a nearby park and shops for a while and then returned to the observatory to see the view of the city as it got dark. Afterwards we caught the subway back to Asakusa where we had dinner (Ramen for me and stir fry combo for Malcolm). We had a look around Sensoji Temple at night and then walked back to the hotel.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 20

    Sea Life and Night Lights

    17 november 2023, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The day started very rainy so we took the opportunity to rest and start sorting our packing. We had some noodles for lunch then headed out into the rain to catch the train to Tokyo Sea Life Park. The rain had stopped when we reached our destination but had kept the crowds away so we enjoyed the exhibits without the usual hustle and bustle. The Aquarium only cost 840 yen after senior discount and Tokyo guide book discount and had some great displays, especially the penguins. We spent a couple of hours there before catching a train to Rappongi where there were some street sculpture and also Christmas Lights. The lights came on at 5pm and were worth the wait, very pretty. To our amusement they had a road warden at the crossing allowing people to take a photo down the road with the walk signal and then blowing his whistle to get them off again. After wandering about for a while we caught the train back to the station near our hotel.Meer informatie

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  • ReizigerJapan in Autumn
    Dag 21

    Ueno Zoo and more Tokyo

    18 november 2023, Japan ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    Our last full day in Tokyo we decided to go to Ueno Zoo. It has the distinction of being the oldest zoo in Japan as it first opened in 1882. Having booked online we were able to enter quickly once the gates opened at 9.30. It only cost ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for seniors so it was under A$10 for both of us. We headed straight for the Panda exhibit and weren't disappointed as they were both easy to see. The female is called Shin Shin and the male is called Ri Ri. They have been at the zoo since 2011. We spent the rest of the morning exploring the rest of the zoo. After the zoo we stopped for a while in the park then walked along Ameyoko Shopping Street before catching the subway to Skytree. It's very busy in this area as it's Saturday and many families and groups of friends are out and about. We caught the subway back to Asakusa where we had some dinner and did some shopping before returning to the hotel.Meer informatie

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