Day 88: Arriving Itsukushima
April 2, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
When the ferry approached the island, we were quite impressed to see Itsukushima Jinja (a 16th century Shinto shrine, famed for an iconic orange gate that ‘floats’ at hight tide) When we firstRead more
Day 88: Mount Misen
April 2, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Although the Shinto Gate was so attractive, we decided to hike to the mountain first. There are cable cars that tourists could take to the top, but we decided to walk to Mount Misen. It’s theRead more
Day 88: Itsukushima Shrine
April 2, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Back to the Shinto Shrine! We visited the shrine itself. The shrine and its torii gate are unique for being built over water seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. Although it is veryRead more
Day 89: Hiroshima JR station
April 3, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
A short stay in Hiroshima! It’s time to say goodbye! We were back to the Hiroshima JR station. Today we are taking Chris’ long-awaited Hello Kitty JR train to Osaka!!!
Day 89: Hello Kitty Train!
April 3, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Hello Kitty Bullet train! It was not on our list before but Chris mentioned that our JR pass should include some special themed trains. So we asked the staff and found out that we could actually takeRead more
Day 93: Furuichi Kofun Burial Mounds
April 7, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
We rested in Osaka for a few days before visiting places. Our first place to visit in Osaka is not a famous or touristy place. But it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s called the Furuichi KofunRead more
Day 94:Heijo Palace Site Historical Park
April 8, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
A day trip in Nara! Our first stop is Heijo Palace, the imperial residence in the Japanese capital city Heijo-kyo (today’s nara), during most of the Nara period. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage. ItRead more
Day 94: Nara Park
April 8, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
How can we not see the cute deers in Nara?!
Day 94: Todai-ji
April 8, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Todai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara. The construction of the temple was an attempt to imitate Chinese temples fromRead more
Day 94: Kasugataisha Shrine
April 8, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We passed through the Kasuga Taisha Shrine 春日大社 when we were about to get out of Nara. We were too late to go inside for a visit. It is Nara’s most celebrated shrine. The interior is famousRead more
Day 95: Uji
April 9, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
A half day trip to Uji! It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours. There are different shrines and places to sit down and take a little breather to feel the place. Uji is also very famous for MatchaRead more
Day 95: Kyoto JR Station
April 9, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A very busy Kyoto JR Station with different tracks!
Day 95: Toji Temple
April 9, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Toji Temple was one of the only three Buddhist temples allowed in the city at the time it became the capital of Japan. There is a 5-story 55 meter high pagoda in the area. It is the tallest pagoda inRead more
Day 96: Kyoto JR Station
April 10, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We were back to Kyoto again! Of course, the first place was the JR station.
Day 96: Kiyomizu Temple
April 10, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We visited Kyoto again today to let Chris visit the Kiyomizu Temple as he has never been there. He didn’t bring the camera with him, so he just recorded the place with his eyes. It’s the must-goRead more
Day 97: Mount Yoshino
April 11, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
The best place for cherry blossom! It is said that the first trees were planted along its slopes more than 1300 years ago, and today the mountain is covered by approximately 30,000 cherry trees ofRead more
Day 97: Yoshino Station
April 11, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Time to say goodbye to Mount Yoshino! We had a very good time here.
Day 98: Last day in Osaka
April 12, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Today we were just resting at our airbnb as it’s the last full day that we were in Osaka. We passed through this vending machine! So convenient! If you need Sriracha sauce, 7/24 ready for you!
Day 99: goodbye Osaka!
April 13, 2025 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
We stayed in Osaka for a while to settle down ourselves, get some rest, and vote! But now, it’s time to move on! Goodbye Tokuan station!!!
Day 99: on our way to Kanazawa
April 13, 2025 in Japan
It took us a while to get to a transfer point Tsuruga 敦賀! Originally we got on a direct train, but because it was so windy that day, the train that we were on just stopped and won’t moveRead more
Day 99: Tsuruga
April 13, 2025 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Finally here at Tsuruga for a transfer to Kanazawa!!!
Day 99: Arriving Kanazawa
April 13, 2025 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
One full day on transit and we were finally here, Kanazawa!!!
Day 100: Kanazawa Castle Park
April 14, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
A famous spot in Kanazawa! It’s a large, partially restored Japanese castle in Kanazawa. The most impressive part is the secret garden inside the castle park. It is a peaceful place to sit andRead more
Day 100: Random Shrine
April 14, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Passed through a random shrine when we walked from the castle to the arts museum.
Day 100: Museum of Contemp. Arts
April 14, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Walking around Kanazawa! We found this Museum of Contemporary Arts, but there was an exhibition inside, so it’s not open for public. We just walked outside and enjoy the arts.