Journey in Japan
Very comfortable JAL flights delivered us to Tokyo and then onwards to Osaka. Our guide and interpreter whisked us off to our first hotel, the Sheraton Kobe, one of England's homes during the Rugby World Cup.
Our first full day was spent meeting with local businesses and learning all about the region to prepare us for the incredible whistle stop tour on which we were about to embark.
Japan is composed of almost seven thousand islands. We were to travel throughout Awaji Island onwards to Shikoku, visiting several other small islands in the Seto Sea and then back to Honshu.
Our excellent itinerary included ascending the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, at almost 4km, the longest suspension bridge in the world with its dramatic views and learning the correct way to visit shrines and temples, even completing our own 'mini pilgrimage' between two temples. Unfortunately, time did not permit walking between all 88 on the circular route!
We experienced a Japanese puppet theatre performance followed by an informative backstage tour. We watched as fishing boats returned to Awaji and speedily unloaded and sold their catch on the quayside to waiting hoteliers and restaurateurs. We undertook an izakaya, a Japanese 'bar crawl', visits to small, informal bars to sample dishes of the day prepared, often in front of you, by the bar owner. We learned about the production of indigo and, amazingly, managed to produce our own tie died handkerchief! We were also treated to a lesson from a top sushi master and received a certificate to prove it!
We took a boat in search of the Naruto Whirlpools, created by large volumes of water moving between the Seto Sea and Pacific Ocean and also visited a couple of smaller islands that, owing to the decline in industries such as fishing and copper, have been turned in to art islands.
Heading deep into the centre of Shikoku, to the absolutely stunning Iya Valley, we stayed in Japanese style hotels or ryokans. A slight shock to some westerners as the furniture is very low and on entering your room there is no bed! Not a problem as whilst you are at dinner, your futon is prepared! Many ryokans offer Japanese onsens, baths fed by natural hot springs, a great way to relax after a busy day. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsens scattered throughout its major islands.
In the Iya Valley we cycled, crossed a 45 metre vine bridge spanning a deep gorge and boarded a boat along the Oboke gorge, marvelling at the natural cliffs that appear to be the work of a giant sculptor, now designated as a Japanese National Monument.
We headed deeper in to the mountains and spent the night in remote thatched (luxury!) cottages. A chilly night but very cosy on our futons with underfloor heating!
After our night in the mountains it was back to civilisation in the form of Okayama and then we were off on the Shinkansen or Bullet Train to Himeji for a whistle stop tour of the famous castle. The castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan and one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. It looked resplendent on its hilltop position surrounded by the autumn colours but apparently is even more spectacular in the spring time when surrounded by the thousands of cherry blossoms. Onwards to Kobe to lunch on the melt in the mouth Kobe Beef and then to Mount Rokko to visit Kaze no Kyokai, a chapel designed by the renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando before arriving at our final destination, Arima Onsen. Ando’s work can be seen throughout Japan, for example, the Honpukuji Water Temple and the Teshima Art Museum.
Arima Onsen is famous for its hot springs and as dusk fell we toured the town and then spent our final night at the luxurious Arimasansoh GoshoBessho and our ‘last supper’ was an amazing eight course dinner followed by a final chance to relax in their onsen before making our way home.
During our visit we stayed in various hotels and visited many more and everywhere were made very welcome but, unfortunately, after eight amazing nights and days, it was off to the airport and then a very comfortable trip home via Helsinki with Finnair.
My visit to Japan provided an amazing insight in to the country, traditions and people but there is so much more to see!!
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if the above has whetted your appetite as I should be more than happy to put together and confirm an unforgettable trip to Japan for you.