Authentic Nippon
Japan – absolutely fascinating and very difficult to put into a few paragraphs so here is a snapshot of our bucket list destination!
Landing into Haneda airport we caught an early morning glimpse of Mt Fuji from the airplane (I have a photo if you don’t believe me!!).
Our first 3 nights were spent in Tokyo – it has a vibrant charm all of its own and we were constantly met with an array of sights, smells and sounds!
We stayed in Asakusa – the old downtown area of Japan and a slightly more sedate introduction to the city to get your bearings!
We spent our first day with a local guide who was incredibly professional and knowledgeable and after a short discussion at our hotel, designed the day around what our interests were and what we wanted to see. Before saying goodbye, he gave us a quick lesson in Tokyo’s public transport system!
Over the other 2 days we piled on the steps and explored Asakusa, the Ginza, Shinjuku and crossed the Shibuya Crossing as well as seeing it from the dizzy heights of the Shibuya Sky – we even had afternoon tea at the Pepper Parlor (whilst chatting to robots)!
Japan has a public transport system unrivalled anywhere in the world for efficiency,
cleanliness and coverage and we were blown away by all the transportation we used.
From Tokyo we took the bullet train (first of many) to Hakone – a beautiful national park consisting small villages and hamlets with a cable car and mountain railway – if you are lucky, this is where you might see Mount Fuji – sadly Fuji-san was notoriously shy when we were there! One of the highlights of this region is staying in and experiencing a ryokan – ours created harmony between traditional hospitality and nature. Beautifully decorated and offering hot spring indoor and outdoor onsen (baths), and serving a multi-course, beautifully presented kaiseki dinner.
Next stop Kyoto – another super smooth bullet train to this culturally rich city home to 17 UNESCO World heritage sites, over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines it is the heart and soul of traditional Japan.
With our fabulous guide, we visited the Ginkakuji (Silver Temple), walked along the Philosopher’s Path to Ryoan-ji (zen temple) and ended with a walk through the Geisha district.
From Kyoto we took the train to Osaka for an afternoon and evening. Nicknamed ‘Japan’s Kitchen’, Osaka is a pretty crazy, vibrant place for shopping, people watching and street food.
Next stop, Kanazawa, one of Japan’s best-preserved historical cities with a wonderful samurai quarter and one of the finest landscaped gardens in Japan – Kenrokuen – where we also attended a tea ceremony.
The next 2 days were very special – we stayed in a traditional villa in Inami – home to over 100 carpentry workshops and a magnificent Temple. We attended a unique half day ‘apprenticeship’ experience in the local traditional wood carving techniques (our ‘master’ was very gracious and patient!!) Beautiful accommodation (breakfast delivered to the property!) situated in the heart of very small and quiet village yet with a superb coffee shop, a café/bakery, family run sushi bar and a fantastic Italian restaurant. It really was one of the highlights of the trip. We didn’t see another tourist!
The next 2 days were spent in the Kiso Valley – the lower Japanese Alps. We walked part of the Nakasendo Way (8 km) between Tsumago (once a post town) and Magome passing farmhouses, waterfalls, green tea fields and pine and bamboo forests– a world away from robot, gadgets and gismos!! Last stop – Matsumoto – an alpine City with a European feel and home to hidden backstreets, sake breweries, Matsumoto ‘black crow’ Castle (oldest in Japan) and soba noodles (delicious)! As well as a leisurely wander through the old merchant district and doing a bit of last-minute gift shopping (!), we took a tour of the Ishii miso factory and enjoyed a bowl of miso soup as well as miso ice-cream!
Too many highlights to list but simply the best holiday we have ever been lucky enough to experience!
