Japan is a rustic I’ve lengthy wished to go to, with unbelievable mountain surroundings, one of many world’s most chaotic & quirky cities (Tokyo), an extended historical past of tradition & custom, and naturally unbelievable delicacies with genuine sushi on provide in every single place you flip.
I have been requested many instances over the previous few years of running a blog why I’ve not but been to Japan, with the reply being that I used to be simply ready for a time that was proper. This can be a nation I wished to see as a complete over at the least 2 weeks, as an alternative of simply flying in for a fast metropolis journey to Tokyo or a ski journey in one in all Japan’s well-known ski resorts.
Once I got here throughout the Splendours of Japan Tour with Trafalgar (who I’ve travelled with beforehand in Peru), it appeared like an awesome alternative to take one in all my mother and father abroad to go to Japan, as I knew both of them would admire the tradition and historical past in contrast to anybody else I knew – so I booked my dad a aircraft ticket, advised him to pack his baggage, and we have been off!
Japan’s capital Tokyo is bizarre, fantastic, and at time utterly whacky – however that’s exactly what makes it such a wanted metropolis for worldwide guests.
Our journey began in Tokyo as it’s the primary gateway to Japan and an awesome metropolis to spend just a few days discovering its many pockets – from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya & Shinjuku, over to the quiet peace and serenity of Japan’s public parks, and throughout to Tokyo’s gaming district; Akihabara.
Make sure to permit your self at the least 3-5 days on this metropolis as there’s a lot to see and do – together with vacationer scorching spots just like the Mieji Shrine; Sensō-ji temple; Ueno Park for outstanding cherry blossom viewing in Spring; Harajuku for younger style, close by Omotesando for grown-up style, Tokyo Tower for spectacular views at sundown, and when you have extra time, day journeys to Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Sea, or close by Mt. Fuji.
Keep:
For our Tokyo lodge we stayed at New Resort Otani and I might extremely suggest it, although for location I might have most well-liked to be place in Shibuya or Shinjuku.
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After having fun with all the chaos and craziness that’s Tokyo, permit your self sooner or later to get out of the hustle and bustle and escape to close by Mt. Fuji to view the spectacular mountain the place many Japanese and international visitors make their climb to the summit every year.
While right here get pleasure from nice views (climate dependent) from Lake Kawaguchi and luxuriate in a pleasant blueberry + vanilla gentle serve from the present retailer.
Onwards from Mt. Fuji we proceeded to go to Hakone, a small village on lake Ashi, which additionally gives nice views of Mt. Fuji from afar by taking the cable automotive to the viewing platform.
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After 3 nights in Tokyo (I might recommend reserving at the least 1-2 extra nights to permit time to see/do every little thing in Tokyo), we made our method by bus to Takayama through Matsumoto Citadel – one in all Japan’s most picturesque citadel. Often known as crow’s citadel as a consequence of its black exterior, this citadel is fully constructed of wooden and as per Japanese custom, constructed utterly with out nails (it items collectively like a jigsaw puzzle and will be fully pulled aside and put again collectively).
There isn’t an awesome deal to see past the citadel, so after a fast look inside and stroll across the grounds, it was onwards to Takayama in the identical day!
This beautiful little metropolis referred to as Takayama is the gateway to the Hida area. At some point to discover this metropolis is sufficient time to see most factors of curiosity, although if time is in your aspect this may be an awesome city to decelerate and spend a pair days immersed in Japanese tradition and traditions.
Delicate serve ice cream performs a giant position in Takayama with many flavours obtainable on the various road – don’t be afraid to strive all of them! There are additionally some nice Izakaya eating places right here (informal Japanese meals), providing an awesome likelihood to strive regional meals.
Keep:
For our lodge in Takayama we stayed on the three-star Hida Plaza Resort. I wouldn’t notably suggest it and I imagine Takayama is a good location to strive a standard Ryokan while in Japan.
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A Fast Information to Takayama
After two nights in Takayama, we made our method by means of countryside villages towards the busy metropolis of Kanazawa – however as is commonly the case, immediately was all in regards to the journey to get there.
En route we stopped at two conventional villages – characterised by thatched roofs and conventional picket homes. These two villages are UNESCO World Heritage listed as they painting Japanese conventional in its truest kind – so you’ll want to take loads of photographs!
Onwards we stopped at a Nomura Home, a standard samurai home the place we realized the historical past of the native area, ongoing traditions and the historical past of the samurai.
Sadly I’ve solely a few wet, not-so-clear photographs to indicate from our time in Kanazawa, as we expertise rained for the 2 days we have been although and thus largely stayed indoors.
Must you be acquired in Kanazawa with sunshine, you’ll want to go to Kenroku-en, thought to be one in all Japan’s three most stunning gardens and simply subsequent door is Kanazawa citadel, which can also be worthy of a go to.
Kanazawa is a bigger metropolis (with a number of Starbucks and McDonalds if that offers any indication!), so I might suggest simply sooner or later to discover right here, to permit for extra time within the countryside or cities which have extra to supply when it comes to sightseeing and tradition – like the following cease; Kyoto!
Keep:
For our lodge in Kanazawa we stayed on the Kanazawa Tokyu Resort, which I might extremely suggest for each location & a unbelievable buffet breakfast!
As soon as the capital of Japan, Kyoto is as idyllic as one might ever think about Japan to be. Though the attraction of Kyoto lies beneath the bustling metropolis that it’s immediately, while you take the again streets you quickly start to find the historical past, tradition and traditions that stay on in Japan to today.
Make sure to wander by means of Gion, Kyoto’s most famed Geisha district and an absolute mecca for inexperienced tea (matcha) lovers! Right here inexperienced tea is available in any and all types – ice cream, parfaits, frappes, scorching lattes and extra!
Kyoto can also be dwelling to the well-known Fushimi Inari Taira – an unbelievable shrine of hundreds of crimson torii gates that line the 4 kilometre stretch to the sacred Mt. Inari. Nature lovers will benefit from the bamboo groves, while these on the lookout for a metropolis escape can at all times make a fast journey to Osaka – only a 30 minute specific prepare trip away!
Keep:
For our lodge in Kyoto we stayed on the Resort Nikko Princess which I might extremely suggest as a result of massive rooms, superb service (notably from the concierge), nice location and an awesome breakfast buffet.
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Though Osaka wasn’t on our itinerary for the tour, we had an prolonged keep on the finish in Kyoto, which allowed for a spontaneous journey to close by Osaka (half-hour by specific prepare from Kyoto). The journey occurred utterly by likelihood, as we have been sat in our lodge room making a plan for the next two days, deciding when could be greatest to go to every location for much less crowds, notably because it was a public vacation that day. Hastily we made the choice to move out of Kyoto to close by Osaka and expertise the hustle and bustle of now my absolute favorite metropolis in Japan.
My favorite areas to discover in Osaka have been Shinsekai and Dotonbori. Shinsekai felt like a time warp as you fairly actually step again in time to a Japan that point forgot, however after all with the added color and livelihood of the twenty first Century! Dotonbori is the primary vacationer thoroughfare in Osaka which can also be dwelling to one of the best road meals in Osaka (and a few of the greatest in Japan), while permitting loads of alternatives to spend some money.
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World of Wanderlust expertise the Splendours of Japan Tour as a visitor, nonetheless my opinions and oodles of photographs are all my very own!