Hi CaliNurse --

Thanks for letting me know.

I avoided Japan for a long time but am very glad I traveled there. The trip was funny but maybe not "fun"? I enjoyed it because the culture is so fascinating but did not leave it thinking "wow, I can't wait to go back!" Other than when I checked into a hotel I did not have a conversation with another person the two weeks I was there and meeting other people makes the difference between a good trip and a great one, to me anyway.

I belong to a women's hospitality/friendship organization called 5W (Women Welcome Women Worldwide). I mention it because, for some unknown reason, this group formed in England, has a large number of members in Japan. I've been trying to see my way to Japan and a 5W acquaintance mentioned to me that several members there planned her trip from one member's house to another and made it very easy and companionable for her. This would solve the problem Esme mentions, having no one with whom to socialize. The more I think about it, the more inclined I am to make similar arrangements for at least a portion of a visit.

Hi,

I was trying to find this report (I know, it's a long time ago!) but when i click on the link I just get ads. Not sure if it's no longer a working link.

Sadly, this link is no longer working and it looks like it's been about a year since Esme posted on Fodors. Her travels and blog have been terrific to follow -- I hope she is okay.

I, too am sorry to see this link is no longer working. I very much enjoyed Esme's reports.

Maybe she got a "real" travel job. I found this:

http://www.afar.com/travelers/esme-travels/highlights

Never mind. I see they list the not-working blog address in her bio:

http://www.afar.com/travelers/esme-travels/

Someone look here for us (I'm not on Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/esmetravels/

There is a Facebook page but the last entry is January 2015, and the outdated website is still posted there.

The afar site is good as you can see some of the photos from the trip with short descriptions, but the wonderful blog is no longer up.

That is really unfortunate and I do wonder what happened to her.