Australia to Japan.

Using Qantas ff points for the flight so we needed to fly from Brisbane to Sydney and then to Tokyo. The flight from Bris to Syd is only about 1h 15 min so by the time we had dinner and wine we were on the descent. We were shuttled from the domestic to international airport and only had to wait 15min before boarding. Finally, we felt we were on our way. The flight was an overnight flight so I didn't sleep as I can't seem to sleep on planes. Caught up on some movies though. Smooth flight (about 10 hrs) only slight turbulance as descending into Tokyo.

Thursday 25th March
Weather: Wet and cold

Narita airport is efficient and we soon find the Airport Limosine (coach to the city). We have to wait about an hour for the bus we need so we have a coffee to help stay awake. When we finally climb on the bus, it is warm and cosy. The weather outside is icy to say the least! This bus service is very handy as it drops you right at the door of your hotel.

The coach ride is over an hour as we pass by Tokyo Disney and across the Rainbow Bridge. We arrive at the [Park Hotel Tokyo] at [Shiodome] which starts at level 25 as it is on top of an office block. Our room isn't ready so we go out to find some lunch and find ourselves in an english style pub in the Peri Shiodome complex where we have a bite and beer before finding our way back to the hotel.

We are allowed in the room, so we go up. Our room is nice and has [Tokyo Tower] out the window. We catch up on some sleep before venturing out for dinner (again) in the Peri Shiodome eating a Japanese meal in a popular location. I must have looked awkward using chopsticks as the waitress (who couldn't speak English) came and gave me a knife and fork with a huge grin. lol.

Friday March 26th
Weather: Chilli

Today we trekked out early (5am) to see the Tsujuki Fish Market and enjoyed a sushi breakfast at a nearby store- absolutely beautiful. It was too early to go to the nearby gardens, so we returned to the Park Hotel before going out after opening (9am). The Hama Rikyu Gardens were pleasant and of a reasonable size. The gardens had a dock for a WaterBus which we took down to Hinode Pier, then up to Asuka on the Sumidagawa River.

We toured the nearby Senso-Ji Temple and had some chicken from a street stall for lunch.

We then tried our hands with the railways and caught a subway train back to Ginza a popular shopping district. whereI bought a nice coat for 22100yen.

We are staying near a large TV area with [Hayao Miyazaki's Copper Clock] on the wall. We catch them filming an episode on one of the days with lots of people dressed up as children's animals.

Finally back to the hotel and relax before out to dinner at "Coopers British Restaurant" where we had some roast beef.

Tomorrow we are off, so we pack ready for our trip to Takayama.

Great start, love the enthusiasm.
What did you think of the street leading up to Sensoji? What airlines did you use?

Aloha!

looking forward to the continuation of your trip report.

thanks for sharing

Thanks for your energy. Your report will definitely help me w my June trip.

Meant to mention our trip to Japan was 17 days. I have posted our itinerary for anyone in the planning stage- this itinerary worked well.
Also the dates were good for catching the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

March 25 Tokyo Park Hotel
+81-3-6252-1111
March 26 Tokyo Park Hotel
+81-3-6252-1111
March
27 Takayama start JR Pass Spa Hotel Alpina Hida
Takayama
+81-(0)577-33-0033
March 28 Takayama Spa Hotel Alpina Hida
Takayama
+81-(0)577-33-0033
March 29 Kanazawa ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kanazawa
+81-76-2246111
March 30 Kyoto Hotel Granvia
+81-075-344-8888
March 31 Kyoto Hotel Granvia
+81-075-344-8888
April 1 Kyoto
(Nara) Hotel Granvia
+81-075-344-8888
April 2 Koyasan Shojoshin-in


April 3 Osaka Cross Hotel Osaka
06-6213-8281

April 4 Hiroshima Iwaso
+1 +81-829-44-2230-829-44-2230

April 5 Visit Himeji on way to Kyoto Hotel Granvia
+81-075-344-8888
April 6 Hakone Hyatt
+81 460 82 2001
April 7 Tokyo Hotel Century Southern Tower 81-3-5354-0111

April 8 Tokyo Kamakura ( day trip ) Hotel Century Southern Tower
81-3-5354-0111
April 9 Tokyo
Nikko
( day trip ) Hotel Century Southern Tower
81-3-5354-0111
April 10 Tokyo Flight home

Saturday 27th March
Weather: Cold but fine

The ride on the Shinkasen was fast - we sped out of Tokyo and along. We noticed water (ocean/sea) in the scenery and a check of the map showed that we were heading south (we know we have to change trains at Nagoya but Takayama is 250k west of Tokyo). This also means that we will probably pass Mt Fuji but it didn't reveal itself to us.

We disembark at Nagoya and work our way to the platform where the train to Takayama is. This is a more typical train and we head out of Nagoya (the way we came) at a more normal pace (this one is diesel). The train begins climbing up the mountain and we crisscross mountain rivers, their rapids and their dams. As we climb toward the top, Paul note's a lump of white suds on the ground in the shadows - a big lump of unmelted snow that looks like some soap suds that have escaped.

Takayama appears much more rural and we leave the station walking to [Alpina Spa Hotel] - just a couple of blocks. The weather is cold but the atmosphere is clear. We check in and go up to our room - very clean, nice, cosy but small. The bathroom is a small cubicle and you would not want to be too tall. This is more of a novelty to us than a detraction as the room is still very adequate. This hotel is very new, it also has a wonderful onsen which we tried for the first time.

We head out to explore - hopefully to find the old town only to find it a block away. We wander amongst the shops - many in original buildings, then we dare to try some (free) saki. The first was okay, but then we try some more flavoured types - the sweet one was not good. We head back for an onsen. After the initial feeling uncomfortable they are such a wonderful experience. This one has an inside and outdoor hot spring bath. Fantastic! We then head out to find some dinner.

We are recommended to a Hida Beef restaurant - very easy to find - it has a big cow out the front. Hida Beef is the local beef. We enter in and find that it's a cook-your-own restaurant with a burner in the middle of the table. The steak is very finely cut and dipping in the raw egg is very nice (Paul reckons, I chickened out).

We wander back and enjoy some Japanese TV (no English channels).

HT- We used QANTAS. All our flights were great. All on time and smooth.
Yes, the road leading to Sensoji is interesting it reminded me of a fair. We bought some little knick knacks there. One thing I remember buying is two samari headbands for our sons- they are 19 and 21 lol.

Citiboy50- hopefully the itinerary will be of some use.

Sunday 28th March
Weather: Cool then cold but sunny periods.

The included buffet spread at this hotel was nice and adequate.

After breakfast we head out to find the markets. We make our way to Jinja-mae Morning Markets to find them a (relatively) small area with predominately fresh produce available.

We then cross the river and head up some side streets to find ourselves at the Shorenji Temple. This revealed some residual snow in the shadows and I was given some to bring back home (but it didn't pack very well, lol). The location was up higher on the rim of the valley, so we had a good view of Takayama and surrounds.

We wandered back down rather than wander around Shiroyama Park and head back toward the older part. Here we find Miyagawa market - larger and more diverse than the Jinya Mae. These also run on the edge of the river.

From there we spot a sign for some traditional homes and progress round to the Yoshajima Heritage House. We tour the rather stately home, up the steep stairs and out for some tea near the stables and courtyard.

We progress on to where the Floats Exhibition Hall is (we don't go in). This is next to the Sakureyama Hachimangi shrine and hall where we notice a group of people in traditional dress. A lady recommends that we get photo's of the people (it certainly appeared to a special event). A lady draped in white is assisted into a grand car and a bus load of people follow. Later we ask the hotel receptionist and she explains this is a traditional style Wedding.

We start to head back toward the centre of town and find a watercourse with a series of cherry blossom clad bridges. We follow this around to a designated Walking Trail and follow this up through a large cemetery up past some other shrines, to the Higashiyama Hakasan Jinja shrine.

Here the trail ends, so we head back down to buy some bus tickets for tomorrow before wandering round for lunch at an Italian restaurant.

After lunch we decide to see the west side of town - the other side of the tracks. We get to a major intersection after the Genkoujibasi bridge before heading back and visiting the Green Hotel with it's hot springs and tourist shops.

By this stage we are getting rather cold and our legs are weary, so we return to Alpina Spa to defrost. We get the weather report for tomorrow and we decide to have another spa in the large Japanese Bath fed from a bore that has been drilled 1km down directly below us. The Spa is on the rooftop and includes an external and internal bath.

Pun for the day: after hearing the weather report we thought it was ironic that we were walking around the rooftop of a 12 story building - naked - as if there was snow tomorrow.

We ring our son to wish him a happy birthday, then head out to a recommended Tempura restaurant for a very nice dinner. The gentleman next to us is a traditional cake maker and shares one of his cakes with us. He explains the cake centre is from a Japanese Red bean, and the icing is from a potato base - hmmm interesting taste.

Baseball is on TV again, and we are starting to enjoy watching the games.

Loving your trip report so far- I plan to go to most of the same places in June. keep it coming!

Re: itinerary, I also fly into NRT and plan to start off with the Takayama area. What made you choose to do a couple days in Tokyo first, given that you will be visiting the city at the end? I am planning on heading straight to Nagoya after arriving in NRT and then heading to Takayama, etc... is this a bad strategy?

Hi unitoro,

We were originally going to do all our days in Tokyo together. However, when we started to book hotels we found difficulty booking Kyoto over a weekend (at cherry blossom time) so we changed our plans and split our time in Tokyo. We stayed in 2 different parts of Tokyo which we would not have done with our original plan so this change worked out beneficially for us.
As for your plans do what works for you..there is no right or wrong way. The main thing I did when planning was to keep our train journeys to as short as possible. Use hyperdia to get an idea of the length of time needed to travel between cities.
I will definately keep the trip report coming..just doing up our travels bit by bit as time permits. Thus I will post here when they are done..it is a shame work gets in the way

Monday 29th March
Weather: Snowing.

We get up early (big day ahead) and look out the window to see a layer of snow on all flat surfaces, and then to see it drifting down for a top up!

We have a great breakfast (at the hotel), check-out and head down to the bus station for our trip to Shirakawa-go.

The bus from Takayama climbed up and up and the snow was getting very thick. The road was not windy, courtesy of the many and often long tunnels through the mountains. Eventually the bus wound into the Shirakawa-go village. The white blanket of snow was everywhere save the roads, river and rooftops.

Not being used to snow, the place was just breath-taking. The village is in a valley with a fast and it has a wide mountain river flowing through it. Step one after locking our bags up, was to cross the river by means of a suspension bridge.

This brought us to the main village street and we roam this viewing a shrine, past thatch roof homes, gutters with fish swimming in them, a snow cave, through many little shops and back to find a place for lunch.

We cross back over the river and enter the Open Air Grassho Folk Museum site (a relocated village of historic and authentic homes). The homes we visit are cold (made colder when you remove your shoes) but provide an understanding of their structure. Large roof cavities are obviously used for food storage over a long cold winter. Between the houses are ponds and waterfalls - adding to the beauty of the place. The snow is coming down harder now and the lack of gloves (thank goodness for thermals) is starting to tell. We come across one that has a fire going and is serving tea - the fire in the middle warms the whole house and is very pleasant.

We have loved this experience, we had not expected snow let alone metre high banks of snow or heavy downfalls to top off the experience. The authentic homes - espescially the one with the fire going - gave us an inkling to the issues of living in such a location.

After about 3 hours exploring Shirakawa-go we then board our bus to complete the journey to Kanazawa.

So what happened in Kanazawa?

Aloha!

Sorry about slackness with this trip report... but we've FINALLY finished our own personal blog of our Japan trip. So will post now. Get ready for an 'epic' read.

Monday 29th March
Weather: Chilli (breeze is quite cold)

We arrive at the Kanazawa Bus & Train station and walk around to the Crowne Hotel. While the hotel is quite up-market, the room is relatively small.

After checking in, we wander around the area and find a large shopping mall enveloping the train station. We peruse the shopping options, find out where the gardens are, plan our exit tomorrow, and eat at the Beer Lion for dinner, then return to the room for a quiet night in (too cold out).

Tuesday 30th March
Weather: Warm with a nip in the air

We have breakfast, check out and store our bags for a trip to Kanazawa's most famous attraction - the [Kenroku-en Gardens]. We catch a commuter bus there and hop off between the gardens and Kanazawa Castle (across the street). We make our way round to the front of the gardens, and begin to be pleasantly surprised by the garden's beauty.

There are many areas, and each offering a photo/postcard opportunity. The adjacent shrine is under refurbishment and we skip this one. The lakes are very pleasant and the warm sun is wonderful.

Arrived in from Kanazawa to find the hotel is part of the station complex - so very easy to find. After checking in (and re-uniting with our case - from Tokyo), we follow some escalators up, and up, and up to the top of [Kyoto Station]. We had not realised this (itself) was a tourist attraction and found ourselves 11 stories up with views all around Kyoto. Unfortunately the breeze is very icy, so we find the escalator down. The internal escalator brings us down through a (very) large department store.

Returning to the hotel (we haven't left the station yet) we check the internet and grab some brochures to allow us to plan our day tomorrow.

For dinner we find a subway Porta shopping complex (adjoining the station) with plenty of restaurants. We enjoy some crumbed prawns, pork, rice and miso soup. P is also able to spend 1050yen on a watch which should do him for the rest of the trip. After dinner we try to go up the Kyoto Tower, but we don't have a camera and get confused with the signage, so we will try again another night.

Wednesday 31st March
Weather: Mild and pleasant

Breakfast was in another of Kyoto Station's shopping areas, and we were fortunate to have a Chinese (uni) student assist us with the menu as there was not a lot of shops to select from (most were closed).

We use our day pass to catch a commuter bus to the Kinkaku-ji Temple area. We realise we are sitting in a Priority Seat as the bus fills, and eventually an elderly Japanese woman is telling R about her daughter in Melbourne while I stand nearby.

We get off at the [Kinkaku-ji temple] area and find the Golden Pavilion easily enough. The Pavilion is in a lovely setting and the surrounding gardens are very nice. Exiting the pavilion, we follow the walking trail around to [Rioanji Temple]. This too has a lovely garden setting - the main feature being a raked gravel area - the significance is lost on us as some other visitors seemed to be taking it very seriously.

We decide to leave the walking trail and make our way directly to a train line a few blocks away. Walking amongst the houses gives a real insight into Kyoto life. The train station is a suburban spot for a single-line train that is no bigger than a tram. It appears to run regularly and arrives promptly. We have to change at a later station for our trip to Arashimaya and this train becomes very crowded - still just a local shopping train. We find at Arashimaya that our JR passes don't apply to these trains.

[Arashimaya] is a lovely touristy area - the map we have doesn't indicate the bridge and river as being highlights, but they are obviously big tourist areas. We grab a bite to eat (lunch) and find the Bamboo Garden. A train line passes through the middle and we wait for a train to pass - we are expecting another tram style, when suddenly a high-speed express rushes past. We make our way back to a JR station and train back to Kyoto Station and the hotel.

After a quick refresh, we are off again to [Kiyomizu Temple]. Being on the rim of the Kyoto valley, there is a climb up a long street (with a very tourist focus) to the temple and the surrounding pagodas and buildings. At Zuigudo Hall we venture into a rather unusual aspect where we go - shoes off - downstairs into a pitch black path to see a very special rock - presumably sacred. The main feature - the temple - is beautiful and set amongst a large garden with many other buildings. Somewhere we hear that this is also a lovely spot to visit at night as there is a light show.

Back onto another crowded bus and travel further out to the [Ginkaku-ji Temple] - aka the Silver Pavilion. This also has a pavilion similar to Kinkaku-ji (but not covered in Gold), a raked garden and a large surrounding garden (we are probably starting to be templed out by now), with splendid views.

Exiting here, we find ourselves on the [Philosophers' Path]. This is truly gorgeous with the Cherry Blossoms enveloping the lane and watercourse. The path is not very touristy and this is a very pleasant relief after all the crowds and knick-knack shops.

Completing the path, we find our way to a bus-stop (after a couple of attempts) to make our way to [Gion]. It is now around 5pm and the traffic is increasing and buses are crowded. Arriving in Gion, we stumble down a large alley only to find this is where the Geisha girls are - Gion Corner is at the end of this. It is also the time that the Geisha's are rushing - literally - between locations (the timing was planned). The rushing and crowds are such that our reaction time for a photo is never enough.

Word gets out that one is about to climb into a taxi just nearby. We have prime spots and stand for a good 15 mins with cameras ready (along with 50 others) crowded around a taxi and an adjacent doorway - we might as well have been paparazzi. Eventually two appear - their speed don't make for good photo's - straight into the taxi and away. All up we had seen 4 Geisha'a and scored 4 blurred photos.

We leave the alley and find a restaurant for dinner, then head wearily back to the hotel (by bus) so we can plan our day at Nara!

Thursday 1st April

* Weather - Mild
* Day trip from Kyoto

The train (a Rapid Express) pulls in and we walk out of [Nara] station - currently being refurbished. We pick a popular street (everyone else is heading this way, and the map indicates it is key) to find a long touristy strip (Sanjo Dori). It leads to some a lake where some turtles are enjoying the water.

On the left is a three story pagoda and a hall being the start of the [Kofukuji Temple]. Down the other end is the actual Temple, the foundations of the original building, and a five story pagoda. Here there are also the famed deer, however rather than butting or brushing up against us, they gave our empty hands a gruff look and turned away in search of someone with real food.

Progressing further we pass the National Museum (not open yet) and find a tourist information centre. The lady is very helpful and points out the local highlights on a map. We thank her and head out. Just up the street is a shrine enshrouded with cherry blossoms making a lovely picture spot.

We now head toward the Great Buddha at [Todaiji Temple]. The building, grounds, statues and the Buddha are very impressive. The cherry blossoms, again make this extra special. R lights some incense and we tour the Buddha statue itself.

Exiting we climb the hill to Nigatsu-do and Sangatsu-do Halls, where we need to rest. Yesterday's trek around Kyoto is catching up and dampening the beauty of Nara. After exploring this area, we follow the path along the edge of Mt Wakakusa-yama Hill (the sign actually says mountain). This is rather pleasant, mainly because there are no crowds, just a few shops and a few deer.

At the end of the path, we find ourselves at [Kasuga Taisha]. We find ourselves amongst tourists again, but this confirms that this is a key location. The buildings are lovely and we continue into a garden with an abundance of stone lanterns. There are other smaller shrines, including one draped in red flags.

Alas we are again templed (and walking) weary, so we start heading back to the town centre (also hungry). However as we exit Nara Park, we decide to detour round to the older part of town (Nara-Machi). We pass by a lake with an unusual history and then round into some suburban street lined with cherry blossoms. Eventually we give up on chasing this area (too hungry) and wander down a shopping mall back to Sanjo Dori where we grab a hamburger from a local fast food restaurant. From here we return to Nara station and return to Kyoto.

Back at Kyoto, we recoup and head out for dinner at the Porta shopping complex. We have some nice Tempura which is a nice contrast to our lunch. From here we head up the [Kyoto Tower]. The views here are broad, including being able to see the spot light at Kiyomizu Temple. The view of the bus and taxi ranks at Kyoto Station will be a good reminder of what we have passed to get here.

It has been a big couple of days.

Friday 2nd April
Weather: Cool and Showery

Up early, find a breaky spot in the Station, before finishing packing, storing luggage (for our return in 3 days) and checking out. Then off we go to back to the train station for our trip to Koyosan.

Friday 2nd April

* Weather: Cold

The train from Kyoto was pleasant and comfortable. Trains to Koyosan are not part of the JR network so this cost a bit to catch - we later realise we had caught the reserved train and an economy version followed behind. We arrived at Gokurakubashi to find a cable car was required to take us up the (very) steep mountain side to Koyosan Station. Koyosan Station was rapidly becoming enshrouded in mist, and once a second train load of tourists arrived, we went along a bus only mountain route into the heart of Koyosan, and eventually onto the Shojoshin-in temple - our accommodation.

We arrive with two other couples - a welsh couple and another couple from Brisbane. We check in and are shown our [Ryokan]. The presumed original style we anticipated was dampenned by the TV set and the kettle (apparently there is wireless internet as well), but otherwise the room seemed authentic - sliding doors, thin wood panel walls and doors, bed on the floor and low table in a small sun room. The host explained how to use the leg-warmer under the table (fabulous) and outlined the procedures and expectations.

We head back out to the adjoining [Okunoin cemetery]. The lines of tombs are very awesome, with a few very original styles. Here we see the buddha's with aprons, some living in knots of trees, memorials to war heroes and memorials to others in WWII. There are some very old tombs here, but the language means their significance is lost on us.

The cold is also starting to get to us, so we head back out of the cemetery and uptown. The town style reminds us of a hinterland - not many people about and lovely buildings nestled in a valley. We decide to have a cuppa in an art shop and are pleasantly surprised at the warmth inside. A German lady chats with us and we relax in the lovely atmosphere.

We head back to the ryokan, and try on our our [yukuta] before waiting to be rung to attend dinner. Dinner is a kneeling affair, being a banquet of cold vegetarian traditional food (even the tempura is cold) - thank goodness for the warm miso soup, rice and tea.

After dinner (including the awkward moment of can we leave yet???) we head up for an [onsen]. While not large, the bath is very hot and pleasant. The Welsh couple also attend, making some company.

Returning to the room, we head off to bed for a quiet evening.

Saturday 3rd April

* Weather: cold but sunny

The rooster (R's phone) goes off early so we can attend prayers with the monks. The ceremony is interesting, but very cold - especially sitting there with no shoes. The ceremony is followed by breakfast - another cold vegetarian spread with warm miso soup (despite the cold spread, both meals have been lovely).

Time to pack, but we decide to go for a walk prior to checking out. We head down the road to an alternate entrance to the [cemetery]. This is much more the main entrance and we follow the path to the Lantern Hall (where lanterns have been continually lit for 1000 years). We light an incense stick (after someone demonstrating this to us - there is a hot rock in the centre) and enjoy the grand building.

We return back to Shojoshin-in to check out, then head up town for a bus to the cable car, down (stunning how steep this is) the cable car to Gokurakubashi then on Kansai train to Namba (in Osaka). This time we catch the economy and the ride is very long - stopping at all stations down the mountain - thank goodness for the scenery.

Saturday 3rd April

* Weather: Mild

We arrive at Namba station which feeds onto a large underground shopping mall and train interchange. We are weary from the long (all stations) trip from Koyosan and hungry. We spot a McDonalds and decide we need to re-tox our bodies with some junk food. While R orders some burgers and fries, I notice there are 3 sumo competitors ordering - obvious by their clothing and hairdo's (not to mention their builds). Very funny.

We trek the train station, then finally with some assistance from an information desk, we find exit 14 which spills out onto a large street some 100m from the Cross Hotel.

After checking in to our room we head out to explore the local area. We find the big [shopping strip] - obviously VERY popular, and we take a wander. We cross a bridge and find a barge tour up and down the local river. The guide is very effervescent but as the entire spiel is in Japanese, we can just take in the sights. Heading back we enter the VERY crowded [Shinsaibashi Shopping Mall] and R purchases her own 1000yen watch.

Still weary, we return back to the room and grab a nap. At night we head into the station's underground complex and find some dinner and instructions for tomorrow's leg of the trip. We do try an internet cafe, but find that the information desk is much better.

Sunday 4th April

* Weather: Warm and Sunny

We head out for some early (7:30) breakfast and find the area transformed - the crowds are all gone (they must sleep in on Sunday's), and unlike almost all the other places we have been, there is still a lot of rubbish on the ground. We find that this is too early for most shops (besides the ubiquitous Maccas), so we return and come out at 8am where we find a nice bakery - Solare where we test our wits with the language.

We ring our son and get a report about home before packing then checking out.

We follow the train plan to the letter (there are about 3 changes required) and find ourselves on an all-stations to Hiroshima express. The train is very comfortable and spacy, however there are no tea ladies or vending machines, and the time in stations frustrates us as we watch real expresses zoom past. Eventually I run out onto a station and grab some drinks from a vending machine and we relax for the remainder of the trip to Hiroshima (some 3 hours).