Japan Trip Report
Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:06 PM
#21
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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We arrive and lock our bag in a on-station locker, before finding a tram to the Peace Park.
Hiroshima was high on my must see list and it was a great day to visit the [Peace Park]. The sun was out and there was a festival on in the park with a riverbank performance and many families enjoying the cherry-blossom filled park with picnics.
We see the atomic dome, the various monuments to peace, and we tour the [Museum] and memorial. The park and sights are crowded and there is no sense of sadness, more a future feel to the place. We have enough time to explore the place properly and P even gets to do a [geocache]. We discuss the chance of re-visiting this on our return path tomorrow.
I had expected the park to be serene with a deep feeling of sadness, but rather the large number of people enjoying the day, the Japanese Elvis impersonator and the cherry blossoms, had an uplifting effect.
We catch the tram back to the station and find the train (a local JR one) to the ferry to Miyajima.
Hiroshima was high on my must see list and it was a great day to visit the [Peace Park]. The sun was out and there was a festival on in the park with a riverbank performance and many families enjoying the cherry-blossom filled park with picnics.
We see the atomic dome, the various monuments to peace, and we tour the [Museum] and memorial. The park and sights are crowded and there is no sense of sadness, more a future feel to the place. We have enough time to explore the place properly and P even gets to do a [geocache]. We discuss the chance of re-visiting this on our return path tomorrow.
I had expected the park to be serene with a deep feeling of sadness, but rather the large number of people enjoying the day, the Japanese Elvis impersonator and the cherry blossoms, had an uplifting effect.
We catch the tram back to the station and find the train (a local JR one) to the ferry to Miyajima.
Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:10 PM
#22
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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Sunday 4th April
* Weather: Sunny
The train from Hiroshima dropped us at a local port and we made our way across to the ferry - including crossing a street that required going through a subway. The ferry was short, smooth and has a view of the Torii gate; we soon arrived at Miyajima port where we tried to call for the Iwaso bus to collect us. While doing this it arrived and took us winding up and around the back of the village to the [Iwaso Ryokan]. We checked in and saw our room, learn the procedures, then found directions to the Torii gate - which was just near the port. We were stunned to find it was only 300m away!
The town is lovely - obviously a local resort for families to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon. A tourist takes our photo with a backdrop of some cherry blossoms and encourages us to try the local oysters. We grab some great photos of the sights and walk out to the gate (low tide).
Both cameras start to run out of batteries and we find ourselves a little lost with the way back. We resolve this to make it back for dinner in our rooms - being served by a lady rushing in and out of the room with each course. The meal (multiple courses) is very filling with plenty of seafood and unusually - no miso soup! The meal was delightful!
After dinner we go out for another wander and capture some night photo's - the lights on the gate and the nearby pagoda are fabulous. We return (no problems this time) to find the dining table has been replaced with a bed (also on the floor) and head down for a very hot onsen before heading off to bed.
Monday 5th April
* Weather: Cool then Sunny
After awaking, we dressed in our [yukata's] and headed downstairs for breakfast. On return, we found the bed gone and the table was back in its place. Having enjoyed last night's onsen, we returned there again before packing and checking out.
We left our bags at Iwaso and headed for a walk up to the ropeway. The walk up to the ropeway was very pretty and we caught a family getting a few snaps near a waterfall. Climbing onto the ropeway, we ascended up (and up) across the front of the island. The ropeway is in two sections and you change cars in between. The second one is very crowded and crosses a valley to the viewpoint at the start of the walking trail. This view overlooks further islands in the large bay with several oyster farms. We start our walk down then up and up to the top of [Mt Misen]. Here we see serveral deer but no monkeys (there are several signs warning that the monkeys can attack).
We had met a couple from Melbourne in the car up and were re-united with them here. We enjoy an ice cream and get a few snaps before making our way to the down trail. There are also a few temples/shrines up here that enjoy broad views.
The trail down is almost all stairs - Mt Misen is some 500m above sea level and our return point is essentially sea level. The steps wind and wind and by the time we emerge near [Daisho-in Temple], our legs are like jelly and we do not want to see stairs for a very long time. Strangely almost all the people we passed said konichiwa to us - the most common thing said and the most number of times in the entire trip.
Once back in the village, we go to see the Torii gate again, grab some oysters and fried snacks from a street stall before heading back to Iwaso to grab our bags and head off. We have enjoyed our time here immensely but need to be getting on our way.
We re-trace our steps across the ferry, along the local train to Hiroshima then onto a Shinkasen. This time we take an hour to get from Hiroshima to Osaka - oh so fast - we will be back in Kyoto very soon.
* Weather: Sunny
The train from Hiroshima dropped us at a local port and we made our way across to the ferry - including crossing a street that required going through a subway. The ferry was short, smooth and has a view of the Torii gate; we soon arrived at Miyajima port where we tried to call for the Iwaso bus to collect us. While doing this it arrived and took us winding up and around the back of the village to the [Iwaso Ryokan]. We checked in and saw our room, learn the procedures, then found directions to the Torii gate - which was just near the port. We were stunned to find it was only 300m away!
The town is lovely - obviously a local resort for families to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon. A tourist takes our photo with a backdrop of some cherry blossoms and encourages us to try the local oysters. We grab some great photos of the sights and walk out to the gate (low tide).
Both cameras start to run out of batteries and we find ourselves a little lost with the way back. We resolve this to make it back for dinner in our rooms - being served by a lady rushing in and out of the room with each course. The meal (multiple courses) is very filling with plenty of seafood and unusually - no miso soup! The meal was delightful!
After dinner we go out for another wander and capture some night photo's - the lights on the gate and the nearby pagoda are fabulous. We return (no problems this time) to find the dining table has been replaced with a bed (also on the floor) and head down for a very hot onsen before heading off to bed.
Monday 5th April
* Weather: Cool then Sunny
After awaking, we dressed in our [yukata's] and headed downstairs for breakfast. On return, we found the bed gone and the table was back in its place. Having enjoyed last night's onsen, we returned there again before packing and checking out.
We left our bags at Iwaso and headed for a walk up to the ropeway. The walk up to the ropeway was very pretty and we caught a family getting a few snaps near a waterfall. Climbing onto the ropeway, we ascended up (and up) across the front of the island. The ropeway is in two sections and you change cars in between. The second one is very crowded and crosses a valley to the viewpoint at the start of the walking trail. This view overlooks further islands in the large bay with several oyster farms. We start our walk down then up and up to the top of [Mt Misen]. Here we see serveral deer but no monkeys (there are several signs warning that the monkeys can attack).
We had met a couple from Melbourne in the car up and were re-united with them here. We enjoy an ice cream and get a few snaps before making our way to the down trail. There are also a few temples/shrines up here that enjoy broad views.
The trail down is almost all stairs - Mt Misen is some 500m above sea level and our return point is essentially sea level. The steps wind and wind and by the time we emerge near [Daisho-in Temple], our legs are like jelly and we do not want to see stairs for a very long time. Strangely almost all the people we passed said konichiwa to us - the most common thing said and the most number of times in the entire trip.
Once back in the village, we go to see the Torii gate again, grab some oysters and fried snacks from a street stall before heading back to Iwaso to grab our bags and head off. We have enjoyed our time here immensely but need to be getting on our way.
We re-trace our steps across the ferry, along the local train to Hiroshima then onto a Shinkasen. This time we take an hour to get from Hiroshima to Osaka - oh so fast - we will be back in Kyoto very soon.
Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:12 PM
#23
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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Kyoto again-This is essentially a stop over at a lovely city that we had explored before.
Monday 5th April
* Weather: Cooling
The Shinkasen back from Hiroshima was very pleasant and fast (258kph!), however we picked the slow train from Shin-Osaka to here - oh well. Arriving later in the afternoon, we check back into the [Granvia Hotel], re-unite with our bags (and fresh changes of clothes!) and rest.
We drop back down to the Porta shopping complex and enjoy some tempura for dinner at a restaurant we had used before - we are old hands at this now!
Tuesday 6th April
We are up early to checkout, forward luggage and off for breakfast at a bakery in the Station. We hop on a Shinkasen to Odawara on our way to Hakone.
WikiHome
Monday 5th April
* Weather: Cooling
The Shinkasen back from Hiroshima was very pleasant and fast (258kph!), however we picked the slow train from Shin-Osaka to here - oh well. Arriving later in the afternoon, we check back into the [Granvia Hotel], re-unite with our bags (and fresh changes of clothes!) and rest.
We drop back down to the Porta shopping complex and enjoy some tempura for dinner at a restaurant we had used before - we are old hands at this now!
Tuesday 6th April
We are up early to checkout, forward luggage and off for breakfast at a bakery in the Station. We hop on a Shinkasen to Odawara on our way to Hakone.
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Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:20 PM
#24
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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Hakone was key for its vantage point of seeing [Mt Fuji], but has many other features as well. Mt Fuji was definitely the key feature and while it was a shame it didn't come out of the clouds, the general statement is that you had to be there in Jan-Feb to see it.
Tuesday 6th April
* Weather: Cool
The Shinkasen pulled into Odawara and we found our way to a crowded local train. R spotted a free pass sales point at the JR station which made our stay very easy. This crowded train confuses us and we almost miss the connection at Hakone-Yumoto up to Gora where the Hyatt resort is. This final link (a [twin car train]) does a zig-zag up the mountainous area up to Gora. There is a Cable Car here but a lift from the Hyatt arrives and takes us up by road.
After checking in (too early to go to the room), we venture out again by catching a cable car back down to Gora for a sandwich.
Returning to the Cable Car, we have a patient ride back to the top (Sousan) where we hop on the Ropeway up to [Owakudani] where sulphurous springs are all around. We venture around along with many other tourists exploring the sources of hot springs and hoping that Mt Fuji will bless our visit with a showing, however it remains hidden. The sulphur smell reminds us of Roturua in New Zealand and the place looks like many people have started mining for things here - just an appearance.
My camera has run out of space and the crowds are on the annoying side but being 1000m up, the view is great.
We continue along the Ropeway to [Lake Ashi]. This is a lovely area with the tourist sailing boats and many smaller craft. However our tired legs (we still find it hard to descend steps), and the cold, so we return to the Hyatt over the Ropeway and Cable Car.
The room is lovely, the largest on the trip (and most expensive). We try on our [Yukatas] - and we head to drinks in the lounge with other guests. After drinks we dress for our French Dinner - a lovely steak and desert where we thoroughly confused the waiters with a question. After dinner we retire for a relaxing onsen. For me (P), this was a little confronting as a Dad had taken his young daughter into the men's only bath...
After watching a movie (on TV), it is time for bed. I could get used to this...
Wednesday 7th April
* Weather: cool then raining
Breakfast is western style and thoroughly filling, after which we pack, have a final onsen (this time the Dad had both daughters there??), checkout and leave our bags while we head off again.
We retrace our steps back up the Cable Car, over the Ropeway and down to Lake Ashi. Fuji remains hidden and the clouds are closing in with the occasional mist.
We grab a drink before boarding the Pirate ship tourist boats to cross Lake Ashi. It is now raining and we have no hope of seeing Mt Fuji from these premier spots. The lake itself is lovely and broad. Around the banks are the occasional Torii Gates and small towns/villages. The mist/rain adds to the atmosphere and means the decks are empty (everyone is inside).
We land at the other side and browse a local souvenir shop before catching a bus back to Gora. However we decide to get off early and make our own way back to Gora. We walk past the Hakone Open Air Museum, but the inclement weather drives us on past it. Just up the road we reunite with the zig-zag railway heading back to Gora. A billboard allows us to get a nice picture with Mt Fuji -funny. We close the loop with the train to Gora and the Cable Car back to the Hyatt.
Tuesday 6th April
* Weather: Cool
The Shinkasen pulled into Odawara and we found our way to a crowded local train. R spotted a free pass sales point at the JR station which made our stay very easy. This crowded train confuses us and we almost miss the connection at Hakone-Yumoto up to Gora where the Hyatt resort is. This final link (a [twin car train]) does a zig-zag up the mountainous area up to Gora. There is a Cable Car here but a lift from the Hyatt arrives and takes us up by road.
After checking in (too early to go to the room), we venture out again by catching a cable car back down to Gora for a sandwich.
Returning to the Cable Car, we have a patient ride back to the top (Sousan) where we hop on the Ropeway up to [Owakudani] where sulphurous springs are all around. We venture around along with many other tourists exploring the sources of hot springs and hoping that Mt Fuji will bless our visit with a showing, however it remains hidden. The sulphur smell reminds us of Roturua in New Zealand and the place looks like many people have started mining for things here - just an appearance.
My camera has run out of space and the crowds are on the annoying side but being 1000m up, the view is great.
We continue along the Ropeway to [Lake Ashi]. This is a lovely area with the tourist sailing boats and many smaller craft. However our tired legs (we still find it hard to descend steps), and the cold, so we return to the Hyatt over the Ropeway and Cable Car.
The room is lovely, the largest on the trip (and most expensive). We try on our [Yukatas] - and we head to drinks in the lounge with other guests. After drinks we dress for our French Dinner - a lovely steak and desert where we thoroughly confused the waiters with a question. After dinner we retire for a relaxing onsen. For me (P), this was a little confronting as a Dad had taken his young daughter into the men's only bath...
After watching a movie (on TV), it is time for bed. I could get used to this...
Wednesday 7th April
* Weather: cool then raining
Breakfast is western style and thoroughly filling, after which we pack, have a final onsen (this time the Dad had both daughters there??), checkout and leave our bags while we head off again.
We retrace our steps back up the Cable Car, over the Ropeway and down to Lake Ashi. Fuji remains hidden and the clouds are closing in with the occasional mist.
We grab a drink before boarding the Pirate ship tourist boats to cross Lake Ashi. It is now raining and we have no hope of seeing Mt Fuji from these premier spots. The lake itself is lovely and broad. Around the banks are the occasional Torii Gates and small towns/villages. The mist/rain adds to the atmosphere and means the decks are empty (everyone is inside).
We land at the other side and browse a local souvenir shop before catching a bus back to Gora. However we decide to get off early and make our own way back to Gora. We walk past the Hakone Open Air Museum, but the inclement weather drives us on past it. Just up the road we reunite with the zig-zag railway heading back to Gora. A billboard allows us to get a nice picture with Mt Fuji -funny. We close the loop with the train to Gora and the Cable Car back to the Hyatt.
Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:23 PM
#25
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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We grab our bags and a lift back to Gora for a leg 1 of our trip to Tokyo. This is very crowded with a tour and a school excursion travelling also returning in the small train. Legs 2 (Yumanto -> Odawara) and 3 (Odawara to Tokyo) are very comfortable and fast. Arriving in Tokyo means one more train change and finding our Hotel.
We have a saying that in terms of travel, there is little difference between cities - lots of buildings, traffic, shops and people. This time we enjoyed the other saying - anything is what you make of it, and we got to see much more of Tokyo than intended and enjoyed it immensely.
Wednesday 7th April
* Weather: Cool
The final leg of our train trip from Hakone (Shinagawa to Shinjuku) is crowded (as you would expect for 4:55pm) and find the hotel. It is very handy to the train station and also starts 20 floors up in an office building. The views are great and we are happy to re-unite with our luggage.
We try the hotel restaurant for dinner (steak and chicken) before turning in.
Thursday 8th April
* Weather
unny with a cold wind
We have breakfast at Krispy Kreme's before catching a train for our Day trip to Kamakura.
The return trip allows us to hop off at [Shinbuya] (close to Shinjuku). We wander around the immediate area looking for famous intersection, and with some assistance, we find it. It is frantic - a five ways with people everywhere! We cross over to Starbucks (which overlooks the intersection) and along with a couple from Dallas, we grab a couple of naughty (cannot photograph unless you buy coffee) of us each. The game of where's wally can be assisted by the red jumper and the blue jumper we were wearing.
We have a saying that in terms of travel, there is little difference between cities - lots of buildings, traffic, shops and people. This time we enjoyed the other saying - anything is what you make of it, and we got to see much more of Tokyo than intended and enjoyed it immensely.
Wednesday 7th April
* Weather: Cool
The final leg of our train trip from Hakone (Shinagawa to Shinjuku) is crowded (as you would expect for 4:55pm) and find the hotel. It is very handy to the train station and also starts 20 floors up in an office building. The views are great and we are happy to re-unite with our luggage.
We try the hotel restaurant for dinner (steak and chicken) before turning in.
Thursday 8th April
* Weather
unny with a cold wind We have breakfast at Krispy Kreme's before catching a train for our Day trip to Kamakura.
The return trip allows us to hop off at [Shinbuya] (close to Shinjuku). We wander around the immediate area looking for famous intersection, and with some assistance, we find it. It is frantic - a five ways with people everywhere! We cross over to Starbucks (which overlooks the intersection) and along with a couple from Dallas, we grab a couple of naughty (cannot photograph unless you buy coffee) of us each. The game of where's wally can be assisted by the red jumper and the blue jumper we were wearing.
Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:33 PM
#26
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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Friday 9th April
Caught train to Kamakura, a seaside town about an hour from Tokyo. Lots of tourists (local and foreign)seem to visit here. We walk to to water which is pleasant but this is nothing spectacular to us as we are accustomed to beautiful beaches. We then catch a bus that takes us to a giant buddha, again this is pleasant. We then stroll around the shops and decide to head back to Tokyo.
Back in Tokyo we head to the Imperial Palace. We thoroughly enjoy this and take many photos. We walk around the financial business district and have lunch at a lovely restaurant with a lot of business people.
We head back to our hotel for an icecream and then we decide that as this is our last night in Japan we'll head into Shibuya for sightseeing and dinner.
Caught train to Kamakura, a seaside town about an hour from Tokyo. Lots of tourists (local and foreign)seem to visit here. We walk to to water which is pleasant but this is nothing spectacular to us as we are accustomed to beautiful beaches. We then catch a bus that takes us to a giant buddha, again this is pleasant. We then stroll around the shops and decide to head back to Tokyo.
Back in Tokyo we head to the Imperial Palace. We thoroughly enjoy this and take many photos. We walk around the financial business district and have lunch at a lovely restaurant with a lot of business people.
We head back to our hotel for an icecream and then we decide that as this is our last night in Japan we'll head into Shibuya for sightseeing and dinner.
Jul 17th, 2010 | 09:52 PM
#27
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
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Saturday 10th April,
Home day- we have had a fantastic time exploring Japan. We packed in so much and had many wonderful experiences. So whilst we are sad to be leaving we are excited to be going home also.
Our plane doesn't leave to about 8pm so we pack more exploring around our hotel area into the day. We go shopping, eating our last local Japanese food and even go to a basketball game ( this was an unexpected highlight that we just stumbled across. Returning to our hotel to collect our luggage we then catch the limosine bus service back to the international airport. Off back to Australia- flight about 9 hours. Arrive in Cairns at about 7am and the temperature is already about 28 degrees celcius !!! lol
Some major areas that made the trip work well were:
* Language issues were minor - they did occur, but were usually overcome
* Suitcase forwarding and holding was wonderful
* Japan Rail and [Hyperdia] +++++
* Japan's comprehensive Rail Network (wonderful) including the [Shinkasen's]
* A lovely and polite population
* Clean water and no-issue with food
* Simple money
Hope everyone has enjoyed reading our trip report and gains something from it. I know we learnt so much when planning our trip from reading about other people's experiences. This truly is a great site!!
Home day- we have had a fantastic time exploring Japan. We packed in so much and had many wonderful experiences. So whilst we are sad to be leaving we are excited to be going home also.
Our plane doesn't leave to about 8pm so we pack more exploring around our hotel area into the day. We go shopping, eating our last local Japanese food and even go to a basketball game ( this was an unexpected highlight that we just stumbled across. Returning to our hotel to collect our luggage we then catch the limosine bus service back to the international airport. Off back to Australia- flight about 9 hours. Arrive in Cairns at about 7am and the temperature is already about 28 degrees celcius !!! lol
Some major areas that made the trip work well were:
* Language issues were minor - they did occur, but were usually overcome
* Suitcase forwarding and holding was wonderful
* Japan Rail and [Hyperdia] +++++
* Japan's comprehensive Rail Network (wonderful) including the [Shinkasen's]
* A lovely and polite population
* Clean water and no-issue with food
* Simple money
Hope everyone has enjoyed reading our trip report and gains something from it. I know we learnt so much when planning our trip from reading about other people's experiences. This truly is a great site!!
Jul 18th, 2010 | 07:18 AM
#29
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Thanks for the time spent on your trip report. We are going to Japan October 7th - would you recomend all of the hotels you stayed at during your trip? Based on location, value, etc? Having a hard time deciding and was going to use most of your recommendations? Any rememberance of the costs? Thanks, Barbe
Jul 19th, 2010 | 10:14 AM
#30
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 0
Thanks for this fantastic report! One of the more detailed ones that have been done in a while. I could see that after a few days you got comfortable with Japan travel and it all started to flow very well. Too bad you didn't have luck with Fujisan. I know how fickle she can be, believe me. Maybe next time......
Aloha!
Aloha!
