I just came back from Japan. I had the chance to visit Kyoto, Nara, Koya San, Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Osaka.

As usual, I am putting my photos, travel tips and trip reports on my blog (www.jeremierita.canalblog.com). It's being updated almost on a daily basis.

If you need info or travel tips, don't hesitate to ask!

Jeremie

Thank you Jeremie. Beautiful photos. I'm reading your Kyoto report with interest and looking forward to future ones.

Just updated the Tokyo section.

Jeremie, interesting blog and great photos! Thanks for sharing

Jeremie,

thanks a lot for the great photos and information. I have a few questions if you don't mind. We will visit Japan soon and would like to see a Kabuki play. Shall we order tickets early or when we get there? Also, where is it better to do it--in Kyoto or Tokyo?

Also, we would like to know if it's easy to do Japan on our own. We don't like tours unless it's something very complicated. We travel in Europe independently quite successfully but are a little bit nervous to do it in Japan. Is it easy to find the right platforms, trains, buses, and the attractions independently or you recommend tours? Do they have enough signs in English?

Thanks a lot.

Travelling in Japan is a breeze. It is not a problem to travel on your own. Signs in major train stations and in subways are in English, everything is extremely well organised, many people speak English and everybody is very keen to help. You will not face any difficulty.

Kabuki is very popular (with Japanese and tourists alike), it is definitely best to book several days in advance. There are no differences between watching a play in Tokyo or Kyoto.

Have a good trip!

Ah! Jeremie and Rita...I've read your blogs for some time now. I love your attitudes. I think I stayed up all night once reading them...haha. You always travel to such wonderful places; I get inspired from your trips and photos. I'm looking forward to reading what you've discovered in Japan. As usual, merci for posting.

lol...meant "stayed up all night reading your blog..."

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to our first trip to Kyoto in about a week or so. You have a great eye !!! Loving your blog AND your photos.

Thanks!
Just posted Takayama. Soon to come: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Osaka.

Hi Jeremie,
Great trip report. I see that you have traveled to many great places. I was wondering on your thoughts about traveling to Japan vs. Bali. I would like to travel to asia but also be able to see beautiful scenery, and walks as well as expierence culture. Which was your favorite of the two? I know they are very differnt places. Did you find it was hard to find quaint places in Japn that were not so urban?
Any help would be great
Jen

I really loved both. But Japan is definitely my favourite. In some areas, the urban life is predominant of course, but one can quickly escape the cities and life in rural areas is stunning. Many deserted places (not only in the islands in the north or the south), the whole moutain range is superb and not to be missed. In a few hours, you will be so far away from cities' big lights.
Japan's culture is fascinating.
A wonderful country.

How very lucky we all are to be able to see your photos and read your blog.

Thanks!

Jeremie, beatiful photos!

I have a question for you about Takayama. What time were you there? Seems like in April. Were that cold and snowing in April? I am still trying to decide wether to include Takayama into my April trip, and it seems like you did not have a chance to do much sightseeing there due to cold.

Hi Jeremie, we are planning a trip to Japan this winter and will be going to Hiroshima. There are four of us and will be there for 2 nights. Do you have a recommendation on where to stay?

Takayama was quite cold indeed in August. A nice place though, well worth the trip

Stormygirl, you might wish to look at Tip of the Day section under the Hiroshima entry of my blog. All info is there for accommodation and restaurants.

Enjoy!

Gina_07, I suggest you choose Tokyo (the Kabuki-za in Ginza) for kabuki. See http://tinyurl.com/xpu
We went last week, and just took in a single play on a walk-in basis. You line up for the seats (no pre-booking) about 45 minutes beforehand, and pay about ¥1,100 each for an evening show. Great camaraderie in the lineup with advice and tips from Japanese Kabuki regulars. English headsets cost about ¥650 and are well worth it. (Fodor's guidebook says they don't work in the upper gallery--not true.)
We tried for kabuki in Kyoto in December, but tickets were sold out; they offered us a January show, but you had to buy the whole 3-4 hour performance at pretty hefty prices. For us, a one-hour play was, though terrifically enjoyable, plenty of exposure.

Just updated the photo section. Can be found here: http://jeremierita.canalblog.com/alb..._08/index.html

The blog entries can be found here: http://jeremierita.canalblog.com/arc...pan/index.html