Land of the Rising Sun - JAPAN
2017 - Tokyo &
5/2023: Tokyo, Hakodate - Hokkaido, Nagoya, Kyoto & Osaka
1/1/2017: How to fly: Flew from Thailand to Japan. So fortunate to arrive on 1/1/2017 at 5 a.m. from Thailand to Haneda, Japan, and everyone welcomed the sun for the new year 2017 (as we flew into Japan, you could see everyone outside welcoming the sun) - an important day in Japan.
Things to do during an almost entire day layover in Japan: We took the train from Haneda airport to Tokyo on a clear 1/1/17 and we were fortunate to see Mt. Fuji an active volcano, southwest of Tokyo. It is called “Fuji-san,” the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s been considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Its iconic profile is the subject of numerous works of art. - on the way back to the airport it was foggy and we could not see it. We visited downtown Tokyo; the temple since it was an auspicious day for the people there; The Palace, Ginza, ate lunch, most of the stores were closed, so just enjoyed walking around.
Took this pic. from the train
Quite a complicated train system but we were lucky a musician & actor partners took us under their wings and took us practically all the way to Ginza from Haneda Airport monorail/metro -
The ppl are so amazing in Japan - the most respectful, kind, and humble people I have ever met.
Then all the rush of cars because the Princess of the Palace at (Ginza) .....
Shrine/Temple - Ginza, Tokyo
Long lines on the first of January as most folks lined up to go to the temple, and we did too!
Enjoyed the Japanese food and the only restaurant that seemed to be open on the 1/1/17 -
5/21/2023 Hakodate, Hokkaido - Japan
My husband was on a business trip, and I had fun adventuring northern part of Japan!
Travel: 5/21/23: Took a flight on United directly from SFO in the a.m. from SFO to Tokyo; then a domestic flight to Hakodate. It was tiring, but we were happy to arrive from the airport via taxi to the Where to stay: Banso Onsen Ryokan - Hakodate - to relax and unwind. Divine setting in the natural hot springs, silk bath, and all the different areas for stress relief, all naked (women and men were separate), so a very similar way the Korean baths are in the U.S. which I'm very familiar with, and have done over many years). We loved the soaking and had a good rest from the travel overnight in the traditional Japanese-style suite (taking Yen from your bank in the U.S. is the best thing to do). The next morning we took a stroll on the beach and then enjoyed the wonderful buffet of Japanese breakfast (lots of fish and everything you wanted to eat). We then checked out and went to the main area of Hakodate City in the early afternoon of 4/22/23 and stayed at The Fourpoints Hakodate Hotel.
5/22/23-5/24: Stayed at The Fourpoints Hotel: What to see & transportation: took the taxi everywhere; best onsen in the area is the Century Marina Onsen - amazing overlooking the port of Hakodate; Russian Orthodox Church, saw the Old Public Hall, Kanimori red brick houses, Motomachi districts, Mount Hakodate at night, Goryokaku Fort is a massive star shaped western style citadel and the Park and ate delicious sea food everywhere.
5/22/23: I took a taxi to the Motomachi Heritage District; visited the Russian Orthodox Church - it was so peaceful to just sit and meditate in the church, visited the Public Hall - yellow building below, was happy to see some blossoms at the end of the season and talking to the wonderful people of Japan.
Where to stay: Marriott Associa Nagoya Hotel: Travel - flew to Nagoya from Hakodate
Things to do:
To the right - Daniel & Peers
How to: We took the Shinkansen bullet train from Nagoya to Kyoto; it was not as fast as I thought, but enjoyed the 1 hr and 45 minute train ride and seeing many rice fields and some places along the way.
People of Japan doing pottery, and loved that we asked if we could take a pic. of them!
Where to Stay: The suggestion is to find an Onsen - the one we had was just ok: Transportation: we took taxis everywhere
Things to do:
in Kyoto - Kyoto was the capital of Japan and is on the island of Honshu. It has many Buddhist temples, palaces, and gardens.
:, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses.
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple; Gion district (female entertainers); Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Travel - took a bus to Osaka, then a flight to Tokyo and flew back to SFO via United
Things to do: Kinkaku-ji Temple below is the most iconic sight in Kyoto and reflects in the pond.
Unesco World Heritage Site and was constructed in the 14th century by the Ashikaga clan
What to do: Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Grove:
(We took a taxi from our hotel to the grove and gardens). It is situated in the village of Sagano on the west side of the city, the path through the Arashiyama bamboo grove is magical and watching the light on the forest floor.
Beautiful forest and standing amid those soarding stalks of bamboo is amazing; loved the serene surroundings even though it was busy with tourists everywhere
