anaroundtheworld: Japan

Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Day 9 : Kamakura

As we were so found of Tokyo we decided to go to Kamakura on Sunday. We took a train, like half of the population of Tokyo it seemed. Then we asked a WONDERFUL lady at the Information desk what we should do and she directed towards the Daibutsu. Some good pictures but I have to say that after Myanmar, Buddha won't be any attraction to me anymore and for the next 20 years.

Then, we walk towards the Hase-Dera. On your way just before reaching the temple, have a look at the little shop selling 2nd hand Kimonos. All prices and all qualities and a lot of nice gifts to do.

Day 10 : Rest in Tokyo

Our last day strolling in Tokyo and in the parks such as the Imperial Palace one which one finally open.

We were just waiting for our bus we were taking at 11PM to Nagoya to take our plane the next morning.

Day 7 : Arriving in Tokyo...

Hating the bus... Bad day!

We 1st went to our hostel to leave our bags : Tokyo Backpackers. This might be the cheapest in Tokyo but we have to say this is a dodgy area. Curiously enough, more during the day than at night; But still being 5 girls we were not feeling THAT comfortable coming back at night.

So for our 1st day we just went to Ginza to see the luxury shops 'impressive if you're interested by the way). We also went to Shibuya, THE place we wre looking for, the one we see in movies.

Then quite diner and back to the hotel... So happy to sleep!!

Day 8 : Fish Market

Early morning : wake-up at 7 to be at the fish market before 8:30.

Actually it took us 45 minutes to stroll in the market. We had missed the Tuna auction unfortunately because it was even earlier. If you feel like getting up VERY early you definitly should go though, or so I heard.

Then still a little bit tired, we started queuing at what looked like the most famous sushi restaurant. It was the biggest queue in the street and the longest (1h30) but god knows why we stayed until the end, got our sushis, paid a fortune and still were so happy with it. So worth all that. I kept the name : Dai wa zu si.

Little walk then to the Imperial Palace : Closed. It is actually almost entirely closed to visitors, you can just see some gardens, which were exceptionally closed that day.

So lucky we went back to stroll the city, shopping etc. and had the Tea Ceremony in the Okura Hotel near the Dutch Ambassy. 1000Y for 1 hour, not impressive really but we were still happy to see it. I suppose there are some better ones elsewhere as everybody seems to be amazed by the tea ceremony. Nevertheless I kept seeing this Hotel recommended in different guide books.

Then at night some of us went out, and as Tokyoïtes do, they slept in a Mo's Burger as the taxis are so expensive. So they could wait until 5:30 AM or so that the subway starts again.

Day 5 : Hiroshima
8:40 AM : We take the bus from Kyoto to Hiroshima at Kyoto train Station (5500Y). Another one of these rides where we do a break every hours and were you really start to think you'll never get there.

We arrive in Hiroshima Station and start walking towards our hostel (well really we just started walking and didn't really if that was the direction for our hostel but anyway...). We got there (J-Hopers Backpackers Hostel, 2500Y for a dormitory room, very clean and nice) and just left our bags. The guy who welcomed us was actually French and it was a nice little break to be able to speak French there.

We then walked towards the peace park which is just a 10 minute walk. We visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park. It is I think THE thing to do in Hiroshima. This is unfortunately why this city is famous for and it really is an experience to be on its ground and try to understand and learn its history.

Then we had diner and wine in a very good Italian place west end of Hondori.

Day 6 : Miya-jima

We checked the tides (very important if you want to see some water under the Torii). Then you get in the #2 tram up until the end when you get to the ferry station and onto th island. We had a particularly awful weather that day. I have to say that from the beginning we were all wearing our ONLY sweater and all scarves we could get because April in Japan is definitly very different from April in Taipei.

We walked on the island trying not to notice the rain too much. We didn't visit the Itsukushima-Jinja because we found the entry fee a little bit expensive and we preferred walking on the island to see the 5-storied Pagoda and sight from up the hill. We arrived on the island around 9 AM which was a very good idea because the Japanese tourists arrived a little bit later.

The sky then opened on us!!!! Very heavy rain, run to the ferry. We had forgotten our dear guide book in a shop so we had to go back and suddenly... Blue sky and fantastic sun!!!!

We were off the island around 2PM.

Then we had to take our night bus Hiroshima - Tokyo (12000Y approx. for 12h) the worst ride ever!!! As we were 5 we had the 5 seats at the rear of the bus. On the engine, no A/C. My feet double vollume in 2 hours. Totally unbearable : TAKE THE TRAIN!

Day 3 : Daytrip to Nara

We took the train at Kyoto Main Station for our daytrip to Nara (Local train 70 min, 690Y) Trains leave regularly so no real need to check timetable.

When you arrive in Nara you can go straight to the Tourist Info Center on the right, were a lady will give you an English map and some advice that, according to her tone, you'd better follow :-). She was very nice and speaking very good English anyway.

Arriving in Nara you can just walk to the Park. On you way you'll find the Kofuko-Ji and it's Five-storied Pagoda. We didn't visit the other things like the Treasure Hall as there were entry fees and there were so many things to see that we tought it was not really worth it.

Then you take a walk in the park towards Kasuga Grand Shrine. The shrine is all new and we were lucky to arrive during a ceremny. But the walk to the shrine with the numerous stone lantern along the path is just as beautiful.

And again we wandered in the park were people were having a picnic, towards Nigatsu-Do and Sangatsu-Do.

Back down the hill, the Todai-Ji complex is a "must-see" with the monumental buddha. You'll find one of the pillar of the temple with a hole in it, which represent Buddha's nostril. If you can fit in the hole, then you're sure to reach enlightment.

We then walked back to the station through some old city streets. Finally we stayed in Nara from 11:00 to 16:00 which allowed us to come back to Kyoto for late afternoon drinks and diner

Day 4 : Kyoto

On our 3rd day in Kyoyo it was really time to start doing the "tourist" tour of Kyoto as we had avoided the biggest sights up until now.

We started with Nijo-Jo, the castle of Kyoto. Nice but not spectacular... Also a "must see" so... Then we went to the Imperial Palace but you need to apply for entrance in an outside office, which we hadn't done. We just took a walk in the gardens around then...

The philosophers' path was waiting for us. Bus stop at Ginkaku-Ji Mae. A very nice "promenade" along a little river, with cherry blossom all around. And also a lot of tourists but what can you do?

We had to leave without finishing the path as we had to be back at 15:00 to Gion for the Miyako-Odori dance (cherry-blossom dance). This dance is performed by the geishas and Maikos in April. You can reserve seats at the Koubu Kaburenjo Theatre by phone (+81 75 541 3391). The cheapest ones are 1900Y, you're seating on big spaces, not on chairs and you'd better start queuing 1/2 hour before the show. Appart from that the view is certainly just as good as the seats at 3800Y. You can check the pictures on my previous post on Miyako-Odori.

Than we hurried towards Kiyomizu-Dera which is really a fantastic temple. Even only your path to get there is one of the best street in Kyoto. It is tourist shops all along, but still nice. This is also the place where we saw a real geisha "live". Also a lot of legends and beliefs exist around this temple (the two love stones for example).

I have spent so much time looking up our destinations and sightseeing in Japan on the Internet that I feel it is my duty to help the next people who want to go there.

So here it comes : the Japan 10 days Package. I have to say we were very proud with our organization, we saw the most importants sights and city, didn't feel stressed or lacking time.

Here is our trip and tips, day by day.

Day 1 : From Taipei to Nagoya

It is much cheaper coming from Taipei to fligh to Nagoya rather than Tokyo. We decided to leave the dorm around 10:30AM, take our usual bus-MRT-bus to the airport and enjoy the Burger King there. Well the Whopper we enjoyed but the Passport control line we didn't. We were not travelling inside EU anymore and it tends to take a lot of time to get pass these numerous controls. Our plane was leaving in 3 minutes, we were still queuing. They might have been calling us but even the calls are discreet in Asia so we had no idea (and particularly no excuses to cut the queue, big no-no here). There has been a very long and fast run to the plane, a quick sorry smile to the stewardess at the embarkment gate, a sigh of relief once in our seats, and then an accute stomachache, thank you BG.

We arrived at Nagoya airport and were looking for a way to go to the city when a Japanese volunteer came and helped us. These people are just amazing. They are waiting for lost tourists just as we were, in order to help them get acquainted with the transportation or simply get where they need to.

So we took the Meitetsu train line to the city (800Y). Then we just walked to our hostel Aichiken Seinenkaikan (http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html 3000Y/night).

A little snack keeping near the Fushimi station area and finally a beer at a British pub (Elephant's nest), taking it light on our 1st day.

Day 2 : Nagoya - Kyoto

At 8:00 we get up, most unusual for us but we didn't know yet that it would be one of our longest sleep in 10 days.

We walk to Nagoya station to take the JR bus to Kyoto (3500Y, 2h30). It is our first encounter with Japanese punctuality : the bus was supposed to leave at 10:00, at 9:59 the driver started the engine, at 10:00, we left. We also then learnt about the "1 break every hour policy", we really tought we would never get there!

13:00 Kyoto Station, here we come!

When arriving, go straight to the Tourist Info Center on the 2nd Floor, and grab a Kyoto City Bus Sightseeing Map your new Bible. Also by a day-pass for 500Y, otherwise you have to pay 220Y for each ride. But not from your starting point to your destination, you also have to pay every time you transfer!!!

So we decided to leave our stuff at the hostel first. Very good and conviniently located place : Econo-Inn Kyoto (tel : 07.53.43.66.60)

We also decided to visit Kyoto area by area, starting with North East :

Kinkaku-Ji and the Golden Pavillion

Then a 15 minute walk to the Ryoan-Ji gardens :

Then back in Gion for dinner and drinks :

In the streets of Kyoto

Shopping...

Going down the stairs.... not easy!

Serving us drinks at our favorite bar

And they are at the Gion Koubu Kaburenjo Theatre in Gion for the Miyako Odori, which is the Cherry Blossom dance performed by Geishas and Maiko (the apprentice).