Travel Post – 2016 – Japan Trip
When my friend contacted me several months after coming back from a trip that we did together in a group and asked if I was interested in travelling to Japan, I firstly had to think about it, as Japan to me seemed like a place that I wouldn’t be able to travel to, in terms of the cultural and language barriers. Little did I know, that Japan has a vibrant and rich tapastry of unique culture, beautiful landscapes and phenomenal cuisine, that it opened my eyes to a whole different world of thinking, which has made me value even more, the truly great place we all live in, earth.
Met my friend Michael at the Sydney international airport, after getting there by my usual means from Canberra in the ever reliable Murrays coaches, where we dined on airport food for breakfast waiting for the ANA flight to be ready to take passengers. Couldn’t fault the flight. The plane was very new and the flight crew and food were great. The only small issue, well wasn’t an issue at all really, is that we attempted to have a spare seat between us so we booked one seat at the window (me) and the other seat in the aisle (Michael) leaving the middle one open. Our theory was that not many people would want to sit by themselves between two strangers. Unfortunately, this theory didn’t work and older Japanese man sat between us. He was nice, just would have been better having the seat open. What made the flight better was that Michael had secured discounted flights due to ANA just re-opening this route, Sydney – Tokyo.
After changing flights in Tokyo Heneda airport, we arrived in Osaka and headed straight to our first cultutal experience of this trip, a taste of being a Samauri at the Genki Deska centre. Click here to view the YouTube clip of how capable of a Samuari I became in less 30 minutes 🙂
After a couple of days exploring around the city of Osaka, we validated our Japan Rail (JR) Pass. This wasn’t as easy as you would expect, as you can’t just go to any JR station, you have to go to the ones that validate international JP passes. We found this out after leaving our hostel which we picked as being close to a JR station, unfortunately it wasn’t one that would validate our passes. The JR pass is only valid on this companies trains. There are two main rail companies and this company is the largest, which makes the JR pass the best single item to purchase before you arrive in Japan. Depending on which package you purchase, you get unlimited train rides, including the Shinkansen (bullet train) and buses, within the package that you buy. Package, meaning how many weeks you buy, to use the train. We purchased the three week package, the longest they have avaliable for tourists. Anyway, after that delay we were on our way to Kyoto.
Japan – Facebook posts
Collection of some photos from in and around the city centre, day 1.
Super Sumo Saturday.
They actually have old things in Osaka :-).
Some other photos of things/places that were of some interest to me today, day 2.
Cold day walking around Canberra’s sister city but had a wonderful time.
So much to see here, so little time with only two days of sight seeing to do it in :-(.
Some things that made me giggle throughout the day when I had my camera at the ready.
What a place, the world cultural heritage site national treasure of Japan.
Day two in Kyoto was another busy day but worth it.
Quite a hike up to the top but pretty amazing site to see, the Fushimi.
Not spending a long time here but it is a very nice place to visit if you ever get the chance.
I made it to the birthplace of my car. Well worth the visit, very informative.
Made it to the island were people and gods live together.
Breakfast to celebrate my 36th birthday in the 40th country that I have travelled to so far. Thank you Michael for the gift.
Well after 307km from breakfast in Tokyo, to lunch in Nagoya then dinner in Takayama, has been a nice and interesting way to celebrate my birthday. The Hida beef Korean bbq dinner was great btw.
Spent a few hours looking around an UNESCO world heritage site this morning. This place would look amazing during the winter.
This place is absolutely amazing.
What a massive city Tokyo is, with endless possibilities.
On top of the world, well Japan anyway. What an impressive sight. Can you tell where I am?
Made it to the fastest and tallest roller coasters in the world. Was worth the 2 hour line each time. And yes I also did do some sightseeing today.
Strange but true. Only in Japan.
Kit Kat and sake, yummy, lol.
I don’t think I can get sick of this view.
Wonders never cess. Tokyo has it all.
What a place the fish markets are here in Tokyo. Just amazing looking seafood ready early every morning ready to eat fresh.
This show is so Japanese out there crazy, that its great. Part 1 and 2.
A few more temples and shrines visited today at this world heritage site.
Just made it to Uneo park before nightfall. Pretty interesting place.
If you want to get up to date on the latest trends and experience all the things that Japan is famous for ie technology, then come to this island in the Bay of Tokyo. It has everything, for everybody and then some.
With the sun rising over Australia, it is time to farewell Japan, thanks for a wonderful trip full of adventure, but I am coming home.