So we had another day in Tokyo just going around looking at amazing things. Yesterday we went to Matsushima. Matsushima was hit hard in 2011 by the earthquake and tsunami. The town is now nearly back to what it was prior to the tsunami. We had to get there by the bullet train via Tokyo to Sendai and then a local train to Matsushima - so we can honestly now say that after over 2 weeks in Japan we are train aficionados .Anything you need to know about Japanese trains please tweet/email me and I will be able to answer your questions, ha ha. We decide that we are going to take a boat ride around the harbour of Matsushima to see the 100 islands - it is not a good day from the weather perspective ... read more

Well we had an early start today to get to the Imperial Palace for the tour we booked yesterday. Now what can I say about the tour it was ok but to be honest nothing to write home about. We just toured the outside of the palace and did not take one step inside which was a bit of a shame to be honest. The sun was beating down on us and it was not much fun to be honest - good thing I brought an umbrella which keeps the sun and rain off you, as I really needed it. the only great bit was I could see one painting inside but I had to stand on one leg and balance over a rope which I am sure would have had electricity going through it as ... read more

Well on the train to Nagoya and once again a smooth transition the only problem is my suitcase handle has slightly buckled when I fell on the escalator and twisted the handle but not only that have a major bruise on my bum. How can you fall going on an uphill escalator and land on your bum with your suitcase higher than you? I do not know but all I can say is I now have a fear of escalators with a suitcase, ha ha ( the full story is to come) So we arrive at Kyoto train station and Mike goes off to find out where our hotel is and off he pops to the Tourist Information desk while I hold the suitcases (with one handle a little bit out of shape!). So he comes ... read more

So we decide that we are going on a day trip to Matsumoto Castle off on the train we get and arrive in Matsumoto. Quickly we find our way to the castle. Matsumoto Castle is one of the oldest five story tenshu in Japan. It was amazing going around the castle and climbing the stairs to each of the floors. I am not a very tall person and the Japanese are smaller than me so why do they build staircases with stairs so far away from each other I have no idea - there must be a reason but it beats me! The gardens were also amazing with so many fabulous flowers and plants. As I was looking out the window of the castle there was a Geisha girl walking and the vision looked so Japanese ... read more

Well we have decided that we would like to see Tokyo by water as we normally try to do this when we get to a city and last time we were here we did not even think about it. So looking at all the literature we decided to do the Tokyo Cruise - so off we go on the train (we are real commuters now you know) and get to the Asakusa boat station to be told we cannot get a boat until around 1.15. That meant we had to use up a few hours so we decided we would go and get something to eat. We found the market at Asakusa and recognised that we had been here before - it is a bit touristy well a lot when you see rickshaws lining up to ... read more