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Published: October 18th 2017
KYOTO STATION
Boarding our bullet train, isn't sleek! 320klm hr.Monday 14th big day! Set off on the Bullet train from Kyoto Station, it took about two hours before we disembarked, reaching up to 320klm per hour, it was a very comfortable ride and the time just flew by looking out at the scenery just buzzing by. A bus met us and took us for another two hours to the Mt Fuji 5th Station but saw absolutely nothing as it was more or less a blizzard, so that was a bit disaappointing but that is travel. Onto Oshino Hakkai known for the springs of Mt Fuji, the eight ponds are fed by the melting snow from Mt Fuji through porous layers of lava resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals. Then took a cruise on Lake Ashi which is beautiful but still pouring wth rain and very low cloud all over the lake. Stayed in a traditional Japanese hotel tonight, it was very different, arrived to a very sparce room with tatami mats all laid down with a very low table and a couple of chairs with no legs, then we went upstairs for our traditional dinner and came back afterwards to find our little straw
LAKE ASHI
Beautiful old boats on the lake, but you can see what sort of a day it was! beds all made up. Love to say we had a great nights sleep but in the morniing our backs were cracked after a very restless nights sleep.....thank god it was for only one night! The view from our rooms in ths hotel was beautiful, sitting right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, reception was on ground level but the 17th floor and all the guest rooms just went down the edge of the cliff in floors, we were on the 6th floor and could hear the ocean roaring all night up against the base of the hotel. It had the traditional hot spring baths too....gave that a miss....some tried out the Onsen's but not for us...males and females separated but no clothes or bathers for that. Tuesday onto Tokyo but on the way called into Kamakura which is a lovely beach town and Odawarra Castle which was another lovely old castle. Then stopped off for a tour of the Asahi Brewery which was very interesting.....but the tasting afterwards was better......could have any three beers 400ml each and some snacks....we had grown to love this beer before the tour and tasting...so just a bonus really! Pulled into Tokyo around 6.30p.m.
KYOTO
Saki barrels had another great Japanese meal and then walked back to our hotel which is a ripper....huge beds and very comfy.....right in the midst of everything in Tokyo! Great spot with the underground within a 10min walk. Tuesday a free day in Tokyo, so we took off at around 8.15a.m. and arrived back at the hotel around 9pm....feet tired and burning....fabulous day! Walked everywhere, I just think in a new city there is nothing like walking around to soak up the atmosphere, sights, sounds and smells....we did 26klm walking and quite a few klm on the subway as well...took in the suburb of Ginza which is a great area....had a feed of ramen/noodles...recommended by Dave.Stewart...they were the most delicious we have had...the little restaurant was sooo, soo cute, sat 8 people, we did queue....yes John survived that! Kagari made it in the Michelin guide.....we both just loved it so much...delish! Then a walk to Shabuya, to see the crossing and the statue of little Hachiko...the dog that waited for his master for years after he deceased....such a cute story. A walk through all the alleyways and streets around these areas is amazing....full of fun and life... Takeshita Street especially a little
ODAWARA CASTLE
Beautiful old castle fashion hotspot as well as cafe and restaurants with lots of beautiful people parading themselves around the place. Onto the Park Hyatt for 6pm drinks on the 52nd floor New York Bar....it really is a must if visiting Tokoyo....the view is to die for! The view makes up for the price of drinks here $44.50 for a small beer and a peach bellini???!!! Dinner at Himawari Sushi Shintoshin.....the best sushi I think we have had....it was a sushi train thingy but fantastic....as fast as they could make it, it was gone! I think we had 10 plates of sushi and it was only $17...we enjoyed it so much! After all that walking and a few beers in between we jumped on the subway and caught the train back to the station close to our hotel. Wednesday back with tour group and a full day of touring Tokyo, firstly to Meiji Shrine, then onto Asakusa Kannon Temple which we really loved a beautiful temple and stroll through the surrounding little shops in Nakamise Street and then onto a Tempura lunch. Then for a relax on a Sumida River Cruise which was great to see Tokyo from the river, this cruise lasted
OSHINO HAKKAL
Very wet day at the ponds for about 40 minutes then we got off the boat went for a 40 minute walk through some gorgeous gardens....they really do have a lot of green in Tokyo....a very livable place. Our last stop of the day was Tokyo Tower....great views but nothing could beat the views from the Hyatt last night. Tokyo is definitely a place we could spend some more time in...we enjoyed it very much! Off to the airport hotel for dinner and goodbye to Japan. Flying to Taiwan tomorrow.
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Rhonda Brand
non-member comment
Hi.....
This trip is so so different to watch.........it looks a little as I imagined but the views from the Hyatt show how enormous it is. My favorites are.......your face Glor at the traditional dinner and that bullet train must have bee incredible xxxxxxx