Summary of Japan experience
Photos
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Tokyo (Park Hotel)
Day 1: Visit
Asakusa district: Senso-ji (Tokyo’s oldest temple), 5 storey pagoda, shopping
street, Asakusa Shrine, boat trip on Samida River to Hamarikya Gardens, Tea
ceremony.
Lunch in Tsukiji outer market around area, Shinjuka
Nishiguchi: viewpoint from 42nd floor Government building. Dinner at
Shiodome Cassata restaurant on 46th floor.
Day 2: Imperial
Palace Gardens, Shibuya (scramble crossing), Yakitori meal, bar, coffee/cake
parlour, view of Mt Fuji.
JR Train to Kamakura & Hasa.
Kamakura
& Hasa
Great Kannon Kamakua Hasedera, Giant Buddha, Hasa Kannon
Temple, view of coastline/beach from observatory.
Day 3: Shinkansen Train to Kanazawa.
Kanazawa (Tokyu Hotel)
Kenrocku-en Gardens, Sushi dinner at Cho Hachi.
Day 4: Higashi Chaya district,
gold leaf decorating, Geisha area, tea ceremony, crepe parlour lunch, Samurai
district, Nomura-ke Samarai residence, Memorial Hall, dinner at The Cottage
(Italian/Irish).
Day 5: Bus to Shirakawago.
Shirakawago
Visit Wada house (gasso-zukuri), Museum village with 26
ancient farmhouses, water-wheel.
Bus to Takayama.
Takayama (Honjin Horanoya Bekkan)
Stayed at Ryokan, experienced Onsens, changed into komonos
for 11 course Japanese dinner, slept on futon.
Day 6: Visited Jinga Historical Government House (housed
25 officials of Tokugawa Shogunate (1592- 1768), Preservation district shops,
Shiroyama Koon, Ninomaru Park, Higashiyama walking course (10 temples & 2 shrines), Kokubunji Temple (oldest), 3 storey
pagoda, Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, Sakurayama Nikkokan Temple, Sake
tasting (10), 10 course Japanese dinner at Ryokan.
Day 7: JR Train to Nagoya,
Shinkansen to Okayama.
Okayama (Hotel Granvia)
JR Train to Kurashiki.
Kurashiki
Bikan Historical area, followed Kurashiki river, bar for
cocktails and canapes, illumination of shops & river area, another bar for
coffee and cakes.
Day 8: JR train and ferry to
Naoshima.
Naoshima
Tsutsuj-so, Chicha Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, Benesse
House Museum.
Day 9: Shinkansen to
Hiroshima.
Hiroshima (Hilton)
Peace Memorial Park, Peace Museum, View A-Bomb dome,
Memorial Cenotaph, Pond for Peace, Flame of Peace, Children’s Memorial,
National Peace Memorial Hall. Dinner at Okonomiyaki restaurant.
Day 10: JR Train &
ferry to Miyajima.
Dinner at Teppanyaki restaurant in Hiroshima, Hassei,
cocktails & entertainment in Hilton bar.
Miyajima
O-Torii (Shinto Gate), Itsukushima Jinja Shrine, Daigoni
Temple, Daishon Temple, 5 storey pagoda, 500 small Buddhas, takeaway lunch
pestered by wild deer, cable car to Mt Misen observatory for spectacular views.
Day 11: Shinkansen to
Hemeji.
Himeji
Visited outside market holding significant Festival with
singing & dancing troupes, Hameji Castle and Koko-en Gardens.
Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Kyoto (Noku)
Dinner at steak restaurant.
Day 12: Guided bike tour to see Higashi-Honganji
Temple, Heian-jinju Shrine, Geisha district (Gion), Miyagawa-cho narrow lane
with Mahiya houses, Shirakawa canal, Hanomi-koji, Imperial Palace Park,
Kamogawa River. Hop on/off bus to Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), Station
for Teriyaki restaurant. Train to Inari to visit Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine in
evening with 1000s of Torii Gates.
Day 13: Japanese cultural experience in local
machiya house: fitted with komonos, tea ceremony and origami lesson. Walk
through Imperial Palace Park. Hop on/off bus to Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji
Temple), walked Philosopher’s Path to Otoyo Jinja Shrine (AD 887), and
Nanzan-ji Temple. Travel on numerous escalators to 12th floor roof
of Kyoto Station. Raman meal.
Day 14: JR Train to
Nara.
Day 15: Subway to Gion district, Shijo-dori,
Yasuki-jinja Shrine in Maruyama Park, Kenninji Temple, lunch in restaurant
overlooking Kamogawa River.
Nara
Walked from station to Todaiji Temple with Great Buddha
Hall, Diabutsu is 53 ft tall. Walked to Kasuga Taisha Shrine with 2,000 stone
lanterns, founded AD 768.
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