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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