My trip to Japan started with a week in Tokyo with my cousin. Together we hiked Mount Takao, slurped lots of ramen, walked, ate sushi at Tsukiji market, walked and got lost in Shibuya station.
After she left to return to California, Caitlyn (NZ travel companion) and her brother Shaun flew into Sapporo (on Hokkaido, Japan's northern island) where we met up to begin our month in Japan together. Our first stop was Niseko, a ski village heavily populated with Aussies. We had a day snowboarding at Grand Hirafu, thanks to rental gear and 100 yen shop "driving gloves" that we acquired the day prior. Hokkaido is known for its dairy products, and we can confidently attest to their excellent quality.
After Niseko, we made our way south traveling mainly on high speed bullet trains. We stopped in Sendai, Nagano, Fukui and then enjoyed some days in Kyoto. We all agree that Kyoto is special. It is history-rich and has a small feel that makes a person feel comfortable immediately. Although not planned, we managed to follow the cherry blossoms as they bloomed. Arashiyama delivered the blossoms exceptionally, which was helpful as we waited in a long lineup for... coffee. (Look up % Arabica Coffee.) After touring around Kyoto with great local guides/new friends, we headed to Hiroshima, Miyajima island, and onto Fukuoka. Hiroshima also sits in our top 5 cities. The Peace Memorial Museum is not to be missed, as are the many tributes placed all over the city. After making our way to Kyushu (Japan's large south island), we headed back to Tokyo for 5 days before flying south. Tokyo is an experience. We found it to be surprisingly quiet for its size and population. More eating and walking and getting lost.
Our last week in Japan was spent on Okinawa, one of many islands that make up the Okinawa Islands (or the "Hawaii of Japan"). Upon arrival, the increase in heat and the humidity were both felt and welcome. We rented a car for a few days and saw a lot of the island, swimming in both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Both were warmer than any ocean in Canada. After getting too much sun, we met up with friends in Naha city to enjoy 4 days together.
3 words for Japan: safe, clean, quiet. I will most definitely be back.
