Japan 2016

Japan (24th June-2nd July 2016)

Introduction:

• I will briefly explain my trip to Japan and give ideas and recommendations whenever possible
• It has been more than a year so I will not remember some details

Some curiosities about Japan:

• The country is full of vending machines even in the streets, and some of them sell things that I could have never thought of (i.e. used feminine underwear!)
• Slurping when having soup is normal and even considered as a sign of respect (in my country that is considered completely the opposite)
• Train punctuality is world-renowned and its cleanliness and lack of noise is impressive (mobile phones should be in silence and is it advised not to talk on your mobile phone while on a train)
  
• Tipping on restaurants is considered rude
• Japan has reserved smoking areas in the streets  as it is not allowed to smoke in general open spaces
• People remove their shoes when entering home
• Money or cards are given with both hands 
• Manga and comics are very popular in Japan. You can even enjoy them at some restaurants
  

Recommendation:

• If you are thinking of visiting several places around Japan you might be interested in the Japan Rail Pass, which includes most public transportation during 1, 2 or 3 weeks. You can only buy online and receive it at home before arriving into Japan because once in Japan you cannot purchase it. It is still quite expensive but at least in my case was cheaper than buying single tickets all the time (read carefully at http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/)

Places visited:

• a) Tokyo
• b) Kyoto
• c) Nara
• d) Hiroshima
• e) Fukuoka
• f) Ritsurin
• g) Mount Fuji

a) Tokyo:

• I spent two days in Tokyo, which is obviously not enough, but I had time to visit a few places
• Metro is the most convenient transport to move around
• Main places visited: Asakusa, Ueno Zoo, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita street, Shibuya, Tokyo Tower
  

• Asakusa is a traditional area in Tokyo which has become very touristic. You can enjoy local food such as takoyaki (an octopus ball-shaped snack)
  
• Or visit the crowded Sensoji temple, where I had the chance to meet some Japanese friends I had studied with in the UK in 2010!
  
  

• At Ueno park I visited the zoo,where you can see panda, polar bear, elephants and many more. I would not consider this visit a priority but if you have time why not
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Imperial Palace, first residence of the Emperor of Japan,is surrounded by beautiful gardens
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• I visited Yoyogi park and I was lucky to see a couple with their wedding dress at Meiji Shrine. You will see a purification fountain where people rinse both hands

• Exiting Yoyogi park you can find Takeshita street, a popular pedestrian shopping area with plenty of cafes and restaurants

• Nearby you can find Shibuya, a fashion and nightlife center in Tokyo which resembles Times Square in NY. Shibuya stations is one of the busiest in Japan
  
• In Shibuya you can find the statue of Hachiko, a popular loyal dog which accompanied his owner Ueno till the station before work every single day. After his owner died, Hachiko stayed living by that area waiting for his owner during 9 years before he died
  
• Another iconic place is Tokyo Tower, which can be seen from several parts of the city (however I did not go up)
  
• It was nice to see locals enjoying food in the streets as we do in Spain
  
• I missed Tsukiji fish market which apparently is a big show. It can be visited very early in the morning

b) Kyoto:

• Tokyo was not the priority of my trip so after 2 days I headed to Kyoto, probably my favourite city in Japan so far
• Main places visited: Arashiyama, Ryoanji Temple, Golden Pavillion, Imperial Palace, downtown, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine 
  
• First day I rented a bicycle and went to the north west where there are several places to enjoy
• I started with Arashiyama, where I enjoyed feeding monkey in the Monkey park (€4) and visited the Bamboo groove (free)
  
  
  
  
   
• On my way towards the Golden Pavillion I stopped by Ryoanji temple, the rock garden. It is very popular but I still do not know why. There is no clear explanation of the garden so visitors can think of any meaning
  
  
• Very near I found the Golden Pavillion (Kinkakuji temple), whose two upper floor are covered on gold. It looks really nice with the sunset
  

• At the end of the tour I stopper by the Imperial Palace. The Palace itself was closed by the time I arrived but cycling around the gardens was nice
  
• In downtown you can walk around beautiful streets, see local dresses, enjoy live music by the river, enjoy Japanese and international cuisine, or even see some Geishas if you are lucky around Gion corner...
  
  
  
  

• Next morning I visited the Fushimi Inari-taisha, a Shintoist Shrine dedicated to the god of rice (shintoism is considered an ancient religion in Japan). It has several thousands of torii and after more than 1 hour walk you can reach the top of the mountain and enjoy views of the city
  
  
  
  

c) Nara

• I could not leave Kyoto without a visit to Nara, about 1 hour by train south from Kyoto
• Places visited at a walking distance from Nara station: Nara Park & Todaiji temple
  
• In Nara Park you can get very close to deers, even feed them, as in general are quite friendly. Even children school go there for the annual picture. I really enjoyed this experience

• Next to the park you can visit Todaiji temple, which host a giant Buddha and it is full of visitors as well
  
  
  
  

d) Hiroshima

• Places visited in Hiroshima and nearby: Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima and Kintai bridge
  
• Hiroshima itself will not provide beautiful sighseeing as such but it is interesting to know a bit more about the atomic bombings by the US in 1945, both in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which caused more than 100,000 lifes plus tremendous health issues
• In Hiroshima you can visit the Peace Memorial Park and its Museum 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
• Also, Hiroshima Castle is less than 2km far but I only saw the surroundings
  
  

• One hour from Hiroshima I stopped at Miyajimaguchi train station, from where I took a ferry to Miyajima island
• By Miyajima there is a beutiful iconic tori by the sea and several friendly deers as well
  
• I preferred to walk but you can also take a cable car to see the lovely views from the top
  
  
  
  

• On my way to Fukuoka I was delighted to stop by Kintai wooden bridge, somewhere unplanned in my trip that I loved
  
  
  
  

e) Fukuoka

• Fukuoka is meant to have nice beaches and great food
• However my time in Fukuoka was very short due to heavy rains and other priorities
• At least I had time to walk around the city and enjoy one of the several outdoor food stalls in Fukuoka
  

f) Ritsurin

• I wanted to finish my trip in Mount Fuji but I was very far at that point
• On my way towards Fuji I decided to stop by Ritsurin
  
• Ritsurin Garden is nice but I diverted so much just for this garden. I would only recommend visiting this place if you have lot of time. If not I would prioritize other places with a broader offer
  

g) Mount Fuji

• Before reachin Mount Fuji I stayed for a night in Hakone. My hostel, as well as many others in Japan, had an "onsen", very popular in Japanese culture, which is a hotspring where people relax

• I visited Ashi Lake, where sometimes there is a nice view of Mt. Fuji.It was a cloudy day so completely impossible to see anything but still the place was nice

• That afternoon I went to Kagawuchiko station, one of the nearest to Mt. Fuji. Connexion by train was not the most convenient

• IMPORTANT: SEASON TO CLIMB FUJI AND STAY AT THE TOP IN A GUESTHOUSE STARTS IN JULY TILL BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER
• I was lucky to be there the 1st of July. The previous night I stayed at a hostel near Kagawuchiko station where I could start dreaming of Mt. Fuji, about 4 km from the trail start point

• In order to go to the top of Fuji, you can take a bus till station 5, what saves around 5-6 hours walk. From station 5 till the summit you have approximately 7 hours walk
• I met a Finish guy and we decided to walk from our hostel, thus around 10-11 hours till station 8, where my guesthouse was
• The start of the trail was a bit scary as we started very early (around 4am) and there were signals advising to beware of bears!
  
  
  
  
  

• The walk till station 5 is long but quite soft with very little slope, and beautiful (first photo with the Finish guy)
  
  
  
  
  

• Little by little the path becomes more difficult, but also the views get better and better

• At around 3pm I reached my guesthouse (called Gansomuro) where I stopped for that day, at approx 3,250m. All guesthouses at the summit are very humble and very expensive, but you have no choice if you want to make it to the summit. Views are magnificent
  
  
  
  
  
• In the guesthouse there is a huge room where everybody sleeps in some matresses on the floor, you receive a poor meal and sleep early
• Next morning very early, around 2am, you start climbing for the last 2 hours till the peak with the goal of seeing the sunrise
• TERRIBLE MISTAKE: I DID NOT HAVE ANY WINTER CLOTHES WITH ME AND I WAS VERY COLD. THE PEAK HAD SNOW EVEN IN JULY AND IT WAS VERY WINDY SO THE COLD SENSATION WAS INTENSE
  
• Thanks to the Finish guy and some others who lent me some clothes I could enjoy th beautiful moment
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Going down is also tough, around 5-6 hours till station 5 where this time I decided to take the bus
• The full trekking was exhausting but one of the most wonderful things I have done in my life. Memories are amazing
• That same afternoon I came back ToTokyo and flew home
• Visiting Japan was delightful and totally recommended, hope someone finds this post helpful