Sayonara Japan

Last 2 days spent in Tokyo seeing as much as possible. Day 1: Meiji Shrine (where we “almost” saw the Empress), the Imperial Palace, Asakusa and the Sensoji Temple and Ginza. Day 2: Kiyosumi Garden which is a beautiful peaceful place amid the hustle and bustle that is Tokyo, Tsukiji Outer Fish Market where we had sushi at famous Sushizanmai restaurant, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 42nd floor observation Deck, Shibuya famous pedestrian crossing, Odaiba to view the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay, and finally to the Toyota Mega Car Showroom to see cars of the future. Back to hotel before we ventured out by ourselves on a train - just 6 stops - to have dinner.
Needless to say it was a full on last day.
We fly out tomorrow after a wonderful and memorable trip.

Up in the mountains and down by the Port

Monday - we drove through the prettiest postcard perfect areas today. Treed mountainsides, rice paddies, rivers and valleys, to an Old Post Town called Tsumago. During the Edo era (1603-1868) this road was used by horsemen and pedestrians alike to move from Edo (nowadays Tokyo) to Kyoto. There were 69 Post Towns en route to provide a stop over. This town was 42nd from Tokyo. This historic town has been preserved because of the traditional buildings. We then visited another Post Town called Narai-Juku, the longest Post Town in Japan. In this small village we ate lunch of a local delicacy Sansai Soba, which is a soup with wild mountain vegetables and buckwheat noodles. We ate in the traditional manner, sitting on the floor at a low table (shoes off at door of course). Onward then to our overnight stop just near Mt Fuji, but as rain clouds have moved in, we cannot see the top of Mt Fuji, where apparently snow is now falling. Sadly rain predicted tomorrow.
Photos: see cherry blossom found in Narai-Juku.

Tuesday- the forecast was correct. Rain pelted down. After a quick visit to Mt Fuji Info Centre (along with all the other wet tourists) we had an equally wet boat cruise on Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the 5 Lakes surrounding Mt Fuji. Another stop at Oshino Hakkai, famous for crystal clear spring water bubbling out of the ground, formed by melting snow from Mt Fuji. It also is usually a great viewing spot for the mountain, but not today.
Onward to Yokohama for the night, where we strolled the waterfront and had a Taiwanese meal and cherry sake.
Photos: Filling water bottle with clear spring water.
(Sorry some photos have duplicated)

Osaka to Nagoya

Saturday we arrived back in Osaka. On the drive we watched ‘The Last Samurai’ movie to learn more  about the end of that era. We were dropped off at Dotonbori Street, the most famous food street. We tried grilled crab legs, gyoza then peach gelato. Also strolled Shinsaibashi merchant street (lots of  retail shops). Next a visit to Osaka Castle and climb the 8 floors to viewing platform. Our hotel was above a shopping mall and we had a delicious meal of okonomiyaki.
Sunday travelled to Kyoto and in perfect weather viewed the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), along with the 5000 other tourists! Then a treat to go to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermillion Torii gates. This afternoon on to Nagoya where we spent some time at Atsuta Shrine.

Miyajima and Hiroshima

Friday: travelled to Miyajima, a sacred island just off the coast, by ferry. There the UNESCO World Heritage listed Itsukushima Shinto Shrine looks out to the vermillion torii gate. At high tide the structure appears to be floating on the sea. After a delicious lunch of okononomiyaki (with grilled oysters) we returned to mainland and on to Hiroshima. We viewed the A Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park followed by the Museum.
Weather was prefect.

Fukuyama

Today has been truly amazing. After travelling west to Kobe, first stop was a visit to the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery (with compulsory tasting). The traditional style of sake making has been preserved in a museum style display which explained the process. We then continued to the town of Kurashiki and visited the Bikan Historical Quarter. It has scenic canals with historic merchant buildings, giving us an authentic taste of old Edo-period Japan. We were delighted to discover an Owl Cafe, with real owls on show. Yes, believe me these are for real. Our hotel for the next 2 nights is in Fukuyama.

Osaka, Japan, via Guangzhou, China

We departed Brisbane on Tuesday morning for the 9 hour flight to Guangzhou on China Southern Airline. There was quite a bit of confusion about issuing of the 24 hour temporary visa, so lots of waiting around at the airport, then more confusion of where to go to arrange our overnight accommodation. Finally sorted out and spent the night at a nearby airport hotel. Back to airport early Wednesday morning to fly to Osaka.
All went like clockwork after that, met by TripaDeal rep and transported to very modern new hotel for 1st night. We spent the afternoon strolling the local area, shopping and dinner.
Photos: Orchids at airport, ready for takeoff, Ferris Wheel at Osaka.