Trip to Japan

HI All,

We had a great trip to Japan in early September and it has taken all this time to get around to telling you about it. We had two nights in Tokyo near the Ginza area and did lots of walking, as well as taking a trip up the river. Interesting to go under 14 different bridges, all painted different colours. Then a visit to the Asakusa area with the temple as well as a massive mall, lots of little stalls selling different foods, sweets and clothes, souvenirs etc. Lots of fun people watching and trying some of the foods.

The highlight of the time in Tokyo was the early morning visit to the fish market - see photo of the giant octopus. We had "breakfast" at one of the street restaurants serving fresh sushi - fun just watching the chef preparing it and all the staff yelling as each new customer came in.


Then by train to Takayama, a smallish town between the mountains. Several of the thatched roof houses, usually used for raising silkworms in the top stories, have been moved there to form a village. Interesting to visit and wander through the different styles of homes and workshops on the side of the mountain. Along the river there were morning markets, with the most juice, large peaches and apples grown nearby. We stayed at a local ryokan and we had our (I think) first ever shared bath! It was relaxing though. The food of course was exceptional.


We took the local train through the mountains although because the line had been damaged by the earthquake, part of the trip was by bus. Lovely countryside through the steep mountains. Then onto the coast and around to Kanazawa. City that has some of the geisha areas similar to those in Kyoto. The highlight of Kanazawa was the Kenroku Garden, a landscape style of garden and one of Japan's three great gardens. We also visited the (restored) castle. Amazing how many of the buildings in Japan have burned. Although probably not amazing when everything was built of timber and they had open fires in the homes. We visited several factories - small "cottage industries" making porcelain, gold leaf, silk painting for kimonos,etc. We also visited the "ninja" temple - fascinating with all the hidden floors, secret doors and passages, trapdoors etc. Even though the tour was in Japanese we did follow most of it through the guide given to us.


The ryokan in Kanazawa was a modern style, hotel type with the most amazing meal I think we have ever had in Japan. Huge crab claws, sashimi of many different fish and molluscs, pickles, fish - I was quite full by the end of it but we had to try everything.


After a full week, we took the train back to Narita for our trip home, missing the typhoon which had roared through the day before. Lovely to have that break though.


Bronwen & Graham