Japan at last!
My first journey to Japan came as a last-minute decision. I bumped into an old friend who had just returned from Japan and was raving about it. I had always thought of it as being too expensive to explore for any length of time. It appeared that that was not the case. I started checking out guesthouse type accommodation, and that certainly seemed manageable. It was decided; within a month I would be on my way to Japan, at last!
Geography
Japan is an island nation in East Asia whose archipelago stretches for almost 3000 kilometres. More than three-quarters of its territory is mountainous. The four principal islands are: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Japan also includes the Okinawa Islands which were once the independent Kingdom of Ryukyu. (See Encyclopedia Britannica for more details). My visits in 2014 and 2019 focussed just on Honshu. In 2015, I ventured further north into Hokkaido.
History, Culture and Religion
Japan’s religion, culture, and history are all intertwined. The principal religions practised in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism. Many people practise both religions, and Confucianism permeates the everyday life of most Japanese (click here for more information).
Japan has the world’s longest surviving royal family which can show evidence of its existence back to a time when most of Europe was still in the hands of the Roman Empire. Legends suggest that the first emperor lived more than 2500 years ago. The Shinto religion recognises the Japanese Royal Family as direct descendants of the sun goddess, Amaterasu.
There is a wealth of history, tradition and culture to explore and enjoy in Japan. Its economic importance and advanced technological developments give it a very modern and often wacky slant, especially in Tokyo. Perhaps, most inspiring of all is how the Japanese blend the modern world with tradition and history in such a positive and seamless fashion.
The Journey
My first visit to Japan focussed on popular destinations with a couple of lesser known places thrown in for good measure. With a start and finish in Tokyo, it was a good opportunity to take advantage of a three-week rail pass which included using the smart and efficient bullet trains (shinkansen).
Below is a brief look at the upcoming articles for this journey to Tokyo, Oshino (Mount Fuji), Kyoto, Himeji Castle, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Kinosaki Onsen, Kanazawa, Takayama, and Norikura.
Tokyo
What an amazing city! A vast metropolis, but clean, safe, fun, relatively easy to move around, and with a mix of modern and traditional architecture. Many of the oldest buildings were destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 or during World War II. Important buildings such as Senso-ji in Asakusa which originates from the 7th century was rebuilt in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The wackier side of Tokyo comes in many forms including the maid cafes and other Otaku culture in Akihabara, The Robot Restaurant (still closed!), and the charming fashions of Harajuku. There are excellent selections of museums, and some beautiful and peaceful parks to escape the frenzy of the city.
Mount Fuji
I stayed in a comfortable and hospitable family guesthouse (minshuku) in Oshino. The town is busy during the day, but otherwise it’s a peaceful area outside of the main tourist zones for Mount Fuji. The room had a traditional tatami floor, futon, and direct views of Fuji-yama. The bathing facilities, like many minshukus, are shared. A good breakfast and home-prepared dinner are included, and add positively to the experience.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a former capital city of Japan best known for its historic areas, old temples, meticulous gardens, and geisha quarters. People are often surprised at how modern and characterless some areas of the city are. However, the ancient treasures are truly outstanding. It is worth timing a visit with the celebrations of Gion Matsuri in July to enjoy the dramatic costumes, parades and floats that pass through the city.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is a stunning and intact ancient castle. Parts of it dates from 14th century and the most extensive additions from the 17th century.
Hiroshima
Almost nothing remains of Hiroshima from before the dropping of the atomic bomb. The city is well-groomed and obviously modern. The Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings to survive the blast, is an eerie and absorbing reminder of the devastation brought upon this urban community on August 6th 1945.
Miyajima
Miyajima Island and the iconic image of Itsukushima-jinja are close to Hiroshima and are popular tourist destinations.
Kinosaki Onsen
A quiet canal village with a great selection of onsen (a hot spring spa) for a bit of rest and recovery.
Kanazawa
Relaxing in the the gardens of the castle or wandering the streets of the well-preserved geisha and samurai quarters make Kanazawa a delightful place to spend a few days. It’s even possible to stay in an old geisha house in Kanazawa.
Takayama
Visiting the historic district of Takayama, Sanmachi-suji, is becoming increasingly popular as a local tourist destination. It’s easy to see why with the beautifully preserved, old wooden buildings on the main streets.
Norikura
I made a chance booking to stay in the area of Mount Norikura. It was a great choice. The surrounding countryside has excellent cycling paths, and the trail to the summit of Mount Norikura makes a great and cool excursion for the summer.
No sooner than I arrived back in Spain after this amazing first trip to Japan, than I had already decided to return for summer 2015!
