Japan 2023

Market day for us. On a Sunday the local Tokyo racecourse is taken over with a flea market. It has over 300 stalls. Learnt a train lesson the hard way. Forgot to read the board when we hopped on a train and realised it was an express train to the airport. So we had a ride to the airport and back to the race course where the markets were held.  After the markets we headed to Ginza which is the high end part of Tokyo. Because it was Saturday they closed the road and it becomes a great big mall.

Today we changed hotels so we are now in Shinjuku. Caught the train to the Imperial Garden but they were closed! We wondered along the river and visited the National Cemetery. After dinner we headed out to wander the incredibly busy and bright neighbourhood. 

Tsukiji markets Shibuya scramble and Haciko Dog.

Today started with a boat ride on the lake outside our hotel.  after we went to a doll museum which was surprisingly interesting. Tokyo Metropolitan government building was next where we had amazing views over Tokyo.

Today we visited Matsumoto Castle Park. We had to take our shoes  off and walk up very steep steps.   We then travelled on to the Mount Fuji 5th station where we had great views up the mountain. We stayed on the lake which had great views of Mt Fuji.

Quite a long winding and narrow road for much of the day.  First stop Shirakawago which is a very old village set at the bottom of a very deep valley. Beware of bears! Next stop was Takayama for lunch then on to Matsumoto for our overnight stay.

Long day on the road today. First stop was Kanazawa Castle Park which contained many ponds and winding paths. Our next stop was Higashi Chaya District which contains many period buildings. We had the opportunity to do gold leaf application. We chose to do chopsticks.

Caught a 20 min  ferry to Miyajimacho Island. Our ferry was at about 8.30 and was quite full by the time we left there was ferries pulling in every few minutes crammed with people. I'm glad we started early.  Next stop was Hemiji Castle. The castle is cited on extensive grounds. I took the challenge and climbed right to the top requiring many fights of steep stairs in my socks. We then walked to the station where we caught the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka A video of Shinkansen Shinkansen