Tags
Castles, Gardens, Hiroshima, Japan, Jigokudani, Kanazawa, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Mt Fuji, Nagano, Nikko, Onsen, Osaka, Osaka and Hiroshima, Photography, Shines, Shirakawago, Takayama, temples, Tokyo, travel
Nothing could have prepared me for this exquisite and pristine country with the most humble, gracious and polite people I have ever encountered.
We flew into Tokyo from Brisbane and after staying for 4 nights in this city, we made our way south zig zagging across the island of Honshu towards Osaka. Our main places visited include: Tokyo, Nikko, Mt Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Matsumoto, Jigokudani, Nagano, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima
This timeless country is a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it is totally natural. Japan, with its beautiful natural landscape from mystical mountains to dramatic coastlines and everything in between enthralled us each and every day. We visited temples, shrines, castles, onsens (natural hot springs baths), gardens and had the pleasure of shopping in many amazing towns and cities.
On the surface, Japan appears exceedingly modern, but travelling around we experienced numerous opportunities to connect with the country’s traditional culture. This place of many faces, left us feeling at times as though we were in a modern city anywhere in the world, then we were in old towns with structures many hundreds of years old and then we were out in the country in an area that looked like it could have been Switzerland.
We enjoyed the food and soon learned that each area usually have their own specialised dishes. Wherever you are in Japan, you are never far from a great meal with small restaurants everywhere. Although we were tourists/visitors to this amazing country we always managed to find places to eat where the locals were eating. We enjoyed some wonderful experiences. In the Dotonbori area of Osaka, we were introduced to the ordering of meals using a vending machine. The vending machines (similar to cigarette vending machines) are placed near the entrance of the restaurant. With the help of pictures, we chose our meal, inserted out money and received our receipt. Then proceeded in to the tiny restaurant where we were seated at a bench and enjoyed our meal with fellow diners. It is such an efficient and different way of ordering. There is no exchange of money with any staff and your meal is ready very quickly. A really great experience. This was one of many unique and wonderful experiences during our time here.
A few more photos to share with you.
Castles
Gardens
Shrines
Temples
My 17 days in this timeless country was far beyond any of my expectations, it was insanely exceptional.
PS Sorry there are no photos of the Onsen.
Till next time
Sayanara
Beautifulphotos of a beautiful country.
Thanks. It truly is a very beautiful country. Lyn
I would love to visit Japan someday. Gorgeous photos
I do hope that you do in fact visit Japan some day. It is far more than I could ever describe. Thanks Lyn
The gardens look beautiful Lyn.
Thanks Janelle. They truly are sensational. Great to hear from you. Hope life is good. Lyn x
It looks so diverse – I most definitely need to visit Japan!
Yes Mary. You will love it.
Wow Lyn! You’ve really got me planning our first trip to Japan. Thanks so much for your posts.
My pleasure Francis. It is an exquisite country. I am sure you will love it. More than anything I loved the respect, politeness and gentleness that I saw everywhere. No aggression, no rudeness, no road rage, no obesity and tattoos. It was a time capsule. So delightful. Lyn
Lovely photos 💐💕
Thanks Nidhi. It is a beautiful country
Welcome dear🙋 agree, it is beautiful country with nice people 💐🙂
Gotta love those vending machines, glad you had a great trip Lyn. Xx
There are vending machines absolutely everywhere. Yes it was a wonderful trip. Thanks Lyn 💜💜
Reblogged this on R and B International Travel Blog.
Thank you for wonderful blog. It sure sounds like you had an amazing trip.😘 Trent and Kate are going in 2020 for the olympics they already exited. Your photos now and in previous blogs were truly breathtaking once again thank you. 💜💜
Thanks Leah. If Trent and Kate have time to explore Japan I have no doubt they will truly love and appreciate it. Magnificent country. 💜🐕
Great pics and story. Good advertisements for Japan. xx gg
Thanks Gail. Magnificent country. Loved it xx
Wow! That’s a very long trip in Japan. Looks like you’ve managed to cover almost everywhere on the main island.
Thanks Edwin. Yes I saw and experienced so much. I like to make every post a winner when I travel. And, the best thing is, I get to relive it all again through my blog.
Wow, what an amazing place Japan is and looks like you had a fab holiday. We would love to see more of Japan. Maybe one day.
Me too Suzanne I would love to see more. Yes it sure is amazing. Thanks Lyn
Great photos. You seem to have fallen in love with Japan. It’s extraordinary isn’t it? I only visited Tokyo and Kyoto but can’t wait to go back.
It is insanely extraordinary. I especially love their standards and morals. Gorgeous country. Thanks Lyn
We loved it too. The fact that they are so quiet and respectful, the tradition for aesthetics, the attention to detail, the mindfulness of it all. We can’t wait to go back and see more of the country.
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing your journey, Lyn!
My pleasure Elitsa. Thanks for reading. Lyn
:)
Japan looks so lush when it comes to foliage. I liked that you talked about the blending of the traditional with the modern.
They do everything so so well especially their respect for others. Beautiful country. Thanks Lyn
“Insanely exceptional” … doesn’t get better than that Lyn – great post! Thank you.
Thanks Georgie. It is such a wonderful country. Lyn
I’ve never been – it sounds fascinating and beautiful.
Really sounds like you loved Japan Lyn. And you have taken some fantastic photos. I love all these…they are beautiful.
Thanks Sue. Yes beautiful country but what I really loved is what I felt when I was there. Exceptional manners and attitudes. Lyn
I’m planning to visit Japan so, thankyou very much indeed for sharing your experience. Sounds very interesting 🙂
Thanks Giovanni. I think you will find it more than interesting. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Lyn
Lovely photo gallery Lyn. Japan is one of our favourite countries to visit. Cheers, Mark
Thanks Mark. Japan is now one of my favourites. Beautifully serene country. Lyn
I’ve never been but heard wonderful things about Japan. Beautiful photos
Thanks Miriam. I had never heard just how beautiful it is. So so pleased that I experienced it. Lyn
I agree with you Lyn. Humble and gracious are also words that I’d use to describe my encounter with the locals there. Very nice pictures :)
It sure is a wonderful experience. Would love to see more of it here in Australia. Thanks, Lyn
Glorious photos. Thanks for the tour.
Glorious country. Thanks Peggy. Lyn
Japan such a beautiful country and you shared good information about that place. I have never Visit Japan, and your pictures make me crazy and now I’m planning to explore it.
I am delighted that you enjoyed my story. I hope that you do get to Japan and that you enjoy it. Thanks Lyn
Gorgeous shots. They do have beautiful old architecture and lovely gardens.
I especially loved the older architecture and of course the gardens were all magnificent. Thanks, Lyn
Great photos and write-up!
I’m yet to visit Japan, but looks wonderful.
Thanks. Japan is well worth visiting. Wonderful country. Lyn
I’m so eager to get to Japan someday. Your first sentence sums up how I imagine it to be, and your photos capture the beauty and artistry that seem to infuse everything in their culture.
Thanks Lex. I am so in awe of this amazing country. I cannot speak highly enough. I hope to return one day and see lots more. In the meantime I will re visit each area through my blog. Lyn
Love your passion for Japan! I’ve been living in Tokyo for a number of years now and know exactly how you feel. Loved all your pictures in this post, but particularly the garden ones! Where was that last garden pic taken, if you don’t mind me asking?
Thanks Celia. I cannot stop talking about Japan. In fact all of my friends now want to visit. It sure opened my eyes to the dreadful attitudes that we witness here in Aus, often. Those gardens are Shukkeien in Hiroshima. Right in the heart of the city and just stunning. I especially loved Hiroshima and Miyajima island. Thanks, Lyn
Thanks for sharing Lyn. We have been to Japan 3 times, 1982 on a tour, 1985 on our own for a month and in 2009 to visit with former exchange students we had billeted. Each trip was different and yet the same. Each time we left, saying We Love Japan. Cheers. Allan
Thanks Allan, Japan is a truly wonderful country and I look forward to returning soon. 3 trips, how wonderful. The good thing is also, it is only a 9/10 hour flight from here. Lyn