Howdy all! Time to start getting down to blogging about this little trip I’m on right now! I’ll give you a bit of a diary without going into mega detail because there isn’t enough time for me to do that and actually enjoy and experience everything.
Day One Monday (last week)
Well, as I said in an earlier post this trip was taking me to Japan, China and Laos. Monday saw us head out to Melbourne Airport to catch our flight to japan with a connection in Kuala Lumpur.
The day went smoothly really although the Malaysian Airlines flight to KL was over eight hours and the seats weren’t very comfortable.
After grabbing dinner at KLIA we boarded Japan Airlines for Tokyo and failed to sleep much at all. Easily morning arrival at Narita and then a long hus journey to central Yokohama. The rest of the day was a write off for me as was the next day, trying to recover missing sleep but we did enjoy dinner out with the family both nights.
Day Four ThursdayÂ
By the Thursday I was recharged enough to get into some exploring and devoted the day to Yokohama. Highlights included the large and beautiful Sankeien Gardens with great views, a lake and loads of people posing for wedding photos.
Also got down to Chinatown which was bright and colourful, saw some of the waterfront and Osanbashi Pier which sees international arrivals and departures.
I was disappointed that Cosmo World Theme Park was closed, but took the five minute air cabin ride from World Porters and then was more disappointed to find the Landmark Tower Observation Deck closed as well. So I finished the day off by visiting the quite awesome Hara Model Train Museum.
Day Five FridayÂ
Took the Green Carriage on the shinkansen to Kyoto which was very comfortable indeed. In Kyoto blown away by how busy it was. This day was in fact the Aoi Festival in Kyoto, one of three main festivals held annually in Kyoto.
So we did get a chance to see it. It dates back to the eighth or ninth century AD when storms destroyed a harvest and basically I think the emperor of the time held ceremonies to appease the gods.
In 2026 it was a procession of hundreds, most looking absolutely cooked in the heat and very unhappy but in ancient costumes and pulling carts and then horses and bullocks who were also pulling floats. Actually, most of the work was done by the bullocks and horses but the people had their work cut our controlling them.
Day Six SaturdayÂ
I headed to Osaka and checked out a couple of districts and went up the Tsutenkaku Tower which has great views if nothing else.
I bumbled around the city and went to the famous Osaka Castle, which makes for a great picture but frankly is so overrun with tourists I would probably advise just visiting the surrounding grounds, which is free and allows you to get the shots you want of the castle.
Day Seven SundayÂ
The final day of the first week ended up being devoted to visiting Arashiyama, a famous spot on the outskirts of Kyoto famed for its Bamboo Forest.
We tried negiaki, a local Kyoto spin on okonomoyaki, visited the rather splendid temple Tenryu ji and of course, the famed Bamboo Forest. It was also drowning in tourists, however it didn’t get to me kike Osaka Castle had, that was seriously hard work.
Finally, the most beautiful spot of the day, was Gio ji, a temple through some of the beautiful roads and paths of Arashiyama, the walking is good there, with the garden covered in moss. I really can’t state how hauntingly beautiful it was. Highly recommended!
Well folks, as I bash this out in line at Universal Studios Japan, I will bid you adieu for now. More update next week. Take care wherever you are in the world right now and… May the Journey Never End!!
Andy Roams 