This was the final week of my 4 week Japan trip. As I wait for my flight at Narita, I thought I’d write down some final thoughts, and what I did!
Day 1 Saturday March 23:
I got confused by Google Maps taking the bus in Okinawa to the Peace Park. It was something that happened fairly frequently-Google maps got the route time and departing location correct but did not match the signs posted on the bus/train. Some educated guesswork is needed when you leave Tokyo.
At the Peace Park I visited the museum, and walked along the shrines and gravesites. I had to stop reading the first-hand accounts from <10 year olds in the museum. The museum rightfully devoted a rather significant space to reading those accounts.
Sunday March 24:
I took a flight from OKA to KIX. Again, Google Maps confused me when departing from KIX for Nara. Once in Nara I saw the big Buddha and the deer! Afterwards I took the train to Kyoto and checked into my hotel-the Super Hotel near Gion-Shijo station.
Because of the season the temples in Kyoto are doing illuminations. I did the one at Kiyomizu-dera and was just blown away. Even though there wasn’t any Sakura the temple takes on a whole new vibe at night.
Monday March 25:
I got on the train at 8:10 and went to the bamboo forest. The forest is certainly bigger than the one at the temple I visited in Kamakura, and wasn’t claustrophobically crowded. However, it is harder to get the peacefulness of it and it’s harder to get photos.
Next I walked the 160M up the mountain to visit the Monkey’s! They were sooo cute, and you can feed them! I didn’t realize their bums were padded. After I took a photo on the big banana, it was time to head down.
I took the train and walked to Kinkaku-ji. Earlier in the trip I visited the National Museum’s special exhibition where the statues inside were on display, so I figured it was fitting to go to the real site. What can I say other than it was golden!
At this point I had walked a bit and took the bus to Gingkakuji. By this point my own fatigue and temple fatigue started hitting, so I walked down the famous path and went back to my hotel and soaked in the Soten.
Tuesday March 26:
Recovery day! I did try to find some Sakura but failed. I did my Kyoto souvenir shopping this day.
Wednesday March 27:
I hiked up Fukushimi-Inari! Please please please wait to take photos until you start submitting-it’s rude to take them at the bottom and stop the flow of traffic.
Afterwards I went to Hirakata Park to ride one of Japan’s only wooden coasters. The park was clean, had plenty of food and vending machines, lots to do, and because it’s between school years, busy. But I wouldn’t trade that day away. If you like small scale amusement parks, or want to increase your credit list, take the visit down.
Thursday March 28:
I missed the English tour of the Imperial Palace by 6 minutes and did the self-guided tour instead. Its amazing how many places were slightly higher than others to passive-agressively convey social status. Also, finally saw Sakura!
Afterwards I went to the Kyoto Railway Museum. There, they practically drag-raced steam locomotives, and had standing models you can go in, above, and under. The museum also focuses on history, operations, mechanical design, and plenty more. There’s even a place to see the passing trains and the block sections in use before they do! Basically-if you like trains or want to know more about trains just go here.
Also got a drink with a couple cool people from the subreddit. Remember to join the Line Group!
Friday March 29:
Finally took the Shinkansen to Tokyo! We were delayed for wind, and honestly, I just went to the airport and did some plane spotting. I am now waiting for my flight back to America.
Cities Ranking:
Number 1: Tokyo. I love modern Japan and Tokyo is full of pretty much any niche interest. The country was still new to me so there was a large amount of novelty with everything I did. Plus, it’s easy to leave Tokyo and go for other adventures, be it history, hiking, culture, and many others, so my visits to Kamakura/Yokohama/Hakone are included in this ranking as a result. This city is busy, but it’s a good busy.
Number 2: Naha. Naha still was novel to me, had great weather for when I visited, a slightly different history and culture, fantastic ruins, and some of the best nature I’ve ever seen. This is the only city I have regrets for when leaving Japan-I wish I went snorkeling and saw the stars at Zamami.
Number 3: Kyoto. This came as a surprise to me too, but when I finally reached Kyoto, I was already used to how Japan worked and Japanese temples. The city wasn’t really that novel to me. I got more enjoyment out when I figured out how to mix ancient and modern.
Additional Requests:
Please don’t clog up the sidewalk because you want to talk to your friends. There were times I just had to step into the road when there was space otherwise, and if I hadn’t been a pain and not moved would’ve been forced off the mountain sidewalks.
Final Thoughts:
This is the longest trip I have ever taken, to a location I’ve wanted to visit for years. This has easily been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
I have to thank my work for approving that long off, thank the Japanese people for their hospitality and courtesy.
I may come back to Japan in the future, but I will probably be combining other countries in future visits.
by marsmat239