This was going to be an ambitious day, or so the blueprint dictated. It would require an early bird start and then some gymnastics of navigating around half the surface of the shore of Lake Biwa, and then angle for one of the islands (Chikubu), then back to the starting point. But I did wake […]
Day 10 Nagahama Castle Read More »
Among the most visited popular and busy tourist spots in Kyoto, dear Reader you will find these four: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi-inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama. Then again, the whole of Kyoto is full of ‘must-see’ spots, and it really depends on personal preference where one goes. Having enjoyed Kiyomizu-dera in spite of the crowds (at least the
Having checked the weather forecast and finding that it would probably rain in the day I was meant to go to Nagoya, I opted to switch the itinerary. No time like the present, dear Reader. A non-reserved seat (always cars 1-3) will set you back a little above ¥5000. Any train would do and there
Uji is but 8 stops and 24 min away from Kyoto in the JR Nara Line (also convenient for getting you to Tofuku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari- 1st, and 2nd stop on the way). It is where many of the Matcha teas you can purchase in Kyoto come from, and it hosts many stores selling
Day 7 – Uji & The Tale of Genji Read More »
The queue for the 206 bus to Kiyomizu-dera is long, but the buses come every minute or so, and there are people with helpful signs in English to direct tourists. At the entrance a dragon keeps watch over the water, and you’re invited to wash your hands and mouth – as per ritual- and proceed
I purchased my ticket the evening before my journey, to make sure I’d find me a seat. All seats facing the starboard side (the Shinkansen is not a ship) were taken, as that is the side you get to see Mount Fuji – currently bold, and without its snow cap. It just makes the fact
Day 5 – Kyoto bound Read More »
The day was a sunny one; it’s like there were no showers the day before. A perfect day for being out in the open air and making the most of the weather. It’s a Sunday. I walked to the Tokyo International Forum, where I knew there’d be a flea market of various goods taking place,
Day 4 – Tokyo Treasure Hunting Read More »
Matsumoto is a lovely place. And the produce you see most of around this time of year is apples. Yellow apples that have a hint of pear flavour, red sweet juicy apples that have a nice crunch. Apples the size of a grapefruit, in cakes, biscuits, wafers, apples as crisps, juiced in bottles to go,
How do you like them apples? Read More »
The view from the hotel was Nagano Station, and lots of people carrying umbrellas. I was up since the small hours and I could hear the rain on my window. It set the pace for the day, since it never rushed, nor did it slow down; it was as constant as it could be and
Day 3 – Temple in the rain Read More »
Fresh out of the gates at 06:40 to make sure I caught the first decent train to Matsumoto, I find myself lost in the area around Shinjuku Station. Yes, I’d read about this in books, but nothing preps you for the reality of things. This is no Tokyo Station, no. I mean, you expect a
Day 2 – Unreservedly, yours Read More »
