LAND OF THE RISING SUN
From the bustling streets of Shinjuku to the serene Imperial Gardens, each day brought new adventures. Osaka’s historic sites and Hiroshima’s poignant memorials added depth to our journey, while Kyoto’s temples and gardens captivated our senses. Venturing into rural post towns and tranquil onsens provided a serene conclusion to our Japanese odyssey.
During our week in Tokyo, my brother and I delved into the diverse districts of this vibrant city, each offering unique experiences. We kicked off our adventure by taking a day trip to Fujiyoshida to catch a mesmerizing glimpse of Mt. Fuji, immersing ourselves in its towering presence. Our exploration continued in Shinjuku, where we meandered through the famed Shinjuku Golden Gai, a district of Kabukicho within Shinjuku, it is composed of a network of six narrow alleys, connected by even narrower passageways. With over 200 tiny bars and a few tiny restaurants.
The bustling Shibuya district beckoned us next, with its colorful shopping and entertainment scene, culminating in the iconic Shibuya crossing and a visit to the Hachiko memorial. Asakusa and Akihabara captivated us with their blend of tradition and modernity, from the Sensoji Temple to the vibrant anime and electronics shops.
A visit to the Tsukiji fish market and the Imperial Gardens provided a taste of local life before we boarded the bullet train to Osaka. In Osaka, we explored Denden Town, witnessed a Sumo tournament, and marveled at the historic Osaka Castle and lively Dotonbori area.
Our journey then led us to Hiroshima, where we paid tribute to the poignant history of the atomic bombing at the Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima Peace Memorial. The atomic bomb that the U.S. dropped on August 6, 1945. The effects of the atomic bombings killed 90,000 to 166,000 people in Hiroshima, roughly half occurred on the first day. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Genbaku dome is the only structure left standing in the area where the atomic bomb exploded.
The following day we ventured to the beautiful Itsukushima island, the port is full of street food and shops, make sure to try the island’s speciality : the momiji manju.
In Kyoto, we immersed ourselves in the cultural richness of Gion, I recommend to go explore those streets early in the morning to avoid the influx of tourists. Wandered along the Philosopher’s Path to enjoy the magnificent cherry blossom, and visited iconic sites like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji.
After few days spend in the busy touristy spots we decided to go somewhere else, we jumped on a bus and went to Imamiya Shrine, a shrine with a thousand year history, make sure to make a stop at Kazariya, an 1000 year old tea house where they serve delicious aburi-mochi.
The day my brother left, I jumped once again on the bullet train heading towards the Nagano prefecture, I wanted to spend few days in the rural Japan, venturing into the tranquil Narai Juku : a historic post town located in the Kiso Valley. It was an important stop on the Nakasendo highway connecting Kyoto and Tokyo during the Edo period.
My Japanese odyssey concluded with a peaceful retreat at Kamisuwa Onsen and a visit to the vibrant Yokohama Chinatown, marking the end of an unforgettable journey through the Land of the Rising Sun.