On day 7 we left Tokyo for our first night staying elsewhere, on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi. We took the train route (although as you can see here the bus is quite convenient too). I personally prefer the train, especially once on the Fujikyu railway. After 6 days of the sleek efficiency of the Tokyo … Continue reading Japan 2013: Day 7 – Kawaguchi-ko
For our three day stay in Tokyo we had chosen the popular area of Ueno as our base. From Ueno you have easy access from Narita airport, to shinkansen lines and to some major metro lines too. Plus the park and shopping area offers lots to do and see. We stayed at the Hotel Mystays … Continue reading Japan 2017: Day 1 – Tokyo
Finally, after a waiting a year for our 2016 trip and then having to cancel and then re-book, we got back to Japan! We flew with SAS (and won't be again) with a stop in Copenhagen airport. After around 19 hours of travelling we landed in Narita airport, Chiba prefecture. Here we went through customs … Continue reading Trip number 4: April 2017
If you wish to travel further afield from Kawaguchi-ko station then there are a plethora of sites that you can visit. Here are a few which are easily accessible. Chureito Pagoda / Arakura Sengen Shrine The image of Mount Fuji with a pagoda and cherry blossoms in the foreground is an icon of Japan (and … Continue reading More things to do in Kawaguchi-ko
Kawaguchi-ko is the most developed and popular of all the Fuji Five Lakes (and arguably has the best views too). Kawaguchi-ko also sees the most tourists of all the Five Lakes thanks to having the easiest access from Tokyo (see Getting there ) and the most accomodation. That being said many people after planning a trip to … Continue reading Things to do in Kawaguchi-ko
Mount Fuji is one of the greatest and well known icons of Japan. Although close to Tokyo, Kawaguchiko isn't as easily accessible as other day trips might be, thanks to the mountains that ring the area. However it is possible to access the area through a number of different routes. Highway Bus The highway bus … Continue reading Getting to see Mount Fuji: Accessing Kawaguchiko
For the first day of our JR pass we ventured outside of Tokyo to the nearby island of Enoshima. The legend goes that Benten, a goddess is Japanese culture, created the island in order to calm a five headed dragon that had been causing some trouble. The story goes than Benten actually married the dragon … Continue reading Japan 2013: Day 6 – Enoshima and Kamakura
For our final full day in the capital we visited the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. We have both visited here before on our separate trips, but going together felt right. It was possibly the hottest day I had ever experienced in the three Japanese summers I've had- so in hindsight such an open garden may … Continue reading Japan 2013: Day 5 – Tokyo
Although the heat is at times unbearable I do love the Japanese summer. My previous trip in June was less warm, but I really missed the sound of the cicada, it really is the sound of Japan to me. Today, rather than nature or history, our first stop was modern Japanese youth culture with a … Continue reading Japan 2013: Day 4 – Tokyo
Day three was set aside to calm the otaku within, by visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum. I had visited the museum three years before and really loved the quirky architecture, the playful interior and the opportunity to see unreleased footage. The Ghibli museum is in Mitaka, outside of central Tokyo so a portion of the … Continue reading Japan 2013: Day 3 – Tokyo
My Nihon 