Statistically, the chances of seeing Mount Fuji in August are quite low compared to the rest of the year, but not nothing, and so with hope we were out of the house and driving up a mountain before 5:30am. Often the clouds can be more low-lying so from a higher altitude you get a clear … Continue reading Japan 2023 Summer Day 9: A Canoe trip on Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji
It was an absolutely sweltering morning in Kanazawa, even though we were packed and out of the house by 7am, the humidity was intense. Our plan for the day was to get to our rental house in Kawaguchiko, some 200 miles away, with plenty of stops along the way. We couldn't leave Kanazawa without visitng … Continue reading Japan 2023 Summer Day 7: Kenroku-en, Ainokura & Gokoyama
We were out of our lovely townhouse before 7am so we could get to Higashi Chaya and experience the old town without any other tourists around. Even though it was so early the day was already incredibly humid, the Sea of Japan coast is hot!!! It didn't take too long to get to the tea … Continue reading Japan 2023 Summer Day 6: Fantastic Fukui
We had one day in Tokyo on this trip in order to recover between the northern and central legs of our trip. My aim for this day was to meet a new friend and to see plum blossom. We had a slow morning, which was the first for our trip, and met my lovely friend … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter Day 9: A rainy Tokyo day
It was our last morning in Tohoku, and it is always sad to leave as it is my favourite region in Japan (Kawaguchiko aside). We had a very early shinkansen to catch as we needed the specific seats with space for large luggage and all other trains were already booked when we got around to … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter Day 8: Aomori to Tokyo
As we weren't able to spend any time in Hakodate the previous day we decided to get up early before our shinkansen left at 12:48pm. We paid an extra 2000Y to check out later, at midday rather than 11am so that we could keep our luggage in the room until we returned from our excursion. … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter Day 5: Hakodate to Aomori
After a chilly night we woke up to a stunning sunrise across Toyako, what a view for our first look at the lake! When we checked in the night before we were able to select between Japanese and Western-style breakfast, and we chose Japanese as with my allergies to wheat, eggs, and milk a Western … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter Day 4: Lake Toya to Hakodate
We woke up to another beautiful day in Sapporo and after a quick conbini breakfast, we went for a walk around the block to stretch our legs. When we returned I asked the front desk to order us a taxi for a little later as the car rental spot was quite a walk away. They … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter Day 3: Sapporo to Toyako
We awoke to a clear and sunny day in Sapporo and a beautiful view of snow-covered streets from our hotel window. We were staying at the Daiwa Roynet Sapporo-Susukino hotel, as I had booked everything prior to Japan announcing their re-opening I was able to get a really good deal - two nights for less … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter DAY 2: Sapporo Snow Festival
Our flight should have got to Japan at 6am but Saturday flights from London to Tokyo now only leave in the late afternoon, meaning we lost a whole day in Japan. Our flight from Heathrow left at 17:45 and we didn't reach Haneda until 15:30 the next day. The new flight route had added 3.5 … Continue reading Japan 2023 Winter Day 1: Planes & snow
My Nihon 