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MARVELOUS JAPAN

I LUV JAPAN! One of my dream land in my 'must visit” Asian countries bucket list is Japan. Also one of my resolution for 2017 was to cover Japan. An expensive country to visit but must do so for once in a life time. Clean, courteous and very advance in technology.

I made an effort to sign up for a 7D5N tour with Golden Deluxe Tour which takes me to Osaka-Kyoto-Shirakawa Go - Takayama-Matsumoto-Mt Fuji-Tokyo-Narita.

Day 1

A light and easy tour is arranged for the first day due to the long flight journey of six hours from KLIA – Hong Kong – Japan.

OSAKA

Osaka is the central city of West Japan – it was the distribution center for products from around the country from 1868-1913 onwards.

The first venue is shopping at Shinsabashi street in downtown Osaka.

Get to Dotombori – food paradise of two rows of eateries packed wall-to-wall with Japanese nosh of every imaginable kinds and prices. With the lights of neon sign boards touting as colorful as rainbow, and this is the reason why Osaka is dubbed as “The Kitchen of Japan”. Here, one can see the exceptionally bold decorations in the form of big lobster, prawns, chickens, family, bull and the Japanese caricatures.

DOTOMBORI

Next stop is Osaka Garden constructed in 1583, is one of Osaka's representative sightseeing spot, Here is where one can view the heritage Osaka Castle.

OSAKA GARDEN

KYOTO

Kyoto an ancient city with many notable and historic scenes, conveys Japan's beauty and traditions to this day.

Temple and ritual places is plentiful and a must visit for tourists to Japan.

Our first temple visited is Fushimi Inari Taisha. An important Shinto Shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion toril gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. We (my mum and me) managed to take good photographs with Japanese ladies in kimono in front of the temple.

FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA

Another stop we made before sunset – is Kiyomizu Temple – famous for its principal sanctuary, built on a steep cliff. It is registered as a world cultural heritage in 1994.

KIYOMIZU TEMPLE BY SUNSET

Day 2

Our journey by coach took us from Kyoto to Shirakawa Go and Takayama.

SHIRAKAWA GO

It took us about 4 hours to reach the village of Shirakawa Go – which is one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This village is well known for their houses constructed in the architectural style known as gassho-zukuri. The Gassho-zukuri, “prayer-hands construction” style is characterized by a thatched and steeply slanting roof resembling hands joined in prayer.

SHIRAKAWA -GO

The coach stopped us at the highest peak of a hill top to view the village located below the hill, as tourists are not allowed to reach at the door steps of the villages.

We took photographs from atop overlooking the village. After that, we adjourned to have our lunch nearby, where we can take more closer photographs with the unusual gassho-zukuri style houses.

WRITER ENJOYING SCENIC SHIRAKAWA-GO

A short distance of one-hour, we reached Takayama town, which is a small township made up of traditional shops selling crafts, souvenirs, and museum and restaurants. Rows of houses called “Machiya-Zukuri” stand in Takayama which is the main sightseeing street of Takamaya since Edo Period (1603-1867).

TAKAYAMA TOWN

We visited Takayama Jinya a place served as the local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo. The building complex was in official use until 1969, is now open to public as a museum. One can have a look at the Rice Storehouse (Onkura), Law Court and Interrogation Room (Oshirasu, Ginmisho), Guest Room (Zashiki), Japanese Style Garden, Offices and Confernece Room. The attraction in this official house - is the full bloom flowers in its garden and tourists enjoy taking photographs of the flowers as backdrop for their memorable photograph.

TAKAYAMA JINYA

Day 3

Journey from Takayama to Matsumoto – Mt Fuji – a rather long journey from one place to another which took us the whole full day of traveling and sightseeing.

The first stop over is to see Matsumoto Castle (1603-1867) which is registered as a national treasure. It is one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles. Took great selfies photographs in front of the Matsumoto Castle separated by a peaceful lake.

MATSUMOTO CASTLE

The next destination is everyone's favourite – Mount Fuji – the highest mountain in Japan with a beautiful conic shape, the world reowed symbol of Japan. Here, we posed non stop – hoping to catch the best shot with the gigantic Mt Fuji before leaving the place. The weather is 1-2 celcious and everyone clinch hard to their winter coat, could hardly speak a word and waste no time clicking on our camera with our numb fingers.

MT FUJI

The final stop is to the Fuji Earthquake Simulation Centre – a specializing space of Earthquake Simulation Facility with a various theme. We are ushered to a dark room, sitted and experienced the different frequency of earth quake which is a norm to the Japanese.

The centre is located next to a souvenir shop, and the tourists could not resist grabbing dry packages food back home.

EARTHQUAKE CENTRE

Day 4

Journey from Mt Fuji – Tokyo

We are still in Mt Fuji area – stop by Oshino – Mura in the foot of southeast Mount Fuji of Yamanashi.

OSHINO-MURA

TOKYO

Since the start of the Edo Period in 1603 – Tokyo has played a primary role in politics and economics as Japan's capital till today. Tokyo is a giant metropolis, housing 12 million people – is a city of various charms, owing to its dense history. Popular sightseeing – Ginza, the shopping town of the city filled with department stores and stylish shops.

The moment we reached Tokyo – our first destination is Nakamise Avenue – comprises over 150 stores lining up on the street. The stores are packed full of local specialities and souvenirs. Lunch served was a fried fish.

NAKAMISE AVENUE

Enjoy the scenic view of Odaiba – established as a harbour side development on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay. It has now become Tokyo's newest landmark. Not only does it offer parks, the latest amusement facilities and shopping area where visitors can feel the sea breeze in the heart of the city, but also admire the beautiful sight of the Rainbow Bridge.

VISITORS ENJOYING TOKYO BAY SUMIDA RIVER CRUISE

Tokyo Bay Sumida River Cruise – this is a pleasurable trip on the Sumida River where one can view the huge buildings of Tokyo from afar, and take photographs of it as the backdrop scenery. Here, one will find both Edo-Period atmosphere and New Tokyo at the same time when you listen to the annoucement explaining the scenic points and historical places while viewing the ever-changing Tokyo Bay.

We had a chance to walk over to experience the New Tokyo area – showcasing Statue of Liberty and the Golden Bridge of San Francisco.

STATUTE OF LIBERTY

GOLDEN BRIDGE OF SAN FRANCISCO

Asakusa Kannon Temple – is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in the urban area of Tokyo. By having a huge red lantern hand under the gate of Kaminari-mon (thunder gate) as the symbol. Get excited to taking photographs with a number of large lanterns hang along the temple gates, and temple houses. By night, the temple lights up beautifully, and you must not missed posing with any of the lighted huge lantern.

ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE

Day 5

Journey from Tokyo to Narita

Tokyo Disneyland – an eternal source of joy, laughter, inspiration and imagination to the people around the world. We reach Disneyland as early as 9am – the crowd line- up patiently at the entrance to get into the theme park. Disneyland is one of my favourite place to visit. It is a “must visit” place I recommend to you, if you are in Tokyo. Love the crowd, dry rides, castles, river cruise, cartoon characters, shows, procession and souvenir shops!!