A taste of Japan

[kpc]

This is a pictorial trip report of the week I spent during my first trip to Japan recently. There are many reports on the actual plane trip itself (flew QF J from Syd-Nrt return – standard trip), but this report is directed at the beauty of the destination; If it encourages you to visit Japan, or brings back pleasant memories of a previous trip, I would be very satisfied, and it would justify the time I took to put it together!

I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, and have selected some of my favourite pictures of the trip. The full album is here if you want to have a look at all the pictures [and if you have broadband internet, best viewed in slideshow mode in full screen].

Aerial shot of Tokyo...taken from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bldg

Tsukiji fish market...tuna ready for auction

Shinjuku at night

fresh sushi & sashimi at Tsukiji fish market

Hana-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo…beautiful gardens

Harajuku district...love the hairstyle & colour



​

 

[kpc]

Shinkansen...aka as the "Bullet" train

Mt Fuji...in the distance...passing by at 300km/hr

Westin Miyako Kyoto…beautiful district views...

Imperial Palace, Kyoto…gardens

Gion, old Kyoto…lovely wooden walls

Kyoto …Kamo river

​

 

[kpc]

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto…school kids everywhere!

Sannenzaka Slope…lined by quaint little shops

2 beautiful Geisha…look at the beautiful Kimonos

Ishibe-Koji alley way…beautiful wooden fences/ walls

Ginkakuji Temple…gardens

Atom Bomb Dome, Hiroshima…the only building left from the destruction of Hiroshima





































​

 

[Hvr]

This is a pictorial trip report of the week I spent during my first trip to Japan recently. ... If it encourages you to visit Japan, or brings back pleasant memories of a previous trip, I would be very satisfied, and it would justify the time I took to put it together!

I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, and have selected some of my favourite pictures of the trip.

kpc it does indeed bring back wonderful memories of my trip there last year (Feb 08). I am also planning on being there again next year as part of my next trip around Asia.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[samh004]

Loved the photos, looks like you took in a broad range of sights and tastes.

 

[Alanslegal]

Loved the photos, looks like you took in a broad range of sights and tastes.

Most agreed, but only thanks to my expert instructions whilst meeting up with KPC in Tokyo

 

[Evan]

I love Japan and have been many times but in 2004 i had an excellent few week trip only for holidays. One country in Asia that i would say to anybody they should visit. I have never made it to the fish market though as i really spend most of my time outside Tokyo when on holidays but it looks very interesting.

 

[Grooba]

Simply spectacular shots there kpc. Having only been through Japan a couple of times before, and not for more than 2 nights at a time, I would love to spend some quality time exploring the different sights and sounds.

Great visual report.

 

[drron]

Great memories.Thanks kpc.We first went 24 years ago.Absolutely loved it.So much so i even went back to Uni and did 2 years Japanese-still couldnt speak much but found I had a flair for kanji-can blow the minds of some Japanese when you write everything down!
Been back many times and will continue to do so.

 

[irwin8417]

Nice photos,I miss Kyoto!! Hope got chance visit again this August.

 

[SnowYeti]

Thanks for posting the photos. Reminds me I should go there end of year for skiing again Missed out last year!

I love Tokyo!

 

[kpc]

Thanks for all the comments...glad you enjoyed the photos of Japan!

Most agreed, but only thanks to my expert instructions whilst meeting up with KPC in Tokyo

After we parted company in Shinjuku, we got a "little" lost before finding our way back to the Hilton!
PS What's happened to your TR? It seems to have got stuck in LA...

 

[munitalP]

Thanks for posting the great photos - The jury is still out with Mr & Mrs! on Japan- we have a good friend who's a prof at the uni of Tokyo and he frequently tells us to come for a visit - the enigma of the people, not so much the city folk but the country folk would be my drawcard.

The OP may well have tipped the scales towards a visit...


Mr!

 

[Evan]

For an interesting people and cultural experience if there is one single country in Asia i could not recommend more highly it would have to be Japan !

Get out of Tokyo ! that is the best other hint i can give, you only need a couple of days there.

What a fantastic country with fantastic people, an experience like know other if your a big game to go and live it up with the locals.

 

[Fifa]

Thanks for sharing your photos with us.
I've visited Japan 3 times now with our longest visit being 4 weeks and I would be back in a heartbeat if I could!

 

[Skyring]

Some excellent photographs there! What a land of contrasts Japan is - the vast ugliness of the cities and the heartbreaking pure beauty of the temples and parks. The rush of the crowds against the serenity in sweet little restaurants.

So much that is alien. We go there and photograph everything. The locals must joke about the snap-happy foreign tourists.

I've been there twice now. Osaka and Hiroshima on one rushed trip, and a night in Narita the next year. My two days in Tokyo later this month are going to be too short by far.

http://www.skyring.com.au/Skyring/Articles/Entries/2006/4/4_A_schoolgirl’s_dream.html

 

[SnowYeti]

So much that is alien. We go there and photograph everything. The locals must joke about the snap-happy foreign tourists.

They are very snap happy over here too hehehe
(includes me!!)

 

[Evan]

<..>
So much that is alien. We go there and photograph everything. The locals must joke about the snap-happy foreign tourists.
<..>

Are you joking :shock: anybody with a camera or 2 and 2 or 3 mobile phones is considered 100% normal in Japan
They love it. And only the other night i was thinking about camera companys and realised the majority come from Japan with the next largest group probably of German origin, and thats about it, nearly all camera gear although not made in Japan is Japanese companies. The 2 biggest being Cannon and Nikon.

Incedently looks like i have decided on the Nikon D90 as my first D-SLR having only used a small digital before and a film SLR.

 

[JohnK]

Great photos that do the beautiful countryside justice kpc!

If I get some time one day....

 

[Ric]

kpc,

Thanks for the memories!! Indeed, have been to a number of the places that you photographed......especially those in Kyoto.

As Evan says, get out of Tokyo! A nice day trip can be made to Nikko which is absolutely stunning in Autumn.

Ric