Japan 2025

When I heard be prepared for 20,000 plus, steps a day I laughed, but  there’s a lot of walking and you do put on 20,000 steps a day or close to it. And when you get off at the subway, you have to know what exit to use , because some of the subway stops have 30 exits. The Japan subway system is very extensive. I left for Japan on November 24. The Air Canada flight 01was a Boeing 777; it was about 14 hours. I landed at Haneda airport, which has just been completed, and it’s closer to town. It’s about a 45-minute train ride to Tokyo ,but forst I stopped to get my Suica card, which is what you need in Japan, you can have other cards but the Suica card can use it on the trains, buses, 7-Eleven, and more. I preloaded it with $50.00, which was 5000yen then I was off to my hotel, which was the LOF Shimbashi

After I got to the hotel, via the Tokyo subway, I went out to get something to eat. There are lots of restaurants. And vending machines with food. Some have a vending machine outside where you order and pay, and when you get a seat, they bring your food to you, freshly cooked.

On November 6, I was up early. Started the day at the SENSOJI Temple

It was after 8 am and already busy. By nine o’clock, it was worse! The temple is beautiful. I guess in Japan, eight o’clock isn’t early enough to avoid the crowds and get photos without people. The original building was destroyed during World War II. You can walk the grounds, make a wish, or shop in the side streets. While wandering, I accidentally found Kappabashi Street, famous for its kitchen wares. It’s just a few blocks away and also close to the Sky Tower, which is similar to the CN Tower in Toronto. On a clear day, you might get a view of Mount Fuji, but it was covered today. 

I had an appointment for the Team Borderless at the Mori Art Museum (immersive digital art), which was great. And dinner was at Tonkatsui Hajimei, a food with pork and rice it was $27, and I wandered around the Ginza Station,

November the seventh,

Another long day is up early for the fish Market, Tsukiji. I got there around nine o’clock. Only a few stalls were open when I arrived, so I got lost walking around. Within half an hour, the market filled up as everyone started to arrive. The inner part has mostly frozen goods, fresh fish, groceries, and matcha tea.

And the outer part is 97% food. I tried the Wagyu beef skewers, which were about $30 Canadian. The wagyu just melts in your mouth. I’m going to try it again with the meal. Then off to Ginza.I found the very high-end stores like Yorkville in Toronto, and Uniqlo was there on the street; it has six floors. Yes, Uniqlo had six floors, and there’s a lineup to get in, but it didn’t open till 11.So, I lined up and got a few things ( alot cheaper than Toronto) Not bad, the same tops you get in Toronto, for $100, Then off to Kappabashi street   to finish the other half, that I didn’t get done yesterday. I purchased  a carving knife from Tojiro Japan knife, and it’s actually pretty reasonable. Some of the knives in Japan start at $700. I’m not sure why, but they do. Then I was off to the paper shop Itoya in Ginza, not far from Uniqlo I didn’t know to start with. And then I went to the Seiko flagship shop in an old beautiful building to see what the watches were like. I didn’t get a watch. They start at about $700, so I just left it like that. Then I was off to dinner down the street at Kaiten Zushi Nemuro Hanamaru Ginza.On the 10th floor of the Toya Plaza building, and there is a conveyor belt sushi place. It’s not bad. The place is very reasonable. But I got there at 1600 hours to avoid a rush, but I had to wait 45 minutes. I can’t imagine what it’s like at dinner time, but I have been told that you have to get there early. After this, I went off to the Sequence hotel in the Suidobashi area, which has a speakeasy. Had to find the key on Instagram to get entrance behind the painting door. It’s a small, tiny bar. I had two drinks, about $35, and went back to the hotel.

Saturday, November 8, I was up early and left the hotel at 0830 for Shibuya via the Ginza Line. It’s a straight, short ride. Six stops. First stop was Don Quixote. It was a mega store about three blocks from the crossing, that is  open 24 hours and has six levels. It has everything you want. Also went to the H& M store, but it wasn’t open till 10. H&M has six floors. Things here are a lot cheaper than at home, and it’s tax free.

I  then went to the Magnet building to see the Shibuya Crossing/scramble, from above, which everyone sees all the time. You had to buy a drink, $18. You can’t believe how many people are crossing, and you should see it at 1600 hours at night from the street. It’s amazing.

Then I went walking around all the streets, and I found this hamburger place, Henry’s Hamburgers, $12, 1200 yen for a wagyu burger, which is amazing. And then I kept walking up the street, and it felt like I was in New York with all the stores,  alleyways, and people.

The street name was Meiji-Dori Avenue, and there’s a lot of alleys. I found the pig cafe. I wasn’t looking for it, but seriously, they have a pink cat cafe. And I actually found the Meiji Jingu Shrine, which is surrounded by a forest

It’s a large area to walk. There are lots of people, and the barrels of sake that were offered by the emperor. 

I walked back to Shibuya Station with stops along the way at different stores. This took the whole day. I am off to Kyoto tomorrow

Sunday, November 9, off to Kyoto from the Tokyo Station. Via the Shinkansen bullet train, it departed precisely at nine o’clock for Kyoto.  It was a two-hour train ride going through the countryside, farms, and industrial areas. It was a very relaxing ride. You actually have more  leg room than you get on the bulkhead seat of the plane. And that’s no joke. When I got off the train, I had to take bus number four for a couple of stops to get to my hotel,  Wanosato Kyoto Muse

Then I was off to my tea-making ceremony.at the registered cultural property.The floor is all wood. I had to get dressed up in a kimono,  have my hair done, and walk around in the garden. Unfortunately, it was raining out, so I couldn’t walk up and down the street, but that’s okay. The tea ceremony took about 45 minutes 

It was about 6900 yen.  $69 Can for about for that. And you can wear the kimono for a whole day. It was raining, and I didn’t bother.

Dinner was at Koisus Gion, which specializes in tempura and curry. And this was actually one of my favorite restaurants. The food was delicious, and the small portions were pretty big. It was about $27 Canadian. Then back to the hotel.before heading   off to Pontocho Alley.

And of course, on Route, I found two major shopping malls, plus the main street was full of stores, which is very nice; you have to be a very controlled shopper, or things can get out of control. I’ll visit the stores tomorrow. Pontocho Alley. It was full of restaurants, stores, and lanterns. It was very pretty in that and narrow. alley

The shopping streets in Kyoto are called Shinkyogoku Street and  Teramachi. 

Monday, November 10, I was up early again and off to the bamboo forest, also known as Arashiyama, via train and bus; it took about an hour. The forest has a few temples inside  and around it. Lots of people at 815, in the morning, there’s a little bit of light rain.

One of the temples was Tenryu-Ji. below

The Gardens are beautiful with the tree leaves changing, and then off to the Sango train ride, the ‘romantic train ride, ‘which takes you around the area.

You have to reserve it. It’s a one way,trip taking  20 minutes. It takes to the other side of the river. It’s a beautiful ride, especially with the leaves changing. You end up at Kameoka, which is on the other side of the bamboo forest.

Then I was on  the JR rail for the trip to the Kikakuji temple, also known as the Gold Leaf Temple.

It’s a Buddhist temple. It’s beautiful, and the grounds are, again, well-kept. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located close to the mountains. It was 500 yen to get in, which is $5 that’s well worth it.

The next stop was Gion, the Old Town, which is not far from the hotel.The streets have wooden houses. Lots of restaurants and temples. Kennin-Ji, the oldest  Zen temple in Kyoto, cost 500 yen to get in. There’s an art display going on in the  grounds. It’s kept very beautiful then finish walking through the rest of the shopping area. Dinner was at Sushiro, its conveyor belt was good. $12 good.

November 11, surprise. I was up early again and had breakfast at the hotel. I left at 730  for Fushimi Inari Taisha, which means 1000 gates. I arrived at eight o’clock, lots of people. Again, it’s hard to get pictures without anybody in them, but if you walk up to the very top, there’s the shrine, and hardly anybody there, because no one goes up to the top, the logs and Poles have writings on the back, it’s easy to get to by subway, and it’s free. I spent about an hour and a half. They’re going leisurely, pace.

Next stop was the Niishki market. It has everything food,

and it’s very long, and it connects the Teramchi market shopping area, just close to the hotel, but I spent time walking around. Then off to the Imperial Palace. I

was able to walk to the Imperial Palace from the market. It’s about 30 minutes.

The palace  was closed today, but I was able to walk around the lovely grounds like everyone else for an hour and a half, then walk back to my hotel. went to the Sannenzaka Ninenzake to see the Yasaka Pagoda, but you can’t get inside to see the pagoda, there are lots of shops around it,

But close behind it is the Kiyomiz Temple, which is, again, beautiful, a lovely walk up and down the hills. View the city.It’s great. around  5pm, as the sun was setting, lots and lots of people were on the streets leading to it for the view of the sunset. And again, it’s the UNESCO Site, a beautiful site, 500 yen to get in, which is $5 

I had dinner at kyo-Yakiniku-HIRO I tried the sampling menu, 

• · eggs, puddings.
• · I had beef and egg marinated
• · sampling beef tongue,
• · beef stomach
• · brisket, ribs.
• · Wagyu tongue
• · Wagyu skirt beef
• · Ramen bowl with beef
• · Macha pudding

Pretty good for about 100 bucks.

The best ginger ale I’ve ever had. 

, November 12, again, up early, I left for  Himeji Castle (also known as the White Horn Palace), which is a World Heritage National Treasure. It’s the first castle in Japan  to  become a UNESCC Cultural World Heritage Site. The castle is huge and is all white on the outside and wood on the inside. The wood floors are well-maintained, and the stairs are very  steep. There’s a total of six floors.

It’s perched on a hill, it also has gardens surrounding it, which were great. The leaves were changing, and everything looked great. So, it’s fall Japan.There are a few ponds with goldfish in it.

The castle is a little bit out of the city; it took about an hour and a half to get using the  bullet train. It’s a small park, but it’s good. Then back to the hotel to drop off some things. Then back to the Sannenzaka Ninenzaka area of Gion, a short walk from the  hotel. Dinner was at the Kyoto Bistro beside the Hyatt. I had the Wagyu steak set dinner for 9900 yen about $99 can The Wagyu melts in your mouth 

Thursday, November 13, I left Kyoto at eight o’clock for Osaka. It took about 90 minutes or less.I got lost on the exit. Because there are so many exits, I made it to the Dotonbori Hotel. I am close to the Dotonbori Bridge River and lots and lots of shops.

After dropping off my suitcase, I was off to the Osaka Castle, which looks like the Himeji Castle I saw yesterday,  but this castle is used as a museum. It tells the story of the castle. Again, there are  six floors with a view of the city, which cost 1200 yen, which is $12 Canadian. And again, the surrounding areas are beautiful because the trees are turning color, because it’s fall,

I signed up for a sushi-making class  last minute to learn how to make sushi. It’s a good experience. Then I was off   to see the Dotonbori bridge light up with all the billboards.

Friday, November 14th, I left the hotel again at eight o’clock after breakfast.(At this hotel, you can have a continental breakfast /or an Asian breakfast.) It’s all good. I went to the Nine Cup Noodle Museum. You get to pick the ingredients  foryour noodle cup, and then you can take it home with you.But first you have to sit at the table and draw, /design your cup.But first you have to sit at the table and draw, /design your cup.But first you have to sit at the table and draw, /design your cup.It’s a fun museum for adults and children.  And it also tells the story of noodles in Japanese. If you actually want to make ramen noodles from scratch, you have to make reservations in advance.

. It’s a fun museum for adults and children.  And it also tells the story of noodles in Japanese. If you actually want to make ramen noodles from scratch, you have to make reservations in advance.

. But first you have to sit at the table and draw, /design your cup.

. It’s a fun museum for adults and children.  And it also tells the story of noodles in Japanese. If you actually want to make ramen noodles from scratch, you have to make reservations in advance.

The next stop was the Namba, Yasaka Shrine, which is about 1700 years old. The lion’s head is 12 meters high, and it’s free.

Next was the Kuromon market. It’s very, what, very walkable from the shrine. It’s I mostly a fish market, floweres chopsticks and anything you want you can find it there

Next was the Kuromon market. It’s very, what, very walkable from the shrine. It’s I mostly a fish market,selling flowers and meat, chopsticks, clothing, anything you want, you can find there. Dinner was at Kobe beef Wanomiya Dotonbori.I had Kobe beef again for dinner, the set price menu, $60, that’s fine, and a glass of wine.Then I went on the river cruise. On the Tazaemon river, 20 Canadians, which is fine

November 15,

My first  stop was  to get my  JR bullet train ticket for tomorrow, as I’m off to Hakone. It was $127, seriously, it will take two hours. Vs the 7-hour bus ride

Then off to Umeda Sky Building, the architecture is amazing, and the photos capture some of it, but it don’t capture it all. You get a great view of the city from the 35th floor.

It’s not a regular escalator. The  Design is kind of like an arch, then off to the museum, which is in the same place, but you have to go over to the next building to see how they designed and built it. Walking around the area, lots of shops as usual, easy to get to, about 4 subways.  stops on the red line Midossuji

Next went to the Osaka Park Gardens, which light up at night. With Christmas time, the lights are turned on, which illuminate at night, and it’s actually very nice. And the architecture, again, is very unique and lovely.

And I went back to the Don Quixote for a Ferris wheel. 

November 16, new paragraph.

Another long day. I was up early and out of the hotel by 715 as I wanted to be on the 819, bullet train to Hakone. Yes, I made it in  record time to the subway. The train ride was about 2.5 hours on the bullet train with a few stops.

I got to see Mount Fuji while on the train as it was  a clear day, and I took pictures. I am glad, because when I got to Hakone, it was cloudy  and Mount Fuji was not visible.

When I got to the train station in Hakone, I had to take the loop bus. It takes you around to the Hakone Shrine, which is on Lake Ashi, and from Lake Ashli, you can take the pirate ship to the other side of the ropeway. The boat ride is about 20 minutes,  It’s a nice ride to the other side, and you get a nice view of the surroundings 

When I got to the other side, I could not believe how many people were lined up to get on the ropeway. It took an hour to get on the cable cars. The first stop was Owakundani, which has  a hot spring and sulfur you can actually get l black eggs, which are supposed to add years to your life. But I didn’t have time to stop, as it was actually getting late.

I still had to get down before 1700 hours.  As the ropeway stops 

Then I took a   train all the way down to Gora, and then I got on the number 4 bus for a 45minute ride to my hotel. Good thing. I sent my luggage ahead  from my . I had dinner down the street from the hotel, and it was lovely.

Nov 17

As I did not get to go to the Hakone Open-air museum yesterday, I went today, before heading back to Tokyo. The Hakone Open-air Museum has artwork from Picasso and others and is interactive. Symphonic Sculpture was a round building with stained glass and a narrow spiral staircase that takes you to a view at the top

Then I went back to Tokyo on the Romancecar to Shinjuku station.

 Tonight, I went to what is known as Piss Alley aka Omoide Yokocho, meaningmemory lane. It is similar to Pontochō alley in Kyoto with its narrow lanes and a lot of restaurants