Arrived in Hokkaido and met with my Host Family, nervously ready to immerse myself in a culture I just began learning about. The Noguchi family treated me and my daughter very well. I enjoyed the traditional foods, lit fireworks at a neighborhood block party, visited a rotating sushi bar, and attended a Sumotournament. I was also thrilled to experience places not usually on a tourist itinerary. We went to Ishiya Chocolate factory, went sightseeing from one of the highest mountain peaks in Sapporo, and enjoyed a Japanese water park.
We said goodbye to our host family then traveled to Kyoto where we took an excursion to learn about the well-knowncastles and shrines. The history was remarkable, and the stories were quite engaging.
After the tours and shopping we visited the “Toei Kyoto Studio Park”, a film studio with sets from the Edo period where more than 200 films per year are shot. You can get made up as a samurai or a geisha for the day and even take in a live action ninja show. It’s like the renaissance festivals we have in the US, but being at a studio you might have a chance to catch the filming of a movie.
After returning to the hotel, I called my friend who lives near Kyoto and we were able to meet for dinner. It was so nice to see him again and made me realize the world is much smaller than we realize..
The next morning, we made a short visit to the Hiroshima museum. I honestly wish we had scheduled more time there as itwas so much to take in, but we had to catch a ferry to Miyajima.
Miyajima is a gorgeous Island in Hiroshima Bay. On the ferry ride over you are greeted by the giant orange Great Torii Gate, then greeted by hundreds of Sitka Deer when reaching the island. We made our way through the streets to our ryokan – traditional Japanese Inn. After checking in we went exploring; shopping at the local merchants and walking the Momiji trail for great views of the island. By the time we returned from our hike, the tide was low where we could walk out to the Giant Torii Gate. We stayed to watch the sunset than returned to the Inn for dinner. When you stay at ryokan be prepared to eat like royaltyand get a nice selection of the local foods. We had our own private room with the table already prepared for our arrival. After the meal, I went to the lower level and enjoyed the onsen before turning in.
Next stop – Tokyo. We stayed at the Grand Prince Hotel in Shinagawa. Walking to the hotel I was surprised to see American restaurants such as Outback and TGI Fridays. We took another bus tour to Nikko where we visited the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls.
The following day a friend recommended going to Sunshine 60in Ikebukuro; a huge shopping mall with an observation deck and Aquarium. It was a fantastic suggestion, and the aquarium had animals I had not seen before such as sunfish and giant crabs… bigger than me! Eventually we had to return to our hotel and pack for the return home to the US.
I was so happy to have been given the opportunity to visit Japan, but little did I know at that time I’d be returning… and quite often.
