Kawaguchiko The reverse of the Yen 1000 banknote features an iconic image of Mount Fuji, shown reflected in the surface of Lake Motuso. If you want to replicate that shot, then Kawaguchiko, in the five lakes region, is the place to head for. It’s a few hours by train from Shinjuku to Otsuki, from where … Continue reading Chubu Region – Japan
Broadly speaking trains in Japan are punctual and keep to their published schedules, but no system is perfect and even one of the most efficient railways in the world has its off days. Continue reading Tohoku Region – Japan
The Chugoko region is the five westernmost prefectures on the main island of Honshu. Cities to the South of the region are well connected by the Shinkansen between Kyushu and Osaka, with regular fast trains to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kagoshima. A mountain range runs East to West and therefore the North is less densely … Continue reading Chugoku Region – Japan – Sights
Nagasaki As I climbed off the train at Urakami, I thought that this unremarkable high street could be any medium sized Japanese town. Around me people are going about their daily business, the day is warm and it is cloudy, much like the 9th August 1945, when the US detonated a second atomic bomb over … Continue reading Kyushu Region – Japan – Sights
Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s main islands and the place to visit for rest and relaxation. Continue reading Shikoku Region – Japan – Sights
An earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed large parts of the north of Japan, and caused a nuclear reactor disaster in Fukushima. Around that time I was booked in for a routine medical at work, and I mentioned to the examining Doctor that I was fascinated by Japanese culture and that I would offer to … Continue reading 5 Japan
To fully explore Okinawa you really need a hire car. Continue reading 4 Ryukyu Islands – Okinawa
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