Walking in Japan | November 2024

It was an early start this morning as the Air NZ flight left at 9.55am. There were crowds at Auckland airport and I did hear someone say that it was the busiest day for Air NZ this year! Nevertheless, we all got through the process and were off to Japan – amazing the moment the plane was moving, most of our travel companions went to sleep – row after row of napping Japanese.

Arrival in Tokyo was our first introduction to queues but most of us whizzed through with the QR codes. Sadly one of our bags didn’t make the plane and was sobbing to itself in Auckland airport.

Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki

First step was to get the IC (travel cards) charged up with yen so we could use them on the trains, trams, boats, streetcars and buses. These amazing tag on, tag off cards will be so useful for our trip in Japan. Next step, everyone had a whisper so we can hear the guide even in crowded, noisy places. Last step meet the local guide Mr Sojito Kajiura and start our Toyko day.

The day was perfect with blue clear skies and a light breeze. We tagged on like pros as we moved north to Asakusa area with its ancient temple and modern Sky Tree.

In the middle of the dense crowds, we had news of the missing bag – it had arrived at Narita Airport and was now speaking Japanese to its owner. To recover the bag there were more forms to complete; watch this space for the next instalment of this saga.

Meanwhile back in the densely packed street market of Kannon Temple it was time for some intrepid kiwis to make a break for freedom… instead of facing the metro and trains again, we walked through the suburban streets to Tokyo Sky Tree. From the tallest tower in Tokyo, on such a clear day the views across this vast city were impressive. We couldn’t see Mt Fuji but we looked hard.

Time for lunch and Tempura was on the menu; it didn’t disappoint. I think we were the only westerners in the restaurant, which speaks to its freshness and quality.

A quick stop for coffee and then it was down to the river for a cruise to Haimarikyu Gardens. It was around 3pm by this stage and the golden light of the coming sunset (5pm) made the places more beautiful. Originally the Garden was a duck shooting park; lots of ducks but no more spears or guns.

Its fair to day we were all a bit tired so we elected to return to the hotel and have a break.

The last event of the day was dinner and some brave souls came out with Mandy to the nearby pedestrian street where we found a local restaurant and authentic Japanese food. The trick here was everything was in Japanese and the staff knew little English – out with Google Translate and we had our meals and drinks ordered on the table computer menus. Great meals and very inexpensive. Roll on tomorrow as we try out the bullet train and explore Kyoto.

After a wonderful breakfast with a range of Western and Eastern food, it was time to gather ourselves and our belongings together to start our journey to Kyoto. First step was catching the local train to Shinagawa to connect to the Shinkansen (bullet train). By mistake we got the train going to Yokohama (opposite direction); however, we had 90 minutes for the 15 minutes trip so that was soon overcome. We certainly knew how to use the elevators to get our luggage to the right level for the train platform by the time we got to Shinagawa.

Next step get on the right Shinkansen. We arrived on Platform 24 in good time just as a train was arriving. I was arranging the group so we could get on our carriage from both ends; I grabbed one of our party to stop them getting on the wrong train when I heard a roar and found to my horror one of our group had got on the wrong train and the doors were closing. A smiley face appeared from inside the train and waved as the train started moving. The Shinkansen moves at over 200kph so I knew you blink and you’re away, way down the track. I didn’t know where the wrong train was going but I did know Roger didn’t have a ticket (as I had the group tickets) and somehow, I needed to get him to Kyoto. A quick phone call to him to relay instructions. Then all the group’s attention was getting on the right train, Nozomi 23, and starting our own journey to Kyoto.

The bullet trains don’t stop often – we had 3 stops on a 450km trip, which took 2 hours. I was considering Roger’s options when our train made its first stop and who comes wandering down the carriage but our missing man. The wrong train had made the same stop and let him off and our train happened to use the same platform so he was able to hop on our train! Amazing. After all of that the trip seemed very smooth and uneventful.

Kyoto was sunny and still when we arrived; the next part of the plan which was to store our big luggage at our hotel, have lunch and take a local bus out to the Philosopher’s Walk. Meanwhile, Rory was on a mission to locate his missing bag. There was some confusion about where the blessed bag was; the Tokyo hotel said it had been sent to Kyoto, Air NZ said it was going to arrive at the Kyoto hotel after we had left and the bag tile was mumbling to itself in broken English saying, “Me lost, someone find me.”

Well… it was at the Kyoto hotel – a huge relief. Rory give it a good kicking and told it to stop being so naughty; however, I could tell he was very happy to be able to change his clothes, socks and shoes.

Okay on to the afternoon – can you believe this is only the second day of our Japanese Adventure? Off we all go across the train station to the bus station to catch the local #7 and its there and it’s on time! Great, until we go to get off on the 18th stop and our IC cards go on strike. I found enough cash (230 Yen) in coins for each person, and we managed to get off. Thankfully the bus driver was very nice and wanted us to have a happy time in Kyoto.

The Philosopher’s Walk was a delight with the small stream, the many bridges, trees turning to Autumn colours, lots of lovely houses and temples. I think we all found our blood pressure drop.

Now it was time to catch another local bus (#5) back to our hotel. The first one comes along and its full. That was a shock, it’s not even 5 o’clock. So, we decided to split into groups of four and as many as possible will get on the next bus. Did I mention the bus stop was next to the zoo and every so often there would be a mighty roar like something wanted to eat us. Next bus and we used some determination to get as many as possible on the bus. Next bus, even more of us get on and then the next bus and we made sure everyone got on and no one was left behind. The bus driver was calling ‘Full, full’ and were like an All Black forward pack heading for the try line. Coins once again to pay the fare. I was in the last group, and we arrived at the hotel only minutes after the first and second group (traffic).

It was absolutely time for a drink. So it was check into our rooms, rendezvous at 6pm and straight across the road to the Irish pub, Man in the Moon. It was a merry old time; toasting the safe return of Roger, recovering the missing bag and me finding my missing IC card – whew what a day! Last thing was a delicious local dinner and bed.

Hotel: Miyako Hotel, Kyoto

If there is one temple complex that delights the eye it must be Fushimi Inari Taisha. Here there are a thousand vermillion torii arranged in corridors across the hillside.

The weather was once again clear and the impact of blue sky, red gates and white buildings was very impressive.

Once we were back in Kyoto it was time to meet our local guide Ms Yuko Kanemitsu. This charming woman used to be my guide in Tokyo and has now relocated to Kyoto after Covid. Yuko was able to talk to us about the history, culture and everyday life.

We started the day’s tour with a trip on the bus to the Women’s Institute. Inside ancient (restored) houses we met a master of Origami and another of Calligraphy. In the first class we all managed to make jumping frogs and small Samurai hats – we may not have been the best behaved students but we had a lot of fun.

In the calligraphy class we learnt about the different styles of Japanese writing, how to hold a paint brush properly and even how to write our own names. It has to be said that some of us were much better than others!

After our time with the ladies, we girded our loins again to face catching the local #206 bus. Once again we needed to split and Yuko took the first group and I took the second to get everyone to our next destination, Ninenzaka Slopes. It’s here old houses climb the slopes to impressive pagodas. Up and down the slopes were shops, young people walking in traditional clothing – kimono (women) with their beautiful colourful patterns and hakama pants and haori (men) in their more simple black, grey and blue.

We walked across the slope and even managed to find a quiet corner to enjoy the beauty of old Kyoto. It was around this time – late afternoon – that the temperature really dropped and the sun set; so time for a coffee/tea break before moving on to our last stop of the day.

At the traditional restaurant for our dinner, we were entertained by two Maiko or apprentice geishas. These exquisite young women danced for us and then stayed to answer our questions and even play a game. Both 20 years old, the two young ladies had chosen this way of life and had already invested four years learning the make-up, dress, dances and the life of a geisha. Graceful, feminine and softly spoken they were very dedicated to a life-time within this traditional Japanese profession.

Modes of transport covered today: Lift, escalator, train, bus, feet, metro.

Being the co-operative and efficient group that we are, we got to the Train Station early. We tested our Suica cards on the way (after the reset last night) and everyone was able to use them again. Happy smiles all round especially from Mandy.

On the train we secured seats and places for our luggage and the next minute we are making our way past towns, farming villages, bamboo groves, orchards and fields to Nara. The trip only took 55 minutes and yet it was like going back in time. The crowds were gone, the hectic criss-crossing of pedestrians and most of the Western faces. Nara was the first capital of Japan and still retains some of its old memorial buildings.

We left our big luggage at the hotel and walked up the main street to a local coffee shop. The young shop assistants were overwhelmed with our influx; however the coffee was excellent and the cakes even better.

On to the park with its sacred deer – oh yes, hundreds of tame deer everywhere. These deer are directly related to the original creatures of 700 AD when Buddhism came to Japan. The original legend has a white deer bringing the god Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto from the north of Japan to Nara. The deer are considered divine messengers and its significant if one bows to you.

No bowing deer for our group but lots of Bambi’s looking for food. We did stop and pet them before moving on to visit the largest bronze Buddha in the world. It was impressive.

Things did fall apart after this visit as we managed to scatter looking for toilets. Yet we managed to find each other again and walked across the back of the temple complex to the start of the Primeval Forest Walk. Preserved since 841AD there has been no logging or hunting in the forest so it contains 175 different varieties of trees, rare birds and insects. The forest walk is along what we would call a forest road and climbs up the hill to the top of Mt Kasuga. We wound our way almost to the top and then dropped over to the other side and around back to Nara Park. With stops it took us 3 hours.

The best part of the walk was glimpsing the change of the leaves as Autumn touches the forest. Also a shout out to Roger for being so helpful as tail end Charlie (and also keeping Mandy on track).

Back in the town of Nara, it was time for dinner and an early night.

Daiwa Roynet Nara

Time to leave the first capital of Japan and head off to the Kii Peninsula. The first part of the journey involved some impressive highways and then we changed to a mountain road to take us up to Mt Koya, This very sacred place just happened to be having a special day with parts of the main temple open only once a year – today.

Waiting for us in the carpark were two local guides and they helped us make sure we had a quick, light lunch so we could begin sightseeing. It also happened to be late autumn in Koyasan (Mt Koya) so the maple trees were spectacular.

The group wanted us to be divided into two groups; A & B; however being the independent people we are we divided ourselves into Tui and Piwakawaka – (its one way to put the kiwi cat amongst the Japanese pigeons). Nevertheless the guides managed and we had a beautiful walk amongst the most historic buildings of Koyasan and then an extensive visit of the main temple Kondo.

Precisely at 2.30pm it was time to say goodbye and take our private coach onto Kawayu Onsen. Here the hot waters are piped into indoor pools (where you are naked; separated by gender) or outdoor pools (where you can wear clothes; mixed gender). If neither of those options suit, you can try to find a hot spot in the river.

We all had a rest after the mountain road, multiple tunnels and numerous engineering feats which got us to this remote place.

Dinner today was in the hotel and everyone came dressed in the supplied Yukata. It was incredible how everyone looked in the muted green.

Four guides were assigned to us today. Jennifer and Waka wanted us in two groups, so today we were Kea and Kakapo. A couple of shuttles transported us to the start of our 8km walk on the Kumano Kodo. In ancient times our walk was the path of Emperors and then Samurai. Both Jennifer and Waka took great care in explaining the rituals and traditions of the walk. There was so much to the day but the best parts were laying on logs in the forest and just being quiet.

Lunch was Bento boxes and happily both groups were there together.

The path wandered across the countryside, sometimes passing through sleepy villages, cypress and cedar forest, bamboo groves and tea plantations. Although it was only 8kms we walked slowly and took many stops to look at interesting spots on the way.

At the end of the Walk (Hosshinmon-oji to Kuamo Honga Taisha) was the Kumano Temple Complex and the tallest tori in the world. At the temple complex the two groups reunited and Mandy brought a wooden tablet for everyone to sign and for a blessing of Good Health for us all.

Waka, our walking guide from yesterday was our companion today as we travelled from Kawayu Onsen to Wakayama Port. The road out of the mountain area was a series of tunnels and winding roads beside the river. A brief toilet stop – unbelievably clean – and it was on to Wakayama City for a coffee break and to get some lunch for later. Most of us explored the extensive food hall of the department store and came out loaded with delicious food. If we couldn’t find something the extremely helpful and polite store attendants would guide us to the right shelf with a smile and bow.

Back on our private coach it was on to the Port. Time to say goodbye to Waka (and our pleasant driver,) inside the ferry building and lunch. One of the port workers came over to talk to Mandy to let her know when they wanted us to move to the departure area and also that the lift was “useless”; in other words not working. It’s a good thing we are fit and strong.

Up the two flights of stairs, and across the overpass to the other side where we waited 10 minutes for the ferry to empty and permission to board. Sadly, the ferry windows were salted over so there was not much to see but it gave us a great opportunity for a power nap or three!

The boat arrived on time, we disembarked and caught the local bus to Tokushima Train Station. The poor bus driver was surprised to see so many Westerners with their luggage but he was good humoured about it all. At the train station we all got off, took a breath and made the short walk to our hotel. Whew! Some of the group came out with Mandy for a walk on the riverside and a Soba/Ramen meal at a small restaurant near the river.

Daiwa Roynet Tokushima

Another beautiful clear day with an expected high of 14c. Saori Nishida was our local guide and what a cheerful positive person she turned out to be. She came prepared with pilgrim clothes, bag, book and prayers to demonstrate Ohenro. Firstly though we need to get to Temple 20 on our private bus. The highway became a 2 lane country road and then a single way mountain lane. The bus driver was amazing how he got us all there and negotiated around cars coming down the mountain.

At the bus parking area, we all got off and walked up to Temple 20. Saori explained how the temples are laid out and showed us the ritual of a pilgrim; light a candle, light incense, ring the bell, bow, recite the sutra, bow and then over to the main hall to get an official stamp and calligraphy message. Very ornate.

At this point we split into two groups: one for the walkers and the other for the people taking the private bus around to Temple 21 and the bottom of the ropeway.

The walkers began with a descent via steps to the valley floor through a cedar forest. These beautiful green trees grew in the rocky ground and the forest floor was a mix of the brown fallen fronds and green moss. All along our walk were doji (small stone images usually dressed in red bibs) and signposts making sure we were going the right way. Nearing the valley floor was a bamboo forest and finally a village. Crossing the Naka River by road bridge we began our ascent, firstly on a concrete path. Midway we stopped by a stream and had our lunch.

Only 2kms from Temple 21 we started the serious part of the ascent. We were once again in a cedar forest and moving upwards to the ridgeline. Finally, we popped out onto a tar sealed road and we were nearly there. The last 200m were up onto the temple plateau and the ropeway station. The two groups reunited, and we managed to get the next ride down into the town where our coach was waiting.

Quite a day and probably the hardest walking due to the descent and then ascent – but we made it!! Back in Tokushima it was time for a bath and then dinner.

Temples 1, 2 & 3 were within the urban area of Tokushima so we caught the local train (multiple coins were found by Mandy) to Bando. A short walk on a flat terrain and we were there – Temple 1 where Pilgrims can start and finish the 88 Temple Walk. This modest temple had a beautiful main hall hung with dozens of lanterns.

Free time and we were off again to Temple 2, a 17 minute walk away. This temple was more ornate and once again we found ourselves with hardily a soul about. The ancient tree was a sight to behold,

The last temple was a 37 minute walk along a country road between the village homes. Probably the most wealthy of these 3 temples, we spent more time in the toilet then on the grounds. There were some impressive carvings here including an intricate bronze dragon surrounded by flames.

A maze of a walk to the Itano station and back on the train (and more coins from Mandy). Lunch time, collect our big luggage from the hotel and then we were off on the Limited Express train to Takamatsu.

Our hotel was right by the port area and our rooms were high enough so we could see across the city. Mandy took us for a short orientation walk down the main road to the Central Shopping Area – pedestrian shopping streets lined with restaurants, shops, antique stores and everything else one might need. Back to the hotel and dinner. Sunset is about 5.00pm so its very quick; so something warm and hearty seems most welcome at this end of the day.

JR Clement Tokushima

The day started with a win as we found our Suica cards worked on the local trains – so it was a quick hop from the nearby main station to Ritsurin Gardens. These glorious gardens have been cultivated for 400 hundred years and are a masterpiece in Japanese Gardens. Wandering the paths we found the key elements of Japanese design: asymmetric layout, miniature plantings, borrowed views, deliberate experiences to change your focus (rough surface so you watch your footing and then the surprise when you look up, or turn a corner and an area of the garden opens up in front of you). It was all just beautiful.

The group then chose to stay in the city centre and do their own thing or accompany Mandy out to Yahsima (Temple 84). Rain was predicted for 11am. The train on this line was once an hour so we waited for the next one. Coffee time!

Sadly, when we got to Yashima temple, the local bus was not running so half the group decided to have something to eat and catch the train back to Takamatsu; the rest went with Mandy up the path to the top of the hill. The climb was a challenge; however the path surface was great and when we did get to the plateau the views were breathtaking. It was lightly raining but not cold.

Coming down was a breeze and we went straight to the train and managed to catch a train within minutes. Back in Takamatsu it was a shower and time for a warm drink.

At 5.30pm the group met up on the 21st floor at the Astro Bar, which had views across the city and over the port. Lots of lights were on so the night was sprinkled with colour. Then it was dinner and folk had explored lots of different restaurants so there were lots of helpful recommendations.

Mandy dashed over to the ticket office and managed to be first in the queue to get the high speed boat tickets – they are on a first come, first serve basis and only has a limited capacity. At 9am the group rocked up to the ticket office and we were soon aboard the small hydrofoil which zoomed across to the island.

We caught the local bus (small, tinkertoy version of a bus) and crossed the island from Miyanoura Port to Honmura. It’s in this small village that the Art House Project resides. The village had identified several empty houses/spaces and given them to artists to install installations. Our first stop was the old Dentist’s house with its own Statute of Liberty – must of the group found this type of art not to their liking.

Mandy took part of the group over to Minamidera, an art experience created by Ando, and the rest of the group went to another house installation. Swap over time and whilst part of the group had the art experience, the others went to another house.

Most of the group then walked around the coastline to the Benesse House Museum. Here is a mix of modern, western, Japanese and traditional art. Sadly it was about now that the weather closed in and the wind rose.

Walking on from Benesse to Chichu Art Museum many of us got wet. However nothing and no one stops this group and we all managed to get into Chichu and explore the pieces in this unusual building, also designed by Ando. Probably the most enjoyed by the group was the Monet art experience; the beauty of the architecture was also a highlight.

Walking on from this museum we descended to the Port. All on time, we caught the 5pm ferry and arrived back in Takamatsu after a very different sort of day.

Dinner was out at a local restaurant, Mikayla – absolutely delicious food and served quickly. The view from the restaurant across the harbour was wonderful. Another day done and dusted.

Flexibility was the key word today as the group decided how they would spend their morning; either come with Mandy to the Shikoku Village Museum or do their own thing until 12.30pm. Several couples joined Mandy and we all set out for the village. Rain had been predicted and there were some sprinkles but mainly fine.

Shikoku Village is an open air ethnographic museum with buildings from all over Shikoku arranged in themed groups. Where possible were short videos of how the buildings were used and/or constructed. In amongst the buildings was some impressive landscaping. All in all a great visit.

Back at the hotel everyone assembled early so we walked the short distance to the train station and found our waiting train. A nice three-hour journey along the coastline got us to Matsuyama, our last stop on Shikoku Island. It was a game of Tetris to get us and our luggage on the tram, but we made it. A few stops down the line and it was off and one minute to our hotel.

After finding our rooms and for some a quick cuppa, we all met up again for a brief orientation of the area around the hotel. Later some of us went for a wonderful meal at a local restaurant.

Matsuyama Tokyu Rei Hotel

A clear day with some cloud and we were off up the hill to the 400 year old Matsuyama Castle. To make it easy we took the ropeway up and down. The castle was defended by three baileys and those stone walls are quite something. Up on the hill plateau the castle spread across many buildings, turrets, courtyards, gates and corridors.

Mandy got the tickets and we went inside. The first surprise were the steps up to the next level – NZ Health and Safety might have a few things to say about the original staircases. The castle had a one way system which took us past displays of Samauri armour, swords and household effects. Most of us had a go at lifting a true Samauri sword and one of us dressed up in the armour. The route took us up to the watch tower down corridors linking buildings. A very impressive building.

Outside again we took the ropeway down and back to the tram stop to move ourselves to the Dogo Onsen area. The site of the oldest onsen in Japan, is now a collection of small shops, citrus ice cream places, a public onsen, rickshaws and other quirky things like a dancing clock.

People came back in their own time, some went on to the castle moat area, others went shopping.

At 5.30pm some of us met to have a drink in a small pub just around the corner. Happy hour with happy friends.

Saori Nishida (our guide from earlier in the week) met us at the hotel and we were off on a private coach to the start of our walk deep in the mountains. Here the autumn leaves were beautiful – deep reds, bright yellows and soft oranges. Of course the first stop was the toilets; however once we were all ready we were off.

The first third of the walk was alongside a river. The track was stony, softened by a layer of fallen leaves. The trees by the river were breathtaking. We soon spread out so we could walk at our own comfortable pace and enjoy the scenery around us.

When the track popped out onto the road, the bus was waiting for us and some chose to skip the rest of the walking and take the coach to the next rendezvous point.

The next third of the walk, was by a smaller stream and behind garden plots and cultivated fields. Again the track was a bit undulating but nothing for this hardy group of walkers.

Once again the bus met up with us at the lunch stop and about half the group chose not to walk the last third. For those of us going on, we walked along the road and then into the forest to climb over the hill to Temple 44. It was a climb up to the pass but was only a 100m ascent. Over the other side it was all downhill through the pine forest, a quick visit to the temple and down into the village to join the rest of the group at Lawsons.

The day was not quite over for Ann, Mandy and Soari as we took a taxi to the Emergency hospital and had Ann’s sore arm seen to. Three hours, a CT scan, an X-ray and doctors visit later, we were back at the hotel. Poor Ann had fallen on the pavement and her upper arm took the force of the fall – broken arm. No cast though as the doctor assured her it would mend well and also Ann needed to visit a NZ clinic when she got home. A unique experience in Japan.

It was goodbye to charming Shikoku and hello to busy Hiroshima. We all managed to get to Matsuyama Tourist Ferry Port and got on the hydrofoil (fast boat to Hiroshima Port).

Arriving at the Port we waited for the No 5 streetcar and travelled to the enormous Hiroshima Train Station. To make the Aucklanders in the group feel at home, we found ourselves amongst construction on one side of the station; thankfully we were on the other side.

Once we had got to the hotel, stored our luggage and had some lunch it was time for a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park. This is the memorial area to remember Ground Zero for the atomic bomb dropped on the citizens of Hiroshima and also a call for Peace in the world and nuclear disarmament. Mandy went through the events of that day and its after effects.

We walked on from the Atomic Dome Memorial to the Children’s Memorial where we placed our cranes at the foot of the memorial beneath the Peace Bell. A solemn moment.

Moving further down the park we arrived at the Memorial Museum and we had the opportunity to visit inside.

Time to return to the hotel and have an early dinner.

Daiwa Roynet Hiroshima

A picture perfect day for our visit to Miyajima Island. The day started with an easy train ride out to Miyajimaguichi Station – it felt like we had missed the memo as there was hardly anyone on the train or ferry. Our first step was to get to the ropeway and this path led us through some stunning autumn colours.

From the top of the ropeway the views across the bay and inland sea were panoramic. Part of our group went on further to the summit of Mt Misen. A lot of us took the ropeway down whilst the others trotted down the numerous steps down the hill. Visual delights were around nearly every corner as the path meandered down.

There was time before the ferry we were aiming for and we must have taken a hundred pictures of the Great Torii Gate floating in the water in front of Itsukushima Jinja Shrine. The torii was brilliant vermillion against a clear blue sky.

There was a moment when five of us missed the ferry; however, the next one was in 20 minutes. Back in Hiroshima we all had a break before walking together to the Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake) dinner. A very successful eating experience.

A later start to the day as we prepared ourselves to travel back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen. All went smoothly this time as everyone was on the right train and we had time to arrange ourselves and our luggage. Its 694.43 km between Hiroshima and Tokyo and takes 4hrs 33 mins, making the travel speed in the region of 247km/hr – definitely faster and easier than travelling by road.

Once in Tokyo it was a two minute walk to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon was free time until we gathered together for our Farewell Dinner. This dinner was so tasty and the views from the 27th floor of the building were amazing on such a clear evening.

The Tokyo Station Hotel

Mandy had promised the group she would take them to Ginza for a spot of shopping; so we set off at 9.30am. Ginza was a 20-minute walk away and the route took us past many tall buildings and colourful autumn trees. Once in Ginza, we went to the Itoya Stationery store (8 floors of fabulous), Nissan Crossing for a coffee and cars and finally Uniqlo for power clothes shopping. Huge smiles all round for the bargains we managed to get.

Mandy then walked us to a Lawsons to get some lunch which we could eat in the Imperial Gardens. The day was crisp and clear, and we had great times missing the crowds. After a look at some of the Imperial Palace grounds we trotted past one of the original gates and back to our hotel.

Everyone was ready to go, so we went back to the station and caught the Narita Express straight to Terminal 1. It was goodbye to Phil & Caroline heading off to Singapore and the rest of us got on our Air New Zealand flight back home.

Thank you Japan for great memories, unique experiences and the opportunity to make new friends.