Japan Family Trip 2024
We were able to align the stars to get all schedules open for a family trip to Japan in Oct/Nov 2024, and we were excited to have Alex join us for his first visit to Japan. Our itinerary returned us to many of our favorite sites, but included new experiences as well. And the food! So “oishi desu”! We enjoyed some old favorites but also discovered some amazing new restaurants for sushi, robata, shabu shabu, tempura, noodles and kaiseki.
One of the first changes we noticed was how many more tourists were there! In the past, we typically felt like quite the minority as gaijin, but with so many foreign tourists it was quite different!
Our visit started off with favorite areas including: Meji Shrine, Hanazono Shrine Antique Market, Shinjuku and Ginza. The following day took us to Asakusa, where we visited Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo which opened in 645 AD. We also visited Akihabara “Electric Town” which is considered the capital of Japanese otaku culture. We then took the subway to Omote-sando, Harajuku (Takeshita Dori) and Shibuya. One fun stop along the way was a visit to a cat café where we had refreshments and fed the many kitties’ resident in the café. Our last day in Tokyo included spending time in Odaiba, Roppongi and hanging out in our old neighborhoods of Azabu Juban, Hiroo and Arisugawa Park.
After 4 full days in Tokyo, we got up early to catch the shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. The weather was accommodating, and we were able to view Mt. Fuji as we flew toward Kyoto at 200 mph! After settling into our hotel, we headed out to see Kiyomizudera Buddhist Temple (Pure Water Temple), built in 780 AD and constructed entirely without nails! We then walked down the preserved and historic district of Higashiyama Dori and Kodaiji Temple.
On our first full day in Kyoto, we had an amazing tour of Nijo Castle. This castle housed the Shogun’s, who were the powerful military leaders of Japan that were appointed by the emperor, and ruled Japan from 1386-1573. Next stop was Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for the several thousand orange Tori Gates that lead into the forest of Mount Inari. The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of rice. We finished the day exploring the historic district of Gion.
Our next day in Kyoto included a set of highlights: Saihoji or Kokedera Temple (Moss Garden) which has over 120 varieties of moss, Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove), Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) covered in gold leaf, and Ryoanji Temple with its famous Zen temple and rock garden. Our final day in Kyoto included a morning walk through a number of parks and temples, and a visit to the Nanzen-ji Temple before heading to the Osaka airport for our flight home!
Shinjuku
Entrance to Meji Shrine
Japanese celebration for ages 5, 7, and 9 is called Shichi-Go-San, which translates to "seven-five-three". It's a rite of passage for children
Ginza shopping street on Sunday when the road is closed to vehicles
Nissan futuristic center called, Nissan Crossing
Dinner at a Robata restaurant
Kinda hard to look at, but Oishi Desu!
Nakamise shopping street leading to Senso-ji Buddhist Temple in Asakusa
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
Japanese Taiyaki shop (red bean filling)
Nakamise street
Senso-ji Shrine gardens and statues
Akihabara Electric Town
Carousel sushi bar in Akihabara
Chris gaming in Akihabara
Tokyo view from Roppongi
Interesting store in Omotesando area of Tokyo
Cat cafe
Harajuku area
Takeshita Street (Harajuku)
Pachinko gambling game
Our sushi chef - Tokyo
So good!
Hiroo neighborhood with view of our old home
Arisugawa Park
Arisugawa Park
Shabu Shabu dinner
Good morning Tokyo and Fuji-san!
Fuji-san view from the Shinkansen to Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Buddhist Temple in the Higashiyama mountains
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s water is said to possess the power to extend one’s life and fulfill one’s wishes
Michelle and Alex at Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera was built in 1633 without nails using intricate method of joining interlocking wooden pieces
Shops and cafes in the Higashiyama District below Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Higashiyama District
Higashiyama District
Kodaiji Temple
Kodaiji Temple gardens
Kodaiji Temple
Kodaiji Temple bamboo forest
Walkway to Neme-no-michi
Chefs preparing our kaiseki meal
Kaiseki dinner
Night skyline of Kyoto
Kara-mon Gate - Entrance to Nijo castle
Wood carved details of the gate
Nijo castle Ninomaru-goten palace
Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shrine - Over 5,000 vibrant orange torii gates
Gion district - Restaurants, shops and Geisha entertainment
Saihoji Temple - Moss garden
Saihoji Temple - Moss garden
Saihoji Temple - Moss garden
Saihoji Temple - Moss garden
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Saihoji Temple - Moss garden
Kyoyochi Pond near Ryoanji Rock garden
Ryoanji Temple Rock garden
Tea room at Ryoanji Rock garden
Rokuon-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) - 1st floor Palace style, 2nd floor samurai house & 3rd floor Zen Temple style. 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold leaf.
Traditional Japanese shops and restaurants Higashiyama area
Shabu shabu
Nanzen-ji Buddhist Temple in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto
Inside of Nanzen-ji Temple
European style canal waterway that connects Kyoto City to Lake Biwa in Shiga
Nanzen-ji Temple grounds
