Travel Blog

Today is our last day in Japan and the last day of our World Tour :) ... As our train to Kansai Airport in Osaka wasn't til 4pm, we decided to bum around at Kyoto station, going to another shopping mall called Porta. Lots of school kids everywhere again, they seem to always be on school excursions or something.

We then did a few last minute shopping purchases at that large Isetan department store, where up on the 12th floor (roof) is a tranquil garden. What was funny was there was an elderly Japanese business man in his suit, drunk rolling around on the walkway. Too much sake for him. ;)

At 4pm, we got our bullet train to Kansai and then checked in on our Qantas flight to Cairns, not direct to Brisbane unfortunately. Today is also a day to reflect on all the experiences we've had over the last 40 days in 18 different countries on all major continents.

This morning, we went back to Kyoto station, which is absolutely huge to check out the Tezuka Osamu Studio store, home of Astroboy. :) After picking up a few items, we headed to Isetan, this gigantic department store, were Lisa did some more shopping.

After a quick bite to eat at McDonalds, we then started our tour walking along the 2km Philosopher's Path, stopping along the way for another tea ceremony. We then went to a Machinya house in Gion for some more tea and Lisa got dressed in a kimono.

The tour then concluded in Gion, where we had to get a bus back to Kyoto station and then the free shuttle back to the hotel. For dinner, we had the all you can eat buffet, which was awesome (I'm stuffed) and then went back to our room to pack our bags for the last time and our last night in Japan.

This morning, Lisa slept in, so I went downstairs to have a haircut, then grabbed a little breakfast to go and came back and ate it whilst reading The Japan Times - all the news without fear or favour. ;)

We then embarked on our Nara Afternoon tour, driving past Kyocera's main headquarters (one of the largest buildings on Kyoto's outskirts), which had solar panels down one side of the building. The tour guide also said Nintendo's HQ was in Kyoto as well, but we didn't drive past it.

We then visited the Todaiji Temple where the largest bronze statue of Buddha resides. Way cool. The temple is very simple but elegant, certainly not over the top like the Vatican. We were also at Deer Park, were there was lots of deer running around that people could interact with. Next, we visited the Shinto - Kasuga Shrine; another peaceful and beautiful place.

For dinner, we took the free shuttle to Kyoto station and then went to a sushi train restaurant, where they had plates of salmon for $1.80 AU. Needless to say, I went ballistic, devouring 11 plates (ala Homer Simpson style) and the total price of the meal was still under what we'd normally pay at home. :)

I'm a little sad to leave Tokyo, but thems the breaks, as we got up early and caught the subway to Tokyo station and then bordered the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) bound for Kyoto. It was quite a smooth ride, taking just under 3 hours, stopping at 4 other stops on the way.

Being a Sunday and not knowing the best places to go, we went walking around the hotel but didn't find anything open, so we had some room service for lunch, whilst watching the Sumo Championships on TV. The winner got this big ass trophy. I guess a big lad needs a big trophy. :)

For dinner, we had Teppanyaki (ala carte) at a very expensive restaurant. Needless to say the food was awesome and it was sufficiently washed down with my Japanese favourite - Asahi Super Dry. Might have to get a case of it, when we get home on Thursday.

We slept in this morning, but still managed to get ready and race downstairs in time for our tour. It took a couple of hours drive to Mt Fuji's 5th station of which there are 10; Mt Fuji is 3306m in high and station 5 is at 2300m. Impressive view, but I wish I'd known to bring warm clothing, as it was freezing.

We then went to a local hotel, that had a nice view of Mt Fuji, for a traditional Japanese lunch box. Unfortunately, Lisa didn't like it, but I thought it was alright, so I ate most of hers. We then proceeded to Hakone for a short but nice boat cruise on Lake Ashi.

We were then supposed to take a cable car ride at Komagatake, but the station had been closed, because it was too windy, so we went to another station and saw (and smelt) the sulfar mines.

The tour concluded with our first ride on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Tokyo station and then we used the subway to get back to our hotel; later having dinner at a local restaurant called MOS Burger. MMMmmm ... Japanese Burgers with cheese and jalapenos.