The hottest travel destination for Australians on the planet today is Japan, with over 700,000 of us visiting this year.
When the opportunity came up for me to explore Japan, I was delighted.
So here I am writing from my hotel room in Kyoto, mesmerised by this delightful country and understanding of the centuries of wonder at the culture, history and diversity that this small island nation has held for travellers.
From Brisbane I flew directly into Tokyo with Qantas. There are other options via Sydney, Singapore etc however the nine hour flight was over in a jiffy and found me in Asakusa, a region in northern Tokyo which initially I was taken aback by because of the distance from the city centre however soon realised how ideal this quirky part of town is.
Narrow cobblestone streets are home to an array of shops during the day and come alive at night with hole in the wall restaurants serving searing hot dishes washed down with local sake ; Asakusa Buddhist Temple saw us drawing sticks to see our fortunes for the forthcoming year; Don Quijote has an outlet here, a massive over whelming shopping experience; and the nearby underground station sees you exploring all over the city in a matter of minutes.
We took the fast lift up the world’s tallest tower – Tokyo Tree Sky where the views over the city are spectacular, visit after dark for the lights!
I was thinking late November would be really cold and too late for the autumn colours however this year we have timed it perfectly with the season arriving late and the trees awash with bright autumn colours, hues of yellow and gold, red and deep russet and still the lingering green leaves of a long summer.
Days are chilly but great for walking and that we have … this is a walkers’ paradise whether you are in the countryside or the cities.
The bullet train raced past spectacular Mt Fuji enroute to Kyoto.
Travelling at 320 kilometres an hour this is a comfortable and convenient way to travel.
To dig under the surface of any new destination it is essential to have a good guide who can bring to life off the beaten track, authentic experiences you would be unable to discover on your own.
With local contacts and knowledge our Inside Japan guides have given us unique experiences.
In beautiful Kyoto our guide suggested we skip the over-crowded Golden Temple to visit the Silver Temple.
Less frequented ,this lovely area in north east Kyoto was tranquil and picturesque without the bus loads found at other centres.
Strolling back towards town on the Philosophers Walk was a joy, the footpath followed the babbling stream with overhanging trees, other walkers greeting you along the way.
We had an insight into geisha lifestyle while a junior maiko joined us for afternoon tea and happily answered our questions.
The elegance and poise of these people is reflected in their calm nature.
Everything is pristine and the food delicious.
With an Onsen, Osaka and Nara to visit in the next couple of days this really is too short a trip and leaves me craving for longer.
Contact Travelling Places. P: 07 55451600 or E: travel@travellingplaces.com.au.
