Armchair Traveller: On the Nakasendo Way, Kyoto to Tokyo, Japan
Armchair Traveller: Tokyo, Japan
Walking the Nakasendo Way Part 2: the continuing tale of spectacular views, wonderful food, unique history and, so far, no bears
Morning, and it seems strange to wake in a bed and look out to a modern city streetscape. Breakfast is tasty but workmanlike. And although the hotel staff was helpful and friendly, I find I already miss being waved on our way, as if by old friends, by the owners of…
Walking Japan’s Nakasendo Way, Part 1.
The day we set off to walk Japan’s historic Nakasendo Way from Kyoto to Edo (now modern Tokyo) the weather seemed as full of optimism as we were. There were ten of us on the Walk Japan trek, four Americans, three Australians, two Singaporeans and our guide, an American who has lived…
A bird’s eye view of Tokyo
Steep climb over the Jizu Pass ends in a lunchtime of food and laughter. And railways.
To be honest, after our soggy morning first climbing, then descending, the ancient Jizu Pass, close to Kiso-Fukushima, any respite from the rain would have been welcome. As it was, when we arrived, tired and dripping, at Poppoya on the Kaidakomen Plateau, we found ourselves in our own little haven.…
Traditional beauty in Kyoto Imperial Palace’s Oikeniwa Garden
More than just a station, a spectacular combination of form and structure – and tempura
It’s safe to say that railway stations are not usually top of the “must see” lists for visitors anywhere. But Kyoto’s spectacular steel and glass edifice is worth the effort, particularly if you are not arriving by train. It’s not just a place of transition, but a stunning monolithic and…