Category Archives: Japan

Sensō-ji

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On our first full day in Tokyo we decided to go and see Sensō-ji in the Asakusa area. Navigating the metro was fairly easy and it’s very efficient. Sensō-ji itself is a lovely temple right in the middle of a large metropolitan area. It can be a fairly relaxing place, however it is often quite busy.

On the day we arrived there were large groups of school children. On the approach to the temple is a shopping street selling the usual tourist fare and it was fairly packed with children trying to find good deals to spend their yen. 

 
Off on the side streets you will find a much quieter and more relaxed environment and some smaller shrines.
 
This one called Otanuki-sama which is a kind of Racoon dog. It’s supposed to protect people from fire and theft. If you have small change you can make a donation here and ring the bell.
From here,if you head across the river, you will see the Tokyo skytree as well as this golden colored object which apparently represents a cloud – although other people seem to think it looks like other things!

Thoughts on Japan

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I flew this morning on Peach into Seoul Incheon for my connecting flight later this evening to Bangkok. Last night I stayed in a business hotel and, as expected, their shuttle to the airport was very efficient.

People

Having spent a week in Japan, I really wish I had stayed longer.  I feel I have just scratched the surface of things to see and areas to visit.  But my favourite thing about Japan is the people.  Everyone that I met was so helpful and outgoing.  Even people that hardly spoke any English struggled through with hand gestures and pointing (and my terrible few phrases in Japanese) to help me get to where I was going.
In Kobe a sushi chef suggested sushi and sashimi for me since they did not have an English menu or any pictures.  All the while he took the opportunity to practice his English and learn about where I was from and where I had been in Japan.
The transportation was also amazing.  I think Japan may be the only country in the world that rivals Swiss rail! Everything departed and arrived on time and the Shinkensen was very fast.
Prices
Before I arrived I was somewhat concered about the cost.  Most people told me that Japan is very expensive.  While it is true that the Shinkensen is expensive, a rail pass can help to ease some of the cost.  
I found private rooms in hostels to be $35 – $40, a price similar to what you would pay in Canada.  A nice business hotel came in at $85. It was a small room but had everything you need.  
Food is very variable.  If you eat in local restaurants and eat Japanese food then I found it quite resonable.  I can easily eat lunch for under $10 and dinner for under $20, much less if you just wanted ramen.  Once you look for western food though, you should be prepared to pay double or more.
I think considering the standard of living in Japan, the prices are resonable.
So all things considered, I think I should plan a trip to go back.  I hear there is good skiing in the Winter!

Miyajima

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Hiroshima is close to some other interesting places in Japan, one of them is Miyajima.  It’s famous for its Tori, or gate that seems to be floating in the water at high tide.

To get there you can take a train and then a ferry, both of which are included if you have a JR rail pass. 
If you had no rail pass, you could take a ferry right from outside the memorial park in Hiroshima, it’s a bit more expensive, but much faster.
Besides the gate, there are a few temples and a mountain they you can either hike or take a cable car up.  I chose to hike it and there are awesome views from the top.  There is a little coffee shop on the top with resonable prices considering the location!
At low tide the gate appears to be stuck in mud, but you can walk around it at that point so you can get up close pictures.
There are a few pagodas on the island, but this was the tallest.  There was a small entrance fee to get into the temple and access the pagoda.