This page was last modified 2007-02-14 11:11:10 by Puchu.Net user Choco. (Show history)

Several friends and I have always wanted to go visit Japan. But package tours did not really appeal to all of us, plus there is work and other excuses. Finally we got our acts together, planned out places we wanted to visit, activities we wanted to do and went.

It was fun, as we weren't restricted by schedules set by tour guides, and we went out of the way to visit Nikko, a hot spring resort that does not see too many western visitors like Tokyo. We only had to take taxi a few times, and did the rest of our trip by train and on-foot. It was very relaxing, and we got to experience many parts of everyday Japan.

The food, ahhh..., the food was great. Some times we didn't know what we ate. Should have taken more pictures. Highly recommend the 雪苺娘 mochi at Yuurakucho and cream puff at Yokohama JR stations! I also came back with an addiction for hot corn chowder that you can buy from vending machines.

If you are interested in planning your own trip similar to what we did, maybe our notes will help.

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A structure at entrance to Toshogu Shrine. Sanzaru, literally means "3 monkeys the no-see, no-listen and no-talky evil monkeys. More information here. Sleeping cat. We decided to hike to a waterfall near our hotel. From the map it didn't seem far, but we failed to account for elevation. Needless to say we were very happy when we finally got to the waterfall. A shrine near the waterfall. Kabuki theatre in Ginza. Life-size Gundam at the exit of the Gundam Museum, part of Bandai Museum. Totoro is always watching you. We arrived on the day of the shichi-go-san festival (November 15th) when girls at 7 years and 3 years, and boys at 5 years are blessed at the shrine. Breakfast. Cake with gold foil... yeah, I regret not taking more picture of what we ate. Got lost in Yokohama.