Postcard from. Japan

SUNDAY

Left Heathrow at a very civilised 2:30pm. The 12-hour flight was a pleasure, thanks to an upgrade to World Traveller Plus (which meant loads of leg room!). Arrived in Tokyo at 2:30pm 'the following day' (due to the time difference), and were immediately met by our guide. The ultra-comfortable (500 kph!) bullet train then propelled us to Kyoto in double-quick time. Our hotel is in the immaculately-maintained station complex, so: no walking required - we just took a lift from the platform to the reception. (The staff were almost embarrassingly helpful - couldn't do enough for us.)

MONDAY

Enjoyed a great night's sleep, and a revivifying breakfast, followed by the full Kyoto city tour. Highlight was a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple. Better known as the Golden Pavilion, it's set on a lake and dates back to the 1300s. One of Japan's best known landmarks, it's covered with gold leaf. We also saw the Kiyomizu Temple, which is perched on a hillside, and offers excellent views over Kyoto. In the evening we made our way to the Geisha district, and enjoyed a typical Japanese meal - red snapper, tofu, etc. - whilst seated on cushions on the floor. (Also got a crash-course in the use of chopsticks.)

TUESDAY

Took the bullet train to Hiroshima, then the ferry to Miyajima Island - location of the Itsukushima Shrine. It's so peaceful there - and absolutely alive with wild deer. (They're completely fearless, too - an enterprising local firm sells cookies with which to feed them.) A wedding was taking place when we arrived. The island has a few restaurants and hotels, but most of it is given over to woodland. We had a delicious Japanese lunch before returning to Hiroshima, where we visited the Peace Memorial Park and, of course, the A-bomb Museum. A very poignant experience.

WEDNESDAY

Left for Tokyo at 1:00pm. Next stop: the Tenseien Ryokan, Hakone. This is an authentic Japanese hotel - definitely something to experience. You have to take your shoes off before you enter, and wear slippers when walking around. We were served tea on our zabuton (cushions on the floor), which we enjoyed in our kimonos, before taking a communal bath in the hot spring. A superb dinner (with real cutlery!) was followed by an uproarious karaoke: the locals insisted on accompanying us - to "improve their English singing style". Slept on pull-down futons, which were surprisingly comfortable.

THURSDAY

Travelled by coach to the Hakone National Park and Mount Fuji. Japan's highest mountain, Fuji is only visible 60 days a year; usually, it's shrouded in mist (lucky us: we saw it twice). Spent several hours driving round its lakes, valleys, volcanoes, and hot springs (where the locals cook the famous 'black' eggs, to sell to the tourists), before catching a cable car down to Lake Ashi. There, we enjoyed a half-hour cruise, before retiring to the glorious five-star Park Hotel (as featured in the movie Lost In Translation). The front desk is on the 25th floor, looking out towards the Tokyo Tower.

FRIDAY

Our last day - already?! Took the Tokyo city tour: visited the Asakusa Kannon - the city's largest temple. (There's a huge market right in front - it's one of the few places that you can buy souvenirs: fans, kimonos, chopsticks etc.) The tour also took in the Tokyo National Museum and the neon-lit 'Ginza district' for which the city is probably best known. Also, snatched a half-hour stop-off at the Tokyo Tower. For our farewell dinner we had tempura - meat, fish and vegetables, cooked in batter - which was, we learned, originally brought to Japan by the Portuguese. It's delicious - wherever it originated!

SATURDAY

Home time - but what a week. Fascinating country, wonderful people. And topped off with another upgrade, for the flight back. Very glad I joined the tour, rather than travelling solo: without a professional guide, getting around would have been tough. Japan is not a country that is predicated on tourism, and English is not widely spoken. So an organised trip really is the only way to guarantee you experience all the sights and landmarks. Would I go again? You bet - although probably in spring which, I'm told, offers the most pleasing climate.

Back