Japan was amazing, delightful, perfectly themed, and delicious! We made our homebase Osaka, and also visited Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Tokyo Disneyland.
From Thailand, we flew into Tokyo and took the Shinkansen bullet train (新幹線) to Osaka (大阪市). We stayed in the Dōtonbori (道頓堀) area of Osaka and enjoyed it so much! The canal was delightful (perfect for quiet morning runs… just like the Gilco Man!). We enjoyed visiting the beautiful Osaka Castle (大坂城) with its large park, moat, and beautiful interior with exhibits and artifacts including the fierce tiger.
We took the train for a day to visit historic Kyoto (京都市) and walked our way through the gorgeous autumn colors of Japan. We began at the Shinto Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社) that creates a beautiful entrance to Maruyama Park (円山公園) and is also stunning in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. From there, we visited the Jōdo-shū Buddist Chionin Temple (知恩院) which encompasses a beautiful bridge, bells, music rooms, statues, and cemetery. Continuing north, we visited the Tendai Buddist Shōrenin Temple (青蓮院). It had the most beautiful garden and the maples were particularly stunning. We ended our day at a tea house and enjoyed delicious tea and treats there!
Back in Osaka, we were delighted by the cuisine and how every detail is exacting and precise! We had delicious ramen at Kamukura Shinsaibashi and the best burger I’ve ever eaten at the Craft Burger co! We also discovered new favorites including Uncle Rikuro’s Cheesecake (with a few raisins and super fluffy), CHOJIRO Hozenji (delicious conveyor belt sushi), Cafe LA (excellent cappuccinos and board games), Namba Okonomiyaki Ajinoya Honten (savory pancake with batter and cabbage!?!), omurice at Hokkyokusei (an omlette with fried rice and ketchup sauce), super fluffy Japanese brunch pancakes at both Micasadeco & Cafe and A Happy Pancake, and a decedent mille crêpes cake from Grand Fleuve. We also enjoyed the strawberries and red bean mochi at Strawberry Mania! The food was amazing and so very delicious!
We took another day trip and this time headed to Hiroshima (広島市). We began at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念資料館) with a gorgeous rainbow over the museum. The museum details the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II and was so emotional and intense. The West Wing of the museum describes the devastation of the bomb and impact on people through stories, photos, and belongings left by the victims (and donated by their families). It also outlines the effects of the bomb on materials (wood, stone, metal, glass, and flesh), the after shocks, and health effects from radiation. While the museum asks for silence in this exhibit, I’ve never experienced such a silence in rooms that were filled with people. It was entirely heart wrenching and horrific and was such an impactful visit. The East Wing explains the history of Hiroshima as well as the development and decision to drop the bomb. We then walked to the Genbaku Dome (原爆ドーム), the only structure left standing in the area, and it is preserved as it was immediately after the bombing.
We then walked around Hiroshima (広島市) where there were both beautiful trees and blooming camellia. The autumn leaves were amazing and the castle was stunning. Inside there are exhibits detailing the history of the Hiroshima Castle (広島城) including rebuilding after the bomb. There is also amazingly crafted weaponry, one of which is a beautiful dragon sword.
The last part of our trip to Japan was visiting Tokyo Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド)! There is both the Cinderella Castle and the Beauty and the Beast Castle! We had the most enchanting time…. and it was such a glorious day! We enjoyed favorites like the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Enchanted Tiki Room (with Stitch), and Huck Finn Island. We got to hear C-3PO speak Japanese (and R2-D2 too)! Visiting the Cinderella Castle (with Mickey outside!) was a delight and we enjoyed the royal photo ops. Our favorite ride was the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast in coordinated dancing teacups! We stayed for sunset and enjoyed a cool evening. It was the best celebration!!
Japan was delicious and delightful. We had the best time visiting! Our final day included delicious Hawaiian pancakes at La Ohana (ラ・オハナ 浦安マリナイースト店) and we were able to get into United Polaris (business seats that fully recline) using standby tickets! Our trip back to the U.S. was easy and the 11 hours flew by! 🙂
