Visual Blog

9th September 2018 After missing the connecting train from Osaka we find the platform for the next bullet train to Kyoto in the unreserved section – fortunately there are frequent trains and the seat is still… Read more: Kyoto

Our first trip on the bullet train first we have to take the Thunderbird 16 to Shin Osaka where we had to change for Hiroshima. Our hotel room at the Riga Royal was really nice I… Read more: Hiroshima

Conflicting directions from our 2 navigation devices made it a little challenging to find our hotel in Kanazawa. We are mildly shocked and pleased to find the hotel Niko has a very plush lobby – very… Read more: Kanazawa

Having enjoyed the amble through the Japanese countryside so much on our last journey we decide to not use the expressways and travel on the local roads. The scenery is very beautiful and we travel next… Read more: Shirakawa-go

This morning we have time to spare and choose to not go on the toll roads. Nakatsugawa to Hirayu turns out to be a very scenic drive – you get to see little towns, villages and… Read more: Hirayu – Kamikochi

Mino in Gifu is famous for traditional handmade paper and has an excellent museum known as the Mino Washi Traditional Paper Museum – (Washi being the Japanese word for paper.) – and we actually remember to… Read more: Mino – Gifu

After a hot tip to go to Agematsu it soon becomes apparent that our host really meant the region, and not the modern town. The tourist centre turns out to be at the station, as are… Read more: Akasawa – Forest bathing

The big day is here the day to hire a car and test our navigation skills against the GPS in Japanese. We manage to get cases packed despite the panic over how many remotes the apartment… Read more: Magome – Nakasendo

Up at the crack of dawn and barely making it out of the house by 9! – We venture up to the Koen Kami cable car and despite the media frenzy of press and dignitaries on… Read more: Owakudani

After a night of very strong gales we were concerned as to whether it would be safe to venture out without knowing the progress of typhoon Cimaron  – everything is in Japanese and no English channels… Read more: Head up in the clouds

What can you in do on a day of rain and occasional strong gusts of wind from the typhoon? – Well, walking amongst plants can be a very satisfying pursuit particularly if you take care of… Read more: Turn right at the red vending machine

So thankful to find that there was a bus leaving out the back of the hotel that went directly to the Odakyu station for the grand price 200 yen much cheaper than a set of wheels… Read more: Tokyo – Hakone – Gora

If you are planning a trip to Japan then buying a Japan Rail Pass is a must for train travel – amazing value if you have a foreign passport and a tourist visa. You buy a… Read more: Of passes and parks

Our introduction to Japan takes us from the airport to Shinjuku via the train network – Wow it is very extensive but also I’m quite surprised at how old and in need of a face-lift some… Read more: Shinjuku

Singapore My introduction to Singapore as a young girl traveling alone on one of the new ‘ship – jet’ routes bound for ‘where it was at’ London in 1972,  was of a very different Singapore than… Read more: Singapore

Lisbon is a beautiful old city with cobbled streets and trams. It’s also incredibly hilly so you need to be fit. Lots of trams if you can get on one as they are usually full of… Read more: Lisbon