Interesting Fact: Tokyo has 35 million people, granting it the world's most populous metropolitan area but has one of the lowest crime rates in the world!
Our anniversary has come once again, and what better way to celebrate it than to take a wonderful week and a half long vacation to a new destination. After postponing our first trip (due to the tsunami last in March 2011), we were finally able to make it to the ever captivating country of Japan.
Saturday morning we flew from KL to Tokyo (Haneda), 6 hour 45 min on Air Asia; got in at 11:30 pm and walked 2 km after taking a bus ride from the airport to Shinjuku for $50 USD for both of us. Subway closed, so we had to walk. Great weather and cool evening. Stayed at JAL City Yotsuya Tokyo
Sunday – first day in Tokyo, went to the Shinjuku Gyeon (gardens) to see beautifully landscaped gardens right in the middle of the city; traditional Japanese ponds and lots of cherry blossoms still in bloom. Golden Palace,
Monday – Tried to go visit the Tsujiki fish market; largest fish market in the world, but it was closed due to a national holiday (the whole week was a holiday)
Happy Anniversary to us!!! Thursday was our 4 year anniversary that we spent in Kyoto. It was a really nice day where we went to
Friday – headed back to Tokyo at 3 pm; stayed at Hundred Stay serviced apartments and hotel in Okuba that was 1 minute walking distance to the train station. Got upgraded and had very nice room with comfy bed and large bathroom. Best hotel we stayed at in whole trip of Japan.
Our anniversary has come once again, and what better way to celebrate it than to take a wonderful week and a half long vacation to a new destination. After postponing our first trip (due to the tsunami last in March 2011), we were finally able to make it to the ever captivating country of Japan.
Saturday morning we flew from KL to Tokyo (Haneda), 6 hour 45 min on Air Asia; got in at 11:30 pm and walked 2 km after taking a bus ride from the airport to Shinjuku for $50 USD for both of us. Subway closed, so we had to walk. Great weather and cool evening. Stayed at JAL City Yotsuya Tokyo
Sunday – first day in Tokyo, went to the Shinjuku Gyeon (gardens) to see beautifully landscaped gardens right in the middle of the city; traditional Japanese ponds and lots of cherry blossoms still in bloom. Golden Palace,
Tuesday - 3rd day in Tokyo where we woke up and caught early train 7:30 to Mount Fuji. Stayed in traditional Japanese Onsen (bed and breakfast type place) that has a natural hot spring that comes from the mountains in the B&B. Traditional ryoken style tatami mats and pallet type bedding on the floor (no bedding) room about a foot longer than Kaes stretched all the way out. Exhausted when we got there and it was raining, so we took a nap. Woke up and had about 5 hours to walk across the bridge and around Lake Kawaguchi to look at the view of Mt. Fuji. Had a nice lunch, stopped for ice cream, and then had an early dinner from some pastries we picked up at the bakery. I tried to get in the Onsen, but it was ridiculously hot and almost unbearable (I really even enjoy hot water) I can now say I have tried the traditional route, but will most likely stick to “normal” hotel rooms in the future.
Wednesday morning we decided to leave Mt. Fuji early after it had rained all morning. After getting back to Tokyo we had to catch the next high speed Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto (2 hour 45 min - back in the same direction we came from) It was still drizzling a bit in Kyoto, but we were able to use rain gear and walk around the town find the best sushi dinner with largest and freshest pieces of tuna we have ever had.
Saturday – Full day where we went in search of a Samurai Sword (insert pic) and went back to Atakusa on the north east side of Tokyo in a traditional old town and found a sword.
Overall, we had a very memorable 4 year anniversary trip. I knew that I would really enjoy seeing Japan and its beautiful countryside, but was quite surprised at how friendly the people were, the cleanliness of the largest city in the world, and the sheer beauty of the countryside.
