PLACES TO VISIT
Fishmarket and park and Shibuya
Ueno park and the imperial palace
Kyoto Golden Pavilion and Ryan Ji
NIJO castle and TOFUKU Ji temple
To prepare for our trip, we went to the Tourist Office Japan, 4 rue Ventadour in Paris 1st.
Phone: 0142962029
Website:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/
Besides buying a
Japan Rail Pass we had
no documentation
on board
except Tokyo and Kyoto
and a cold reception.
With the current price of the euro, buying the rail pass was useless after audit.
You do not win,
you lose and
perhaps most importantly you
can not take the Nozomi
super express train.
a recommendation: take yens
before leaving for the life of
every day.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
We chose to travel with Japan Air Line for schedule: starting at 6:05 p.m. and arrival at Tokyo Narita 14H
after a trip of 12H and a jet lag of 8H.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
At Narita, we went to the office to get the JR Japan Rail Pass carnet 7 days. We did it start as of November 12.
Then we bought our ticket limousine bus (3,000 yen per person) to go to our hotel.
This is a very good solution because you arrive at the door of your hotel.
Shinkansen train also costs 3000 yen, but you arrive at Tokyo Station and you will either take a taxi or take the subway.
For one day
of arrival,
hard, hard!!
mainly because of the luggage.
We were surprised by the warm welcome when we arrived at Tokyo Nikko Hotel in Tokyo bay.
A maid took care of our luggage and we had explained the functioning of our bedroom. Given the service,
we proposed a tip
she refused,
almost offended.
Our first lesson
of Japanese
etiquette
Tokyo Nikko Hotel
the
reasons to stay at the Nikko Hotel :
- Not adjacent motorway
- A walk along the seaside at the foot of the hotel
- Metro Station between Meridian and Nikko hotels
- Restaurants and rooms have views over the Rainbow Bridge
- The friendly staff
the Rainbow bridge
Friday, November 9, 2007
Today is our first day visiting and we begin by exploring our neighborhood Daiba.
 the class photo of a group of schoolchildren |
 the Statue of Liberty and Twin Towers |
From April 1998 to May 1999, France has lent his copy of the Statue of Liberty for the year of French culture.
Following the success,
the Japanese
have made a replica. After,
we started to
take the subway.
We are on the new line
Yurikamome serving
the island of Odaiba.
First surprise, there is
no Pass
with other subway lines
in Tokyo, so they
explained with great devotion,
because the Japanese do
not speak English, we must
take a ticket to
Shimbashi and
buy a pass
to the distributor of
the Ginza line.
It seems easy, but
arrived at our destination,
we surveyed
many corridors before
find our distributor.
It was too late to
visit the fish market and
we went to
Asakusa.
 The Flame of Philippe Stark |
 the door of Thunder |
|
|
Nakamise Dori |
|
|
Kannon Temple |
|
5 floors Pagoda |
Upon exiting the subway Asakusa, one sees the flame
|
|
|
Tan Megumi, Yamamoto Akitoshi, Hoshikana
Misaki,
Kurita Hutoshi et Kakizaki Satoshi are young english students of the school Kaneyama at Mogami, Yamagata . They interviewed me. And we understood because after their teacher photographed us, I asked
to send me an email with
this picture. sending them an email (in English if possible). |
To see the video of the tourist district of Asakusa
|
At the Akihabara
station, we visited the
district of electronics. We were little concerned, except that we have seen tiny laptops Panasonic brand, a brand that seems popular in Japan. |
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Today it's raining and we bought a round trip ticket to Shimbashi. We learn that tickets are
different for the outward and return. In Shimbashi, we still lost to find our distributor
1 day Pass ticket and we asked for help to charming Japanese. In the morning we
visited the Tsukiji fish market. Today, more needs to be there at 5 am to attend
the fish auction. Tourists are not welcome.
 the fish market |
 the fish market |
|
the fish market |
|
|
The street with sushi restaurants |
After the morning fish
auction, individuals come to market to benefit from good prices. |
In the afternoon we went in the Shibuya area to observe the Japanese youth. Unfortunately
it was raining ....
 the crowd even in the rain |
 the crowd even in the rain |
|
Hachiko dog |
We were at Shibuya with bad
weather. The crowd was so great that we were obliged to ask where was the statue of Hachiko, a meeting point in Shibuya .. |
We then visited the Sony building located in the Ginza area, where we attended a
demonstration of an MP3 player called ROLLY, sold only in Japan currently. we wanted
bring it to our grandchildren but the documentation was available only in Japanese.
Sunday, November
11, 2007
Today the weather is better and we will visit Ueno Park and the Imperial Palace.
 The owl of Ueno Zoo
|
the great
Panda of Ueno Zoo
in a Japanese
landscape
|
 Ueno Park -Cherry trees alley |
 Ueno Park |
|
lanterns, chinese style |
|
|
|
|
|
shopping street at the exit of Park |
From April,
the Japanese come
picnicking under the cherry blossoms. Ueno Park is the place of museums. We visited the zoo for the giant panda and the museum Shitamachi where we view japanese life around 1920 . We just walked in the street Ameyayokocho and have been impressed by the street vendors. |
We took the subway to get to the Imperial Palace.
|
|
|
|
The East
Gardens were closed. Only
a small part of gardens was open. A little disappointed! |
Monday, November 12, 2007
This is the day we went to Kyoto with the Shinkansen train. We had to book our seats for Kyoto.
The second class comprise 5 seats (3 +2) by row, while the first class have 4 seats (2 +2). There is a
limited space for luggage at the end of the wagon. Of course we have compared with our TGV and we find
that our train is better suited for travelers with luggage. In Kyoto, we booked a room for
4 days at Hotel Kokusai in front Nijo Castle. We very much saw Mount Fuji from the train, but
did not have the reflex to take the picture because we were sure to see him again during our future visits, including
to HAKONE.
 Shinkansen train |
 sushis to taste |
|
the gentleman who cooked our sushi |
While waiting for our room,
we went to the
sushi restaurant. We have appreciated and have kindly received a lesson in handling chopsticks. in late afternoon, we took the bus to get to the Kiyomizu Temple, located on a hill and offers views of Kyoto. Given the late hour, we thought be alone. It was not the case. It was the Mont ST Michel in August |
|
the street that goes up to Kiyomizu Temple Mont Saint Michel in France |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
We took the bus 12 to go to the Golden Pavilion. Splendor! We then walked for 20 minutes
to get to the Ryoan Ji where is the most famous Zen gardens of Japan. We preferred the wet garden.
We returned to the hotel before returning to Gion where we visited the street Pontocho, and Gion Corner.
 Golden Pavilion |
 Golden Pavilion |
|
Golden Pavilion |
the street
which leads to Golden Pavilion
|
|
Golden Pavilion |
For us it is
the most beautiful place in Japan! A monk set fire in July 1950 and was rebuilt to the original. This temple was rebuilt in 1955. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
dry zen garden, Kare Sansui |
the weekend, the Zen Garden
is taken by assault
by cohorts of Japanese who come to practice meditation group.
Things to see as us a
weekday. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gion Corner |
These Kyoto districts
must be visited at nightfall
to enjoy the atmosphere. We were however very surprised to see many women in traditional costume. Notice the shoes, it requires a training to walk well. |
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Today we used our JR Pass to get to Nara. On arrival, we entered the office
of
tourism where the person
speaking English gave us a map
in French with sites to
visit.
 deer freely in Nara Park |
 the walkway leading to the Todai Ji Temple |
|
|
Todai Ji Temple |
|
The bronze Buddha |
The Todai
Ji Temple
is the largest wooden building
in the world with 57 m wide and 50 m high. The Buddha bronze statue was
completed in 751 by the
Korean Kimimaro. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We saw many children
in costumes. It was the Shichi-go-San celebrating children of 3.5 and 7 years. We saw mostly small children. Family photograph them in large sanctuaries of the city. |
When we arrived at Kyoto Station,
we booked for the
Shinkansen back to
Tokyo.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
In the morning we went to Nijo Castle located across from our hotel. Photography was prohibited inside
the castle but we were able to see paintings and a reconstruction of the Shogun, his family and his followers.
We appreciate all the gardens around the castle.
In the afternoon we went to JI Tofuku temple to discover three Zen gardens.
 NIJO Castle |
 NIJO Castle |
|
NIJO Castle |
Several shoguns
have resided since its
construction in 1603, until the abdication of the last of them in 1867. Since 1893, the castle belongs to the city of Kyoto. Too bad photography or video is banned
inside as it
is worth visiting. |
|
garden of NIJO Castle |
garden of NIJO Castle |
|
garden of NIJO Castle |
garden of NIJO Castle |
|
garden of NIJO Castle |
We strolled at least
two hours
among
every garden surrounding the castle. |
 Tofuku Ji Temple |
 Tofuku Ji Temple |
|
|
temple's garden |
|
temple's garden |
temple's garden |
|
temple's garden |
temple's garden |
|
temple's garden |
Tofuku Ji
temple is mostly frequented by
the Japanese. We mostly filmed and photographed the three Zen gardens. The dry garden Zen requires 1 hour of work every morning for redesign. Among the people who guided the tourists, we had the pleasure to discuss a Japanese who spoke perfect French. He told us that some
students were learning
French but not
provided news |
Friday, November 16, 2007
At 10 o'clock, we took the Shinkansen to Tokyo but unfortunately we have not had a chance to review
Mount Fuji. In the afternoon we went to Shinjuku and went up to the 45th floor of City Hall where
you can see Mount Fuji on clear days.
 shunjuku area |
 view from floor 45 |
|
view from floor 45 |
You have a bar at the top of the tower. The pastries are very good. No Mount Fuji on the horizon. On the ground floor of City Hall we made inquiries to Nikko and Hakone with the information desk tourism. |
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Today, we will use our JR
Pass to get to
Nikko. On arrival, we followed
a group of Japanese
who boarded a bus.
Luckily, this bus
was going to the lake
Chuzenji
and the fall Kegon
taking a
spectacular mountain
route
one way to
go and return. In
return, we stopped
at the bridge Shinkyo
to access the Toshogu
temple.
 Chuzenji lake |
 Chuzenji Tori |
|
Kegon Fall |
The frustrated
lovers threw themselves
on the
99m Kegon waterfall. |
 Shinkyo bridge |
access to temples |
|
|
|
|
|
Toshogu temples |
|
Toshogu temples |
Toshogu temples |
|
Toshogu temples |
We found that Nikko was a major step during our trip to Japan. The mountainous landscape seems protected and temple architecture differs with all places visited before. Here is the Baroque dominates. |
Everyone told us: YOU MUST GO TO HAKONE!!!! That may be true but does not do it on a Sunday.
Early morning at Tokyo station, we took the JR Shinkansen to Odawara. Then, we changed
company and purchased the Pass (4700 yen per person) which allows to use all public transportation in the Hakone area.
We took a first crowded train between Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto. From there we took another train
reciprocating and always crowded to Gora. We waited in line to grab the cable-car brings us to Sounzan.
Again a huge queue to board a cable car, and history repeats 2 more times to board
in the cable and come to Togendai at the lakeside Ashinoko and take a boat cruise.
On landing at Moto Hakone, and after 6 hours of transport and queues, we took the first bus
Hakone-Yumoto and got home tired in Tokyo.
We were there to see Mount Fuji. There sun was shining brightly and we saw nothing. Very disappointed!!!
 the crowd out of the station Sounzan |
 the crowd again |
|
the view from the
cable
|
the view from the cable |
|
the view from the boat |
When the boat stopped at
Moto Hakone,
we have not had the courage to undertake any visit and we took the bus in the other direction to use trains for Odawara and Tokyo. This is the only day missed on the entire trip. |
Monday, November 19, 2007
We were too tired to take a train and see Mount Fuji. We then tried to see this mountain
from Tokyo Tower. The weather was clear but clouds were present where would be the Mount.
We insisted and we returned on the 45th floor of City Hall without success.
 Tokyo Tower |
 view from the tower |
|
view from the tower |
Tokyo tower measuring
333 meters
dating from 1958. The last observation platform is located at 250 meters and does not offer a more spectacular view than 150 meters. French, one feels obliged to visit and compare with our Eiffel Tower. A vague resemblance!! |
Tuesday, November
20, 2007
We walked around the neighborhood of Daiba until the start of our limousine bus to Narita at 14:30.
Daiba is a place to walk the weekend for the residents of Tokyo
 the flame of freedom |
 the big wheel |
|
|
|
|
Tokyo beach |
the wooden path to the Tokyo beach |
We will keep a great souvenir of our stay at the Nikko Hotel where we had a beautiful tribute
the restaurant for our last evening. Unforgettable!
and finally an overview of fireworks display we saw every Saturday night at 19pm from our room.
Click on the image to see video
CONCLUSION
- The use of transport is complicated for a Paris metro user.
you pay according to distance and that is the reason why we bought a day pass.
Economically, it would be better to buy Pasmo, we put 1000.2000 or 5000 yens
for a Pasmo card and you pay based on the distance and is valid while supplies.
The metro is deep and several companies operate lines.
You sometimes have escalators to go up but very rarely to go down.
the corridors are very long. It takes a long walk.
This is a country very clean and you have free toilets everywhere, not as in France
where we are among the last of the class.
The Japanese are charming when they are requesting in the street, but please speak
foreign languages so that we can come back to visit your beautiful country.
