May 26, 2010
Prepping for the Haiku Trip of a Lifetime
Okay, so I don’t have all the details for my trip to Japan sorted out, even though I’m leaving on May 27th, but I think that’s part of the adventure. What I do know is that Nick and I will be spending our first five days in Tokyo, then catching a JR train to Kyoto to see the old capital and the surrounding areas for a few days. We plan on finishing our trip somewhere on the coast. We’ll be spending a total of eleven days in the country and I hope to travel by bullet train – known in Japan as the Shinkansen – at least once.We hope to see as many of Tokyo’s unique and exciting districts as possible during our visit. We’ll be staying in Ginza, the financial and shopping district, but thanks to Tokyo’s incredible subway system, I’m sure we won’t have any troubles getting from one neighborhood to the next. During one of our days there, we are going to have to get up early, so that we can get to the Tsukiji Market in time to see the fish auction.
Tsukiji Market, Photograph by Oliver Strewe
In Kyoto, I can’t wait to see the many traditional Japanese temples that are scattered throughout the area. I’d like to see Sanjusangendo in particular, and its thousand ancient wooden statues of Kannon.
A glimpse of the Thousand Armed Kannon Statues at Sanjusangendo Temple
From Kyoto, we’re thinking of taking a side trip about half an hour away to the Himeji Castle. The castle is considered to be Japan’s most beautiful remaining feudal castles, and from the images that I’ve seen, it certainly seems that way.
Cherry Blossoms envelop Himeji Castle
As for our plans to see the coast, we don’t have any yet. There are so many appealing coastal towns throughout Japan, that it’s hard to find the right one. We’re looking for suggestions or hoping that we make some local friends that point us in the right direction.
Akihabara Denki Gai
Even though our plans aren’t completely sorted out, I do have three big objectives that I must do before I leave Japan: get a kimono In Kyoto, eat sushi and other Japanese delicacies straight from the Tsukiji Market, and buy a useless gadget in Akihabara – the tech Mecca of the world. The adventure is just around the corner…I cannot wait!
Update 8/13/2010: Read all about Raquel’s Japanese adventures in her post trip recap post and video!
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