I’ve never thought I’d have the chance to visit Japan, The Country of My Dreams.
When I started to plan this journey, I told myself that I wouldn’t believe it until I was there.
That day arrived, and I was there, in Tokyo, a city with 38 million inhabitants, one of the most modern cities in the world.
From the very first moment I saw it, I was amazed.
Japan-Shinjuku
I arrived in the evening to Narita Airport and I took a train to Shinjuku, the neighbourhood where I was going to stay.
The Shinjuku Train Station is the busiest in the world, around 3 million people use it every day , and in this area there are a lot of shopping malls, like for example Odakyu, cinemas, restaurants and there are also many international hotels. So if you go to Tokyo, Shinjuku undoubtedly is a good choice to stay.
One of the things I was worried about before going to Japan, was the language. I’ve read most Japanese people don’t speak much English, and guess what, it is true. But this was not a problem because if you ask for an address or anything else, they would try to help you although they don’t understand you.
They are the nicest and most educated people I’ve ever met. Besides this, most of the signs have a translation to English. A good idea if you go to Japan is to buy the JRP (Japan Rail Pass U$255), especially if you want to visit other cities like Kyoto or Osaka. It is the fastest and easiest way to go from one place to another, because trains are very well connected.
Japan-Sensoji Temple
One place you can’t miss in Tokyo is the Sensoji Temple, a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa.
It is one of the oldest and most important in Tokyo.
During the Second World War it was bombed and destroyed and afterwards it was rebuilt and became a symbol of peace and reborn for Japanese people.
In this neighbourhood there’s a big market where you can taste typical food for a very cheap price and there are a lot of shops where you can buy souvenirs. The entrance to the temple is free.
Japan-Fujimi Inari Shrine
Another city you have to visit if you are in Japan is Kyoto. You can go there by the Shinkansen Bullet Train in Tokaido line, from the Central Station of Tokyo, with your JRP, you’ll be in Kyoto in 2 hours 40 minutes. And of course, once you are there, you should go to Fujimi Inari Shrine in southern Kyoto. It is located just outside JR Inari Station, along JR Nara line (5 minutes, 140 Yen one way from Kyoto Station, not served by rapid trains).
Fujimi Inari Taisha is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stand at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Inari is the Shinto God of rice.
Foxes are thought to be Inari´s messenger’s, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. The Torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the donator’s name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate. The cost starts around 400000 Yen for a small sized gate and increases to over one million Yen for a large gate. Fujimi Inari Taisha is a must do at Japan.
Japan-The Mount Fuji (Fuji-san)
Finally I went to The Mount Fuji (Fuji-san). It was really moving to be there, to be able to see this symbol of Japan.
To go to Mount Fuji, you have to take the train to Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku (using JRP) and transfer to Otuki.
It takes about two hours (4110 Yen). There are many options of tours you can do. The views you’ll have once you are there, you’ll never forget them.
Japan became one of my favourite countries and I know this was just a glimpse. There is so much more to see , that is why I want to come back someday…