Becki and I are back from our 2018 Japan Spring Tours. We had a great time, met a bunch of nice people and made new friends along the way. It was wonderful sharing what we love about Japan and showing everyone around. Here are some photos of the places we saw during our tours. Enjoy!

Tokyo

Ueno Park

The Cherry Blossoms in Ueno Park were absolutely beautiful this year!

Asakusa Kannon

Asakusa Kannon’s Senso-ji is one of the oldest Temples in Tokyo.

Sumo

While we were in Tokyo in May, we were able to catch some Sumo.

Interesting fact, the ring (Dohyo) that these massive men wrestle on is made of dirt and a new one is built before each tournament. Once the 2-week tournament is finished, it is destroyed.

Osaka

Dontonbori & Shinsaibashi

Dontonbori and Shinsaibashi are the main shopping and nightlife areas of Osaka. They are so close to one another that you’d never even know you left one area and entered the next. They’re separated by a small canal lined with restaurants and bars.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is an Osaka specialty food made from a flour based batter and a small piece, or pieces, of octopus. It is usually topped off with soy sauce, mayonnaise and fish flakes.

Trust me, it tastes so much better than it sounds!

Kyoto

Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji, also known as The Golden Temple, is surrounded by a beautiful walking Zen garden.

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple is located at the top of a hill on the east side of Kyoto. It is home to one of Japan’s oldest wooden structures and offers a beautiful view of the city.

Takayama

Spring Festival

Takayama’s spring festival is one of the most beautiful in Japan. There are cherry blossom trees all around, parades throughout the town and large, centuries old, wooden floats displayed.

Kiso Valley

Preserved Mountain Village

Magome is one of the preserved mountain villages in the Kiso Valley that is connected to Tsumago by the Nakasendo trail. Visiting these villages is like stepping back in time.

Nakasendo Trail

The weather was perfect for hiking the Nakasendo trail. Along the path we saw beautiful waterfalls, bamboo forests and rice fields.

Nara

Japan’s First Capital

It was another beautiful day when we visited the World Heritage Site of Todai-ji. It is the largest wooden structure on Earth and the site of the largest bronze Buddha.

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Atomic Bomb Dome

The Atomic Bomb Dome on a warm spring day in May.

There are so many different ways and places to photograph the iconic floating red torii gate on Miyajima. I try to find a different angle each time I visit.