We’re back from our 2019 Japan Fall Tours. We had a great time with our guests and sharing all the wonderful experiences Japan has to offer. The weather was great and the changing leaves were amazing! Here are some photos of the people and places from our Fall Tours. Enjoy!

Nikko

Shinkyo Bridge

The original bridge is thought to have been built around 766. The current bridge was built in 1636 in the same fashion as the original. Major renovations occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s. When it was in use, only messengers of the Imperial Court were allowed to use the bridge.

Nikko Tosho-gu

Yomeimon Gate at Toshogu Shrine in Nikko

The Nikko Tosho-gu is where the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined. Originally built in 1617 as a relatively modest mausoleum. The present-day complex was built in 1636 by his grandson, Iemitsu.

Nagoya

Chunichi Dragons Baseball Game

We took one of our groups to a Chunichi Dragons baseball game this past fall. Going to a baseball game is a fantastic way to see how different the Japanese can do something that we find so familiar. Becki and I used to live in Nagoya, and we frequented these games every year.

Inuyama

Our tour group walking through the torii gates at Sanko Inari Shrine near Inuyama Castle. Built in 1537 by Oda Yojirou Nobunaga, Inuyama Castle is the oldest standing castle in Japan.

Nakasendo Trail

Becki chatting with David while on the trail

The Nakasendo trail is always a big hit. Nakasendo means central mountain route and it was the main route that connected Kyoto and Edo (modern day Tokyo) from 1603 to 1867. We hiked the section connecting the preserved post towns of Tsumago and Magome.

Fuji

Chureito Pagoda

While staying at a Ryokan near Mt. Fuji we hiked up a small mountain to get amazing photos of beautiful fall leaves, the Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji. The Japanese maple trees stole the show though!

Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji

When possible, we ask our Japanese friends to come sightseeing with our groups. It’s a great way to interact with a local and get a chance to ask questions in a relaxing, friendly and fun atmosphere.

Byodoin

Built in 998 as a rural villa for a high-ranking official, Byodoin was purchased by the Fujiwara clan and turned into a Buddhist temple in 1052. Parts of the temple were burnt down in 1336 and renovated and rebuilt in 1496, however the main building, Phoenix Hall, is still the original from 1052.

Kimono in Kodai-ji

Dressing up in Kimono always makes for amazing pictures, especially as we walked through the garden at Kodai-ji. The Japanese maples made a beautiful gold and red backdrop.

Geisha Entertainment

Get the chance to meet a real Geisha! We had an amazing dinner in Kyoto with both a Maiko and a Geiko. This is an event that always leaves us with awe and excitement.

Tokyo

Sensoji in Asakusa

Visiting Sensoji is always a great day. This temple complex is believed to be the oldest in Tokyo. The temple grounds and the original temple were established and built in 645 AD.

Shibuya & Shinjuku

While in Tokyo we also visited Shibuya and Shinjuku. These subsections of Tokyo are the main areas for shopping and entertainment. Here we saw the iconic neon city lights and crowds of fashionably dressed youth.

Sumo

Some of our fall tours lined up with the Tokyo Sumo Tournament, so we managed to see these impressively sized men fight for victory. Professional Sumo matches have been held since the Edo period (1603 – 1868), but it’s believed that the art of Sumo dates back to the Heian period (794 – 1192).