Japan Golden Week - Nara & Ninja Village

05-May-2013

Today, we first went to Nara, which is famous for its World's biggest bronze Buddha.  Before entering the temple compound, we have to pass by the Nara Park, where we were welcomed by the freely roaming Deers.

Nara Park - This beautiful lawn park extends 4km east to west and 2km north to south. Groups of deer, messengers of the gods, roam freely through the park. Its beautiful landscape with half-hidden views of temple and shrine rooftops enchants visitors throughout the seasons.

Japan Golden Week - Osaka

4-May-2013

Today, we woke up in the beautiful Osaka house of the Ohodo Family - Mai and Isamu have two boys and they live three story house in a quiet town.

Japan Golden Week - Kyoto 2/2

03-May-2013
 

On our second day in Kyoto, we first went to Kiyomizu-dera temple.  The temple is located on a hill, so the walk is a bit up slope, and along the way there are shops around, selling spring time delicacies like Mochi pastries.

Japan Golden Week - Kyoto 1/2

02-May-2013
 
On our 5th day, we departed Shizuoka at 10pm, and during the 8-9 hours on the road  we slept (or pretended to sleep) throughout the trip, with regular toilet break every 2 hours. I would really commend our organizer Mochan, for a great sacrifice of driving us safely to Kyoto. Traveling to Kyoto from Shizuoka via mini bus has been the toughest road trip throughout our journey. 

Arriving at Kyoto the following morning, at around 7 am we reach Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Japan Golden Week - Tokaido, Shizuoka

30-April-2013

In Shizuoka Prefecture,  green tea is becoming one of the colors of spring. Yes, they have such vast green tea fields in Shizuoka that they boast No1 tea production in Japan every year. 

Japan Golden Week - Fuji

29-April -2013

After driving an hour away from Machida we turned right from the national highway to Gotenba - one of the area where you can view and get close to the famous: Mount Fuji.

 on the way, we passed by the mountain side which has this stunning scenery:

Japan Golden Week - West Tokyo

28-April-2013

Ohayou gozaimasu!  

I woke up early to have advantage of using first the toilet and bathroom, expecting that queue for bathroom will be quite long since we are 15 couch surfers! After bathing, I had an early morning walk around the neighborhood, 

One of the neighbors walking with his pet, first time to see a Japanese Spitz  in Japan!

Some of the neighbors here has this carp fish flag displayed outside the house - Koinbori flag. 

Japan Golden Week - Tokyo

27-April-2013

After checking out from FirstCabin airport hotel, I went to the basement to have breakfast at McDonald :

 

Then I proceed to the train station to go to the city proper since Tokyo Station is where the meeting point for our CS group.