Fun in Japan

While we were in Africa, Kendall got word that a paper he had submitted to a conference had been accepted, and he was to attend the conference and present the paper. So quite unexpectedly, we had a holiday in Japan in July.

First of all, our travel agent booked us on a Qantas flight. Even though they have been on my blacklist for a long LONG time. I couldn't argue, it was considerably cheaper than any other airline and it was a direct flight from Melbourne to Tokyo (and return). So fly with Qantas we did. And of all the Qantas flights we took in July, 100% of them were more than one hour late. And the plane we were meant to fly on coming home was changed, so we had the shitty older model with the horrible seats. Back on the blacklist they go!

Anyway we arrived in Japan (late) and spent a night in Tokyo before heading to Kyoto on the bullet train the next day. OMG the bullet trains are amazing. The rest of the world (I'm looking at you, AUSTRALIA) could learn a thing or two from the Japanese rail system. It is so efficient, and so clean, and on time and just wonderful.

Our first place of accommodation in Kyoto was the Rihga Royal Hotel, which was okay. It was conveniently located near the conference venue, and it had very good air conditioning. Good AC was essential as Japan was suffering through a crazy heatwave when we were there and the temperature was about 38C every day. With 95% humidity. People actually died, it was horrendous. According to all the Japanese people we spoke to, the heat was very unusual and they really were not coping.

Anyway after the conference ended we moved to the Four Seasons Kyoto, and you should all go there and say hello to Vincent the food and beverage manager, and Alex the hotel manager, and in fact all the staff as they are amazing. It is a gorgeous hotel built around an 800 year old koi pond.



On one day we went to visit the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, which is just beautiful.



We also stopped in to see the house of a former Japanese movie star, and a temple along the way.





Another day, we caught the bullet train to Hiroshima.



This building is known as ground zero for the bombing of Hiroshima during WW2, and it is now a national peace monument. Hiroshima is a modern and lovely city and well worth visiting.

On yet another day, we visited the Fushimi-Inari temple, also known at the 10,000 gates temple. It is built up the side of a mountain and one hell of a hike but so worth it.



Once again, it was a balmy 39C so we didn't quite make it all the way to the top.

After our time in Kyoto we caught the train back to Tokyo, and spent a couple of days wandering around that crazy city. We went to Electric Town, and over to see the Imperial Palace. We stayed at the Four Seasons Maranouchi Tokyo and it was excellent (say hi to Alvin the restaurant manager if you are ever there).



This is about the closest you can get to the Palace but it is set in lovely parks and it's a nice walk.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Japan and will definitely go back, perhaps to try and see the cherry blossoms. You should go too. It's wonderful.

As always, there are a lot more photos in my FlickR photo stream, just click on one of the photos to be taken there.