Our Journey to Japan

Japan, country number 34 on this adventure, was amazing and most definitely a favourite for all of us!

We arrived from Hong Kong and were greeted at the airport by Steph’s folks – a much anticipated and appreciated reunion after having missed each other for 9 months! After lots of hugs and kisses and grandma realizing just how much the boys have grown we got our JR train passes sorted and boarded the Narita Express for our hotel in Tokyo.

After we adjusted to the oh-so-cozy size of the rooms and figured out where everyone was going to sleep (Chase insisted on a sleepover with Grammy and Grampie) we had a good night’s sleep and were ready to start exploring the next day.

We had 2 full days in Tokyo so we tried to fit in as much as we could. Chase has a love of all things owl so several months ago, when researching things to do in Japan, we stumbled upon a suggestion to go to Akiba Fukurou Owl Cafe and thought we should check it out. Uncertain but intrigued we booked in advanced (as we were advised it books up months ahead!) and so on day one in Tokyo Chase put on his owl shirt and we ventured to find the cafe. What an experience! We had 45 minutes to spend in the cafe (that actually does not serve any food or drink) with about 25 owls, each named and perched on their own stand. In no way did it feel cheesy or touristy but instead felt serene and peaceful. The owls were treated very well, respected and revered.

Owl Cafe

That evening we had prebooked (because it too books months in advance) the infamous Pokémon Cafe for a pre-birthday dinner for our Pokémon fan, Reece. Everything, including the food, was Pokémon themed. An interesting experience – one we likely wouldn’t repeat – but Reece thought it was pretty cool and we can add it to the been there, done that list!

Pokémon Cafe

The rest of our time in Tokyo involved exploring the city on foot, and by subway and included visits to the Imperial Palace Grounds and some time exploring and people watching at Shibuya Crossing, known as Tokyo’s Time Square.

Exploring Tokyo

We used our JR pass to travel from place to place and it was invaluable. While seemingly expensive when we pre bought it, it saved us a lot in the long run. The train system was so comfortable, user friendly and efficient. We actually looked forward to our train travel time between cities.

Travelling in style

After Tokyo our next stop was Kyoto, which was full of temples, markets and green spaces. Highlights in Kyoto included a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine. The shrine was built to honour Inari, the Shito god of rice and includes a path of over 5000 bright orange torii gates that winds behind the shrine.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

The boys enjoyed our visit to the Samurai and Ninja Museum where we learned the history of these iconic Japanese figures and got to learn a few skills including throwing ninja stars and shooting blow darts!

Ninja and Samurai Museum

On our last day in Kyoto we took the JR rail to Osaka for a fun filled day of thrills at Universal Studios. The boys LOVED the amazing roller coasters – the more thrilling the better! Seems the tamer rides just don’t cut it for them anymore.

Universal Studios Japan

Next stop on the JR line was Hiroshima. Here we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome or Bomb Dome), which is the only structure that was left standing near the hypocentre of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. We also toured the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a truly moving experience where we learned of the circumstances leading up to, during and after the explosion that obliterated nearly everything within 10-square kilometres of the downtown area and killed between 60,000 and 80,000 people.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

While in Hiroshima David and Haydn took in a visit to Hiroshima Castle and later we all took the ferry to Miyajima and the beautiful “floating” Itsukushima Shrine.

Hiroshima Castle
Itsukushima Shrine

It was all aboard the JR line again for our next stop…Kobe! Famous for it’s beef we figured “when in Rome” and enjoyed a meal, which allowed us to sample a few different cuts. Delicious? Yes. Expensive? Indeed. Better than a good cut of Alberta beef? In our opinion probably not, price considered. While in Kobe we also explored it’s famous Chinatown and surrounding markets. Reece got to celebrate his 12th birthday with a day hanging out with his Grammy and not one but 2 birthday cakes.

Kobe

We also took a morning to go see Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle. It is considered Japan’s most spectacular castles and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Himeji Castle

Osaka was our next stop. Here we visited the beautiful Osaka Castle and surrounding park. We also walked around Kuromon Market checking out the various goods. Having spent almost 4 months in Asia and visiting countless markets you’d think we’d seen it all but there’s always something new. Some things are pretty (flowers!), some scary (puffer fish, sea urchins) and some downright bizarre (baby octopus with a hard boiled quail egg stuffed into it’s head).

Japan Market finds

Our final stop before we left Japan was Yokohama. We really hadn’t given much thought to this city as it was really just a place to lay over before we flew out. We were pleasantly surprised with this very modern, clean and welcoming city! As the kids were sick and tired of castles and shrines we opted for a more kid friendly itinerary that included a movie and we took a local’s recommendation to check out the Cup Noodles Museum. Here we learned the history of this Japanese invention through creative exhibits. The boys also had the opportunity to design their own noodle box and make their very own cup of noodles which they had for dinner later that night.

Cup Noodles Museum

And just like that…another country visited. Japan was fascinating. We marvelled at the size of the cities, the architecture and infrastructure and sense of order were awe inspiring. Even the toilets were a thing of wonder! They had everything from heated seats, to a menu of “self cleaning” options to music playing while you went and were so complex many came with a long list of instructions. Going to the bathroom will be forever boring after this.

Things to know before you go

While we enjoyed the cities should we be lucky enough to return some day we will take some time to get out of the urban areas and experience life in the more rural locations.

Japan has a captivating and rich culture; a complex mix of traditions and beliefs dating back thousands of years mixed with the modern, quirky and innovative. The people of Japan, in our experience, have to be the some of the world’s most gracious, polite, helpful and kind. There is a peaceful calm in Japan we have yet to feel anywhere else on our travels. This serenity and respect for fellow man is obvious and something the rest of the world should strive to mirror.

Until next time and with love,

The Travelling Babins

“Travel to as many destinations as possible for the sake of education as well as pleasure” – Maya Angelou