In August 2019 I travelled around Japan -
Tokyo - Nagoya - Gero - Takayama - Tokyo - Hakone - Osaka - Hiroshima -Kyoto - Nara - aaand back to Tokyo.
(Thank you bullet trains! I highly recommend getting a JR train pass if you want to go all over the country)
So, in 2019? And why am I only writing about it now? Well it’s because I’m making CONTENT now. I’ve realised instagram has served its time, and it’s just becoming a place where ancient millennials like me shrug and moan for the good ol’ times. So time to step away and make my website accessible!
I’ve been doing courses on SEO and who would have thunk it, it’s not CEO - it’s something very, very different! :)
So now I have a BLOG ok!
Japan was my first time doing ‘travelling’, at the ripe ol’ age of 32. And I naively took a backpack, thinking that’s what you do when traveling anywhere, you know…like all my friends did in their teens and 20s.
You don’t need a backpack traveling around Japan’s cities in your 30s, just take a suitcase!
Japan is humid AF in July/August, and with the added layer of backpack, it was like carrying a sweaty toddler.
I’d never experienced humidity quite like this before. My hair transformed into a ‘Sideshow Bob’ rather than the French bob I was used to. I had to eventually get it a professional involved to tame the beast.
So, yeah if you’re planning to travel in July/August, expect crazy weather. Take a suitcase. Shave your head!
Vegan Food
Enjoying an onigiri by the water in Gero
Around Japan in 80 Umeboshi Onigiris
Well, almost. They were my emergency food out of the cities. For those who’re not in the know (I didn’t know) they are little triangles of rice wrapped in seaweed, with various fillings. The only vegan option at the time was plum, maybe they have others now. It was 3 years ago :)
T’s Tantan - Chiyoda-ku train station. Vegan ramen with my cousin Meg.
Vegans and Veggies, if you haven’t already download the Happy Cow App and you’ll be pretty safe where ever you go. Here are some places I found on my travels. Most have links to click on :)
Vintage shop in Tokyo.
Must Visits in Japan
Art
Naoshima - ‘art island’. Famous for Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkins. It’s very small, so you can hire a bike to get around, or go on foot like me, who is scared of bikes. I soon regretted it! It was soooo hot!
Hakone Open-air Gallery - just outside of Tokyo, you get to travel on a very cute train to get there. Set aside a full day of exploring here. Like Yorkshire Sculpture park, but 100% more humid.
Teamlab - Tokyo. A trippy light show to end all light shows! Also would recommend a full day here.
History
Peace Park and Social Book Cafe Hachidorisha, Hiroshima
Talk with an a-bomb survivor. A haunting recollection of the day, but delivered by such a peaceful man. A must when you are in Hiroshima.
Higashiyama Walking Course - Takayama
I did this on my own, in the rain, listening to sad music. You don’t need an expensive tour guide if you’re good at following signs. It was a beautiful tour around the shrines and temples. Watch out for bears.
The O-Torii (Grand Torii Gate) - Miyajima
I just accidentally deleted an hours worth of blogging so this last slog has been tough. Apologies if it tailed off towards the end. :)
Note to self - make a word file you wally!!
Ok, that’s it from me. Thank you for coming to my blog. Was it ok for you?
JJ xxx
