Japan had been on my bucket list for years, a place I’d imagined through photographs, documentaries and the occasional video game, but never quite believed I’d see for myself. When I finally booked an escorted tour, I expected temples, gardens and bullet trains. What I didn’t expect was being shuffled between three different coaches, seven different guides, and a rotating cast of fellow travellers from half a dozen countries. It wasn’t the smooth, English‑speaking tour I’d been promised, but it certainly made for a memorable adventure.
This section of my website follows my journey across Japan: from the bamboo forests of Kyoto to the floating torii of Miyajima, from the serene gardens of Okayama to the haunting stillness of Hiroshima’s A‑Bomb Dome. Along the way, I discovered incredible food, generous people, and a country that balances ancient tradition with futuristic efficiency better than anywhere I’ve ever been.
It wasn’t always easy; Japan involves a lot of walking, a lot of steps, and a few inaccessible paths, but every moment was worth it. I even managed to travel all the way around the world without planning it, thanks to the route my flights took.
These pages tell the story of that journey: the places I visited, the people I met, the things that went wrong, and the moments that made it all unforgettable. If you’re thinking of visiting Japan yourself, I hope my experiences help you decide to take the plunge.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Summary: A chaotic arrival in Tokyo, missing reps, tiny wheelchairs, an early‑check‑in battle, an unexpected multicultural tour group, and an evening exploration of Shinjuku.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Summary: A full day exploring Tokyo, temples, shrines, shopping streets, and a quiet evening preparing for Mount Fuji the next day.
Location: Fujiyoshida → Fuji Kawaguchiko, Japan
Summary: A day of misdirection, matcha ice cream, sacred shrines, lake views, cloud‑covered summits, and a musical road on the way to a traditional Fuji‑side hotel.
Location: Fujikawaguchiko → Saiko → Shiraito Falls → Kyoto, Japan
Summary: A restless night in Fujikawaguchiko lead into a day of healing villages, rainbow‑lit waterfalls, a chaotic encounter with a Lexus seat at the Toyota Museum, and the long drive into Kyoto for a much‑needed proper bed.
Location: Kyoto → Nara → Osaka, Japan
Summary: A day steeped in Japan’s spiritual heritage, exploring Kyoto’s tranquil forests and temple gardens, walking beneath endless torii gates, meeting the sacred deer of Nara, and ending amid Osaka’s neon‑lit streets.
Location: Kyoto → Nara → Osaka, Japan
Summary: A day of contrasts, from Kyoto’s serene temple gardens to Nara’s playful deer and Osaka’s lively streets. Ancient shrines, sacred forests, and modern city lights marked this leg of my escorted journey through Japan’s cultural heart.
Location: Osaka → Himeji → Okayama, Japan
Summary: A day of discovery through Japan’s architectural and natural beauty, from Osaka’s urban bustle to the white elegance of Himeji Castle and the peaceful garden paths of Okayama. History, artistry, and serenity intertwine on this scenic leg of your escorted journey.
Location: Kurashiki → Miyajima → Hiroshima, Japan
Summary: A day rich in history and beauty, strolling Kurashiki’s canal district with its white‑walled merchant houses, crossing to Miyajima to see the floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine, and reflecting at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park. A journey through Japan’s resilience and grace.
Location: Hiroshima → Tokyo, Japan
Summary: The last leg of my Japan adventure, travelling from Hiroshima to Tokyo by bullet train, watching the countryside unfold before arriving in Japan’s dynamic capital. A day of reflection and excitement as the journey concluded amid Tokyo’s dazzling skyline and vibrant streets.
Location: Tokyo, Japan → Paris, France → Los Alcazares, Spain
Summary: My journey came full circle as I left Tokyo and flew home after an unforgettable tour of Japan. Memories of temples, castles, gardens, and city lights accompanied me on the flight back, a moment to reflect on the experiences and people I met along the way.
