Japan 2017

Our return to Japan after nearly a decade! On arrival in Tokyo (Haneda Airport), we took the train to Asakusa and checked into our hotel.

Today we are visiting DisneySea, a unique nautically oriented theme park, unlike the other Disney theme parks around the world.

New York Harbor conveys the excitement of the big city.

Old Cape Cod has the charms of a New England fishing village.

Deep within the remote Central American jungles, Lost River Delta represents the ruins of an ancient civilization.

Mermaid Lagoon features the world of Ariel, the little mermaid, and her aquatic friends.

We took a day trip to Kurashiki. The old merchant quarter (Bikan) contains wooden warehouses along a canal.

Okayama Castle (岡山城), located in Okayama Japan, was completed in 1597, destroyed during World War II, and reconstructed in 1966.

We boarded the Shinkansen to Hiroshima at 8:25am and to my surprise it's the N700 - the fastest train in the fleet.

The peak of Mount Misen, at 535m, is the highest point on Miyajima Island. We got there via Miyajima Ropeway.

Hiroshima is infamous as the first city targeted by an atomic bomb. Largely rebuilt post war, the city is once again a significant city.

The Genbaku Dome (aka Hiroshima Peace Memorial, or the Atomic Bomb Dome) is a former exhibition hall that somehow still stands as a ruin.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Tomonoura is a small fishing village famous as the location for several films - notably Miyazaki's Ponyo and Wolverine.

We travelled from Hiroshima to Osaka and arrived around 3pm. We checked into the Ritz Carlton and spent the afternoon exploring the area.

We travelled from Hiroshima to Osaka and arrived around 3pm. We checked into the Ritz Carlton and spent the afternoon exploring the area.

Today we visited Universal Studios Japan (or USJ as its more popularly known as). We are excited to see the new Harry Potter attractions!

Universal Wonderland is a section aimed at children and families.

A superbly fashionable zone enchanting all females - from young girls to mature women.

Universal Studios Japan currently has eight sections - Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Eating pasta at Umeda

Kyoto (京都), is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region. It was the capital of Japan from 794-1869.

Honen-in ((法然院)) is a nice quiet reflective temple on Kyoto's Philosopher's Path. There is an amazing statue of Buddha here.

Otani Sobyo Mausoleum is the grave of Shinran, the founder of the Shinshu sect Otani school (Higashi Hongan-ji Temple).

We walked along the stone-paved roads in Higashiyama (Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka) that lead up to the Kiyomizu Temple.

We walked back to Kyoto station as buses were full, crossed the bridge at Shichijo and saw a lovely sunset.

Character Street is a row of shops selling toys based on various character themes, located underground in Tokyo Station.

Shinjuku (新宿区) has been a major secondary center of Tokyo and a commercial hub full of skyscrapers and retail shops.

The streets of Shinjuku from the perspective of the airport limousine bus.