Short stop over in Korea then off to Japan for hot springs ! well one day of it and then lots of touring !! Yes that means I need to get back on a bus in time, go to bed late and get up early due to touring schedules and well I did not understand a word of the tour guide because it was all in Korean. Actually this is the second time I have joined a tour and the guide speaks Korean. Pretty fun stuff and well its on the cheap.
The tour started off in Tokyo, then it meandered along to Hakone. At Hakone we stayed over night to enjoy the hot springs. Yes it is a nude bath and the two genders are separated so do not get too excited. It was definitely an experience and it does leave your skin feeling smooth. The heat is bearable and lucky for me it was an outdoor hot spring and it was teaming with rain so I could cool down. Unfortunately no photos of the hot springs are allowed for obvious reasons. You better get used to sulfur is all i can say as it will stink like sulfur. This followed up with trips to Yokohama which was very pleasing to the eye and the weather was fantastic. After Yokohama the tour bus took us to Narita for an over night and short last day tour. Then it was back off to the airport !!
Day 1, Incheon to Tokyo ... flying time was short and smooth. Hopped straight on to the bus and whizzed from Narita airport to Tokyo.
Arrived in Tokyo and well first stop was a temple, but we really wanted to try the rickshaws but no time for them even though these guys seem uninterested in taking us for a ride
Asakusa Tokyo Senso-ji Temple
A closer look at whats happening
The view from afar
Are we in New York ?? A replica of the Statue of Liberty in Tokyo Bay
Heading in to Day 2 we were off to see some more temples and hopefully we get to see some hot springs ? or don't we ? and the bad weather has followed me again !
A prayer moment
Wishing cards
O-mikuji people ties these paper ribbons for good luck,
Day 3, after spending the night at the hot springs resort, we are off to Yokohama. More shrines and temples to go to today... but we were surprised to head in to where the local Japanese celebrate Octoberfest !
Off to Yokohama
Friendly locals walking their dogs around near the harbor. Mind you lots of dogs here.
Lots of fresh seafood by the sea side
Our grilled corn and squid.. yummyyyyyyy
Locals on the way to the shrine. It is a bit of a walk up, some take a breather
Some take their dogs for a walk
Kotoku-in Temple Buddha in Kamakuru
Just caught the drummers do their show
It ain't easy work !
Yokohama local market/festival.. she is singing Beyonce here... from memory
Headed in to Chinatown, yes there is one even in Yokohama
A lot of stalls but not a great deal happening in Chinatown
We take in the sunset of Yokohama across the other side of town. The weather is definitely kind to us today
Just a small portion of the drunken people celebrating Octoberfest
That's my pint... off the tap
One of the German brews that was available on tap
A local with one of the coolest glasses I have seen, mind you there was a deposit given for every beer you purchased as that was hostage for returning the glass
Day 4. Stayed overnight at Narita, and the tour fitted in some more temples. It has been a bit of an overkill and I'd rather have spent more time at another hot spring to be honest. The temples are nice but I think seeing a temple or shrine at every destination gets a little bit too much unless you are heavily religious. No offence, but I personally would like to have seen something a little different.
Naritasan Temple
Three storied pagoda
Patrolling or praying ? though look how clean it is
Another view of the pagoda and a shrine
Well that's it. I think next time we will be taking on a different tour or forget touring Japan and do our own thing next time. The temples were nice but we saw one everyday ! There was a lot of walking and I guess not a great deal of seeing. Food experience was also not the greatest, we had to go look for our own ramen.
I think the tour did not do justice to Tokyo, Hakone and Yokohama. I think it is fair to say I will be come here again !!!
