Japan
In this episode of the travel Bug, I’m heading to the land of the rising sun, Japan. It’s where century-old villages meet modern-day cities, and ancient traditions contrast with contemporary culture. I’m going to explore what makes Japan such a unique place and explore a region with everything, from world-class snowfields to soothing hot springs. I’m hitting the road and making my way to Nagano via the magnificent Kiso Valley. Then I’m off to the hot spring town of Kusatsu before a bit of adventure in the mountains around Minakami. Then finally, I’m exploring the megacity of Tokyo.
First stop was the ancient town of Narai, where I discovered they make lacquerware, known by the Japanese as sikki. The Japanese have been making it for over a millennium, and this art form is now of great cultural significance. Back in the car it was a short drive to the awe-inspiring Matsumoto Castle. It was built in the 15th Century and is one of Japan’s finest castles, perfectly restored and containing many of its original features. Each year, Matsumoto attracts countless visitors from around the world and it’s easy to see why it has been included in Japans list of national treasures.
Eventually I arrived at the skiing Mecca of Nagano, one of the major stops of my tour and home to some of the world’s best snowfields. It was here that the 1998 winter Olympics were held, and that means awesome runs and loads of powder. But I wasn’t there to ski, instead I went snowshoeing. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “What on earth, is snowshoeing?!” Well, apart from riding a gondola, it’s one of the best ways to see the ski fields.
From the mountains I headed to the Jigokudani Monkey Park, just outside of Nagano. It’s the home of the infamous snow monkeys known for sitting in the hot spring water. Any brochure or website about Japan has photos of these playful guys, they‘re almost as iconic as Mt Fuji! They are incredibly cute, and highly intelligent. Young monkeys have even been seen rolling snowballs to play with, just like a human child would.
The next stop was Zenkoji Temple. It’s a spectacular site that’s regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism in Japan. It’s a huge temple and all the ornaments and statues are ornately decorated with carvings and symbols that hold great meaning. Later that day I made my way through the mountains to the hot spring resort town of Kusatsu, which is one of the most popular holiday destinations for the Japanese. The onsen, or hot spring, isn’t just an ordinary spa. It’s a cultural and spiritual world, serving as a form of leisure and possessing healing and beautifying properties.
Feeling refreshed after a few days in a hot tub I headed to the snow covered mountains near Minakami. This place is quickly becoming the adventure capital of Japan. There’s everything from awesome ski slopes to bungee jumping and whitewater rafting. But I was there to try my hand at snowmobiling. While the snowmobiles were noisy and it’s not the type of activity that gets you close to the local wildlife, they do take you to some pretty amazing places. Plus, of course, there’s the fun of driving at 60 kilometers an hour with snowflakes and trees whizzing past you.
The next day I was back in Tokyo, and I had a week up my sleeve to check it out. It’s a hive of activity that starts as soon as the sun rises and continues well into the night. Another cool thing about Tokyo is that while it might be high-rise heaven, amidst the shadows of the modern day buildings there are beautiful temples and shrines.
After visiting the temple district of Asakusa and taking a boat cruise up the Sumida River, I caught the train to Shibuya Station, which is only a short walk to Meiji Shrine. The story of this Shinto shrine is really interesting. In 1912, Emperor Meiji passed away and then two years later so to did his wife, empress Shoken. They were held in such high regard by the Japanese people, that they wished to commemorate these influential figures by enshrining their souls. Today it’s one of the major tourist drawcards in Tokyo.
Leaving Meiji Shrine I followed the stream of school kids back into the city, to what I believe symbolises the new Japan and the quirky culture it’s known for. The place I’m talking about is called Harajuku. It’s the counter culture, youth and fashion centre of Tokyo, and a great place for a little people watching!
Another highlight in Tokyo was meeting the legendary chef, Hiroyuki Sakai, star of the television series Iron Chef Japan. I met him at his restaurant La Rochelle, and quickly came to realize he’s a lot more fun in real life than on TV. Chef Sakai was a star and a hilarious guy to talk to. He might be serious about his food, but he still knows how to enjoy himself.
Next stop was one of the strangest places I’ve ever been, a maid café. It’s a unique experience where you’re charmed and treated by the childish antics of girls dressed as maids, as they serve your meals. It’s a hard experience to explain, so you’ll have to watch the episode to get the whole picture.
One of the last stops of my trip was Miraikan. It’s the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. While there’s tons to see and do there, the main attraction to this place is the world famous robot, Asimo. What makes this astronaut-looking robot so amazing, is that he can walk and run, see moving objects or obstructions in his path, he can even understand gestures like a handshake! It makes you realise that robot workers are only a matter of a few decades away.
The final destination on my trip was the Tokyo City View. A visit to the tower puts the entire city into context, allowing you to see the true extent of Tokyo’s urban expanse. The best time to visit is late in the afternoon, that way you can watch the city transform as the sun makes its way below the horizon.
