Japan Fam Trip Report – November 2017

Arriving into Tokyo, we quickly boarded the bullet train down to Osaka which was an experience in itself. You can’t help but be taken in by the surroundings and the differences in culture the moment you step off the plane - the bowing to people, the different noises and the sights and sounds.

In the first two days we viewed many hotels and bars to select the best options ahead of our visits in 2019; it’s going to be such an exciting time to visit Japan. On our third morning, we had the honour of being hosted by the General Manager at Kintetsu Liners Rugby Club in Japan where we looked around the stadium and the work going on ahead of 2019 as well as meeting the players – it’s this kind of interaction that sets Gullivers apart from everyone else – going that extra mile to make sure we know the area, culture and opportunities for great trips. From talking to robots, seeing the live food in the market to all the photos with the locals, already we can tell a trip to Japan is going to be a wonderful, new and exciting opportunity for all!

As a first time visitor to Japan, I had very little knowledge of expectation about what sort of place Japan might be to visit. In just a few days I have fallen in love with so many of the cultural differences and approach to life. We have been incredibly busy sourcing the best hotels, finding the best locations to go and eat and drink, visiting stadiums, visiting sightseeing attractions as well as a number of potential areas to visit for two or three night stays.

Using the incredibly efficient bullet trains we have been able to get around the country very quickly with the help of our knowledgeable Japanese travel partners. On many to-do lists is Miyajima – the red ‘tori’ (gate) in the sea. It’s a short ferry ride from the mainland and once there, it is very peaceful with many a photo to be taken!

Next stop was Hiroshima. The word ‘enjoyable’ is difficult to associate with the Museum and Peace Park but it’s a must visit whilst in Japan. Over the past 70 years the city has rebuilt itself into a city with an incredibly peaceful and welcoming feel – a lovely place to visit. As we head to Tokyo now on the bullet train we are excited about seeing the capital of Japan and all that it has to offer…if it’s half as good as the regions we have visited so far, we are in for a treat!

After seeing over a dozen hotels, countless event spaces and a variety of bar and eating options in the city, day 10 was time for a change of pace and time to see a different side to Japan. We headed to Hakone, which is a couple of hours out of Tokyo - an area famous for its natural springs, many onsens and incredible views of Mount Fuji, or Fuji San as the locals call it. Mount Fuji will be on many peoples ‘to-do’ lists whilst in Japan and it doesn’t disappoint. Lake Ashi was our start point, a Milford Sound-esque look and feel of a lake surrounded by glorious colourful trees. Fuji soon came into view and it’s impressive! Japan really is a country of contrasts – a blend of the future and the past, the technology and the zen, the modern and the old. Our time here will soon be coming to an end as we head back to England, but it feels like it’s only just getting started and we couldn’t be more excited for everything we will be doing in Japan over the coming years.