Japan

May 17-23, 2023
AC8901 YYZ-ORD, NH11 ORD-NRT, NH12 NRT-ORD, AC8912 ORD-YYZ

We always enjoy visiting Japan, and our last trip to Asia was just before the shutdown in early 2020, so were anxious to get back. I found an excellent free airline points routing on ANA that let me enjoy a unique traveling experience, including the ground services in Chicago. Tom needed to earn more towards status, so he traveled separately and a little later on Air Canada.

May 18

After the long flight, I arrived early enough in the afternoon to have some time on my own to check in to the hotel, refresh and explore the city.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku

Area out Shinjuku Station

Statue of Chuken Hachiko in Shibuya Crossing

Tom’s flight arrived mostly on schedule, and with a little bit of remote direction, he navigated the train system to reunite with me at our hotel in Roppongi, where we had last stayed in 2014.

May 19

We headed out after breakfast, together and mostly adjusted to the time zone. In addition to covering some previously visited areas, we found some new places to visit in Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum.

Maman Spider Sculpture in Roppongi Hills, right next to the Grand Hyatt

Tokyo Tower

Imperial Palace

Hanazono Inari Shine in Ueno Park

Protector of Kenei-Ji Temple

Ema - small wooden plaques, in which worshippers write prayers or wishes outside shrine

FIve-storied Pagoda of the Kanei-ji Temple

Statue of Prince Komatsu Akihito - Ueno Park

Exterior of Tokyo National Museum - our first visit

Ancient royal palanquin

Ancient clay figure

Bronze statue

Ancient warrior

Bronze statue

Seated Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu 12th century wood statue with gold leaf

Close up of the "1000 arms"

18th Century Dragon by Myochin Muneaki

Museum grounds Shunsoro (grass hut)

5th century Haniwa terracotta figure

Terracotta army bull

Whale monument outside National Museum of Nature and Science

Statue of Chuken Hachiko

Shinjuku 3D Billboard dog does a show at regular intervals

The rain caught up to us at the end of end of the day in Shinjuku, so after a full day and a lot of steps, we made our way back to the hotel to dry off, enjoy the Grand Club evening service, and rest before our first day driving in Japan (ever!).

May 20

After breakfast, we headed out on a morning bullet train to Hakone where we picked up a rental car to explore the Hakone region.

Our Shenzhen train to Hakone and beyond from Tokyo Station

After navigating the rental car experience and the roads, we made it to Chisuku-no waterfall

Trail from to the waterfall

End of our waterfall walk

Making our way back to the car

Some of the local creatures

Man and Pegasus Statue at the entrance to the Hakone Open-air Museum

"Spinning 16 bent sticks" is quite descriptive

"The Wooden Pavilion"

Entrance to the Picasso House

Exterior of the Symphonic Sculpture

Amazing interior of the stain glassed Symphonic Sculpture

"Miss Black Power" by Niki de Saint Phalle

Statues of a love pair of hares and a love pair of women

Our last stop in the incredible Open Air Museum

After our first successful day of driving and exploring the area, we made our way back to the hotel for the cocktail hour.

May 21

To start the day, I went for the full on cultural experience and enjoyed an Onsen bath, fed from the local hot springs. As we weren’t sure what weather was ahead, we then headed out early to Lake Ashinoko and later came back to the hotel for breakfast.

Looking across the lake to Hakone Shrine

Hakone Shrine Tori

After breakfast, the volcanic Hakone Owakudani Ropeway shrouded by clouds

Multiple steam vents show that the volcano is not silent

On our quest to see the elusive Mt Fuji, we stop at Otodomeno Falls

The smaller but more interesting nearby Shiraito Falls

Closer to the beautiful Shiraito Falls

After a circling Mt Fuji, we finally have a glimpse just before we abandoned the viewpoint

Mt Fuji opening up more from Oishi Park

More from Oishi Park as dusk sets in

Our view from the Yamanakako Panorama before we enter the cloud-covered mountain pass

View from our balcony at the Fuji Speedway Hotel

Given how fleeting the Mount Fuji view can be, we were very satisfied with our day, and finished up with a nice dinner at our hotel.

May 22

I started the morning early with a workout in the hotel gym and a soak in the hotel Onsen. It was a pleasant surprise soaking in the outdoor baths to be welcomed by Mt Fuji. Unfortunately, the view disappeared soon after it arrived, and Tom missed it completely. Before leaving the hotel, we enjoyed some of the novice traffic on the Motor Speedway Circuit.

Motorcyclists enjoying the track

Taking the curves

Protector of Fuji Sengen-Jinja Shrine

Walking towards the shrine

One of many important trees at Kiatguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

Scenic road out of the shrine

Stopping to look at the flowers

Rice field in Fujiyoshida

Interior of one of the traditional Fuji guest houses where climbers who had traveled to climb, gathered, rested, and prepared before the climb

Guest house exterior

Mt Fuji Radar Dome Museum

Last view of the Fuji Motor Speedway track, before we check out of the hotel

After checking out of the hotel, we made our way over the mountain pass, back to Hakone in time for our hotel’s evening happy hour service.

May 23

For our last day in Japan, after leaving our hotel, we headed back to the high speed train station at Odawara to drop off the car. As we had a bit of time before we needed to head to the airport, and it wasn’t currently raining, we rented a locker at the train station and made our way to the Odawara Joshi Park.

Odawara Castle

After visiting the park, we made our way to Narita and caught each of our flights back to Toronto. As is custom, we celebrated our successful trip with a perfectly poured beer in the ANA lounge.