November 2025
17 Nov 2025
I'd been to Japan in the spring, to see the cherry blossom, and I liked it so much that I wanted to go again, and this time see the autumn foliage. I found a tour that didn't repeat many of the places I had already visited, and focused on gardens. This was ideal for me, as I also like bird-spotting with the Merlin bird app.
We began in Tokyo with the Imperial Palace and the Asakusa district, where I had been before, but after that we moved on to the Showa Memorial Park; I have to say that this was one of the most beautiful gardens of the whole tour. Japanese gardens always have plants and trees, rocks and water, both lakes and streams. and generally are arrange on different levels. So beautiful!
On to Yokohama to visit the Sankien garden and various shrines. After this, the bullet train again to Odawara, followed by a lake cruise to view Mount Fuji. We had a very good view this time, unlike the last time when the mountain vanished into haze. This time we had clear blue skies and the mountain stood out, especially the snow on top.
Then we travelled to Suwa, a hot spring town where we stayed at a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese hotel, where it was possible to experience an onsen, or hot spring bath. I didn't partake, but I had a very good night's sleep on a futon.
The next day, after a visit to Matsumoto castle, we moved on to Kanazawa, where we walked through the geisha area and also visited the Kenrokuen garden. More trains took us to Kyoto, to visit Nijo castle and the Golden Temple. We took part in a tea ceremony; again I was useless at making the matcha tea.
After this was one of the best evenings, where we had dinner and were entertained by a maiko (apprentice geisha). She d, after which we travlleanced and sang for us, and afterwards answered question - through an interpreter - about her life, the training, her costume and make-up. She sounded very happy. The maiko live together and their whole life is concentrated on their training, but they can back out at any time.
On to Nara, another place I had been before. This time I mustered up my courage to feed the deer with the special deer crackers; I think I was lucky to survive with both hands still where they should be. The deer are very enthusiastic!
A brief visit to Osaka, then on to Okayama to visit the Korakuen garden, after which we travelled to Matsue. Our first stop was at the Adachi museum of art; I loved this - the paintings were so beautiful. We visited the castle and a traditional samurai house, after which we partook of another - and quite different - tea ceremony.
Our last day began in the silver mine district. The silver is worked out now, but we visited a museum about the workings and then our final shrine. Then we flew back to Tokyo for a final evening before flying out on the following day.
This was one of the most tiring tours I have ever done, but it was worth it. We packed so much in!