Final countdown

Just 7 more days and I'm off for Japan for my 2nd trip. Much like my last year's trip(as documented in my previous blog) I'll be writing here of what I have seen and done as much as possible. And show lots of pictures!

Last trip was 2 month long but due to this thing called "work" I have only free time for one month vacation this time. Too bad but just means I need to be even more efficient with my time usage!

In similar vein to last trip I'll be based on Tokyo but during the two weeks I have JR pass for I'll be travelling elsewhere as well. Without JR pass shinkansen trains are too expensive for long distance travels to be feasible for my budget.

Departure will be on 25th. Not quite a direct flight as I'll make plane exchange in Nagoya but at least that too will be in Japan. I have heard there's Onsen there so if true I might drop by there while waiting for the plane change. After getting to Tokyo I'll be signing room papers ASAP and head for my home for the next month.

And that home is funny one. By odd conincidence it's EXACTLY same room as I spent one year ago. It was available about from now so seeing that couldn't resist temptation to rent it. I liked the area quite a bit so when I started to look apartment I looked for the same house. At least won't have to spend time figuring out how to get to the house as I can still remember the route there. Even I don't have bad enough memory that 2 months living there wouldn't have drilled that to my mind!

So what are plans for the trip? I'll be doing things in 3 periods. First there will be about 10 days in Tokyo, then 2 weeks of JR pass and finally 10 more days in Tokyo. Then home, day for sleeping and back to work. First 10 days will be doing some museum hopping and mountain climbing. Mountains should give me nice views of greenery. Last year I didn't do much of museum visits with the exception of ones inside castles so let's do that this time bit more. I expect to visit some parks as well to see the mountain leaves. Last year everybody kept recommending november and the yellow-red trees were in large part reason for that so time to see how the parks look yellow-red rather than white-pink of cherry trees when I was there last time.

Unfortunately one of my earliest plans for the trip was ruined before I even got to the destination. I had read about "Jidai matsuri" or "Festival of ages" that occurs on 3rd of November in Asakusa(area in Tokyo). It would have had for example 5 hour parade of people in costumes across the history of Japan. That sounded so interesting I was hoping to see it since I was in Japan on november.

But this year it was cancelled. Not sure why but there you go. Real bummer but not much you can do when that happens.

For the JR pass I'll be visiting two more castles and the last of the "three big parks". I'll be breaking my "virginity" for other parts of Japan than main island by heading to Nagasaki. Though original reason for going there(flower tunnel nearby) I realized was bad idea. Not likely flowers blooming at this late year! Somebody was not thinking straight. Well if I go to Japan again in spring some day I'll visit that tunnel then.

I'll be continuing my Kyoto exploration this year too. I just love that city and if I would move to Japan and were given complete freedom in picking where Kyoto would be my choise of place.

Will do another trip to Osaka(last year not seeing quite as much as I would have liked after not doing hotel reservation in time. Grumble grumble) and see historical ruins in Fukui prefecture. And try temple lodging.

I still have one day for the JR period to spend so need to come up with something. However I need to be at Tokyo at the evening of that day so can't be THAT far away. Need to think about that bit.

Final period in Tokyo is still mostly undecided with the exception of Odaiba evening marathon. I took part in quarter marathon in where I live early October and it was so fun I thought it would be fun to try one more this year. Finland however was not going to work(not much of those happening before I leave and when I come back it's already december. Never heard of marathon in winter here) but thanks to a helpful Japanese I heard of Odaiba evening marathon. Visited Odaiba last year(it was the place with replica of statue of liberty for those who read previous blog) so I know the area. Signing up wasn't easiest as internet form was designed for Japanese people in mind(including address form that wasn't suitable for Finnish addresses) but email to the organizers sorted that one out. So I'll be doing some exercising by form of 10km run in the Tokyo. Wonder if I'm the only foreigner taking part?

That will be week before going back to Finland.

Next entry will be likely when I'm properly in Japan.