ACT & RELAX

<SAMURAI TRAINING TOKYO>
The samurai training was fun and definitely a good activity for families with children. The instructions were simple and demonstrations meant it was easy to follow, even without much Japanese. Learning the moves and having enough time to practice was fun, and we enjoyed seeing the different swords.

<Rickshaws in Asakusa>
Riding through Asakusa in a rickshaw was a really great way to see the streets, as you were higher up and could enjoy the view without having to walk on busy streets. It also meant you could see much more in a shorter amount of time. I was a little nervous as it felt quite steep but the guide was very steady and I felt very safe, even on the busier roads.

<LUNCH in Asakusa(soba-noodle)>
The exterior was very beautiful and it felt like a high quality restaurant when we entered as it was simple but stylish. The option to sit on the Tatami floor was nice and visitors would enjoy the traditional experience. The soba was delicious and the tempura very crispy, the portions were large and we were all very full and content after.

<Depachika (Department Store Underground Food Shops)>
The department store was very interesting as we could see some of the nicest omiyage stores and were allowed to try samples. We saw some of the specialities from different prefectures which was especially interesting as if you are not able to travel much out of Tokyo you can still try the best foods from different prefectures. The staff at each shop were very polite and always smiling which gave a very friendly but professional atmosphere. One of the most interesting parts was seeing the expensive fruit and mushrooms which sell for very high prices, as this is one thing tourists may have read about Japan and would enjoy seeing in real life. Trying the samples was really fun and would definitely encourage people to buy souvenirs as they may not be sure about some flavours.

<Stroll Around Shinjuku>
We also wandered around the streets a little, near Shinjuku station, and it felt like the Tokyo you see in media, as it was busy with lots of tall buildings. It was very clean though, which stands out from a lot of busy cities. We enjoyed the high quality coffee shops and it was nice to be able to rest in such a busy area.

<Dinner at Kaiten-Zushi restaurant>
The food was delicious and felt very fresh, as we could see the chef preparing it in front of us. It was great to be able to request items and it was easy to do. The menus had English names and descriptions so we could easily order. The prices were reasonable for such high quality fish prepared for you. The drinks menu has a nice variety of traditional drinks you could try like umeshu and sake which would be really good for people new to Japan.

<Stay at Ryumeikan Hotel Tokyo>
The hotel was very smart and the staff very very polite and professional throughout. The rooms were very nice, with an excellent shower and high quality fittings. It managed to balance Western and Japanese very well as the additions such as a yukata and Japanese snacks meant you felt you were still in Tokyo, even if you weren’t staying in a traditional tatami room.

<Flights to Yamaguchi>
We were seated on our plane and staff were helpful and polite the entire time we were there. The flight was very comfortable and we were given drinks and blankets. It was a short flight and was relaxing.

<Kintaikyo Bridge>
Seeing Kintaikyo in real life was great as it was much steeper than I had thought from seeing pictures. The river and setting was lovely, and I can imagine how beautiful it must be in cherry blossom season. It was quiet and had a very relaxing atmosphere. The views were great and being able to see the castle, river and bridge was very special.

<Lunch at Hira-sei；Janome-Gozen(Japanese traditional dishes served on a tray)>
The restaurant looked very old and traditional, and the staff were very friendly. We had an amazing view of the bridge and could try all the local specialities. Iwakuni sushi is on many posters of the town and it was great to try something so different to the usual examples of sushi. We really enjoyed lunch and were very full.

<JR Shinkansen>
The shinkansen was very smooth and efficient. Even the train toilets were clean and pleasant, which is very unusual in other countries. The announcements were made in plenty of time and we enjoyed the views from the train immensely.

<Bus Pass>
Buying the bus pass was very easy and quick. We had everything explained and could understand the different options easily. The pass provides great value for money and is very flexible as you can decide how many days you would like.

http://www.visit-jy.com/travel_assets/images/common/bus_pass.pdf

< Akiyoshidai>
Although the weather was cloudy, the views from the observatory were very impressive and it was really great to be in such open space. The site is easy to navigate and it was great that so many easy hiking trails were marked out. The festival sounds very exciting and the community spirit sounds fantastic - they explained that over 1000 people come to help set and put out the fires. This would be an amazing experience for visitors and would be very special. Knowing that the caves are below makes the rock formation more interesting as you can understand the full effects, and vice versa.

<Akiyoshido Cave>
We travelled down to the cave via the lift and it was real contrast to go from the wide open spaces to the dark cave. It was nicely lit and felt very atmospheric.The paths were easy to follow and spotting different sights in the cave was very easy as there were so many. The best part was the information recording where you could select a language and the whole group could easily hear. It felt like you were exploring as it was quiet and haunting. The cave exit was beautiful and felt like you were entering a magical forest, as it was so different to the cave. It was really stunning, and the contrast between the plateau above, the dark cave and the exit were lovely.

<Yuda Onsen>
The foot spa we visited was really relaxing after a day of walking and we enjoyed it a lot. Although there are plenty of free local foot baths available, having a smarter private one was really great as you could order drinks, sit down and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Having the outside pool with beautiful lighting was really calming and felt like you were miles away from any cities. This was one of the highlights of the area as it felt really special and revitalising.

<Rurikoji-Temple>
The night illuminations of Rurikoji Temple and Five-Storied Pagoda were stunning, and we were amazed that it was so close, and free to enter. The temple was grand and very impressive, with the surrounding park giving a calm and quiet atmosphere. Being able to view it across the lake with reflections was really nice and made for some lovely photographs. It felt very traditional and reminded me of Nara.

<Matsudaya Hotel>
The ryokan was amazing, and definitely would be one of the highlights of the trip for any visitors. The traditional rooms and garden were stunning and felt like your were royalty. The service was impeccable, with staff taking care of everything and ensuring you were comfortable throughout. We explored the garden and were able to enjoy private onsens as well as the hotel onsen. The calm environment of the entire hotel meant you felt completely relaxed throughout and completely separated from modern life.

<Hagi city>
Hagi city was one of the highlights of the tour. The quiet streets and shrines were magical and it really felt like ancient Japan.

<Shoin Shrine>
The Shoin shrine was fascinating, and had many unique and fascinating elements which I had not seen before in Japan. The history of the school and house were very interesting, and it was great to see the actual buildings as you could appreciate the size and simplicity. One of the unusual touches was getting your fortune on a small umbrella, and many visitors would enjoy this, as you can leave bad luck behind and add to the umbrellas in the trees, which is very pretty. We enjoyed the history and it was exciting to be in such an important place in Japanese history. The grounds were quiet and it felt very peaceful.

<Tokoji Temple>
This was an amazing opportunity, and felt like you were back in traditional Japan. The fact that it was so quiet and peaceful made it even better.

<Experience wearing Kimono>
Trying the kimono would be a great experience for any visitor, as you could try Japanese cuture yourself rather than seeing pictures or reading about it. We were allowed to walk along the streets in our kimonos and it was really fun. We could see the traditional buildings and felt like we were stepping back in time. The outfits were really interesting to try as we could understand how women would have felt and what it was like to be a woman in ancient Japan. The beautiful gardens and streets near by meant we could get lovely pictures which would make amazing memories of the trip in Japan. Having empty streets and quiet roads meant we could take our time and not feel crowded.

<Lunch at Garden Cafe Hotoritei>
We had a lovely cafe with a really simple and stylish setting. It had a traditional garden we could enjoy whilst we ate. I had the curry and it was really delicious, it tasted homemade and the presentation of all of our dishes was elegant and beautiful.