Living in Japan: Travelling to 13 cities in 4 weeks!
Welcome back to my 12-part series recapping my life in Japan! In this fifth episode, I’m sharing my journey from Beppu to all over Japan with my husband. 🌸✈️
In May, I spent my final days in Beppu with Leanne and Marsha, working at the hostel, crafting bamboo bells 🎋, singing karaoke 🎤 at local spots, and going on road trips 🚗. Leanne and I rented a car to fully explore Oita’s scenic peninsula. We started at the historic Kitsuki Castle 🏯, perched on a hill with views of a samurai town, then ventured to the charming Suya slope 🏘️, a traditional street with steep steps. We admired the ancient carvings at Kumano Magaibutsu 🗿, where giant Buddha statues are carved into cliffs, followed by a visit to the peaceful Kumano Gongen Shrine ⛩️, tucked away in nature. At Makiodo, we marveled at a collection of Buddhist statues, and then explored Fuki-ji Temple 🛕, one of Japan’s oldest wooden structures. We hiked to Mt. Kongou Chouanji Temple 🏞️, a serene and secluded spot in the forest, and ended our road trip at Misosogi Shrine with its picturesque waterfall 💧.
Before leaving Beppu, Leanne and I rented a car again and set off for Miyazaki, where I experienced the breathtaking Takachiho Gorge 🌄, a stunning natural wonder with towering cliffs and waterfalls, and ventured to Nakadake Volcano 🌋, part of the volcanic Mt. Aso complex, known for its active crater and dramatic landscapes.
From Beppu, I traveled to Tokyo 🚅 to reunite with my husband after five months apart 💕. We embarked on a three-week adventure across Japan, starting with time spent with Chisa and her family. In Tokyo, we visited the mesmerizing Art Aquarium Museum 🎨🐟 in Ginza, filled with artistic displays of goldfish, and immersed ourselves in the interactive digital art of TeamLab Planets 🌐.
Taking the shinkansen to explore further, we visited Nagoya 🏙️ before hiking the historic Nakasendo trail 🚶 in Nakatsugawa, an old Edo-era route with scenic post towns. In Matsumoto, we saw the iconic Matsumoto Castle 🏯, one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles. We explored the breathtaking mountain valley of Kamikochi 🏞️ in the Northern Alps, known for its crystal-clear rivers and hiking trails. Takayama offered a glimpse into traditional Japan with its well-preserved old town and morning markets 🌅. In Okayama, we wandered through Korakuen Garden 🌸, one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens.
Our journey took us to Kagoshima 🗻, where we only stayed briefly, followed by a trip to the lush island of Yakushima 🌲, famous for its ancient cedar forests and misty landscapes that inspired 'Princess Mononoke.' We wrapped up our travels with a visit to Fukuoka 🍜, enjoying its vibrant food scene, before heading back to Tokyo and staying in the historic Asakusa district 🏙️, where we visited the famous Senso-ji Temple 🛕. It was an unforgettable month of exploration, adventure, and reunion. 🌟
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