Cruising the beautiful Japan by train

This summer I (Federico Chierichetti) and my wife (Daniela Pontalti) we decided to fly to Japan.
We planned the trip by booking all over the internet. Japan is a safe destination and the extensive rail network allows it to move smoothly and easily without having to rent a car.
In particular, the flight cost us 1400 euros (two tickets), the Japan Rail Pass for a week which allows free use of all trains of Japan Rail Group has cost us 500 euros (two pass).
Regarding the hotels we stayed in first class hotel with a quality / price ratio unmatched elsewhere. Specifically, we booked four nights in Tokyo at the Park Hotel a modern hotel of great impact, given that occupies floors 25-40 of the modern Tower Shidome. The lobby is 15 floors high. We spent breakfast with less than 150 euros per night.
In Kyoto we stayed Hyatt Regency. By booking and paying in advance (two months before departure) we received a fee of approx. 130 euros per night without breakfast, for a beautiful room of 40 square meters.
We stayed at the Hotel Nikko Kanayo, historic hotel, spending just over 130 euros.
Hakone Hotel is recommended for Fujia atmosphere. We paid 160 euros with breakfast (served in a rich and fabulous).
Rickshaw Inn in Takayama recommend that with 90 euros, made us feel the pleasure of hospitality Japanese family.
A Myajima accommodation was the most expensive but also more luxurious. At the Grand Hotel Arimoto we spent approx. 250 euros for a night in a room of 70 square meters, including a rich breakfast and dinner of raw fish. The pleasure of staying on the island and half board (evening on the island there are virtually no restaurants), all in all made the expenditure is not excessive.
The food, we feared constituted a high voice, proved highly economic. For lunch we hardly exceeded 5 euros per head and dinner once we got close to 20 euros each, eating in a sushi restaurant.
In summary, Japan is by no means an expensive destination in spite of the fame that, also because of the change during transport stood at around 135 JPY per euro.
Some tips:
The Japan Rail Pass is crucial because the only travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima in Shinkasen with reserved seats, almost reaches the sum spent to buy the pass (about 250 euros). However we suggest to carefully assess the usefulness of it for two weeks. Some trips, such as Nikko or Hakone (Mount Fuji or in general) are more convenient to buy passes which offer including transport and access, makes it unnecessary to use the pass.
Sites devoted to the various passes (http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pass/w_heritage_pass.html and http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/index.html) are all in English and worth to visit before leaving. When you choose to pass the first class (Green Car) or second class (Ordinary Car) considered that the second class in Japan is much better than the first class of many of our trains in Italy, including Frecciarossa.

Book seats where possible (all shinkansen and limited express, including the Narita Express). Among other things, not all coaches have the Shinkansen is not unique and no certainty of finding a place in a car is not smoking in our view important. The book, by the JRP is free and easy. The Board and visit www.hyperdia.com to get an idea of the routes serving and timetables, names of trains. This will facilitate the reservation of seats if the employee does not know English (which happens often).

Travel light. Around the stations and take place in trains with bulky suitcases is a wasted effort.

Bring cash. The use of credit cards outside the hotel and several restaurants is not widespread. Us with the equivalent of $ 1000 we have covered all expenses including a couple of nights.

The Japanese are very polite and very willing to help tourists. However, the language can be an obstacle, then Get online maps metro or directions to, say, hotels. Save lots of time.

The temples and shrines to visit are many. Select the main ones that interest you most.

Learn how to greet and thank the Japanese certainly receive a higher dose of availability.

Question food. Travelling also means to taste the local cuisine. The Japanese restaurants are cheap and the variety of food allows anyone to find something appetizing. Japanese food in Japan is not quite equal to that found in Japanese restaurants in Italy. In big cities there are still international restaurants, more expensive and less attractive.

For the rest enjoy the ride in a hospitable country, where you will enjoy watching the behavior of a people with an education and a culture completely different from ours.

 

Milan - Tokyo

From Malpensa July 24 with 45 minutes late at 15.20. The direct flight takes about 11 hours and, given the seven hours of time (more) landed at Tokyo / Narita at 9:45 am on July 25.
First, after collecting the suitcase, we're going to convert the Exchange Order purchased in Italy with the Japan Rail Pass which will allow us unlimited travel on all trains of Japan Rail Group. We do this with effect from July 31 and will be valid for seven days.
In addition to purchase, at the suggestion of the most gentle lady office, the Suica card that will allow us to use the Tokyo subway at affordable prices. In fact, with 3500 JPY head including travel on the Narita Express to Tokyo city and then be loaded 2000 JPY. The card is rechargeable and, when exhausted, if returned with a right to return a deposit of 500 JPY. It is also used in all vending machines.
The trip on the Narita Express takes just under an hour at Tokyo Station and 5 minutes to arrive at Shimbashi subway where you will find our hotel, the Park Hotel Tokyo, which occupies the 15th floor of the Shiodome Tower near the neighborhood Ginza is famous for being the place for luxury shopping in Tokyo.
After getting refreshed and rested an hour we go to the 2:00 pm to discover its Ginza. It's Saturday and the custom has it that the main street of the neighborhood (Chuo Dori) is closed to traffic to allow and facilitate shopping. It is very hot and the humidity makes the temperature even more difficult to bear. Fortunately, on street corners are offered ventagli plastic sventagliasi.
We walk silently through the streets of the neighborhood getting to grips with these people basically unknown and we realize that, at least here in Tokyo, Westernization is now widespread. Tokyo seems like a metropolis made up of skyscrapers, shops and European people dedicated to shopping.
Visit the Sony Building to be updated on the latest technology, we walk a bit 'in the beautiful park near the Imperial Palace. We eat very early in a Japanese restaurant in Shiodome Tower and at 20.30 we are in bed ready to recall the hardships of the journey. We sleep 12 hours spun.

Tokyo

Breakfast (western) Our Hotel is rich and abundant.
We go up early to explore the city. The first destination is the Buddhist temple Sensoji (also known as Kannon Temple), located in the district of Asakusa. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo (it was completed in 645). To get there you dive into a long "tunnel" of shops selling anything. Many shops are typically for tourists, but they are also characteristics of selling various types of sweets and rich fabrics which are packed with the kimono and yukata.
The next stop is the district Shunjuku. The railway station is a homonym of the busiest in the world. Even the neighborhood is a huge area literally overflowing with people moving in every direction. Near the station is the red light district Kabukicho, the real transgression that night. Near the station is also the whole of Tokyo Governmental Building. These two towers over 200 meters from the observatory which will open a 360 degree view over the city. From here on clear days, you see clearly even Mount Fuji, but today the humidity hood hides from view despite the sunny day.
Lunch at a more "Japanese" as possible. The area is, in fact, full of restaurants where the order is through the machines like vending machines placed outside the room. You choose what you want to watch the inevitable plastic replicas of the dishes placed on display in the window, inserting the coins, he withdrew the ticket and expects that the plate is delivered. In our case we opt for Udon noodles and rice patties with soy sauce.
In the afternoon we head to the park that houses the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine near the Harajuku Station area that houses the shrine is covered by an evergreen forest, donated by the Japanese people when the shrine was built. This forest in the heart of Tokyo is visited daily as both sacred and meditative as both recreational area, in fact, we relax a bit 'lying in a meadow shaded and quiet.
Continuing our walk to the nearby Yoyogi Park, famous as populated by people who can give vent to their most extravagant passions. For example, today a group of guys, obviously a fan of Elvis Presley, are dedicating themselves to wild dancing, although I must say, quite funny.
Walk to the delirious district of Shibuya. It is here that is what is called the crossing pedestrian more chaotic world. In fact, it's crazy how the crowd dutifully wait for the green then literally invade the intersection in every direction.
The area is full of stores and neon style Times Square in New York, but is also full of restaurants of all kinds. We have dinner in one of many local Japanese in the area.

Tokyo

We get up early to go on to visit the Tsukiji Market, the world's largest fish market. Located just minutes walk away.
The point of maximum movement, the auction has just finished (it starts at 5 am), but it is fascinating to see how dozens of giant tuna, now sold, lie on wooden benches waiting to be taken. All around is an incredible swarm of people who sell the most disparate fauna and recklessly carrying on a mini gas cars. We wonder how they can not be faced continually. In fact, the frenzy seems however well organized so that each is able to accomplish his task without disturbing others. The tourists, who wander the corridors curious, are virtually ignored.
Back at the hotel after breakfast and take the subway overpass that leads us to the district of Odaiba, an artificial island where you see the skyline of Tokyo and home to, among other things, an amusement park and television studios of Fuji TV. Our goal is to go see the giant Gundam (Robots) which was erected during the thirty years since the invention of this strand of Manga which was then transformed into cartoons that we all have seen (Gig Robot Steel etc ...).
We return to the neighborhood and moving into the area of Shibuya Love Hotel Hill, which houses dozens of love hotels, famous places for couples seeking an hour of passion away from prying eyes. Peaceful atmosphere of the unreal, considering that the hill is in the midst of one of the most chaotic of Tokyo.
We dedicate the evening to visit the district of Roppongi, one of the main devoted to "night life". The neighborhood is very cheerful and pleasant to visit because, finally, to a storm that cools a bit 'air.
We have dinner in a restaurant that seems very popular among young people. Sitting on the mat we enjoy an array of dishes.

Tokyo - Nikko

Arriving early morning Asakusa Station from where the train to Nikko. We buy office dedicated Nikko World Heritage Pass with 3600 JPY per person (30 euros) includes round trip, access to temples and shrines UNESCO, and unlimited use of local transport.
The journey takes about two hours during which socialize with a friendly old man who strangely speaks English and he describes with pride his stockings type glove hands.
In short the endless urban area of Tokyo leaves room for rice fields and verdant hills. The climate in Nikko is cooler because it is cloudy and sometimes raining a bit '.
Kanayo Staying at an old hotel (built between the first western style) considered national treasures in Japan. Indeed, it has the flavor of a past age that makes him fascinating. The room is very large and spacious.
The hotel is located right next to the historic bridge sacred Shinkyo, much photographed by the Japanese, although its position, now behind the modern (and ugly) road bridge will greatly reduce the charm.
Apart from that Nikko, with its Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines (many of whom declared World Heritage by UNESCO) immersed in a National Park is a place of great charm. Without going into all the places to visit, which also are all close together, the advice is to go early morning or evening close to closing, to avoid the hordes of Japanese tourists who substantially reduce the solemnity.
Just to mention some of the most popular sites, this is where the temple stands Rinnoji which hosts three big statues of gilded wood dedicated to Buddha. Here one is the sanctuary that houses the famous Tosho Gu relief cat wood so adored by the Japanese as the three monkeys "I do not see, not hear, not speak." This is where the Shogun Ieyasu is buried.
Here, finally, is the Shrine Futarasan, founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist Monaco who brought Buddhism to Nikko and who founded the nearby Temple Rinnoji.
The visit commits us all morning. In the afternoon we devote ourselves instead to visit a place less traveled, but equally impressive. This is the Gamman Ga-Fuchi Abyss, which is not far from the center of Nikko, nestled in the forest (all the maps showing the location of the place). It is a sacred path to the side of which are placed dozens of small statues of Buddhas all wrapped with moss and "dressed" by a red cap. Really nice trip. Along the path we see the signs for an Onsen (the no-Yu Onsen Yasha) which was also mentioned in our Lonely Planet, so we decide to proceed to try the experience of the famous thermal baths that are popular throughout Japan.
500 JPY for accessing the pools of hot water, even outdoors (Rotemburi) where you dive, naked, strictly separated by gender.
Pleasant experience, as well as an opportunity to see the Japanese intentions in one of their passions.
Return to the hotel taking the bus.
We have dinner in a restaurant not far away, (Hi No Kuruma) specializing in Okonomiyaki. It is cooked by itself on a hot plate inserted in the table, a sort of pancake made with various ingredients: egg, vegetables, and then, optionally, fish, meat, shrimp or a mixture of everything. The experience is fun and then the two ladies who run the place are very nice.

Nikko - Tokyo

It's drizzling. After another round the streets of Nikko, his departure for Tokyo. We arrive at 13:35 with a well-minute delay and endless excuses by the conductor for the whole of Japan Rail Group. As in Italy, in short. While we are on station will take the opportunity to book (free) places all the various routes that will train the next day, when we start to use the Japan Rail Pass. In this way we ensure the non-smoking carriages and avoid the risk of having to stand in carriages without reservation required. If we change schedules or routes we can change at any time for free reservations.
Repossess a room at the Park Hotel, where we left the trolley to travel lighter. Lunch Room-based balls of rice and seaweed stuffed into a Family Mart took the station. Really good for a quick lunch.
We dedicate the afternoon to visit the most accurate of the gardens of the Imperial Palace, then we move in the Ueno district of wandering the shops of Yumoto Gallery. Very impressive is the garden where a huge pond of Ueno is occupied by a vast expanse of lily plants.
We have dinner at a restaurant in the area popular with young people just out of the office, just below the railway tracks.
After dinner we go to play in one of the many mini games rooms Tattu Stations that after the most fun is to try to grab a mechanical arm with various types of merchandise (toys in particular).

Tokyo - Hakone

As early Shunjiku leaving for the station from where the train to Hakone. We buy the Hakone Free Pass with a few thousand yen includes travel, using all the resources provided, the boat trip on Lake Ashi, the use of the cable and access to other sites. Undoubtedly very convenient.
The trip includes a first stroke, the longer (two hours) with trains of Odakyu Line to Odawara. From there take an old-style red train Swiss Rhaetian Railway (which is twinned with) that goes up to Hakone, which is 500 meters high. Get off at Myanoshita, where the hotel is located Fujia. Even this hotel, like the Nikko Kanayo is very old and considered national treasures in Japan. Its garden and its rooms are worth a visit even if you do not stay here.
Let your bags and leave again, always with the red train, at a time of Gora from which the funicular that climbs up to Sounzan. From there a cable car leads to Owakudani over a thousand meters high. The site is famous, as well as the fumes of sulfur volcanism secondary result of which are cooked with the famous eggs that turn black (we are, in fact, in the center of an ancient extinct volcano), because it is one of the places with the best view of Mount Fuji. Unfortunately, even today the clouds impede the view. Unfortunately, summer is almost impossible to see the sacred mountain.
The cable car descends towards the crater lake Ashi (another site famous for its waters is mirrored on Mount Fuji). We cross the lake on board a pirate ship unlikely that leads us to the end Hakonemachi. From here we continue to walk through a nice trail (Cedar Avenue) to the nearby Motohakone. Here is the Gongen Strine, a Shinto shrine famous for its portal (Torii) red plunged into the lake.
Returning to Myanoshita taking a bus.
Fujia The hotel is also famous because the thermal water comes directly into any room allowing you to take a bath in your bathtub. We therefore dedicate an hour of relaxation.
We have dinner in a restaurant (Sushi Miyafuji) sushi. Are 19.30, and we are entering a miracle, because there is already late and they close at 20.00.
Excellent dinner, the restaurant is everything for us.

Hakone - Takayama

In the morning we visit the Open Air Museum of Gora, a museum of modern art and sculpture very impressive because outside. Hosts among other things, sculptures of Tomato, Calder and Picasso's paintings.
Then take the train to Odawaa, where we shop for food for comfort during the trip.
From the moment we begin to use the Japan Rail Pass. From Odawara, in fact, we take our first Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya Hikari 519 of 16.09. Hence the Limited Express train takes us in Takayama, where we arrive at 20.15.
Accommodation at the Rickshaw Inn hotel a distinctive "Japanese Style" family run. It is here that first housed in a room in Japanese style (tatami beds and ground).
We walk around an hour walking through the deserted streets of the town, taking those who are familiar with the sites we visit tomorrow.

Takayama - Kyoto

First we do an excellent breakfast in a cafe near the station cute, Caffè If. The toast with jam and butter is delicious, like coffee.
Then we get lost in the characteristics of the old city streets flanked by traditional wooden buildings of the merchants and dotted sake distilleries, visit the Yatai Kaikan Mature home to some famous floats scale and reconstruction of the temples of Nikko.
It's really nice to miss these endless streets taste of ancient Japan.
Dine in a room that seems very successful and that is practically only Udon and Soba. Located at the intersection of two main streets.
Then do a long walk in the park that occupies the eastern hills, and where are the ruins of the ancient castle of Takayama.
At 15:36 we take the Limited Express to Nagoya and from there the Shinkansen to Kyoto.
We arrive in the evening and take place in the Hotel Hyatt Regency. The hotel provides free transfer by taxi from the station. We take the opportunity, even if it turned out, not very distant.
After we cooled walk back to Kyoto Station, famous for its daring architecture and for being the center of Kyoto life as full of restaurants and bars.
We have dinner on the 14th floor giving us the first time a very Italian dish of spaghetti.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a city much more humane than in Tokyo and it is hard to grasp the most characteristic aspects. Just leave the center and go into the outlying districts where there are also many temples and shrines.
We visit the Dera Kyomizu that a number of Buddhist temples, especially the temple of Kiyomizu Otowasan whose construction began in 798, although the present building dates from 1633. It is one of the ancient monuments of the city considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO last year and was also a finalist for the seven wonders of the modern world.
In fact after visiting the site dedicate the morning to follow the route on foot (5 km) suggested by Lonely Planet. It is a well described path that touches some of the most typical of Kyoto more authentic. Without going into detail visit the Buddhist temple Chion In one of the holiest places in Japan, besides being a wooden building with great visual impact. There is also the largest bell in Japan that needs to be done playing 17 men.
Packed lunch, with rice, in front of Heian Jingu Shinto Shrine, Torii whose main entrance is the largest in Japan, and the main building, the Shaden, is designed as a reproduction of the Imperial Palace Kyoto.
The afternoon is spent visiting the Nijo Castle, this UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here take the bus and reach the famous Golden Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). It is easy to see why one of the most famous and photographed sites in Japan.
In the evening we return to the hotel and after a while 'relaxing decide to return to Kyoto Station in search of another restaurant, this time in Japan.

Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

We devote the bulk of the day to visit Nara just over half an hour by train from Kyoto.
Nara is the capital of Nara Prefecture and the largest city in this prefecture. Ancient capital of Japan from 710 to 794 has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO entirely.
Buddhist temples in the city prevail. Between them the six major temples that are called Nara Rokudai-ji (the six major temples of Nara).
In particular, do not miss is the Todai-ji, the largest of six, which is one of the most important monuments of the city and is the largest wooden building in the world. Inside is a statue of Buddha Daibutsu, from the mid eighth century. The statue is made of bronze and gold, measuring 16 meters tall and weighs 500 tons.
Apart from the heat, Nara and its park are very impressive. The place is also famous for the presence of deer running freely and expect food from tourists.
At 16:00 we return to Kyoto. We visit the temples Hongan Ji (Higashi and Nishi). Two of the most striking is the Nishi, declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
We continue east to the river Kamogawa. After a break at the hotel, we head towards the Gion district (famous for being the place of Geisha).
We have dinner at a sushi restaurant based just a short walk from the bridge that crosses the Kamogawa Sanjo Dori.
On the banks of the river at sunset, young people use to sit with a beer waiting for nightfall. We do the same thing. Very nice.
To walk back to the hotel.

Kyoto

We dedicate the morning to visit the Zen temple of Tenryu Ji, northwest of the city, in the district of Arashiyama.
To get there take the Sagano Line from Kyoto Station. The station is a few hundred meters from the site.
The usual hot and humid not prevent us from visiting the gardens of the temple and the entire site, of course, is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993.
The temple is also close to the famous Bamboo Path, the path through a forest of bamboo unique. You may stroll along these rods as high as 10 meters.
In addition, finally, we understand what's written on my T-shirt (bought at Kyoto Station the day before) so that the Japanese is fun. The image of Doraemon doll is accompanied by the phrase "Doraebond" in honor of James Bond. It seems that for them is particularly funny.
Coming back down a few stops before the Kyoto Station, at the Nijo Castle. From here, after a stop in a cooler and rifocillante Family Mart where we get the lunch, we head by bus towards the Kyoto Imperial Palace, located where today we celebrate the coronation ceremony of the new emperors.
Lunch, of course, made of rice filled with algae and fish in the shade of trees in the park surrounding the palace. The intent would be to visit the palace, but the tour of the 14, the last is complete.
We take the bus to Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) east of the Gion district. The garden is fabulous, although the main building is being restored.
At this point we decide to walk the streets of Kyoto Center, visiting the Nishiki Market, where are exposed the most unusual food variety for us Westerners, and then the various "Arcades" for shopping. We drink a beer sitting on the edge of the Kamogawa to enjoy the last moments of light in this city. A few drops of rain makes us the way the hotel where we go to wash and freshen up for dinner and then again to Kyoto Station, which will not be the ultimate fantasy, but is comfortable, pleasant and full of restaurants full of young people. The number of Europeans arrived in Japan has increased significantly, we see that it is now August.

Kyoto - Himeji - Hiroshima - Miyashima

We start as early from Kyoto Station to the time of Hiroshima. The Hikari Shinkansen takes about 2 hours. On the road, however, we decide to change the route that we thought and we go down to Himeji. We anticipate that today's visit of the castle "White Heron" potercela to get more comfortable with tomorrow, while maintaining Miyashima all morning.
Himeji Castle is spectacular in its pure white that stands out from the heights on which it was built. This is one of the oldest structures in the Sengoku period that have survived since 1993 and has been listed as World Heritage Site. A stop is a must for those who pass here.
After changing the reservation of seats on trains, eliminating a stop in Himeji scheduled for tomorrow, we take the first available Shinkansen for Hiroshima. Having changed the last route we decide to try the coaches dedicated to those who have booked the place. Unfortunately there is only room in the smokers, but luckily the journey is short.
Today is August 5 and tomorrow, August 6, marks the 64 th anniversary of the release of the atomic bomb.
In a town with a blazing hot humid unbearable getting ready for the commemorations. The presence of the 'A-Bomb Dome, the building remained partially standing after the explosion, various demonstrations shouting in unison the desire for nuclear disarmament. In Peace Park, near the eternal flame will be extinguished until the last atomic bomb will be dismantled, near the Cenotaph in eternal memory that holds the names of more than 200,000 victims, it is setting the stage for the celebrations and are rehearsing for the television cameras.
We visit the museum to the memory of the victims and the peace museum. All very interesting. Striking attempt, apparently successful, to keep alive the memory of a terrible tragedy happened 64 years ago, whose effects are visible for years disappeared completely (Hiroshima is a modern city, even if we are ugly).
Year after year survivors, 65 year olds today ultra, are decreasing at a rate of about 5000 a year, partly as a result of disease. I wonder if this is never served and will serve to help ensure that never happens again a nuclear war (as in the world are estimated to have 20,000 nuclear warheads, enough to question the very existence of man).
It's time to leave, sweaty and hot, at a time of island Miyashima. Take the Sanjo Line from Hiroshima Station and dropped off at Myashima Noguchi, take the ferry in 10 minutes takes us to this sacred island, largely declared World Heritage Site (Cultural and Natural Heritage) UNESCO.
Cultural Heritage Itsukushima Shinto Shrine because it houses the famous not only for its history, including its position. Built on stilts suffers the perennial tidal cycle every 6 hours that transformed him from sanctuary to sanctuary suspended in the water immersed in muddy sand. The sanctuary, with its ancient red torii that comes out is one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan.
Natural Heritage because behind the Sanctuary, Mount Miseno is entirely covered by primary forest inhabited by deer and monkeys sacred.
We arrive at low tide, so the sanctuary emerges from the sand and you can walk up to the red torii.
We realize that the choice of sleeping on the island (Grand Hotel Arimoto) is particularly apt because we enjoy the peace of the island after the tourists who come and go during the day are gone.
The hotel accommodation was spectacular. The room is western style beds and bathrooms for the part, but it's Japanese Style for the stay. In summary housed in a sort of suite of 70 square meters where the Tatami the table where drinking tea alternates with comfortable beds in western style. We wear the yukata, and we do a lot 'of photos.
The kindness and professionalism of the staff is incredible. We have dinner in the hotel with Japanese food (from sashimi to other dishes such as oyster soup, etc. ..). Truly one of the most picturesque holiday accommodation.
After dinner we stroll the streets leading to the island sanctuary lighted suggestively. A few deer we cross the street, watching us hoping for a bit 'of food, and leaves.

Miyashima - Tokyo

We dedicate the morning to "climb" of Mount Miseno. Given the warm and impressive given the short time available, we take the cable railway leg in a few minutes brings us to 500 meters high in the middle of primary forest populated by cute little monkeys. The view is 360 degrees on the Inland Sea. All around the island are clearly seen the cultivation of oysters.
The descent takes up approx. 1 hour. We realize what we were wise not to make it uphill. This is hundreds of steps that if we had to travel in this heat we have exhausted. However we meet someone who tries the enterprise.
After a stop at the hotel to try to stop the incessant sweating, we take the ferry, and then the train to Hiroshima.
Hence the Hikari Shinkansen takes us back, via Kobe, Tokyo. It takes just 5 hours to travel the more than 1000 km away.
We arrive at Tokyo Station around 19. With the Narita Express arrives at the airport where a shuttle reach the Radisson for the night.
Since the flight tomorrow is at 13.00 we decided to sleep near the airport to avoid doing everything running.

Narita - Milano

After breakfast we spend an hour and a half between the pool and sauna, just relaxing before the flight in 11 hours brings us back to reality.
On time Malpensa JAL flight at 18.45. The Malpensa Express train traveling all with an unspecified delay. Take then the bus that leaves ... when it is full. Italy is great for that too.