Japan! Finally something different...

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We begin with the reasons why to visit Japan? The sharp contrast tradition / modernity that characterizes this country is certainly one of the most interesting: it is a certain effect to see skyscrapers and hi-tech structures arise next to temples and shrines, or women and men who go around in kimono and other with 's habit of Prada ...
Another thing to say about Japan is that you feel truly in another world, in New York, London, Mexico City, are you an alien, but you mix among the other tourists and then you feel less "isolated" . One thing is certain: as soon as you notice a Japanese hesitant with a map in hand or in front of the Chinese, will be in four to help! Moreover, the Japanese who know English are not many, so do not lose opportunity to practice the language with a gaijin (foreigner). So I have kind, ceremonies and education and formality that leaves you speechless.

Rates:
Dispel a myth: Japan is not expensive. Sleep at the heart of Tokyo's room with all services, huge bed, with flat screen tv to 60-70 euros per night. Lunch or dinner with 15 euros (20 if you exaggerated). Buying what you like at lower prices, or if you say wrong, equal to. Obviously, for those who really want to spend, you can find bread for his teeth: hotels like the Grand Hyatt in Mori Tower, Ryokan Zen garden that not even the maestro Miyagi ... or restaurants where every dish is served as a sacred rite.

The period:
Me and my girlfriend we have been in the country of the rising sun from 8 to 24 August 2005 and I must say that the high temperature and humidity on certain days are felt, the best time would be the spring, with a dry climate and the flowering of cherry trees which offers breathtaking views. The autumn is a good time. However the summer has its advantages: you can attend the ceremony of the O-bon (you present the paper lamps on the river?) Or grant of days at sea in one of the many seaside resorts Japanese.

The organization

Air
We booked the plane on-line on the site of KLM. So the trip was Amsterdam-Rome-Tokyo and back. The price? 850 (taxes included).
From Narita, there are shuttle buses that will take you to the center of Tokyo. It 'the only economical way to reach the city. We strongly advise taking a taxi: the cost of the trip exceeds 200 euros.

Trains and Buses
We purchased the Japan Rail Pass, a kind of Interail Japanese. You can buy only outside Japan and is valid only for foreigners. The length is 7, 14 or 21 days. If your itinerary includes a number of moves, the JRP will allow you to save a lot of money: for example, is the only Tokyo - Kyoto return costs about 200 euro: the practically cost of Japan Rail Pass for a week. It enables you to take some bus lines (those belonging to the Japan Rail Company) and all trains, including Shinkansen ( "bullet trains") with the exception of the Nozomi (to, in essence, the Japanese commuters). The JRP is both first-and second-class. The second class is the first Japanese class of our pendolini / ETR.
A curiosity about these famous trains: the Shinkansen arriving at a speed of 300 Km / h, and comparable to the French TGV. The futuristic train at higher magnetic (Maglev) we keep hearing about, are still under construction. There is only one railway line, about 40 km, which is used for testing and demonstration purposes. On this train, the train was pushed up to 581 Km / h which is the current speed record.

Hotel & Ryokan
For accommodations same thing: you can do everything online. We booked a really nice hotel in Tokyo in the Roppongi Hills (370 euros per person for seven nights with breakfast).

In Kyoto, however we booked (always online) a Ryokan to prove what it means to sleep on the tatami futon for a week (the first two days were a bit painful) and swimming nell'ofuro (probably one of the things that you make more contact with Japanese culture).

We chose to do so "base" in Tokyo and Kyoto. Has proved an excellent choice because these cities you can reach many places of interest.

Our itinerary was as follows:

9-16 August: Tokyo. This city is worth 4-5 days. Ginza, Ueno, Asakusa, Roppongi, and Shibuya Shiniyuko are the neighborhoods that we need to see. Each of them has a special feature that makes it unique Tokyo. The evening is all lights and neon and it seems to be one of those cities of the future described in many books and films.

From Tokyo, we were one day in the area of Mount Fuji. We strongly advise you to choose a sunny day: the summit of Mount Fuji is difficult to see and then the sky must be clear.

Again from Tokyo we were a day in Kamakura (where there is a Buddha, or Daibutsu, beautiful) and a day in Nikko (temples, pagodas and torii plunged into the forest).

All the movements we have made through the Japan Rail Pass, so no additional cost to the means of transport. Only in some cases you'll have to spend a few yen to buy, for example, the cable car ticket.

On 16 August we moved to Kyoto. With the Shinkansen, it takes about 2.5 hours (and 500 km distant).

Kyoto is simply fantastic. If Tokyo has left a little stunned, Kyoto will bring you back a more human pace and you feel in Japan. There are temples and shrines everywhere, local traditional sfrecciano bicycles on the streets and the legendary district of Geisha (Gion). Even for this city need, minimum, 3-4 days to be able to live better.

From Kyoto, the same day we went to Hiroshima (it takes only two hours) that deserves to be seen (the museum is impressive).

We also made a day at sea, or rather, ocean. Also from Kyoto because it is easy to reach location baneare of Shirarahama (which means "white beach"), on the east coast. The beach is white, large, and the water is clear.

Finally, we have spent a day in Nara where the Todaiji temple. We say that seeing the Buddha who resides in this temple and the Daibutsu in Kamakura, have seen what is best about this topic in Japan. During the journey from the station to the temple will be surrounded by deer, deer and fawns that will be really happy to be pampered.

The last day we moved in the town of Narita, a few kilometers from the international airport. Here you can enjoy virtually every type of cuisine, Japanese, and not because the restaurants are frequented by the staff of various airlines. If you have the plane in the morning, Narita is the perfect place to spend the last night in Japan.

You can see pictures and details of the trip at the address:
http://www.cinemafx.it/private/japan_2005/base0.html