Japan trips Part I - 2005

7-12th Feb 2005 - 6 Days Scenic Shirakaba by ANA travels

2005 I would say, was one of the most exciting year because I got to travel to Japan for the first time! Being an 'everything-must-be-japanese' fanatic, this was practically a dream come true! Since it was the first time for the whole family, mom decided to book a tour with ANA travels.

One good thing I like about tours is that everything is planned for you, so all you gotta do is sit back and enjoy the trip. =)

On the first day, we arrived pretty early in the morning at Narita airport and boy was it cold! ok I'm not sure if it was because I was so excited that I couldnt help shivering/shaking or that it was super cold, or even both! hahaha! soooo after layering ourselves with super thick clothes, we boarded the tour bus to head to our very first destination in Japan - Tokyo!! XD

To summarise the trip:
Day 1 - Asakusa Temple and Ginza Street

Asakusa was a very touristy place with tons of tourists crowding up the entrance to the temple as well as the shopping lanes. The streets were lined with old buildings and shops, carrying traditional items from kimonos to hand made combs and of course, many kinds of souveniers.


Ginza street has got to be one of the cleanest streets I've ever seen! The street was lined with expensive and branded boutiques and BIG cars with chauffers in black suit next to them.


Day 2 - Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakaba

Having spent the night at Kanazawa ANA hotel, it was time to move off to Shirakawa-go Village, which by the way is designated as part of the World Cultural Heritage in 1995! The village was beautiful. I really liked the "Gassho-zukuri (Joined-hands)", which were basically quaint farmhouses that ahve thatched roofs with about 60 degree gradients. They actually look like those mini candy house on logcakes from far in the snow! Lovely scenery and a must go place during winter I must say. Just make sure you don't get lost like my sis and I. >_<

Takayama, our next destination, is an ancient, tranquil city called "Little Kyoto" ( or as the Japanese calls it). We did lots of shopping and tried many different kinds of sake. A place you should go if you like to see traditional Japanese houses.


Shirakaba, which is often called (apparently) "Switzerland of Japan", was where we were going to spend the night and the following day. It was a very long bus journey up the mountain but the view along the way was breathtaking. I had never seen so much snow before in my life and it was simply gorgeous and white! XD



Day 4 - Shirakaba and Tokyo

We went up the ski area first thing in the morning and played with the snow boards. It wasn't as cool as skiing (yes we were very disappointed) BUT do not underestimate these snow boards/sleighs, there were acutally very fun!! haha.

The closest we got to skiing was at Mt Tateshina, where we took a gondola ride all the way up. It was amazing because we got to feast on the breathtaking "juhyo" (?) trees glazed with ice on the way up! It was really funny though because everyone around us were dressed in full ski gear!

It was then back to Tokyo. Unfortunately, we were only given like 3 hrs of free time and that sucked! you tell me, how is 3 hrs enough to go shopping in Tokyo?! Anyway making the best of it, I rushed through all the places I really wanted to go and at least managed to get a few things before heading to Odaiba.


Day 4 - Odaiba

Odaiba was pretty much more for shopping and of course the ferris wheel, but we didnt get the chance to ride on it cos it was super crowded. Odaiba is a very pretty place all in all. The rainbow bridge, particularly, looks amazing all lighted up at night.

Day 5 - Home
Unfortunately, all good things had to come to an end. =( Having experiencing my first time in Japan, I somewhat returned back happy!