Japan Spring Break 2018

Our stay in Japan is coming to an end today. But with a late flight, we still have time for some yummy Japanese food - saving for last what has been high on Jeremy's "must do" list. We ditch our luggage at the lockers in Ueno train station and head to Tsukiji market, the biggest wholesale fish market in the world handling over 2,000 tons of marine products daily, which equates to $14 million traded in seafood every day.  The sight of the many kinds of fresh seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji Market a major tourist attraction.  Its famous tuna auction begins before the sun rises (the 120 spots are gone by 3am); the most expensive tuna ever sold went for $1.76 million in 2013.  There's an outer and inner market; tourists are not allowed in the inner market before 10am. But the outer market is full of seafood delicacies to fill our bellies. If you plan to visit after June 2018, make sure you check the st

Chidorigafuchi , the west moat of the Imperial Palace, is one of Tokyo's most beautiful cherry-blossom viewing spots.  Chidorigafuchi moat "Are you joking?"  Chris said when I told him we were waiting in this ridiculously long line. "What is it for?"  Although rowing boats under the Sakura blooms is very popular, I was just joking that we were going to wait two hours in that long line to do it.  You can row boats on the moat Jeremy was miserable with allergies from the blossoms - exceptionally affected by the Tokyo blooms (probably because of the latter phase of bloom and its resulting pollen).    Walking along Chidorigafuchi walkway, Jeremy was miserable with allergies   Rules of the walkway "No one cares about the shrines," is the response I get when announcing the next stop. I took us unnecessarily out of the way to see Hie Shrine's red torii gates. The nice thing is that they don't draw the crowds like

After 5 nights we are leaving Kyoto, the old capital, even though we've only skimmed the surface of everything it offers. If you plan a trip here you'll see we missed several sights on the beaten path in exchange for seeing some unique, quieter ones.  Indecisive about which means of transportation to take to Kyoto Station, my decision was made as soon as I stepped out the door to a coincidentally waiting taxi. We were all relieved that our 2 1/2-mile journey to the station with full packs would require no walking.  Adding to our once in a lifetime experiences, we are taking the bullet train (called the Shinkansen) to Tokyo. All of my life I have heard of this remarkably high speed train and now I actually get to ride on it! Japan's bullet train - the Shinkansen We are on the Nozomi 700, the fastest train on the Tokaido route between Kyoto and Tokyo. Without limiting its speed, the N700 is capable of 186 mph - covering the distance in 2 1/2 hours, almost