The first time I went to Japan was on a spur of the moment decision. I might add that this is something which I very often do when travelling. There I was whiling away my time in Bangkok when a good friend of mine, suggested I should visit ¨The Land of the Rising Sun¨

I am an incurable avid traveller, so it didn’t take me very long to go online and book a plane.

The flight time from Bangkok to Tokyo took approximately 5hours and 30mins. The journey was pretty uneventful, apart from some English ¨Know-it-all guy¨ who asked me if I had already booked a place to stay! Do you get what sort of person I mean? The typical expert on everything but in truth hasn’t got a clue! Anyhow, when I told him I had not reserved anything! He went on a boring rampant telling me I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere to sleep and that none of the Japanese knew any English. Seriously!!!

At the time of making this journey, I had already been around the world on my ownsome! So needless to say, his words failed to daunt me in the slightest. Notwithstanding, it did occur to me that if I had been a novice traveller, his thoughtless words could have made me feel very worried. And hey ho, nor did he offer any real help.

Before long, I found myself walking out into the main arrivals area of Narita International airport. Well! There before my very eyes was an enormous stand with big letters saying ¨¨Hotels, Accommodation¨ As I approached the desk, surprise surprise! One of the assistants asked me in perfect English, how they could help me? Ha! So much for Mr Wiseguy and his misinformation.

As I wasn’t planning on spending too many days in the country, I decided to pay a little extra and get somewhere more upmarket, in the centre of town. In no time at all I had my accommodation sorted and the lovely receptionist had briskly organised a taxi to take me to my destination.

Oh, my goodness! My hotels was a city within a city! There were shops, restaurants, a cinema, bowling alley, swimming pools. You name it they had it! and Holy hollyhocks! I almost forgot to mention the vending machines! Japan has the craziest and most unheard-of assortment of coin-operated devices. There are over 5 million vending machines in Japan. According to statistics, that is more than anywhere else in the world.

It was already evening, and I was beginning to wilt, I just had enough time to feed myself and collapse into bed. I was eagerly looking forward to what the next day had in store for me.

The following morning, I decided to take a tour of the city. Firstly I visited Tokyo’s most famous Spiritual landmark, the Meiji Shinto Shrine, located in a stunning forest that covers an area of 70 hectares. It was remarkable! Definitely a MUST- SEE.

From there, I went to the Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji) and fell in love! Even after all this time, Senso ji is still my favourite of all the temples. It is in Asakusa, which is a very significant area of the authentic Japanese culture in Tokyo, an almost magical place, with hundreds of colourful lanterns lining the streets. Rows of arcades with a multitude of shops, restaurants, cafes, and even places to get your photograph taken in a traditional Geishas Kimono. I loved the buzz and atmosphere so much, that whenever I return; I head straight there and immediately check into my favourite hostel.

By the time I had finished with the morning’s sight-seeing, it was time to indulge in my favourite pastimes. Eating! I have always enjoyed Japanese food, but never so much as in the country of its origin. For me, it ranks among the finest of cuisines in the world.

After a sumptuous dish of Sushi, beautifully prepared in-front of me by a charming chef. (I had previously been informed that it is totally out of context to engage in conversation with the Japanese chefs while they prepare the food. It is a lack of respect and a distraction to them.)

I made my way down to the Sumida River and hopped on a water bus which is an excellent way to get an insight of the city.

Japan is the most intoxicating place for me. The Japanese culture fascinates me: the food, the dress, the manners and the traditions. It’s the travel experience that has moved me the most.
– Roman Coppola

I managed to see the Sky Tree, lots of ultra modern skyscrappers and not so modern old buildings. I even saw the famous Asahi Beer Hall designed by the French architect Phillip Stark. At the top there is an enormous golden structure that is known as the Golden Flame, but commonly known by the locals as the Golden Turd and the building as the Poo Building.

In no time at all the river cruise ended, so I ventured off the to the remarkable Shibuya Crossing, situated opposite the Shibuya Station. It’s incredible—all the vehicles stop at once which allows the pedestrians to cross simultaneously all the intersections.

My final visit was Omotesando Street, the main shopping street in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. What an incredible and Oh so crazy place to see. Anime galore, weird teenage outfits beyond belief, robot cafes, unimaginable souvenirs of every description! You name it, and there you will find it. At the end of a very full and entertaining day, I thought it best to get a quick bite to eat followed by an early night. The next morning Kyoto would be waiting for me.

The next morning I was up bright and early to catch the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. ( I was to discover later, it was a good thing that I left Tokyo when I did)

The Shinkansen reaches a speed of 320km/199mp/g. As it was my first time travelling on one of these super trains, I was more than excited. While I was standing on the platform, I noticed that train stopped at precisely the marked spot and was on time to the second. Once I boarded the train, I discovered that the seats were rotating. So whatever direction you are going in, the passenger always faces forward. For me, that was a total plus, as I cannot stand travelling backwards.

The journey was excellent, and within just under 1 hour 40min, I was already at my destination. Considering that the distance from Tokyo to Kyoto is 365 kilometres (227 miles), I would say that is good going. Kyoto means capital city because it was japan’s previous capital city before being moved to Tokyo, which had also previously been named Edo.

I had pre-booked at a Minshuku which is a family run bed and breakfast with Japanese tatami rooms and futon bedding to sleep. It didn’t take me long to find my lodgings since the Japanese people are very kind and will always be only too willing to orientate you to wherever you need to go.The owner at the Minshuku was adorable, and within a short space of time, I had happily deposited my backpack and was heading off to explore the city.

Japan is bicycle-friendly, and its people are the kings of two-wheel transport.
The saying goes ¨When in Rome.¨ And Backpackergranny (Moi) had to get on in the act, so without much ado, I hired a bike!

It was without a doubt the best thing ever and I had the most incredible time riding around the city. I explored the famous Nishiki Market in the Gion area. The locals call it Kyoto’s Kitchen as one can find the best traditional food there. I agree with the locals as I most certainly didn’t resist the temptation to try some.

With my stomach happily satisfied. I wandered off to visit the outstanding

NIJO CASTLE The gardens are spectacular, and there is also an evening lights event which promised to be very beautiful. I was there for about one and a half hours, and that was perfect.

I cycled around for a little longer and finally ended up in the Kyoto Station, which is a world unto itself. Shops galore, and food courts beyond amazing.

I am a glutton for beautiful cakes so when I spied the selection they were offering I could not resist. Once I had chosen my desired pastry, the girl got out a small box and gently placed the delicacy inside, she then proceeded to place ice bags around it and added a small fork. After this, she closed the box and tied a beautiful ribbon around the whole thing. I couldn’t believe it! For a tiny cake all that preparation.

I went and sat outside the Station to savour my delightful titbit, and I have to say Ït was the best cake that I have ever eaten in my life¨ Crazy but true!

After having spent quite a bit of time in the city, I decided it would be a pleasant change to visit the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) it had been a rather hectic day cycling around from one place to another, that the option of catching a bus became more appealing by the minute. And it was on that journey that I discovered how lucky I had been to have left the capital when I did.

There I was sitting on the bus when an amiable American gentleman came to sit next to me. Without much ado, he introduced himself as Mark, and promptly proceeded to tell me that he had just arrived from Tokyo and had lived through a pretty scary earthquake. My eyes were out on stalks! He was staying in a very tall high-rise hotel block when suddenly the building started to sway from one side to the other! One part of me was saying ¨ Oh, Jiminy Cricket! Thank goodness that I wasn’t there.¨ Yet another part of me was saying, ¨What an enthralling experience ¨ He assured me that no way was it enthralling, but that it is was a terrifying moment especially as he has been so high up.. Gosh! I was getting vertigo just thinking about it! Thank heavens, it was only a mild one, and he lived to tell me the tale.

I have since learnt about the amazing technology that the Japanese implement to combat the seismic activities that so often hit their country.

Safeguarding the Sky Tower Tokyo

The Japanese technology is pretty awesome!

We were so busy chatting, that before we knew it, our bus had reached the stop for the Golden Pavillion. I can only say it was magical!

Although the Kinkaku-ji’s history dates back to 1397 The present building is not all that old because on the 2 July 1950; the pavilion was burned down by a 22-year-old novice monk, and consequently was rebuilt in 1955. It has continued to have reconstructional work up to the present date.

TO DIE FOR

Once Mark and I had finished our visit to the temple, we decided to go and savour the very tempting fresh tofu that one of the street vendorswas selling. I have to say that I have never been a great lover of tofu, but in Japan! OMG! it is something else. That particular day we had the Silken Tofu, (kinu tofu) which is better known to us as fresh tofu. It was Nectar of the Gods. The Japanese use this wonder-food in many dishes that comprise of broths and soups. There are even Tofu burgers.I have yet to try them, but I hear they are delicious

With our appetites temporarily satisfied from the mouthwatering

tentempié, we headed back to the city. It was time for me to say a

¨See you tomorrow¨to Mark.

I had arranged with the owner at my lodgings to indulge in a hot Japanese bathtub. Because I had read a lot about this fascinating custom, I was truly looking forward to my second baptism.

Tubs in this country are solely for relaxing and soaking to cleanse spiritually. Before entering the bath, you must take a shower . (You are not supposed to wash your body in the tub.) Once you are fully prepared, you submerge yourself into the hot waters and simply soak and relax.It is the perfect way to alleviate your weariness and relieve all your painful body parts after a long day of touring.

I confess I am now totally addicted.

Six o’clock the next morning found me wide awake, fully dressed and raring to go. Mark and I had already agreed on the places that we would visit on our final day in Kyotos. First on our list would be the Bamboo grove.

My new found friend came to join me at the lodgings for a typicalJapanese breakfast of miso soup, vegetables, rice and green tea. No sooner had we finished, when we were off to see yet another marvel of nature.

Again, we were not disappointed, and believe me, whatever you do, you cannot miss this surreal place. It is strange, eerie, yet at the same time reassuring and innocuous. When the wind winds its way through the swaying bamboo, the sound can almost be confused with soft musical tones.

When we had exhausted the bamboo forest, we then headed off to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Let me warn you that comfortable shoes are indispensable if you wish to visit this incredibly magical place. The climb through the Torii Gates, up the mountain, is 2.5 miles and takes about 2 hours to walk to the top. However, the spectacular view from the top makes the journey well worthwhile

Kiyomizu-dera Temple was to be our final visit on this far to short a trip to Kyoto. But Oh, my goodness! What a lot we managed to pack in.The temple, the gardens and the views were beyond magnificent. Even the road that was leading up to this wondrous place was enthralling. There were so many different shops, selling incredible fans, kimonos, beautifully decorated pots and vases. Then there were the delicious yummies from salty to sweet. So much to see and experience—what a wonderful world

Mark and I ended the day by dining in a fabulous restaurant overlooking the beautiful river Kamo.

The next day I would be flying back to Bangkok, and Mark was flying to South Korea. But instead of saying ¨Sayonara¨ Goodbye, we just hugged and said ¨Mata aimashō¨ We will meet again, which we did a few weeks later in Bangkok. Today, Mark remains one of my very dear and much-loved friends

The best things about my travels are the incredibly awesome people I meet along the way. And of course all the splendorous countrie