Japan Adventure

By Keith & Frances · May 3, 2026 – May 14, 2026 · 11 301 km · 41 pebbls

Countries: England, China, Japan

Land of the Rising Sun

See it on the interactive map · Flyby videos

Chapters

  1. London Bound · 3 pebbls
  2. Gatwick Airport · 4 pebbls
  3. Shanghai Airport · 1 pebbl
  4. Kansai Airport Osaka Arrival · 1 pebbl
  5. Haruka Express to Osaka · 1 pebbl
  6. Dotonbori · 1 pebbl
  7. Day 2 - Getting to know Osaka · 1 pebbl
  8. Osaka Day 2.5-Nara Pk/Osaka Castle · 3 pebbls
  9. Shinkansen to Kyoto · 3 pebbls
  10. Kyoto Day 1 · 3 pebbls
  11. Tea Ceremony
  12. Kyoto Day 2 · 3 pebbls
  13. Day trip to Himeji via Japan Rail · 3 pebbls
  14. Shinkansen to Tokyo · 3 pebbls
  15. Tokyo.....Let's Explore! · 9 pebbls
  16. Final Day - Tokyo Disney · 2 pebbls

London Bound

Off to the Airport!

Gatwick Airport

Rather longish queue.....

3 May 2026 - 10:09

· England

Frances decided it was,t too early

Frances decided it wasn't too early....😀😀

.😀😀

3 May 2026 - 10:09, England

3 May 2026 - 10:48

· England

Our carriage awaits.... 6 month old Dreamliner...first time on board one of these...

3 May 2026 - 10:48, England

1 more pebbls in this chapter

Shanghai Airport

Transiting.....

Kansai Airport Osaka Arrival

Off to the train now!

Haruka Express to Osaka

Now for a train!

Dotonbori

Takayoki Street Food

Day 2 - Getting to know Osaka

First full day in Osaka so plenty to see and visit.. 31, 206 steps / 14.30 miles and one blister. Fab views from two towers, new foods tasted, rose garden in middle of river, colourful neon signs, cartoon and animation characters everywhere.

Osaka Day 2.5-Nara Pk/Osaka Castle

Off to Nara Park on the local train and then a visit to Osaka Castle

Shinkansen to Kyoto

7 May 2026 - 19:35

· Japan

Dinner at an Asian Restaurant.... 2 Pints of Premium Malt Black....Looks like Guinness and tastes just as good
!

7 May 2026 - 19:35, Japan

Kyoto Day 1

Tea Ceremony & Fushimiri-Inari

8 May 2026 - 21:26

· Japan

Kimono Tea Ceremony, matcha tea is an acquired taste but very popular available in an endless list of foods and drinks

8 May 2026 - 21:26, Japan8 May 2026 - 21:26, Japan

Fushimiri-Inare

· Japan

Japanese shrine on top of a mountain lots and lots and lots of steps, worth it with stunning route

Fushimiri-Inare, JapanFushimiri-Inare, Japan

Dinner at Kyoto Tonkatsu Katsuda

· Japan

Worth the wait to get seated, tonkatsu menu, Keith went for Pork and I went for veg & seafood, all cooked in front of us with instructions when each element served how to eat and with which sauces

Dinner at Kyoto Tonkatsu Katsuda, JapanDinner at Kyoto Tonkatsu Katsuda, Japan

Kyoto Day 2

Arishiyama Bamboo Forest & The Golden Shrine

Day trip to Himeji via Japan Rail

Himeji Castle "The White Heron"

Himeji Castle

· Japan

Train ride out to Hemiji, glorious weather again 😎, wagyu beef burgers for lunch

Himeji Castle, JapanHimeji Castle, Japan

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

· Japan

Worth the uphill hike and reached it before closed access at 6pm

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, JapanKiyomizu-Dera Temple, Japan

Shinkansen to Tokyo

We are in the Green Car this time as we leave Kyoto for Tokyo...

Shinkansen to Tokyo

· Japan

1st class on the Shinkansen: Kyoto to Tokyo - very comfy and as with all trains it seems, not a minute late!!!

Shinkansen to Tokyo, JapanShinkansen to Tokyo, Japan

Dinner Under the Arches

· Japan

Another last minute decision, every table taken with us being the only tourists, thankfully they had an english menu!

Dinner Under the Arches, JapanDinner Under the Arches, Japan

Tokyo.....Let's Explore!

Out early after a Pastry & Yoghurt breakfast....

Misc.

· Japan

Can you spot Godzilla? There are capsule toy dispensers everywhere, plus shops dedicated to them.

Misc., JapanMisc., Japan

8 more pebbls in this chapter