Author: Minion-Chris

Wrapping up Japan

ByMinion-Chris December 1, 2017 1 Comment
It's time to wrap up my trip to Japan. Thanks for joining me on this adventure to the Land of the Rising Sun. I really enjoyed the time I spent in this diverse and unique country! If you want to read up on the whole trip you can do so here. Here are some of my thoughts after reflecting on the trip. My top 3 highlights: Highlight #1: Unexpected Lantern festival in Takanabe One of the things I love...

Whisky, Monkeys, Bamboo and Home!

ByMinion-Chris November 27, 2017 1 Comment
Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Museum Our last full day in Japan would first see us visiting the Yamazaki Whisky Museum. We'd booked this earlier, but even by then the paid tour with tastings were already full. We hopped on the train and arrived at the distillery front gate/security office and were given passes to wear and directed to the museum building. We were able to walk through the museum and...

Himeji Castle and Osaka

ByMinion-Chris November 22, 2017 0 Comments
Himeji Castle Because we weren't able to get to Himeji yesterday we set out early to go today and arrived at Himeji Castle by mid morning. Himeji castle is considered one of the biggest and best representations of Japanese Castle building. When you get off the train, its a short walk towards the castle, but you can see it right when you leave the station. As you get closer you start to realize...

Miyajima

ByMinion-Chris November 17, 2017 0 Comments
Miyajima With an early start, our plan was to visit Miyajima today before heading into Osaka. To get to Miyajima we needed train half an hour south of Hiroshima, before boarding a ferry that would take us the rest of the way. Miyajima is an island that is known for its many shrines, most notably the Itsukushima Shrine with its floating torii gate. There is also a ropeway that takes you up Mount...

Good Bye Yamamizuki, Hello Hiroshima

ByMinion-Chris November 10, 2017 2 Comments
Breakfast at Yamamizuki After a good nights sleep we woke up headed back downstairs to the Yamamizuki private dining room for breakfast. We were excited because if breakfast was anything like dinner, we were in for a treat! We were not disappointed as breakfast was also a tasty multi course affair! Drive to Kumamoto Sadly it was time to go and say good bye to Yamamizuki. We had a couple hour...

Rowing Takachiho and Yamamizuki Ryokan in Kurokawa

ByMinion-Chris November 4, 2017 0 Comments
Breakfast Our Ryokan provided a complimentary breakfast and we headed down early so we could beat the rush for rowboats. Upon arrival in the breakfast area we were each given this large tray with an assortment of different food items. I was really impressed with the variety that this "free" breakfast offered! For me I really enjoyed the tamago and the grilled fish, they were especially yummy!...