My latest homeschooled son, Simon, has been studying Japanese for a little over a year. Now that Japan has finally reopened to tourism, I’m taking him there in December. We’ll be in the land of the rising sun from December 3-14.
I’ll also be speaking at the University of Tokyo on December 5. Details to follow.
Our tentative plan is to spend about four days in Tokyo and the surrounding area, then take to the high-speed trains to see Kyoto, Himeji Castle, Hiroshima, and maybe Nagasaki and Kumamoto.
The upshot is that I’m making one request and one offer.
The request: Please share all of your Japan tourism advice in the comments. We’re mask-averse, so outdoor stuff is better.
The offer: I’m happy to not only meet up with readers, but do public talks for universities, clubs, and the like. Email me if you want to set something up.
Hope to be meeting many of you soon!
P.S. Here are two frames from Harakiri (1962), one of my all-time favorite Japanese movies.
Here’s the trailer.
Also don’t miss Samurai Rebellion by the same director.
Take long, unstructured walks around Tokyo early in the morning as the city is waking up. It's an amazing place at all times, but especially in non-touristy moments such as this.
Check the weather before you go see Mt Fuji: it's often socked in with heavy clouds/fog.
-second the JR Pass
-if you can make it Nikko outside of Tokyo is beautiful
-also Miyajima outside of Hiroshima is worth a visit
-Nara is a worthwhile day trip from Kyoto
-I loved Himeji Castle glad to see it on your list
-the Kobe steak meal experience is worth a trek from Kyoto for dinner
-make sure to have okonomiyaki in Hiroshima
-I went in September but a trip to Fuji Five lakes might still be worth it for the view even if the climb is closed