Japan, that’s a Wrap

gomezhome ♦ 14/08/2025 ♦ 1 Comment

There are not many foreign cars in Japan. I don’t understand it. They only choice they have are: Toyota (lots and lots around), Suzuki, Mazda (not so many), Honda, Daihatsu (owned by Toyota), Isuzu (Toyota), Subaru (partly owned by Toyota), Lexus (posh Toyotas). And probably more. You get the drift?

Hakone

After one day getting lost in Tokyo, we went to Hakone, mostly to see Mt. Fuji.  Little did we know that you can’t usually see Mt. Fuji in summer.

But we went to the Hakone Open-air Museum. Amazing that it had a large collection of Picasso works plus some Rodan and Henry Moore sculptures. Afterwards we stayed at a 100 year old hostel.

Kyoto

We travelled back to Tokyo and got the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. Top speed 320 km per hour (200 m.p.h).

Around Kyoto

We walked to Nijo-jo castle and around the gardens.

Then tried to find a good coffee.

We found a cute cafe with a Japanese garden out the back. I had a Matcha Latte. 😉

Kyoto Accommodation

We had a lovely apartment in Kyoto. They had a washing machine (always good) in a cupboard. It was quite amazing. It washed and dried our clothes, all in one cycle. Plus, it added washing powder/capsule and softener itself. Completely automatic.

Coffee Culture

We read on the website site that Japan has a thriving coffee culture. Hah! Maybe it’s underground. Unless you like machine, push-button coffee, we have found it difficult to get a coffee we like. The Tully’s franchise has had good barista coffee, that’s it. And our usually reliable Mrs Google “best coffee near me” has failed miserably. Perhaps she is as confused as us. Our standards have dropped now.

Bamboo Forest in Arayashima and Town

There were hundreds or thousands of people there. Otherwise it would have been serene.

Tokyo Again

Back to the right hotel in Tokyo. Walked through Shinjuku to the Shinjuku Gyoen (national gardens).

Department Store

The department stores are next level. One floor was just food – and it was amazing. At a counter on another floor, I saw 7 shop assistants – on one counter! We picked up some lunch and went to level 8, the roof garden, and had lunch there.

Wrap Up

We found Japan to be a confusing place. But everything works. Buses and trains run on time mostly). There is a system for doing everything. It is all ordered and clean (mostly). There is very little litter or graffiti. Smoking is not allowed on the streets. And people appear to be law abiding – apart from our taxi driver!