Autumn in Japan 2009

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Autumn in Japan 2009

We visited Japan over thanksgiving weekend! We left Guam on Nov 26 and spent 4 days there. We were embraced with the nice cool weather and the marvelous change of autumn colors which Japan has to offer. The Ryokan Ohto was not too far from the Kyto Station. We took an express train from Kansai directly to Kyoto. The next day, we spent the whole day taking public buses and was amazed how easy it was to travel by yourself there. We visited the golden temple called Kinkakuji Temple. The japanese garden has a class of its own. Our tour stop to see the ancient imperial palace and our last stop was at Kiyomize Temple (known as a world heritage site by UNESCO). We were totally so tired after the whole day walking sightseeing this beautiful city.

Our second day, we spent traveling by train to Nara to see Todaiji Temple, Nigatsu-do Hall, Kasuga Grand Shrine, 5 storey pagoda. In the afternoon, we continue to Arashiyama at Sagano to see the beautiful autumn colors by the river. It was a cold day but wonderful indeed. There were many Japanese whom came out in the cold to enjoy the beautiful gardens, and autumn colors. We picked the right time of the year to visit Japan. We truely enjoy the sights Japan has to offer. An autumn dear to our hearts indeed!

Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Since today is the last day we are in Japan, mommy & daddy decided to walk through another park to see cherry blossom. There were many people celebrating this festival. People were having picnic, enjoying the blooms everywhere underneath the cherry blossom trees.

Ueno Zoological Gardens. First opened in 1882, these are Japan's most historic zoological gardens. The zoo has more than 400 animals on exhibit from around the world, including giant pandas (Ling Ling) and aye ayes. We also saw the emperor's peguin, polar bear, elephant, gorilla forest and amphibian reptile house.

Asakusa & Hama-rikyu Gardens in Japan

Visit to Hamarikyu Gardens after the cruise ride. Gardens of the Tokugawa Shogun family representing the Edo Period 18th century, famous for ponds and two duck ponds. The Shiori pond is designed to feature a landscape that changes along with the ebb and low of the tides. These are the only tidewater ponds still remaining in Tokyo.

Cherry Blossom viewing at Sumida Park along the Sumidagawa River.

Nakamise Street entrance to Sensoji Temple at Asakusa. This area is famous for being preserved as the oldest part of Tokyo. There are many small shops that sells traditional Japanese stuffs. It was really crowded with tourist and local people. Many people come to this place for praying and to view the cherry blossom.

Asakusa : The view from our hotel. We are facing Sumida Park and the cruise boarding area. The park is exceptionally famous to view Cherry Blossom during Spring time. Btw, this place will be memorable as it is the place where I started to crawl. :P