Picturesque Japan

Hello, travelers. This is  Kumi . I guided Canon Australia's Japan tour for two weeks. Let me show you how we enjoyed the tour. This is about Day 11, the day traveled from Okayama to Kyoto and learned about Japanese craftsmanship. We took the Nozomi Super Express 114 from Okayama station at 7:41am. It was about an hour ride and we arrived at Kyoto station at 8:43. We left our luggage and took the local train called the JR Sagano Line to Kameoka station. Then we took taxis (30min) to the blacksmith called " Masahiro ." It seems they don't have their own website. I found the English information on Expedia. https://www.expedia.co.jp/things-to-do/private-japanese-sword-forge-visit-lesson.a450774.activity-details According to this interview article in Japanese (you can enjoy the beautiful photos), the blacksmith's name is Yuya Nakanishi, but he uses the professional name "Masahiro." https://www.enysi.com/craftsman/interview04 At first, he ...

Hello, travelers. This is  Kumi . I guided Canon Australia's Japan tour for two weeks. Let me show you how we enjoyed the tour. This is about Day 10, the day we took a day trip to Naoshima Island. We often start taking photos before breakfast. Our hotel's breakfast room happens to be on the 25th floor with amazing views so... We captured sunrise from here. After breakfast, we checked out and headed for Hiroshima station. Wow! Hello Kitty train!? That isn't our train. We took Nozomi Super Express 12 from Hiroshima to Okayama at 10:17. It was just 35 minutes' ride. Once we arrived at Okayama station, we left our luggage at the hotel and then took trains to Uno Port. At 12:15, we got on a ferry to the art island, Naoshima . Yay!! https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5475.html What a lovely day!! Isn't this like we are enjoying a Greek island cruise? :P As we are visiting the art island, I'm quite motivated to t...