Today was my birthday and I planned to spend my last full day in Japan at Hakone which has views of Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi. Originally I was supposed to go on day 2 but I had to keep moving things around due to bad weather.As I left my Kyoto Business Cabin hotel they were excited as they put the tvs on during breakfast claiming the weather was going to be nice.I'd checked train times again online but when I got to Kyoto station at 8am there was a big line at...

Today was supposed to be my Kyoto biking day. I'd booked a bike online from 9am but had to push it back to 11am-1pm as I went to Himeji this morning to see the White Castle due to having to keep re-arranging events due to weather and slow train connections.The booking site gave a map and said to turn by the 7-11 when coming from Kyoto station. I walked around 3x wasting 20 mins trying to follow their map but I couldnt find their location. The drizzle started comi...

This morning when I left the business cabin hotel at 8am the rain was still coming down. Give me a break! I made my way to Kyoto station to make my train reservation to Himeji. I'd checked online last nite for the quickest option.They gave me a direct train from 8.51 to 10.19. I asked for the fastest option which connected via Shin-Osaka and arrived 30 mins earlier at 9.49.Himeji's most famous landmark is the White Castle. In my last two trips in 2011 & 2013 ...

Last stop in Nikko was to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. These are scenic river rapids whose pathway is lined with numerous statues who have taken on a character with their growing moss and red caps.The area is just over a 2km walk from the main temple area so does not get many tourists as the only travel option is on foot. Also the rains had now decided to start hammering down quite heavily.The rain always waits for me and timed its worst for my arrival. There was nob...

Today was the first day I could sleep in and didnt have to rush. The hotel also had a buffet breakfast prepared by chefs so I got some proper food too. By 9am I left the hotel and went up the main tourist street to the historic area.Nikko is the site of several world heritage sights and there is a km long tourist street leading to the shrines. There is dense forestry in this region reminding me of British Columbia Canada. Also the small town setting in the trees ...