JNTO FamTrip 2015: Himeji Castle

In late September and early October, Unique Japan Tours joined a familiarization trip organised by the Japan National Tourist Organisation. The purpose of these trips is to introduce new, unique places in Japan to promote trips there. The familiarization trip (or "famtrip") we joined took us from Okayama and Kurashiki, down into Tokushima, to Shodoshima and finally to Himeji.

Of course, we knew most of these places already, and we've sent many of our clients to these places to. But we always want to learn more, look deeper and see what's new and exciting. Today we wrap up our series of blog posts where we're explored the areas we visited, introduced them to you, and shared some of our pictures. Today is part four, where we visit Himeji Castle.

JNTO FamTrip 2015: Shodoshima

In late September and early October, Unique Japan Tours joined a familiarization trip organised by the Japan National Tourist Organisation. The purpose of these trips is to introduce new, unique places in Japan to promote trips there. The familiarization trip (or "famtrip") we joined took us from Okayama and Kurashiki, down into Tokushima, to Shodoshima and finally to Himeji.

Of course, we knew most of these places already, and we've sent many of our clients to these places to. But we always want to learn more, look deeper and see what's new and exciting. Over the next few blog posts, we're going to explore the areas we visited, introduce them to you, and share some of our pictures.

Today is part three, where we spent the day on Shodoshima Island.

JNTO FamTrip 2015: Iya Valley & Tokushima

In late September and early October, Unique Japan Tours joined a familiarization trip organised by the Japan National Tourist Organisation. The purpose of these trips is to introduce new, unique places in Japan to promote trips there. The familiarization trip (or "famtrip") we joined took us from Okayama and Kurashiki, down into Tokushima, to Shodoshima and finally to Himeji.

Of course, we knew most of these places already, and we've sent many of our clients to these places to. But we always want to learn more, look deeper and see what's new and exciting. Over the next few blog posts, we're going to explore the areas we visited, introduce them to you, and share some of our pictures.

Today is part two, where we’ll talk about the Iya Valley and Tokushima.

JNTO FamTrip 2015: Okayama & Kurashiki

In late September and early October, Unique Japan Tours joined a familiarization trip organised by the Japan National Tourist Organisation. The purpose of these trips is to introduce new, unique places in Japan to promote trips there. The familiarization trip (or "famtrip") we joined took us from Okayama and Kurashiki, down into Tokushima, to Shodoshima and finally to Himeji.

Of course, we knew most of these places already, and we've sent many of our clients to these places to. But we always want to learn more, look deeper and see what's new and exciting. Over the next few blog posts, we're going to explore the areas we visited, introduce them to you, and share some of our pictures.

First up, Okayama and Kurashiki.

JNTO Familiarization Trip 2015

In late September and early October, Unique Japan Tours joined a familiarization trip organised by the Japan National Tourist Organisation. The purpose of these trips is to introduce new, unique places in Japan to promote trips there. The familiarization trip (or "famtrip") we joined took us from Okayama and Kurashiki, down into Tokushima, to Shodoshima and finally to Himeji. 

Of course, we knew most of these places already, and we've sent many of our clients to these places to. But we always want to learn more, look deeper and see what's new and exciting. Over the next few blog posts, we're going to explore the areas we visited, introduce them to you, and share our pictures.

Today, we're just going to give a brief overview of the tour. First off, we'd like to extend our sincerest thanks to the JNTO for organizing and inviting us on this FamTrip. It was a lovely trip, we enjoyed it, and most importantly, we learned a lot and can't wait to incorporate it into our tours!

Festivals of Japan - The Takayama Festival

In our last blog post we talked about Takayama, one of our favourite cities in Japan. Located high in the Hida Mountains, its home to one of Japan’s most popular festivals. The Takayama Festival actually refers to two festivals, the Takayama Spring Festial, or Sanno-sama Festival, and the Takayama Autumn Festival, or Hachiman Festival. Though separated by 6 months, the events that happen during the festivals are remarkably similar. Keep reading for more!

The Takayama Festival Floats are testaments to the craftsmen of Takayama
Source: Flickr

Cities of Japan - Takayama

Unique Japan Tours loves Takayama. It's a beautiful city, located high in the Hida mountains (hence why it's sometimes called Hida-Takayama). After the hustle and bustle of modern Tokyo, Takayama is a welcome reprieve. A merchant city famed for it's timber and carpenters, the city thrived under the direct control of the Shogun during the feudal period of Japan's history. But what is it like now?

The beautiful streets of Takayamal
Source: JNTO

Samurai Postal Routes: Gokaido and Tokaido

In 1601, soon after he came into power, the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu started to build five routes connecting the capital of Edo (modern day Tokyo), with the other provinces. These routes were essential for the success of the Sankin-Kotai system, where lords would have to alternate years of living in Edo with their home provinces. There were five routes, including the Koshu Kaido, the Oshu Kaido, the Nikko Kaido, and the most important routes, the Tokaido and Nakasendo, which we’ll explore in more detail.

Even though all the five routes varied in length, they shared some common features. First of all, they all started from Nihonbashi in Edo, after which there were markers at every ri (2.44 miles or 3.93 kilometres) travelled from Nihonbashi. The government ensured the highways were well maintained, and we often flattened and widened as necessary. In steeper sections of the path, the government would pave the road, though they often used ferries to cross rivers rather than build bridges. The government also planted trees along the route to make sure the travellers could travel in the shade, and be protected from the elements.

Gokaido Starting Point in Nihonbashi Tokyo.
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Cities of Japan - Matsue City

Matsue is the capital of Shimane prefecture, located in the south western Honshu, the main island of Japan. Matsue sits on the banks of the Ohashi River, which connects the lakes of Lake Shinji and Nakaumi. Matsue is home to one of the 12 original castles in Japan, having survived wars, fires and earthquakes. The castle was completed in 1611 and renovated in the 1950s. There is a small museum dedicated to the Irish author Lafcadio Hearn, who lived in Matsue for a year, located in his former residence. Hearn was the first Western author to write books about Japan, including Japanese ghost stories, and there is a small museum next to the house dedicated to him and his works.

The Lafcadio Hearn Residence in Matsue City.
Source: JNTO

Gardens of Japan - Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen Garden is a magnificent garden located in Kanazawa. Renowned throughout Japan as one of the country’s Three Great Gardens, Kenrokuen means “Garden Combining Six Features”, referring to the spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, broad views and abundant water throughout the garden.

Autumn Foods in Japan

Autumn is one of our favourite seasons to eat in Japan. Sanma, the long, sleek fish (pacific saury in English), grilled with salt. The crisp skin cracks under the pressure from your chop stick, and you come away with this delicious, moist, dark piece of fish meat that tastes right in every way.

Grilled sanma, an Autumn delicacy.
Source: https://flic.kr/p/71XHGi 

Fruit harvests are also abundant in autumn. Japanese apples and pears are juicy and crisp, and persimmons are also starting to appear on trees and in the shops. The waxy skin of the persimmon hides a soft, orange flesh, similar to a peach or ripe pear, but tasting like neither.

Japanese sweet potato, satsumaimo, is another autumn favourite. Slow roasted over hot stones, the soft, baked potato texture, combined with the golden yellow flesh just demands a dab of butter. Don’t forget to pick up some roasted chestnuts while you’re out and about from the plentiful street stalls you will come across on our Japan Discovered Tour.

Daigakuimo, fried Japanese sweet potato coated with sugar.
https://flic.kr/p/gHYCmc

Shinmai (new rice) is the first crop of rice to be harvested in the year and is said to have subtle taste and texture differences. Some say this rice is moister, a little plumper and sweeter than regular rice.
Finally, autumn is the season for matutake. Matsutake is one of the most sought after mushrooms in the world, due to its unique spicy aroma and flavour. Highly prized in both Japanese and Chinese cuisine, one kilo of matsutake can cost up to €1,800 for the early season, highest grade mushrooms.

Matsutake mushrooms on sale in Kanazawa.
Source: https://flic.kr/p/aGVHcg

To experience this world class cuisine during one of the best times to see Japan, join our October 28th Japan Discovered Small Group Tour, or, if small groups are not for you, contact us for a tailor made self guided adventure.

New Japan Discovered Autumn Date

Unique Japan Tours have just launched a New Autumn date for their most popular Small Group Tour to Japan (Japan Discovered), starting on October 28th. This will be the perfect time to see some of the best Japan has to offer, including Osaka, Koyasan, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Gokayama, Takayama, Matsumoto, Snow monkey park in the hills of Nagano before ending up in the metropolitan capital Tokyo, during this much sought after Autumn Season.

See more Autumn leaves like these!
https://flic.kr/p/q2q7VJ

Spend your days sightseeing with our experienced and friendly tour leader, meeting local people as you go along, and spending time soaking up the warm, but not unpleasant weather, before heading back to your accommodation, a soak in the hot spring, before sitting down to your dinner of grilled sanma, with a bowl of shimai, maybe some matsutake soup followed up with some local seasonal fruit.

Matsutake rice with miso soup. Autumn goodness!

Source: https://flic.kr/p/6XTkUh

Read more from our Japan Discovered Tour Dossier, to get a glimpse of what to expect while joining this once in a lifetime trip to Japan.

If you are not keen on joining a small group tour, or your budget is limited, then perhaps a Self-Guided Trip is more suitable for you. Eitherway, we would be happy to quote and send you a sample itinerary to ensure you get the very best out of your time in Japan. Contact one of our talented Japan Travel Specialists today.