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Japan off the beaten paths
Per chi ha già visitato Tokyo e Kyoto e vuole scoprire altri luoghi magici del Giappone, ecco un itinerario di viaggio sorprendente che vi lascerà senza parole .....
Questo viaggio è stato pensato come un regalo "anticipato" per i miei prossimi 40 anni.
Posso affermare che, tra tutti i viaggi fatti fino ad oggi, questo è "IL VIAGGIO".
Il viaggio è davvero all inclusive perché parte da Okinawa, passa per le isole Yaeyama, per arrivare, passando da meraviglia a meraviglia, fino all'estremo nord del Giappone a Sapporo. Siete pronti a scoprire questo affascinante viaggio?
Di seguito il racconto di viaggio.
Partiamo con l'itinerario (20 giorni):
Naha (Okinawa)
Ishigaki
Hiroshima
Kansai
Monte Koya
Kanazawa
Shirakawago
Magome
Fuefuki
Hakone
Sapporo
Partenza da Milano Malpensa con destinazione Naha (Okinawa) con scalo di 6 ore ad Hong Kong.
Niente paura, non allarmatevi, lo so che uno scalo di 6 ore è devastante dopo 12 ore di volo. Si vorrebbe solo rilassarsi e farsi una doccia. Non avete nessuna intenzione di appollaiarvi su una sedia dell'aeroporto per 6 ore aspettando la nuova partenza per raggiungere la vostra destinazione finale.
Parola d'ordine relax, tutto deve essere "easy", siamo in vacanza. Quindi quando arrivate ad Hong Kong, non dovete fare altro che dirigervi al Regal Airport Hotel (situato all'interno del gigantesco aeroporto di Hong Kong), salire al 4° piano e andare all'OM Spa, dicendo che volete usufruire del pacchetto per i non ospiti dell'hotel. Al costo di € 40,00 avrete una piscina interna, una piscina esterna, lettini (dove schiacciare un pisolino), sauna e docce per rilassarvi e ripartire pieni di energia verso il Giappone.
NAHA
Finally we arrived in Naha, the capital of the island of Okinawa. Here you can enjoy a different atmosphere than that of traditional Japan. It really feels like being at the sea, it reminded me a little of the atmosphere of Miami Beach. Kokusai (the main street) is very lively in the evening, with lots of bars and shops. Absolutely don't miss dinner at the Makishi Market. This traditional fish market is very characteristic. Inside the sales stalls also serve as restaurants. Here you can enjoy an excellent sashimi accompanied by the local Orion beer. Taste the marinated seaweed they sell at the market: they are really delicious. The city can be turned around quietly with the futuristic suspended monorail that is able to take you from the airport to the center in a short time.
ISHIGAKI
We leave Naha to head towards the highest point of the whole journey: the island of Ishigaki.
I always wanted to visit an island in the sea of Japan as I heard that the sea is really beautiful and beaches are very little frequented.
I expected, even seeing the photos on the web, to find a beautiful location. Well, my expectations were not disappointed, I would even say that I have never seen such a beautiful place !!!
To make a premise I tell you that both my husband and I were amazed whenever we are arrived on a beach. It is not possible that one is beautiful than the other.
The beaches are deserted, at most you will find 3 or 4 people.
In Kabira, we did the whole tour of the island (about 1 hour and 30 minutes) and we were always completely alone!!
From Naha in less than an hour flight you get to Ishigaki.
I recommend renting a car to get around the island, it's the best way. In this way you will start to become familiar with the car guide that you will need later in the journey.
There are several car rental provider at the airport. I remind you that the guide is on the right and that you need an international guide license.
The island is very green, with tropical vegetation that stands out imperiously on the clear blue of the barrier Reef.
As for the accommodation, I decided to avoid the usual hotel facilities because I wanted my experience to be as much authentic as possible to make me savor the fact of being on a tropical island. For this reason I rented a hut on airbnb. What a wise decisione! The experience had been excellent. Sleep in a hut with refined details and with all the comforts and hear all the sounds of the night forest. And in the morning be woken up with a gorgeous breakfast served in the garden with fresh flowers and with the program and the weather details of the day, it really has no comparisons.
The hospitality of Miki and Masato was something exceptional.
The beaches are really sensational: white coral sand, clear blue sea, always warm water, lush nature. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to reach them but trust me, it's worth it!
HIROSHIMA
We leave the beaches of Ishigaki with great sadness to reach Hiroshima. From Ishigaki, to reach Hiroshima, it is necessary to take a flight to Fukuoka and then the bullet train (Shinkansen). In order to avoid to carry our enormous suitcase with us, we have taken advantage of the TA Q BIN service provided by Yamato. This is an express courier that for a few euros will take care of shipping your luggage from one city to another in Japan. You can find it in Fukuoka airport (arrivals area). If you follow my itinerary, I advise you to send it directly to Kanazawa and travel with hand luggage only. But back to Hiroshima ... It is a big city whose main tourist attractions are, unfortunately, linked to the explosion of the atomic bomb. It is absolutely worthwhile to visit them as they will allow you to fully understand what the bomb release on the city meant.
The museum shows the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the atomic bomb. His focus is however on the events of August 6: the launch of the bomb and its effect on the population and all of humanity. Personal effects and the testimonies shown are quite shocking. You will see around you many people crying. You will be barely able to hold back the tears..
Among the most incredible things there are the watches that stopped working at the moment of the release, the stones with the shadow of who was there at the moment of the explosion.
MIYAJIMA
Being in Hiroshima, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the island of Miyajima with its spectacular red torii.
How to get there:
At Hiroshima station, take the JR Sanyo line train for 9 stops and get off at Miyajimaguchi station (the journey takes about 30 min). 100 meters from the station you will find the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Terminal Ferry where to take the ferry to the island (about 20 min).
The island of Miyajima boasts a very ancient history that began in the Daido period (806) when the monk Kukai visited this place during his journey back to Kyoto and, walking among nature, he perceived in this place a great spiritual strength and decided to build a hall (hondo) on Mount Misen, the highest peak on the island.
Following Miyajima, the Itsukushima shrine was also built, and from this moment, the island became an important religious center, destination of emperors, monks and faithful who went there on pilgrimage to pray.
Today the island and its treasures represent a cultural and historical heritage declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
MOUNT KOYA
12 centuries have passed since Kobo Daishi (founder of Shingon Buddhism) came here, but this place has not lost its mystical and wonderful charm. The tall and thick trees are like old guardians who protect the sacred treasures. In this place the atmosphere is solemn and conveys a sense of eternity: the trees seem to preserve a thousand-year history, one of those that once could only be told to those who were willing to venture up the mountain, to the plateau where it rises the temple.
This stage is absolutely a must!
The Okunoin cemetery is one of the most spectacular places you can ever see.
How to get there:
Mount Koya is about an hour and a half from Osaka. It can be reached by car, but I think the easiest way to access is by car.
If you come from Hiroshima (and you are therefore following my itinerary) the best solution is to fly to Osaka (Kansai) and continue with a rental car to Mount Koya
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