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Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,169
Registered: ‎02-02-2015

Wednesday, April 4

 

This morning we headed over to Nijo Castle, which was constructed around 1602. Although meant to represent power, it appears more a royal estate than a military post fortified with weapons.

 

It was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, and became a meeting place for the shoguns.

 

The largest building on the grounds is Ninomaru Palace, intentionally built with squeaky floors so an intruder would be heard advancing through the room.

 

Because you are not allowed to take photos of the inside, I have copied two from the internet so you get an idea of the beautiful murals and painted ceilings.

 

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Ceiling

 

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 Moat around the castle.

 

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,169
Registered: ‎02-02-2015

Re: Trip Report - Japan

[ Edited ]

The end!

 

Yes, me too. I also didn’t think I’d ever see the last post about this trip. 🤣

 

Thanks for your interest in my journey to this beautiful country and my observations. It is always fun and educational to travel to a very different place from your own.

 

We have our farewell dinner tonight, giving us a chance to reminisce about what we did, exchange email addresses, and say our goodbyes.

 

Five of us are going home tomorrow, Thursday; the rest are continuing by bullet train for five days in Hiroshima. Due to the time change, I will arrive home BEFORE I left! I leave at 5:25pm and arrive at 3:45pm the same day.

 

I haven’t decided where I am going next, which is unusual. I always plan at least a year in advance. Would like to see the Ukraine, but am thinking of going to South America. We’ll see which place interests me the most. Reading the posts about your travels will give me some ideas, I am sure!

 

Until then, I think I will go unplugged for a few days and then check back in and see what’s going on with my Travel Forum friends next week. ❤️

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,363
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Excellent report, per usual. I personally wish it could go on and am sorry to see it end. But, I completely understand - one has to work to live (and never the other way around!)

 

Get some rest after your busy trip.  I look forward to your “posting” return and to eventually hear where in the world will @World Traveler go next!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,206
Registered: ‎08-08-2011

Your pictures of the gardens with flowering trees,shrubs and flowers sure were a welcome sight today. We woke up to snow here. 

 

Re the squat toilets - when I was in Japan over 30 years ago staying with a family they changed their squat toilet in their home to a western version right before I came.  So I guess they were starting to change over way back then. 

 

Safe travels home!

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,389
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Safe travels.  Enjoyed your daily reports.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,002
Registered: ‎09-06-2014

@World Traveler,

Love Japan it is the perfect country to travel by yourself. Everything is pristine , everyone super polite and willing to help.

Had to prepare my excursions however went to amazing places and hopefully will bring my children to Kioto, Nara and Kanazawa🌻I wish we had high speed trains in the US

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,389
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

@World Traveler

 

What is the name of the travel company that you use for your trips.  i know you mentioned it once in the past but this will save me time of going through all the posts. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,169
Registered: ‎02-02-2015

@CoffeeNut Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), which is associated with Grand Circle Travel (GCT), has been my favorite tour company for the past 14 trips. I only use them, unless I want to go to a place they haven't included yet, like the Ukraine, which I will probably do thru Viking Cruises.

 

OAT (oattravel.com) never has more than 16 people in their group, and you have a lot of hands-on activities. The trips are a more adventurous.

 

GCT (gct.com) can have up to 32 people in their group. Their trips are very good too, but since you have more people, you don't go to out-of-the-way places because you need a big bus to get around. They also have quite a few cruises, one of which I did last summer to seven of the Baltic Sea countries.

 

They are both very good companies!

 

 

 

 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,629
Registered: ‎06-14-2016

Oh, I'm so JEALOUS.  I can't wait to read the reports of your travels.  I just started and made it to the hanging the clothes section.  I had to stop and  write a short message.

 

I'm quite excited to read further on your JAPAN Trip. 

Happiness is ALWAYS an inside job,
Don't assign anyone else that much POWER
in your life!!!
Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,169
Registered: ‎02-02-2015

@Happiness Is Inside JOB What a nice post! Thank you. So glad you are enjoying it. Heart