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Keeping you informed on today's travel tips and news! Please check back every month for new Travel Connection articles we will make available to help you plan your travel adventures!

Celebrating Spring In Japan

You would do well to encourage your clients to come early for one of the biggest events in the Spring, Hanami , which is the Cherry Blossom Festival, and celebrated throughout Japan with day long and night time events.

Japan consists of four major islands – and, in total land mass, consists of a little less space than the state of California . I am going to stick to Honshu in my article as it is one of the most visited. I think it is the idea of separate islands that sometimes makes people think Japan is larger than it actually is. Mt Fuji certainly looms, especially when you are flying in to Narita on a clear day. Or when you go from Tokyo (after visiting the various elements that make up Tokyo -the Ginza Strip, Shinjuken station, the shrines and department stores) to Ueno and the zoo where they have the most awesome animals.

On Honshu (the main island) you can take the Bullit train to Hiroshima from Tokyo , go zipping past the large Buddha in Kamakura – however, you need to keep your eyes open so you won’t miss it. Another thing to make sure you, or your clients, do and visit is the Island of Miyajima – where the Samurai went prior to going out on missions….eat some of their ice cream after going up on top on the tram – it is the best ice cream in the world, Baskin Robbins will never taste the same again! (and … Watch the Monkeys so they don’t “borrow” your packages)

After your trek to Miyajima via Ferry boat, go back to Hiroshima and visit the Peace Memorial Museum . This is an excellent place for teachers to gather information for students for the next school year. I am amazed at the number of youngsters who do not know about World War II and its effect on global relations as we know them today.

Take a local train from Hiroshima down to Iwakuni – where there is one of the largest Naval Air Stations for the Marine Corps – and walk on a true “curved wooden bridge over water” that is one of many cultural wonders in Japan. It has many little steps to climb on your way over…be sure to rest at the top of the bridge and gaze down into the water far below. You will need the rest after the walk up. (I did at the age of 29, and know I definitely would now!)

There are so many wonderful, exciting things to see and do in Japan , I have only touched on a few of them, mostly based from when we lived for a short time in Iwakuni. Now I get to send people there!! Those times have been etched in my memory for many many years. I met some great people, have some wonderful art work, still use the china I got there but I think the stoneware has long gone. Had an experience with saki (never again) and ate lots of really wonderful shrimp fried rice and ham fried rice (Japanese style) – they are still favorites and I still cook them in large quantities.

We still do “take your shoes off at the door” in our house as is done in Japan . I wish I had a sliding door. I would strongly encourage people to get out and meet the locals, wherever you go – you will come back enriched from your visit many times over. Go to a Japanese department store and watch the people who frequent the store. English is widely spoken throughout Japan . Any certified Japan Specialist can supply clients with maps, train schedules, and a language guide book especially for that Japan Bound client.

~ Patricia Aitken, Japan Travel Specialist

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