Japan 2017: what to expect?

April 2017 marks the month in which I’ll go back to visit Japan for a second time. This time I’ve been invited to join the group of my kendo dojo, Shin Nakada. The Shin Nakada group consists of 8 kendoka, 2 mothers and one boyfriend. To my great delight, one of those two mothers is my very own!

Even before I knew my mother would be joining me on this adventure, I had booked my flight a few days earlier than the rest of the group. I was planning to visit another Japanese city on my own in those few days, although I wasn’t sure where I would go yet. But to my great surprise, I wouldn’t be going alone after all! After everything was settled and my mother could no longer back out, we decided on Hiroshima.

At this point, the itinerary is as follows:

JOURNEY TO HIROSHIMA (LUFTHANSA)

24/04:

Flying to Osaka Kansai International (KIX) with my mother, fellow kendoka Annelies and her boyfriend Merlijn.

11:15 Dutch time: Flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Frankfurt International (FRA).

12:20 Dutch time: Landing at Frankfurt International (FRA). Transfer to flight to Osaka Kansai International (KIX).

13:20 Dutch time: Flight from Frankfurt International (FRA) to Osaka Kansai International (KIX).

25/04: 07:40 Japanese time: Landing at Osaka Kansai International.

Part with Annelies and Merlijn and travel to Hiroshima by shinkansen with my mother.

HIROSHIMA 25/04 TO 28/04 (AIRBNB: KANA-SAN AND HER FAMILY)

25/04:

Drop off luggage at Hiroshima Station and explore Hiroshima.

18:30: Check-in at Airbnb.

26/04:

Visit Miyajima.

27/04:

Explore Hiroshima.

28/04:

Morning: Leave for Osaka by shinkansen.

OSAKA 28/04 TO 01/05 (HOTEL KEIHAN TENMABASHI)

28/04:

Morning: Arrival in Osaka.

Explore Osaka.

Join the Shin Nakada group.

29/04:

Morning: Kendo training with George.

Afternoon: Watch kendo matches (optional).

30/04:

Morning: Kendo training with George (optional).

Rest of the day: Take the shinkansen to Nagoya with my mother.

Visit Hajime-san and his family, maybe see a bit of Nagoya.

Evening: Return to Osaka by shinkansen

01/05:

Morning: Travel to Kyoto by shinkansen with the Shin Nakada group.

KYOTO 01/05 TO 04/05 (K’S HOUSE)

01/05:

Morning: Arrival in Kyoto.

Meet up with the Washinkan group.

Rest of the day: Explore Kyoto with my mother and whoever joins us.

Possible sightseeing points:

• Fushimi Inari-taisha

• Kinkaku-ji

• Nijo Castle

02/05:

Visit Nara with the Shin Nakada group and the Washinkan group.

03/05:

Visit the Butokuden Taikai with the Shin Nakada group, the Washinkan group and John.

04/05:

Morning: Explore Kyoto with my mother and whoever joins us.

14:00: Leave for Tokyo by shinkansen with the Shin Nakada group.

TOKYO 04/05 TO 07/05 (HANABI HOTEL)

04/05:

18:00: Arrival in Tokyo.

Explore Tokyo with my mother and whoever joins us.

05/05:

Daytrip to Kamakura with the Shin Nakada group.

06/05:

08:00: Leave for Mount Takao with my mother.

09:00: Arrival at Mount Takao.

15:00: Leave Mount Takao for the hotel in Tokyo.

17:00: Dinner with the Shin Nakada group and Grant.

19:00: Training with Grant.

07/05:

Morning: Training with Pam.

Rest of the day: Explore Tokyo with my mother and whoever joins us.

Possible sightseeing points:

• Takeshita Dori

• Hachiko Station / Shibuya

• Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Sky Tree

Evening: Part with the Shin Nakada group. Leave for Osaka by shinkansen with my mother.

OSAKA 07/05 TO 08/05 (NO ROOM BOOKED YET)

07/05:

Spend the last night in Japan with my mother.

JOURNEY BACK HOME (LUFTHANSA)

08/05:

Morning: Leave early for the airport in Osaka.

Fly back to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) with my mother.

10:00 Japanese time: Flight from Osaka Kansai International (KIX) to Frankfurt International (FRA).

14:50 Dutch time: Landing at Frankfurt International (FRA). Transfer to flight to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

16:20 Dutch time: Flight from Frankfurt International (FRA) to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (AMS).

17:30 Dutch time: Landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

#Japan2017