Pop Japan Travel

We depart the urban sprawl of LA on a flight to Tokyo!

Land in Tokyo after our pan-Pacific flight, and after a money exchange, meet with the rest of the group and hop on a train to a land far, far away to our first location - Kakunodate! Rest up for the exploring that we'll do tomorrow. 

Go sightseeing in Dakigaeri Gorge which served as the backdrop for My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro) and Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime), where we'll have a picnic bento lunch. Later that day we'll walk along the streets of Kakunodate, home to a beautifully preserved Samurai district.

We'll be on the go again and hop on a train to Sendai. There our next point of interest will be Matsushima, known as one of the "Three Views of Japan". Matsu, meaning pines, and shima, meaning island, appropriately describe this location as it is made up of many tiny islands scattered along the coast.  

Arrive in the afternoon in Hiroshima where we'll take a half-day tour and learn about the controversial historical events that make this city famous. We'll stop at the A-dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which is dedicated to those who were killed during the atomic bombings. We'll also visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima Castle before heading back to the hotel.

We'll head to Miyajima today to see the famous red gate in the water seen on so many Japanese travel posters and postcards. 

We'll make our way back to Shinagawa where we'll have a bit of free time to relax before going to see the Ikegami Honmonji Oeshiki Matsuri. Enjoy the festive atmosphere as we watch a parade of Mando, literally 10,000 lanterns, which are somewhat like parade floats lit from the inside with artificial rows of cherry blossoms hung from the top.

Today we'll go to Harajuku - a popular district for the youth of Japan filled with lolita, visual kei, and cosplayers! Shop at Daiso - the world's largest 100 yen store, Kiddyland - an interesting 5-story toy store where you can buy some great gifts and souvenirs, and Laforet - a shopping center where you can buy your own Harajuku outfit.

It's time to visit the Ghibli Museum! There are several activities you can take part in at the museum, which include watching a special animation short, Chuuzumo (a story about sumo wrestling mice), seeing exhibits featuring familiar Ghibli films and a special exhibit on the short films shown only at the museum, shopping for Ghibli exclusive merchandise, visiting the robot from Laputa on the rooftop, or lounging in the Ghibli Cafe. The wait to get in the cafe may be a while, so make sure to save your spot early if you want to enter!

We'll check out of the hotel in the morning and take the limo bus back to the airport.

Wave one last good-bye to Japan on the flight, return home, and tell your friends how much fun you had!