So, I’m off to Japan for a holiday with Mr BBB so I won’t be blogging for well over a week – the longest break I’ve taken for years! I’ve chosen not to leave scheduled posts because I’m feeling a natural down-sizing coming on and I think there are enough posts about Christmas that a few less isn’t going to bother anyone. We’re doing lots of sightseeing and I’m meeting up with Nic – a Japanese blogger – who is going to take me round the beauty shops for a day while Mr BBB does something mind improving. If you have any tips or must-sees, please do let me know – a week is a bit scanty for such a long trip and we’re going overnight to Osaka so there’s no way we’ll fit everything in but we’re doing as much as we possibly can (including Hello Kitty Land – I mean, I can’t not, right?). See you in just over a week!
I’ll be posting on Instagram a little bit so please do join me HERE. PS: Turns out we’re going to Kyoto.. not Osaka!
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13 comments
Ooo I love Japan! I got over excited and sent you a too lengthy email about my favourite tips re travelling Japan, enjoy your very well deserved break!
I loved it.. thank you!!
Tokyo beach is nice for some quiet reflection in a crowded city, and the monkey sanctuary and bamboo forest near Kyoto was wonderful. Have fun.
Oh god SO jealous! Want to hear ALLLL about it when you’re back!
You have to visit Kyoto and stay at least a couple of nights. The Japanese maple trees in the temple gardens are fiery red! It’s the height of the leaf viewing season. I can recommend a few temples that are not crowded.
As for beauty purchases: make sure you hit the department stores for the Christmas coffrets (limited edition sets for Christmas). They sell out quickly. This year, I like Kanebo, Lunasol, Cle de Peau and RMK.
Go to the Park Hyatt for cocktails or for about 35 go for their all you can eat buffet and pretend you are Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. Go to the crossing at Shiba Station. Wander round Shinjuku. Marvel at all the crazy sights and at everyone waiting for the green man. No one crosses on red! Go to some of the upstairs bars in Shinjuku but mind the cover charge. Go to Itisan department store. Go to Asakusa and the shrine and all the little shops. Try crazy flavoured ice cream. Nb Edo museum shut until March so Mr BBB won’t be able to have his mind improved there. Best city view is from the Municipal Building in Shinjuku, near Park Hyatt. I’m so jealous. A week isn’t long but it’s long enough to fall in love, and you will. Xxxx
Shibuya crossing, damn autocorrect
I hope you have a fun and safe trip. If you are a fan of KitKats then Japan have a tonne of different flavours which are not available elsewhere in the world (including ones that need to be frozen first). Each area of Japan tends to have flavours that are specific to that area as well as general flavours that you can find all over.
AHHH I’m so excited and jealous for you! 😀 I really want to go to Japan. ^_^
https://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/
I spend a lot of time in Kyoto. Here are my recommendations.
– Extremely crowded temples and shrines: Golden Temple (Kinkaku-ji), Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Shrine. I don’t like Kiyomizudera – it is WAY too crowded and there are more serene and beautiful temples in Kyoto.
– Crowded but not crazy: Eikando (must see gardens), Tofuku-ji (amazing gardens).
– Not crowded but really beautiful: Seiryu-in (great views of Kyoto), Daitokuji (a large complex composed of a series of sub-temples and their gardens, of which Koto-in is the loveliest).
When you go to the Arashiyama area in western Kyoto, visit the Okochi Sanso Garden and Villa, a private village built by a Japanese actor. It’s a great place to get away from the crowds of the bamboo forest.
If you get a chance go to the town of Uji, about 25 min by train from Kyoto. Uji has the best green tea. There is a very beautiful Buddhist temple (Byodo-in) with lovely gardens and a modern museum (drink Uji tea in the tea room).
Yay! I follow both you and Nic, please post about all the things you picked up! So excited
Have an amazing trip, you deserve it!
Long time reader, first time commenting.
I lived in Japan for a number of years working as a make up artist for some time. During that time I came across the traditional Beni, Japanese lip color from the 1800s.
Anyway, one company still makes it, Isehan, and they have a museum and shop in Aoyama. Well worth a visit!
http://www.isehanhonten.co.jp/en/index.html