REVIEWS

November 2019

18-nights

No

Nikko (& from there Lake Chuzenji & Nakagawa Bato). Kyoto (& from there Nara & Bitchu-Takamatsu). Omiya, Saitama (& from there Sekiyado & Gyoda). Tokyo

Yes

14-day Green

Others(Please state below)

Seeing the marvellous glass models by Mitsugi Ohno in museums at Himeji & Nakagawa Bato - Himeji Castle pic attached. Kaoru's travel advice for the awkward journey from Nikko to Bato by train & bus was invaluable - as was her organisation of my hotels and other advice. (This was also the case for my previous three trips too). My visits to Sekiyado and Gyoda museums - helped by volunteer guides - excellently highlighted the importance of river transport & trade in the Kanto region before road and rail. They also highlighted how the important Tone river, by early 18th century, had been diverted – not a minor task! - to flow into the Pacific north of, rather than through Tokyo (Edo then), to aid flood control. Also for the military use of water eg for a successful flood-siege of Bitchu-Takamatsu castle. Murin-an and Sanzenin gardens at or near Kyoto, the Shuyo-en at Nikko & Joruri-ji near Nara were all excellent, as was a boat trip on the Biwa Canal near Kyoto. I also had very rewarding and informative visits to the Hokusai and Edo museums in Tokyo.