Day 9 - Wednesday 3 June

Naoshima.

We departed Hiroshima at 8 am by bullet train. We then changed to 2 local trains, then a ferry, before arriving at Naoshima (the Art Island) at 1120 am.

Naoshima's transformation into a unique art project began in 1987, when Soichero Fukutake, the Chairman of  Benesse Holdings, purchased the south side of the island, and then enlisted one of Japan's most famous architects, Tadao Ando, to design a hotel complex and museums (our good friend Peter Clarkson has worked with Ando on projects in the USA) - http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/naoshima/ .

Our first visit was to the amazing Chichu Museum.

The next visit was to the Benesse House Museum.

On our way to the Ando Museum, we passed the "Pumpkin".

We left Naoshima by ferry at 4.40pm, then caught a local train and a bullet train to Kyoto, arriving at 8 pm.

Day 8 - Tuesday 2 June

Hiroshima.

We started the day by resting our aching legs and feet by sitting on the tourist bus as it completed 1.5 city loops. We then decided to have an early Italian lunch at Ristorante Mario.

We then began the sombre experience of visiting the Peace Park, which includes the Peace Gates, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Flame of Peace, the Children's Peace Monument, the A-bomb Dome and the Aloi-bashi Bridge.

Bill then visited Hiroshima Castle, whilst Di visited the Hiroshima Prefectual Art Museum.

We then walked through the beautiful Shukkei-en Garden.

Next was a stroll through the Hon-dori Shopping Mall, followed by dinner of delicious local cuisine, Okonomiyaki (like a savoury pancake with added fillings), gyoza and oysters, at Okonomi Yaki restaurant.

Day 7 - Monday 1 June

Miyajima.

We departed Paul & Lynaire's Tokyo apartment at 7 am, on our 850 kilometre journey (south west), by taxi, 2 bullet trains, 1 local train, and 1 ferry to Miyajima Island (much of which is World Heritage-listed), where we arrived at around 1 pm.

Our 6 hour visit began and finished at the O-torii Gate.

We then caught a bus, 2 ropeways and completed a medium-level 30 minute hike up to Mt.Misen (535 metres above sea level), where there are spectacular 360 degree views of the Seto Inland Sea, and Hiroshima, as well as several temples and halls, including Kiezu-no-hi (the eternal flame).

We then descended by a difficult 3 kilometre hike, via the Daishon Temple, Itsukushima Shrine, 5 storied Pagoda, and the local deer.

We left the island by ferry, then caught a local train to Hiroshima, where we stayed the night.

Day 6 - Sunday 31 May

Nikko.

We caught 4 trains to travel 125 kilometres north from Tokyo to Nikko.

We immediately caught a bus, which climbed a most spectacular winding road to Lake Chuzenji. We first viewed the Kegon Falls, before going on a boat cruise on the lake.

We then returned to Nikko, where we went the World Heritage-listed temples (main temple is under restoration) in the Nikko National Park, the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, and then to Dragon Art Studio, where Lynaire had a painting commissioned.

On our return train journey to Tokyo, we caught our first Shinkansen (bullet train).