Japan
Two half-days was all we had to explore Osaka, Japan's third-largest city. Needless to say, the timing was tight. But challenge accepted! Here's what we took away from this whirlwind getaway.
Ancient temples, free-roaming deer and large parks: Nara can be easily explored in a day from Kyoto, for a peaceful cultural break.
Short article to talk about visits to Nara, outside of the historical sites: the old town, how to get there from Kyoto, where to sleep etc.
Having just arrived in Nara, we decided to make a detour the next morning to Wazuka, a town in the middle of the mountains, famous for its tea plantations. The idea once again was to get away from the more classic circuits of which Nara is a part.
We couldn't leave Japan without spending a night in a ryokan, these typical guesthouses with hot baths. Taking advantage of a walk outside Kyoto, it was in the mountains of Miyama that we tried the experience.
Determined to get out of Kyoto for a bit, we set off on a little road trip, heading north…
Kyoto is one of the mythical cities of Japan, and spending 3-4 days there can be largely insufficient. But that's the time we had and here are, in my opinion, the must-see places not to be missed.
The shrine with thousands of torii, Fushimi Inari-Taisha is a must-see if you are passing through Kyoto.