file= Japan2019.htm
Introduction
We decided to do a Wendy Wu
tour to Japan, in May 2019..They
are extremely  well organized.
All you have to worry about are 
personal expenses, like gifts and
booze and suchlike.
ALL other items, such as :-Flights,
Hotels, meals, ground transport
and entry fees to attractions are
included in the "reasonable" tour
costs. Our group size was about
the maximum of 22, determined 
by the bus seat capacity. Map of our bus travels, inside Japan.
The group included mostly Aussies, some from UK, a few from elsewhere, and, thankfully, only a few
wanabe's, that never will be, and the usual few posers. Don't think we had any Yanks.
Photos Unfortunately, I had just bought a new "high tech" camera, which I had NOT yet mastered.
While trying to set it up, on the trip, ended up taking some video's, rather than some stills, and Black and 
Whites, instead of some colour shots. With some help from others in the group, more or less got it  
sorted out near the end of the trip, but could have been MUCH better, with a simple camera !!
Trip report and Itinerary :- These are very well documented in the Wendy Wu website, so I will
only give a brief narrative including the best of my poor quality photos.
Tokyo The trip from  Tokyo airport to our hotel in Tokyo, Grand Palace, took about 90 min. 
I was surprised at how well the traffic flowed….very few delays. There were many well  engineered road
overpasses and cross-overs that eased traffic flows. (looked very expensive, like LA in USA)
All the hotels on this trip were 4 star, but a bit small by Australian standards. Otherwise excellent. Nearly
all staff could understand English. I was a bit taken back by the (in my opinion, excessive) politeness by
all Japanese….they never stopped bowing to each other. (I guess, when in ROME…do as .....)
My highlight of this trip was the Tokyo Sky Tree, which I had seen being built on TV at home. This is now
the 2nd highest ( to Dubai) steel tower in the world with huge observation areas and view points. No
great delays in getting up or down as in some other similar towers in the world. An amazing experience.
Grand Palace, middle of Tokyo. We were on the 10th floor, with good views.
Picture of Skytree from brochure, my photos were duds.
Showing Observation level of Skytree----------------------->
We also visited some temples, the Imperial Palace and of course some Japanese Gardens. Bad photos.
Tokyo to Hakone, via Mt Fuji, by Bus. The bus was very modern and comfortable, with good
driver and our Tour Guide, Kanae, a young Japanese lady, was very informative and entertaining.
Unfortunately, when we got to Mt. Fuji, the weather had closed in and low clouds made viability very poor.
Could not see Mt Fuji at all, just had to post pictures from brochures or the net.
Even at the bus station, low down, could barely see 50 metres.
   Mt Fuji + Bullet Train.↑, from brochure.
<---Bus station at Mt Fuji….terrible visibility
Looking at lake Ashi, from top of Cable car trip. Our wonderful hostess, Kanae. She was a ball
of fun, information and entertainment. Was
impressed by Bullet train, smooth and quick.
Hakone to Kyoto By Bullet train. I only got 1 shot of the engine/front, from a passing train. The train
service was extremely well organized, both mechanically and for passengers. (pushers were in use)
We saw some incredible temples, gardens and palaces in Kyoto.
Nara Buddhist Temple, I think. Golden pavillion, Kyoto.   Magnificent.