Two countries I wanted to travel before I die:
Australia and Japan.
My dream of traveling Japan became true in Summer 2014.
I forgot the names of most places I have been to.
Therefore I would like to share a series of photographs I took from Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe.
The Land of the Rising Sun is one of my favourite countries.
Colourful, weird and lovely I highly recommend everyone to travel Japan.

Tokyo

Tokyo is very expensive, back then my friend and I did a lot of CouchSurfing. We spent two weeks in Tokyo with the
Lonely Planet Guide: Tokyo.
My personal highlight: Hiking Mount Fuji and watching the sunrise on the top.

Bus ride Japan — On the bus to the city center of Japan

Ticket Metro Japan — Buying a metro ticket in Tokyo

Starting climbing Mount Fuji with stomach ache.

Fuji Mountain Sunrise, Japan — On the top of Fuji Mountain

Fuji-San, Japan — The active volcano, Fuji-san

Cafe Roppongi Hills — Menu from Pikachu Cafe

Does someone know where I am? Maybe, Tokyo Imperial Palace?

Fake Food Japan — More window fake food.

Streets signs, Tokyo, Japan — Where to go?

Tokyo traditional theater, Ginza — Hall of the traditional Tokyo Kabuki theater ‘Kabuki-za’ in Ginza

Tokyo is amazing in every way. At a shinto temple in Tokyo.

Kyoto

Kyoto was once the capital of Japan. Famous for their Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and rich traditions, it is one of my favourite cities in Japan.
My highlight: Geishas at Gion district.
Guidebook: Lonely Planet
(I hope I don’t mix up anything, if yes, let me know in the comments.)

Drink dispenser Japan — Drinks dispenser everywhere.

Watermelon — It doesn’t look like that, but this watermelon is a fortune!

Osaka

Osaka is a large port city. Later we took the ferry from Osaka to South Korea, Busan. It’s known for its modern architecture and nightlife.
My highlights: Universal Studios Japan and the 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, the main historical landmark.
My generous host’s mother and grandmother dressed me up in a traditional Kimono and organized a tea ceremony for me.
Guidebook: Lonely Planet
PS: Here again, if I made any mistakes about the locations, please let me know.

Osaka nightview — View from Tsutentaku Tower

Nightlife Osaka — Having a night out in Osaka

Street Osaka — Street Photography, Osaka or Kobe?

Food Japan — Takoyaki party at Hitomi’s home (our host).

Universal Studios Japan — Magic wands and Gryffindor cape

Zonko's Joke Shop, Japan — Zonko’s Joke Shop

Kimono Dress up — Hitomi (my host) is fixing my Kimono

Kobe

Only half an hour’s drive away from Osaka is Kobe, one of Japan’s ten largest cities. The important port city locates between the sea and the Rokko mountain range.
More than 5000 people were killed in 1995 by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. But today the city is completely rebuilt and is considered as one of Japan’s most attractive cities. I didn’t try Kobe Beef, but if you eat meat – go for it and indulge yourself in this luxury expensive delicacy.
Unfortunately, we only spent one day in Kobe.

Kobe, Japan — Kobe-Sannomiya Station, main railway terminal of Kobe.

Nara

Nara is an ancient city in Nara Prefecture and secretly my favourite city in Japan . The city has beautiful temples and artwork dating to the 8th century. Nara used to be the country’s first permanent capital.
My personal highlights: Deer roam freely in Nara Park. Nara’s deer are tame, but they can be a little bit aggressive if they think you will feed them. Deer crackers are for sale around the park.
Daibutsu, a 15m-high bronze Buddha, is displayed in Todaiji Temple. There is a huge pillar inside the temple hall and it has a hole near the floor. Allegedly, the size of the hole is equivalent with the nose hole of the Buddha statue. Once you go through the hole, you are healthy and happy in future life. Therefore, many people try to get through the hole.