Join Sherrill and Debi on their Adventures!
Sherrill will be going AROUND THE WORLD IN 140 DAYS. . .JAPAN FROM THE SNOW MONKEY’S OF NAGANO TO THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA….it is a country of many faces.
Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park in the northern part of Nagano prefecture is buried in snow almost half the year. With its steep cliffs and the steam coming off springs, it is a paradise for troops of wild Japanese macaque (popularly known as snow monkeys) to live and bathe.
To watch their antics in the hot springs, I had to climb – in boots with chains attached to bottoms – about two miles up and the same down. It is not for the faint of heart!
I was there during Chinese New Year’s so it was very crowded but I still recommend the experience. A word of warning –don’t make eye contact and hold it as the monkeys believe that is a sign of aggression.
In contrast to the natural wonders of northern Japan, Tokyo is dense, delightful and kinetic. I stayed at two five star hotels – the Mandarin Oriental and the Okura - which I would recommend for everything from the views of the city, the fabulous bathrooms with Toto commodes which are a wonderment and do everything except talk to you, to their wonderful restaurants offering unique tastes of the country’s cuisine.
My first port of call was Osaka, Japan’s third largest city. Since it was an overnight stay, I took the fast train to Kyoto, a slice of old Japan that is not to be missed. It was the ancient capital and to this day it is still the home of the Geisha culture.
I believe everyone knows that the city was spared being a target in WWII because the Secretary of War, Harry Stimson had honeymooned there.
It was well worth the comfortable fast train ride to visit Kyoto’s Kinkakuji Temple, the most famous and picturesque temple in Japan. The gold-covered structure reflected on the water is almost surreal. The Golden Pavilion walking tour is well worth doing. I also recommend a Nijo Castle walking tour. The Castle is unique as it looks more like a temple than a castle. Built in 1603 at the start of thw Edo Period, it served as a residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate until it ended in 1867.
No visit to Kyoto is complete without a Kaiseki traditional multi-course Japanese meal. I have only a vague idea about what I enjoyed. There was raw, simmering, fried, grilled and boiled. All colorful and tasty!
I next visited the Hiroshima Pace Memorial Park, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Walking in the leafy boulevards to the Flame of Peace and to the Children’s Peace Monument brings quiet contemplation.
The Children’s Monument is a homage to little Sadoko Susaki, who was just two in 1945 when the bomb was dropped. When she developed leukemia in 1956, she believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes – a symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan – she would recover. She died before she finished her task but her classmates finished the rest.
Today, children all over Japan make paper cranes and bring to hang at the monument. This and the museum displaying personal belongings, compelling photographs and stories of the sadness and aftermath of the bomb is a must for all visitors to this city. Its decades long remarkable restoration is truly inspiring in its scope.
Beppa Kyushu Island is located in a particularly volcanically active part of Japan – hence the abundance of hot springs or in Japanese, onsens. The viewing pools have evocative names. I didn’t hesitate to kick off my shoes ad pamper my feet in both Blood Pond Hell and Sea Hell. My travel weary toes thanked me.
One of Japan’s most southerly major cities, Kagoshima is dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano’s cone. An old-time ferry chugs across the still water to the foothills of the sloping foothills of the volcan’s cone. The volcano has had 30 major eruptions in recorded history and is still erupting as it was spewing during my visit. Dusty day but well worth it even though I had to always wear sunglasses to keep the ash out of my eyes.
My final stop in Japan was Naha, Okinawa. Here food is life and the delicious regional cuisine is one of the secrets to its residents longevity. It is in one of the world’s “Blue Zone”, an area where people live longer than average life expectancy and the island’s diet is thought to be the reason. I sampled the cuisine and felt younger!
I spent the day exploring the monuments dedicated to the Battle of Okinawa, one of the deadliest battles of WWII. U.S. troops landed on April1, 1945 and it took 82 nightmarish days for the island to be captured. I started at the former Japanese Navy’s underground headquarters and then on to the Himeyuri Monument. It is dedicated to over 200 female students and their teachers who died as volunteer nurses in the Himeyuri Corps. This monument so touched my heart, I felt it fitting to end my exploration of Japan at the Peace Memorial Park and Cornerstone of Peace. It is located overlooking the ocean and stands as a symbol of the tragic loss of life for the Okinawan and Allied Forces.
Peace study is taught to every elementary student in Japan. I felt that commitment to world peace every day I spent in this beautiful country.
Debi is Hibernating in Hawaii but before we get to her Adventure, we would like to let you know that Debi has one of her delicious Divine Biscotti recipes featured in “Taste of Italia,” on newsstands now through March, also available at Whole Foods and Barnes and Noble.
NOW, GETTING BACK TO DEBI HIBERNATING AND RELAXING IN HAWAII...
In a straight-line flight of 4,198 miles outside of Chicago, there stretches a 48 mile-long volcanic landscaped island filled with colorful tropics and golden beaches basked by endless timeless sunshine.
Stepping off the plane, I immerse myself in the harmonious Aloha Spirit of Maui.
I am open for a self-redirection and heightened energy circulation of mind, body and spirit. Check in at the Grand Weilea’s Kilolani Spa, a fully reimagined wellness space, recognized in the 2024, “Vogue Global Spa Guide,” as one of the 100 Best Spas Worldwide.
The open-air dining and views of the Pacific are breathtakingly stunning. The Maui Mahi Mahi is caught fresh every day.