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Japan, Full Day 7: Boats, Beautiful Wood, Geishas, and 10,000 Rotten Eggs

Hakone Day 2 – November 6, 2026 The view from our room There are days when Japan seems determined to show you just how many completely different experiences it can squeeze into a single itinerary. Tod …

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Japan, Full Day 6: Tea Leaves, Grasshoppers, and Getting Into Hot Water

Goodbye, Tokyo — But First, a Little Shrine After several wonderfully busy days in Tokyo, it was time to leave the city behind and head toward Hakone. But before saying goodbye to Asakusa, I wanted to …

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Japan, Full Days 4 & 5: Sumo, Samurai, Sacred Stamps, and the Search for a Fish-Free Salad

November 3–4, 2026 — Tokyo Sometimes, a day in Japan contains an appropriate number of experiences. And then there are days when you attempt to knock over a sumo wrestler, discover that your hotel mak …

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Japan, Full Day 7: Boats, Beautiful Wood, Geishas, and 10,000 Rotten Eggs
Japan, Full Day 7: Boats, Beautiful Wood, Geishas, and 10,000 Rotten Eggs

Hakone Day 2 – November 6, 2026 The view from our room There are days when Japan seems determined to …

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Japan, Full Day 6: Tea Leaves, Grasshoppers, and Getting Into Hot Water
Japan, Full Day 6: Tea Leaves, Grasshoppers, and Getting Into Hot Water

Goodbye, Tokyo — But First, a Little Shrine After several wonderfully busy days in Tokyo, it was tim …

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Japan, Full Days 4 & 5: Sumo, Samurai, Sacred Stamps, and the Search for a Fish-Free Salad
Japan, Full Days 4 & 5: Sumo, Samurai, Sacred Stamps, and the Search for a Fish-Free Salad

November 3–4, 2026 — Tokyo Sometimes, a day in Japan contains an appropriate number of experiences. …

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Japan, Full Day 3: 1st Beginnings, Small Remembrances, & A Very Large Buddha
Japan, Full Day 3: 1st Beginnings, Small Remembrances, & A Very Large Buddha

Monday, November 2, 2026 — Kamakura There is something particularly Japanese about a day that begins …

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Japan Full Day 2: Cats, Calligraphy, Love Hotels, and a Very Hot Lunch
Japan Full Day 2: Cats, Calligraphy, Love Hotels, and a Very Hot Lunch

Sunday, November 1, 2026 Well, THAT was an interesting night. Last evening’s welcome dinner was at a …

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