Tokyo... Ueno... Kinugawa-Onsen... Nikko... Hakone... Botemga… Mt Fuji... Kyoto... Osaka... Kinosaki-Onsen… Amanohashidate... In the pursuit of the perfect autumn foliage across the Pacific ocean, some 9000 miles away, we joined our friends to explore the land of the rising sun. Japan can be divided into four regions, north, central, west and south. Tokyo is the central region. Our trip was limited to Central Japan. In two-plus weeks we crisscrossed the region from the northeastern Tokyo to southwestern Kinosaki-Onsen. We landed at Narita Int'l airport (71Km east of Tokyo) and rode the one-hour express train to Ueno, Tokyo. We stayed two nites in Tokyo at an air B&B before moving on to other destinations. Foliage colors were not quite at its peak yet in many destinations except for Nikko. However, we were awarded with excellent weather thru out the trip with temperature in the 60s' during the day and no humidity. Public transportation (train, subway, bus) can be a challenge for us Californians who are not accustomed to it. Bus fare is from 210 Yen and up depending on distance travelled. Train fares are in several thousands Yen depending on distance travelled. Bullet-speed train is fast, effective and incredible. Japanese language is still prevalent. Foreign languages are very limited to street names (in alphabet). Compared to Bay Area, CA, cost of meals are relatively inexpensive (Price quote includes tax and no tip is required nor expected). Currency exchange rate was 109 Yen to USD. Japan is a very organized, disciplined, safe and undoubtedly utmost clean country besides Singapore, imo...

Link to Kinugawa gallery: https://pbase.com/mic_hong/kinugawaoct2018&page=12