HISTORIC BEAUTY OF ARTS AND BUILDINGS

We began our Japanese journey in Tokyo, near Harajuku, with a visit to the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Did you know that the Torii in this sanctuary are made of natural wood and not painted orange, because the emperor and his wife aspired to a simple life far from any extravagance? A beautiful exhibition of chrysanthemums blossomed in the alleys leading to the sanctuary, so the walk was very pleasant. Feel free to go for a walk in nearby Yoyogi Park!

After removing our shoes, we settled in a small private room, very quiet and intimate. We enjoyed the meal of tempura, rice and miso soup, and I discovered other delicious little dishes.

The National Museum of Western Art, opened in Tokyo in 1959, has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reason why becomes clear during the visit: it was designed by the French architect Le Corbusier, and it enhances the works in the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions on display. I enjoyed discovering works from the medieval period, as well as more modern paintings by Picasso or Claude Monet for example. If you like Western art, don't miss this visit.

It is very simple: here you will find any street food you can dream of! Don't look for a chic restaurant, the atmosphere is more like small shops serving a quick meal. Fish, condiments, fruits and vegetables, but also clothing and fashion accessories... be ready to be tempted!

Ueno Park: During the day, go admire the swan-shaped pedal boats on the large lake, or visit the various shrines scattered here and there in the park. There is even a large zoo in this park, known particularly for its pandas! At night, they are nicely illuminated and give the park a completely different atmosphere.

The meal at Misogura Tamayura was delicious... and gargantuan! Sashimi, tempura, miso, pork broth and some culinary discoveries for me (like marinated oysters or cod liver), everything was delicious!

Remm Hibiya is perfectly located in the heart of Tokyo, in the chic Ginza district. It is 5 minutes walk from Hibiya station, so it is easy to get anywhere in Tokyo on the Yamanote Line or the subway. The room had all the necessary comforts, including a massage chair, which is always a plus after a long day of walking and sightseeing.

The Tokyo-Nagasaki internal flight went very well. Boarding was perfectly on time, and the flight went smoothly. The plane was clean and comfortable. We had a drink during the flight, even though it only lasted two hours.

We had lunch in Branch Otto-Dejima. As Christmas approached, the place was particularly cozy, with light garlands and blankets on the wooden armchairs. A little Scandinavian side rather surprising in Japan!

I was fascinated by the discovery of Gunkanjima (which translates as "Battleship Island"), recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was not possible for us to dock on the island, unsafe after a recent typhoon, but we approached it by boat, and seeing this uninhabited island so close was very impressive. The visit to the Gunkanjima Museum completes this short cruise perfectly. You will have the opportunity to learn much more about life on the island in its prosperous years, and you will be able to listen to the stories of an islander who was a child when it was inhabited.

Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: The Mitsubishi crane, Japan's first electrically powered crane, the Mitsubishi shipyard, which actively participated in Japan's industrial development during the Meiji era, and the Glover House and its garden overlooking Nagasaki Bay, are UNESCO listed monuments that are worth a visit!

We tasted wagyu beef from Nagasaki in Keiten, which was a real delight. The other dishes were all up to the standard of the beef. Crunchy little vegetables, well seasoned rice, fish... everything was fine, delicate, simply great cuisine, all without any fuss!

The entrance hall is luxurious and spacious and sets the tone: my room was large, with 2 beds and a beautiful bathroom. I loved ebing able to enjoy a good bath, and the toiletries, including the face mask and bubble bath, were very helpful.

The Church of Oura (or "Basilica of the 26 Martyrs"), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the hidden Christian sites of the Nagasaki region, is considered the oldest existing Catholic church in Japan. At that time in Japan, Christians could not exercise their faith freely, but the construction of the Church of Oura marks the beginning of a new era for them. The building is in Western style, and the stained glass windows were brought from France. In the church, there is a statue of the Virgin Mary dating back more than a century.

It was an emotional moment for me when we visited Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum. The city is peaceful today, but it still bears the remains of this tragedy. Above all, I was very impressed by the museum, which traces the sequence of events before and after the dropping of the atomic bomb. Some parts of the museum were very difficult for me to bear, because the emotion is great, but this visit seems absolutely essential to me if you are in Nagasaki.

You need to climb 277 steps to get there, but it is worth it as from up there the view of the city is magnificent! It hosts the Kunchi Festival every October, one of Japan's largest gatherings, and is packed with people for the New Year.

We had lunch at Hikari no Restaurant, located at the very top of the observatory, on Inasayama Mountain. What a pleasure to have lunch while contemplating this incredible view of Nagasaki! You can see the whole bay, and as the weather was sunny that day, it was a real pleasure for the eyes!

The Matsura Historical Museum, founded in 1955 in Hirado, is the oldest museum in Nagasaki. It is very popular with schoolchildren, but you will also love its treasures, even if you are not a pupil! A fun added bonus: you can put on a traditional kimono or samurai armor to go through the different rooms. It's quite rare to have the opportunity to do it, so I was very happy to try my first kimono!

I was thrilled to finally be able to participate in a tea ceremony, because I had been dreaming of it for years! But this kind of ceremony usually takes a long time, as the tradition involves many very long rituals. Here at the Chinshin School of Tea Ceremony, the ceremony is adapted and modern.

Everywhere in Nagasaki you can find a temple, a shrine, a torii, or a moving relic from 1945. Walk around the city, you will see many Christian symbols.

Hirado is a splendid city! First, I was challenged by its huge red bridge, strongly reminiscent of the Golden Gate of San Francisco. Then, I enjoyed walking around the city, with low houses and wooden fronts, which give a very traditional atmosphere. This cultural mix makes Hirado unique and charming!

Tokisato Hirado is in the traditional style, and the front is as pretty as the interior decoration. I preferred the dish in the okonomiyaki style, a real delight. We shared the food, and we stayed there for a long time.

This hotel is actually a Ryokan, so a traditional Japanese inn, with tatami, Japanese breakfast and... a private onsen! What a great pleasure to swim in Hirado's hot spring water! It's really relaxing, and it is an unforgettable experience!

Kawauchi Pass: You have to climb a little to discover with delight a 360° view of Hirado, and more generally, Nagasaki Bay. It is well worth it!

Hirado Castle is located on a hill near the sea. From its top floor, you have a very nice view of the bay. The intermediate levels are now a museum where objects from various periods found in Hirado are displayed.

We had the pleasure of tasting a ramen and some gyozas at Ramen Toride in Sasebo. I took the simplest ramen, with pork and seafood, and it was very good.

To discover the famous 99 islands of Sasebo (there are actually 208!), what better way than a cruise? You can choose to approach them by kayak weather permitting, or even by pirate boat, for the more adventurous. Moreover, the latter allows you to admire a magnificent sunset... there is so much to see that I will come back, that's for sure!

The Last Samurai filming location: It is essential to go up to the Ishitake Observatory! From there, you can see all the Hirado islands, and it is breathtaking. I particularly recommend that couples go there, it is so romantic!

Chiwata Shokudo is a small café restaurant in a station that borders the sea very closely. The owners are very friendly so you can relax as if you were at home. It seems that locals come here to eat curry.

I had not been there for a year, so I was delighted to be back in this country I love so much. I appreciated the contrasts offered by this stay. First, rediscovering Tokyo, its bubbling life, its neon lights, its beautiful madness. Then, only 1h30 flight away, Nagasaki, with its thousand treasures. I recommend its visit to all travelers in search of history, tradition, and culture. Nature is also very beautiful, with unforgettable views of the sea from the hills. Come and discover it!