TWO WEEKS IN SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN

For two entire weeks in May, I had the incredible opportunity to check out the amazing countries of South Korea and Japan. I have written about my awesome journey many times on Jet Set Smart, but in case you have missed any of it, here is a link to each day I spent over there. I hope you enjoy reading about the trip and are inspired to jet set there too one day! I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Seoul, Korea- Day 1

Seoul, Korea- Day 2

Seoul, Korea- Day 3

Tokyo, Japan- Day 4

Tokyo, Japan- Day 5

Kyoto, Japan- Day 6

Kyoto, Japan- Day 7

Kyoto, Japan- Day 8

Kobuchizawa, Japan- Day 9

Kobuchizawa, Japan- Day 10

Mount Fuji, Japan- Day 11
Tokyo, Japan- Day 12

TOKYO, JAPAN- DAY 12

Sayonara (goodbye in Japanese) to Mount Fuji (here's a picture from the train station in Fujiyoshida)! It was now time to head back to Tokyo for our last night in Japan. We checked into the amazing Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel... (The one where Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray stay in the 2003 movie Lost in Translation). Next, we headed out to explore some of Tokyo's most famous sites, including Harajuku. Harajuku is a bohemian and younger fashion district that inspired Gwen Stefani to write the song "Harajuku Girls." This area will remind you of the West Village in New York City. It's trendy, hip, and filled with tons of great shopping. On weekends the heart of Harajuku (especially Takeshita-dori Street)... is FILLED (just look at the crowds) with teenagers who come here to shop. Something else to check out while you are in this district is Harajuku's Meiji Jingu (in front of Harajuku JR Station),Which is a famous hangout for dressed-up teenagers and of course the crowds of onlookers.That night we had our best meal in Japan (other than the Sukiyaki prepared by Hide-San)! We went out for the freshest sushi ever with our friend Midori-San and her family. We tried all sorts of things, including raw shark heart which was really tasty!In conclusion, Japan was one of the best countries I have ever visited in my life! It is truly a fascinating place. Japan is probably the most advanced country in the world (at least when it comes to technology), it is one of the safest countries in the world, the food is just great, and the Japanese are such friendly and helpful people! I hope to return to this wonderful place at least once again in my life. This was the trip of a lifetime!

MOUNT FUJI, JAPAN- DAY 11

Today would be the day when we would leave Kobuchizawa and head to Mount Fuji (The highest mountain in Japan)! Before heading out, Choco-San and Hide-San prepared an incredible breakfast of salmon, fried eggs, rice and miso soup for us. Boy, would I miss these delicious home cooked meals. Our time in Kobuchizawa was incredible. We made forever friends with this family, and many tears were shed as we said our goodbyes.The journey from Kobuchizawa to Mount Fuji took about two hours. When we arrived, we headed to the base of the mountain for some spectacular pictures. Mount Fuji is over 12-thousand feet high...it is quite a site to see in person. I was so impressed by its beauty that I cried when I saw it. Afterwards, it was off to the Hotel Kaneyamaen...which is located pretty much at the base of Mount Fuji- so as you can see from the picture below, the views of the mountain are amazing!We stayed in a typical ryokan-style room and slept on tatami mats on the floor...We also enjoyed a private bath off our ryokan with a view of Mount Fuji from the tub...how cool is that? It was hard not to stare at this amazing natural beauty all day long.There is also a large public bath which we checked out. This is a big part of the Japanese culture. Men and women have separate baths, but just know that you do go in naked! After changing into our Yukata (or Japanese comfy robes that can be worn in private or in public), we explored the beautiful grounds of the hotel...And experienced a traditional tea ceremony...Before heading to a gourmet nine-course dinner of sushi, sashimi, steak, and fish.One night here felt like an entire relaxing week-long vacation.Stay tuned for my post on my last day in Tokyo!

KOBUCHIZAWA, JAPAN- DAY 10

After a wonderful night's sleep at Hide-san and Choco-san's beautiful home in the Alps, we had a delicious home-cooked breakfast before heading out to check out a Sake factory. The Sake factory is in a building which used to be some one's home, so as always, the inside was simple, and there was a beautiful Japanese garden. We got to try all different kinds of sake from sweet to dry...they were all very good.

After that, we headed over to the Suntory Whiskey Factory which is set in the middle of a forest...it's so pretty there. We toured the factory, and got to sample some of the whiskey. If the name Suntory may sound familiar to you, its probably because you heard Bill Murray say it in the 2003 hit Lost in Translation - "For relaxing times, make it Suntory times." Next we went to see Matsumoto-jo Castle in the town of Matsumoto. Matsumoto-jo (started in 1505) is nicknamed Karasu-jo or Crow Castle for its black walls. This castle was very interesting to see, because unlike any of the other ones we saw one the trip, we were allowed inside of Matsumoto-jo. I have to tell you, however, that it's quite a climb up to the top as there are very steep stairs. But, it's all worth it when you get to the top and can look out onto the gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains.

We had certainly worked up a bit of an appetite after the climb and headed to this nearby restaurant for some ice cream. I am not that much of an ice cream person, but the ice cream in Japan was some of the best I have ever had...it was so creamy.For dinner that night we went to a restaurant back in Kobuchizawa that only serves eel.

You must be prepared to wait awhile for your food, as the eel is pulled from the tank and prepared fresh to order. The eel came prepared two ways, one was pan fried in a sweet sauce and was served over white rice...The other was grilled and served with a piece of line and some fresh sahved wasabi...both were amazing beyond belief!!! The day in the Alps was one of the best in Japan. It was so incredible to have the personal tour guides of Hide-San, Choco-San and Annika, showing us the best of this part of the country from the sites to the the food. Stay tuned for a little more from Kobuchizawa, and also our visit to Mt. Fuji!