Simon Calder's Travel Week
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Like so many British travellers, Japan had been in my (global travel editor Annabel Grossman) sights for years. But there was a bit of a snag: I'm not a fan of crowds. I also tend to avoid destinations where tourists flock, and my planned trip was a time when tourism to the East Asian country was surging – in 2025 the country topped 40 million tourist arrivals for the first time. Rather concerningly, tourism has become a problem in some areas, particularly the city of Kyoto, with the increase in visitors causing congested roads and disruption to daily life, and residents complaining of inappropriate or offensive behaviour. Unusually for me (most of the time I like to organise my own trips) I travelled with a tour company Wayfairer Travel and, rather than avoid the capital which had been my initial thought, they recommended experiencing the city with the rather brilliant Freewheeling Tokyo. Within 24 hours of arriving in Japan, I was cycling through the blissfully quiet backstreets of the capital city, along golden paths carpeted with the leaves of ginkgo trees, dipping into quiet temples and drinking coffee in hipster neighbourhoods. I even gazed upon the majestic Mount Fuji in the distance as we paused for a moment outside Setagaya-Daita train station. This was just the start of a trip that found me skiing in Shiga Kogen's mountains, exploring the Samurai town of Kansawa and meditating with monks just outside Fukui city; a trip that made me realise that it is possible to experience the beauty of this incredible country without being shoulder to shoulder with tourists. |
|
|
Annabel cycling in Tokyo's outer neighbourhoods |
Other travel writers have discovered a more peaceful side of Japan and shared their stories with The Independent. Like me, one of Samantha Herbert's best experiences in Japan was on two wheels. She has written about the joy of cycling the Shimanami KaidÅ route that connects six islands via six bridges. She writes: "Pedalling over it [the Kurushima Kaikyo bridge] in the first week of October, under a bright blue sky in 30C heat, with a pleasant cooling wind as Japan's humid summer draws to a close, I'm in a state of absolute bliss." For Venus Wong, the most magical side of Japan is to be found in the city of Kobe, which is still remarkably under-appreciated by foreign tourists, where she delighted in sampling the marble beef and sake, relaxing in the mineral-rich spring water and uncovering vintage pieces in the second-hand shops. Anyone travelling in the summer might like to take the advice of Marianna Hunt and head to Japan's paradisiacal Okinawa archipelago, where she took a kayak excursion through the mangrove forests. "It was deliciously peaceful," she writes. "Just the chatter of a ruddy kingfisher for a soundtrack, and so far from the frenetic pace and sensory overload you imagine when you think of Tokyo or other parts of mainland Japan." Read on for more Japan travel inspiration, as well as our favourite articles from this week. Introducing Independent Trips: Explore the Atlas mountains on an adventure through Morocco |
|
|
Don't forget to complete your registration |
You haven't completed your registration with The Independent. It's free, quick, and helps support our journalism while tailoring your experience.
Register now to enjoy benefits including access to limited Premium articles, The Independent app, more than 20 newsletters and commenting on independent.co.uk.
Complete your registration today to unlock access.
|
|
|
| The northerly island of Hokkaido feels more serene than most of Japan. Its capital, Sapporo, is a city of grace amid natural beauty – best appreciated from Observation Hill. |
|
|
| Hakone offers a winning combination of volcanic scenery, pretty towns and a world-class sculpture park – reached by high-speed narrow-gauge train from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to the edge of the national park. |
|
|
| From iconic cities to scenic shores and storybook countryside, explore Europe the easy way with Newmarket Holidays escorted tours. Enjoy expertly planned itineraries with meals and excursions included – now on sale with various dates and departures available. Learn more. | |
|
| Looking for a getaway that won't stretch your budget? With Best Western's Price Finder, you can quickly search by destination to uncover the best available rates – with 192 hotels across the United Kingdom to choose from. Learn more. |
|
| | Fancy hitting the slopes or simply soaking up breathtaking alpine scenery and crisp mountain air? Crystal Ski have some fantastic offers right now – with flights, transfers and accommodation all included for a hassle-free escape. Learn more. |
|
|
| The best camera phones for capturing your adventures |
|
|
| Rich with nature and history, Lindisfarne best enjoyed when the tide comes in. |
|
|
| As bars close at a rapid rate in the capital, our writer explains how Ramadan is a lesson in how to reinvigorate London. |
|
|
Tunisia is a country that still feels rooted in its geography and heritage, rather than chasing the tourist dollar |
|
|
| Tourists are slowly returning to the North African country – our writer uncovers its Ottoman tiles and ancient amphitheatres. |
|
|
| South Australia is famous for one thing above all others – but beyond wine there's much more to see and do in this bustling community. |
|
|
Our Pick: Today's Top Deals |
|
|
| Looking for an affordable yet reliable tablet for your travels? Grab this refurbished Lenovo tablet for just £75 on Back Market. |
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us |
| |
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.