I love Japan because: (By Irene)
1) the country is clean
2) transportation is systematic
3) people are polite and always follow the rules e.g. everyone queues up in train station
4) Japanese food is less oily and light in flavour. I especially like soba, udon and sashimi etc.
5) The shooting of Japanese drama is emotional-stimulating and the stories are thought provoking. I like Beach Boy, Beautiful Life, GTO, Long Vacation and Love Generation.
6) Some product designs are creative and cute.

My first visit to Japan was in 1995 because I attended the Asia Pacific Leadership Development Seminar organized by AIESEC. I spent a few days in Hokkaido, then stayed at Aya's place in Yokohama. (Aya also happens to be an ice cream brand in Japan, does it taste good?)

Since we were taken care by the Japanese AIESECers, I did not know much about the geography of Tokyo and I only knew I always took trains and subways. Walking ups and downs ¡­

During this first trip, I visited:
Tokyo University
I could only remember the clock tower in the university.

Tokyo Disneyland
It was fun because all the Hong Kong delegates enjoyed and shouted together on the rides. I think the Disney World in Florida is much bigger and would be a better place for youngers.

Meiji Shrine
It was quiet when we visited. Walking along the road with lot of trees was comfortable, though it was raining.

Asakusa
I liked the small shops very much.

Subsequently I came back to Tokyo 3 times (1997, 2000, 2003), I realized how I have changed all these years by looking at my itineraries. In 1997, I spent so much time shopping at department stores, Harajuku, Omotesando. However in my recent trip, I had no interest in walking inside department stores. The only things I bought were souvenirs for colleagues, Japanese cakes and postcards.

In contrary, I enjoyed my time at Obuse, which is a small town with nearly no traffic. For the first time, I felt stressful in Tokyo when I came out from Shibuya station because there were many people standing there. The best time in Tokyo was having dinners or lunch with my friends, chatting about cultural differences, life, work, travel and future plans. It also evolved to the discussion of where we want our kids to be educated.

Ebisu
Dinner at Kissho. 03-5420-6071
Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki, Tenpura available
This restaurant offers a nice view of Tokyo city. You can see Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge.

Roppongi Hills
Roppongi Hills, a newly developed area opened in April 2003, aims to be a perfect living place where service apartment, Grand Hyatt Hotel, TV Asahi (the most advanced TV station with giant digital media), Virgin Cinema, Mori Tower, Mohri Garden. Tsutaya (2-floor book store) and West Walk (shopping mall) are located.

You can go to Mori Tower to see the 360oC view of Tokyo city. On 52-54/F, there is Mori Art Museum opening in Oct 2003.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is haute cuisine, this French restaurant has 46 seats along a bar table. A 4-course menu is priced at Yen 6,000.

Omotesando
Dinner at Toho-Kenbun-Roku

Yurakucho
Dinner at
03-3538-2226
The tofu Kaiseki was very delicious, my best meal in Japan. The set is served with about 10 little dishes. The variety of the dishes made me very fulfilling! The boiled tofu was smooth.

http://japanesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa061100a.htm

Tsukji market
We arrived around 9a.m., so we couldn't see the transaction of fresh fish. The market was packed with vans and trucks. We tried some sushi in a restaurant nearby, a combination costs Yen 1,500-3,000.

Ginza
Lunch at En
Price 1000-2000 Yen
I had a big lunch set with tofu again. Good meal and good chat!

Nagano
Zenkoji
Legend says that Zenkoji's golden triad was the first Buddhist image to arrive in Japan. The image became an object of dispute into a canal. Later rescued from the canal by Yoshimitsu Honda, it was first enshrined in his home in Shinano (now Nagano). The temple was named Zenko, which was the Chinese reading of Yoshimitsu's name. Today, the actual image is never shown, but every seventh year an exact copy is revealed in a grand ceremony called "Gokaicho".

Higashiyama Kaii Gallery
This painter draw some sceneries in China like Guilin and Europe. I appreciate his soft and simple style.

Obuse
Having afternoon tea in this small town was the best part of this trip. It is very comfortable and relaxing.

The Hokusai Museum
Entrance fee: Adult Yen 50, Student Yen 300
Opening Hours: 0900-1700
I enjoy seeing the traditional Japanese painting in this museum.

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¹Å¾ÃÎÝ - Hot spring hotel
0269-33-2511

Karuizawa
We only spent an afternoon here. I like the churches most in this town. If I have more time, I would enjoy relaxing in the park or lake and visit some museums.

By Train
Nagano Shinkansen: 70 mins
Price: Approx. 10,000 Yen

Karuizawa Town was one of the three major relay towns (Kutukake, Oiwake and Karuizawa) located at the foot of Mt. Asama. On the Nakasendo road, this town acted an interior highway connected Kyoto and Tokyo.

In 1886, a British missionary Alexander Croft Shaw first came to Karuizawa to escape from the summer. Attracted by the rich nature of Europe-like atmosphere and forest, he built the first one summer house in the town. Since then, many foreigners came and Karuizawa developed into a resort area.

Time to spend: 2D1N, at least 1 day.
It is recommended to drive or rent a bike to visit this city. In winter, you can enjoy ski and hot spring.

May - Wakaba (spring leaf) festival
Sept - Japanese Pampas Grass dance on the mountain sides
Oct - Momiji (autumn leaf) festival
Dec - The winter festival kicks off with Christmas tree lightening ceremony and fireworks, it followed with ice sculpture contest.

Hotel Bleston Court

Karuizawa Highland Chapel
It is a very small church, which provides a cozy environment for wedding.

Stone Church

Old Mikasa Hotel
A Japanese entrepreneur Naoyoshi Yamamoto (1870-1945) originally opened Mikasa Hotel in 1906. It is noteworthy that its Western-style architecture was all designed and built by Japanese, which reflected the Japanese enthusiasm to import Western cultures during Meiji era.

Opening Hours: 0900-1700 (1630 last entrance)