Spring Roadtrip: Kyoto to Yamanashi

We drove over 1000 km in just five days crossing several prefectures. My dearest friend visited Japan for the first time so I wanted to show her the parts of Japan that feel real and special to me — not just the regular tourist hotspots. 

We spent the first couple of days in and around Sennan. Japan is rich in contrasts. In the morning we climbed to the top of Kishiwada Castle. We ended our afternoon shopping in the chaos that is Don Quijote. 

We spent the next few days enduring the sun and heat. Kyoto, Shiga, Mie were all hot enough to fry an egg on the bonnet of the car. 

By midweek the rain arrived which brought cooler weather (9°C at Lake Yamanaka) but unfortunately the clouds kept Mt. Fuji shrouded in mystery for the two days we were there. 

Although this isn’t a travel blog I would like to recommend the Miho Museum in Shiga. And marvel at catching the last of the cherry blossoms in May! In Yamanashi Prefecture!