Konnichiha!

(That’s Japanese for hello) How are you all back at home? My trip to Japan has been extremely exciting so far.   

As you all ready know, I started my ten day long journey on Monday in the north of Japan. This was on one of the four main islands called Hokkaido. I bet you never knew that Japan is compromised of over 3,000 islands,  this makes Japan an archipelago.  I flew with Finnair from London to Sapporo. Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido. I was really nervous about flying half away around the world, but the flight was really comfortable and  smooth all the way.   

Upon arrival I soon realised how busy and bustling the city was. Sapporo now has a population of circa 1,890,000, but in 1857 its population was all of seven! My prearranged taxi was waiting at the exit of the airport. I told him to take me to Sapporo Kokusai ski area and so we set off. The resort took an hour to get to. The scenery was a  background of snow and mountains. The slopes catered for everyone: beginners, advanced and even snowboarders. I had rearranged for lessons and then with the rest of my stay, I would practise and soak up the atmosphere as I could. Don’t worry; I’ll take as many photos as I can. I think I found out I’m a good skier. On Thursday morning,

I went back to Sapporo to catch a train across the Tsugaru Strait, from Hokkaido to the main island Honshu. This would take me through the Seikan tunnel to Hachinohe. I didn’t get chance to Hachinohe as I had the bullet train to catch on the Tohoku line. The bullet train or the Shinkansen sped through Morioka, Hiraizumi, Sendai, Fukushima, Utsunomiya, Urawa and finally Tokyo. Once in Tokyo, I swapped to the Tokaido line, this would take me all the way to Kyushu. As the train left the station, I saw the awe inspiring Mt. Fiji standing tall and mighty above all.

We passed Yokohama, Shizuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima and lastly Fukuoka.  The weather is beautiful here in Fukuoka, lots of sun, it’s like a different country from Hokkaido. I’m staying in a hotel close to the beach, so maybe I can practise my surfing!

Sayonara

(Goodbye!)

To

Mr & Mrs A.Smith

123 Kings Rd

Ashton under Lyne

Lancs

England

ol6 9XD