Golden Week - Martin's Tour of Japan's World Heritage Sites

We had Golden Week two weeks ago. This week is 'golden' because there are four public holidays in one week of May (this year, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday). So, taking Tuesday and Wednesday of as paid-leave, I spent nine days on a massive tour of Hiroshima and Kyoto to see some of Japan's World Heritage sites. I've wanted to do such a tour since I came to Japan but it's been difficult to find the time to do it. I'm at school even when the students have holidays and my own paid holiday leave has been used to mainly to travel back home three times. I always had Golden week every year, but I've always been put off by stories of overcrowded public transport and motorways and the neccessity to get hotel reservations weeks in advance.

But this year I took the plunge, made the train and hotel reservations and braved the crowds. Here's a brief overview of the tour until I sort out all the photos I took:

• Day 1 (Sat 28th Apr) - Himeji Castle

  
  Built in 1593, Himeji Castle is one of the oldest original castles in Japan. Became a World Heritage site in 1993.
  



• Day 2 (Sun 29th Apr) - Genbaku (Atomic) Dome

  
  Marking the site of the world's first atomic attack, the American bomb detonated above this building, now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome . Became a World Heritage site in 1996.
  



• Day 3 (Mon 30th Apr, Showa Day) - Itsukushima Shrine Gate

  
  This unique shrine gate on Miyajima Island is one of the "Most Beautiful Sights in Japan". Became a World Heritage site in 1996.
  



• Day 4 (Tue 1st May)) - Hiroshima Carps

  
  The Hirashima Carps Baseball team were established in the 50's to boost the moral of Hiroshima citizens as they rebuilt their city. A fairly average team with massively loyal and passionate fans. A bit like Niigata Albirex then.



• Day 5 (Wed 2nd May) - Kyoto Station

  
  Took the coach to Kyoto and spent the rest of the day around the very modern Kyoto Station.
  



• Day 6 (Thurs 3rd May, Constitution Day) - Kinkakuji and Ninnaji

  
  
  First of the World Heritage sites in Kyoto; Kinkakuji, which is covered in gold leaf, and Ninnaji, a large Buddist temple which had close ties to the Emperor. Both are World Heritage Sites.
  



• Day 7 (Fri 4th May, Green Day) - Kiyomizu Dera and Ginkakuji

  
  
  Second sightseeing day in Kyoto. Kiyomizu Dera and Ginkakuji. Both are World Heritage Sites.
  



• Day 8 (Sat 5th May, Children's Day) - Nara

  
  The first capital city of Japan is home Todai-ji, the temple which houses the huge Daibutsu (buddha statue), and Kasuga Shrine. Both are World Heritage Sites.
  



• Day 9 (Sun 6th May) - Nishi Hongan-ji

  
  Nishi Hongan-jiis the founding temple of Shin-Buddism that was once the most influential in Japan. The main temple made from Chinese teak and marble became a World Heritage Site in 1996.
  

So that was my tour. Lots of done in nine days, so I could do with a break to recover and sort all the photos I've taken.