Welcome to the June 2011 newsletter from Oxalis Holidays!Since our last newsletter in February of course Japan has been hit a tragedy of epic proportions. This newsletter will focus on that tragedy and how it affects the people of Japan, as well as what it means for travellers to Japan. I'll include messages from a few of our guides, the accommodations we use, and guests who travelled with us in April.
One of things people say to us the most since the earthquake is "I don't want to travel to Japan at a time when the Japanese people are suffering, and I don't want to impose on them." Well, there are two things we say to answer them. The first is that the area actually affected by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis is in an area of north-east Japan that is far from most of the places our tours travel to. For people outside the immediate area, the effects are minimal, and in western Japanese cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima there has been no effect at all. In Tokyo the situation has returned to normal. The only exception is that in eastern Japan to conserve energy people are taking care with their electricity consumption, so that some public areas such as train stations are lit less-well than usual. In all other ways the situation is normal. The second point is that it is now more than any time when the Japanese people want to welcome visitors. With the exception of the immediately-affected areas, businesses are open, and the guides, accommodations, shops, restaurants, etc. we use are dealing with a dramatic downturn in business. They need the income from visitors and the best way to help them is to visit Japan! |
1. Earthquake & Tsunami report 2. Nuclear accident report 3: Message from our guides 4. Message from our clients 5. Message from our accommodatons 6. Earthquake FAQ 7.
Accommodation spotlight:Yorozuya 8. Destinations spotlight: Maruyama Senmaida 9. Photo competition 10. Recent blog posts |
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Earthquake and Tsunami report
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Message from our guides
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Message from our clients"Overall I found all Japanese people very friendly. As you know the country feels very safe to wander around on your own and that has not changed. Mike Stephens, Land of Fire, April 2011
"I did thoroughly enjoy this tour, and the post-tsunami period made the trip even more meaningful. If anything, the Japanese people were more welcoming than ever, greatly appreciative of our support by visiting their country. This happened time and time again, especially in Kyoto, where it was least expected. In Kyushu and the more rural areas, the phrases of greeting taught to us by our guide made all the difference in our encounters with people we met on our walks or on the trails. Uncomfortable looks turned into smiles every time. Other than than, I loved the focus of the tour, traveling by public transportation, staying and eating at traditional inns, and walking and hiking the countryside. Many thanks for your help!" Pat Marion, Land of Fire, April 2011
"This trip was very seriously everything I could have hoped for. I filled out the survey, but it's pretty much straight excellent ratings, so I don't think it will provide much constructive feedback. So I just wanted to to drop one last personal note and say thanks a lot. You really went the extra mile dealing with earth quakes and date changes and requests to set me up in tiny towns like Iwade (which meant I got to see some friends from 16 years ago and had a great reunion with some people who are really important to me). Seriously, great job. I did not deserve a trip that was that fun and went that smoothly. I keep expecting Karma to smack me around a little bit just to get the universe back into alignment." Andy Eliason, Kumano Kodo self-guided, May 2011
"Dear Jeremy, We've been back for over a week now but I've been without a computer or I would have written earlier. We had a wonderful time in Japan, even exceeding my expectations and I'd been wanting to go to Japan for years. Your planning and preparations for us were so thoughtful and detailed - did you really know we might need a Ryokan with a coin operated tumble dryer at the end of our first walking day? Satomi Nagai gave us a great day in Tokyo and also gave us lots of useful advice about how things work in Japan which proved very helpful when we were on our own. She said we were her first clients this season and it was sad to see how quiet Tokyo was and empty of tourists. Lots of people said how glad they were to see us and please to tell our country, when we get home, that Japan is still a safe place to visit...Travelling on our own we had many meetings and conversations with Japanese people. You were quite right, self-guided is really the best way to go. We hardly saw any other westerners, a few Australians and, at Mount Koya, a few independent travellers. The chief priest there complemented us all on our bravery in coming and some people seemed to think it was our government's advice not go to Japan. That is certainly not so but, as if the earthquake and tsunami were not enough, the tourists seem to be staying away. After the first walking day the weather was perfect . We didn't see any bears (much to Siobhan's disappointment but not mine), we saw a snake near a temple, tiny, noisy green frogs and plenty of wild flowers. Up in the mountains the cherry trees were still in bloom! We were given a great welcome at all our accommodation. Siobhan loved Iseya and enjoyed the luxury of Koma-no-yu ryokan, where, after an amazing dinner, we were whisked up to the top of the mountain in their minibus to see the stars. Our day in Kyoto with Kana Hattori was a high spot. She is such a charming person and so knowledgeable about the history and religions of her country. Siobhan is hoping to show her the delights of Cambridge one day. I am busy reliving it all with your splendid itinerary and my photos. Thank you again! Best wishes from us both, Maureen" Maureen & Siobhan M, Nakasendo self-guided, May 2011 |
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Message from our accommodationsTajimaya Minshuku in Magome, on the Nakasendo trail "The Nakasendo Trail between Magome and Tsumago is rich in nature and full of green. It continues to be a safe and secure trail for anyone to enjoy. The historical Nakasendo trail awaits your visit"
Iseya Minshuku in Narai-juku, on the Nakasendo trail "Foreigner customers are slowly returning to Japan. However, compared to last year there is a definite decrease. The earthquake has not affected our area and tourism can be enjoyed. Coming to Japan will greatly contribute to helping Japan recover. Please come! We are all waiting for you to visit."
Matsushiroya in Tsumago-juku, on the Nakasendo trail "The Tsumago area has not been effected by the earthquake. There are no after shocks here and we can assure a safe trip. We are all waiting for your arrival."
Yoshinoya in Yunomine Onsen, on the Kumano Kodo trail "Isn't Japan a small island? Looking at the disastrous effects of the earthquake on the news, should we still travel to Japan? I am sure these questions have crossed your mind. The Kumano Kodo is located in the Kansai region and, looking at the large picture, the earthquake has no immediate effect on us. Many customers have continued staying here and the numbers are increasing. There is nothing that makes us happier than seeing our customers leave with a smile as they say, “Thank you.” Please come and enjoy the beautiful nature and wonderful hot springs of Kumano."
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Earthquake FAQWe have composed an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section on our earthquake page. If you have a question that is not covered, please let us know. |
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Accommodation spotlight : YorozuyaThis classic Japanese hot spring ryokan is located in Yudanaka Onsen. Amongst the several large hot springs bath is the Momoyama bath, built in the classic Japanese style. There are also two rotenburo (outside baths). Yudanaka Onsen is in Nagano Prefecture, west of Tokyo, and is the classic Japanese hot spring. Reached by the private Nagano Dentetsu line from Nagano city, this small town is dominated by the hot springs, and the myriad of hotels and ryokan tapping into the naturally-heated spring water to use in their baths. Expect courteous, gracious service, a wonderful evening meal, and the chance to soak in the luxurious baths. After dinner, you can wander around the town, wearing your cotton yukata robe. Not far away is the pleasant town of Obuse, with its sake brewery, museum dedicated to the woodblock print artist Hokusai, and wonderful Kurabu restaurant. |
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Destinations spotlight: Maruyama SenmaidaMaruyama Senmaida is a area of terraced rice fields in Mie Prefecture, south-east of Nara and south of Nagoya. It lies on the Hongu-do, one of the network of trails that make up the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, linking the three grand shrines of Kumano, with Kyoto. Senmaida means literally "thousand fields", and there are around 1,300 here. The landscape that you see today has been crafted over the last four hundred years by local farmers, painstakingly carving flat rice paddies out of the rugged mountains. The paddies must all by flooded in spring before planting, so there is a network of pipes and sluices to channel the water. This isn't the only senmaida in Japan - there is another famous in on the Noto Peninsula north of Kanazawa - but it's the most spectacular I have seen. It's also fairly remote and off the tourist trail. Mie Prefecture, despite the fact that it has some amazing scenery and one of Japan's most famous sites, Ise Grand Shrine, is little visited. That's a shame, since it is very near to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya, yet feels so remote. The coastal train from Nagoya will dissapoiht anyone who wants to wizz at the speed of a bullet, but delight those who love the savour the scenery. The so-called express train takes three hours to complete its coast-hugging journey from Nagoya to Kumano-shi, from where a local bus transports you through the low range of mountains to a quiet landscape of forgotten villages and fast-moving rivers. Maruyama Senmaida is on the Hongu-do (literally 'Road to Hongu', which linked the Grand Shrine at Ise to the shrine at Hongu. The least-walked part of the Kumano Kodo, it is nonetheless a lovely walk, well-maintained and signposted.
You can walk to Maruyama Senmaida on one of our self-guided walking tours on the Kumano Kodo. |
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2012 ToursOur 2012 schedule is now online: Some of our spring tours already only have a few places left, so get in touch soon! 2 - 13 April 9 - 20 April 16 - 27 April 8 - 19 May 17 - 28 July 14 - 25 August 23 October - 3 November 7 - 20 April 27 May - 9 June
More details on our website |
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Photo competitionOur 2011 Photo competition is running until the end of August. It is open to any photographs taken on one of our tours. First prize is a choice of 2 books about Japan and 20% off your next Japan trip with Oxalis.
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Recent blog posts
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Twitter
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That's it for this time. Another newsletter will be on its way in the summer. |
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