Japan & China 2026

Japan Journal — Tuesday, April 21 → Thursday, April 23 From Home to Tokyo Tuesday began early — 3:00 PM departure from the house. The moment had finally arrived. Mr. Johnson pulled up with the limo, and just like that, the trip shifted from planning to reality. There’s something about that ride — quiet, smooth, purposeful — that makes it all feel official. We headed to the The Westin Atlanta Airport...

Japan Journal — Monday, April 27 — Tokyo Woke at 7 to a soft gray morning, rain tapping lightly against the windows. The kind of rain that slows the city just enough to make everything feel a little more deliberate. Headed down for the Tauck group buffet breakfast—our first real gathering. Sat with several new faces, easy conversation, shared anticipation. It already feels like a good group—curious, engaged...

Taiko Drumming Experience – Tokyo One of the most energetic experiences of our time in Tokyo was trying our hand at traditional Japanese taiko drumming. After a brief introduction to the drums, rhythms, and proper technique, we each took our place behind the massive instruments. Taiko is much more than simply striking a drum. Every movement involves the entire body, combining rhythm, strength, timing, and...

Hakone Open-Air Museum Leaving the shores of Lake Ashi behind, we made our way into the mountains of Hakone to visit Japan’s first open-air art museum. Rather than traditional galleries, sculptures are displayed throughout beautifully landscaped gardens with the surrounding mountains serving as a breathtaking backdrop. The museum blends art and nature in a way that encourages wandering. Around every corner we...

Japan Journal — Thursday, April 30 — Tokyo to Hakone Overcast skies greeted the morning, with the quiet suggestion of rain lingering in the air. We left the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo on foot, an easy walk to the organized bustle of Tokyo Station, where the day’s journey would begin. Boarding the renowned Shinkansen felt like stepping into a different rhythm of travel altogether. The train departed precisely at...

Japan Journal — Saturday, May 2 — Hakone → Gero Onsen Ohayō gozaimasu. Windows open to crisp morning air, clear skies stretching over the mountains. As the sun crept up, the soft, melodic calls of the Japanese bush warblers gently pulled us awake—nature’s alarm clock, far better than any phone. We made our way to the top floor, and there it was at last—the elusive Mount Fuji, standing quietly in the...

Japan Journal — Sunday, May 3 — Gero Onsen → Takayama → Kanazawa Breakfast came with a gentle reminder of routine—same assigned seats as the night before, slippers off, shoes back on. A small detail, but one that reflects the quiet precision of Japan. Bags packed, we stepped out of Gero Onsen, leaving behind the calm rhythm of hot springs for a day of movement and discovery. Our morning began at the Tenryo...

Japan Journal — Tuesday, May 5 — Kanazawa → Kyoto The morning in Kanazawa began quietly, with a short walk through still streets to Hiraokano Shrine. It was closed until 9 a.m., and noticeably unkempt—an unusual contrast in a country where even the smallest shrines are typically immaculate. Across the street, a familiar comfort: a 7-Eleven. Inside, we found the much-talked-about egg salad sandwich, simple...

Japan Journal — Thursday, May 7 — Kyoto → Hiroshima Another beautiful morning in Kyoto, already feeling warmer than the past few days. Today was the first real “shorts day” of the trip. Quiet Japanese zen music played softly while we stretched and slowly woke up before another travel day. Richard, once again, was first in line for the breakfast buffet. An early bus ride carried us through the morning...

China Journal — Saturday, May 9 — Kyoto → Osaka → Beijing → Xi’an The alarm shattered the quiet at 4:00 AM, though it felt like we had barely slept. The first faint brightness of morning was beginning outside the curtains. During the night, the Ring notifications had sounded over and over — Cindy must have been cutting the lawn back home. Richard finally silenced the alerts, and we drifted in and out...

We visited the incredible Terracotta Army outside Xi’an — one of those places that feels almost impossible to fully comprehend until you stand there in person. The morning was already growing hot as Winnie and our driver brought us out toward the archaeological site. Crowds were building early, buses arriving constantly, everyone moving toward the enormous hangar buildings protecting the excavation pits. Before...

Xi’an Morning Market May 12, 2026 Before visiting the ancient City Wall, our guide, Winnie, took us to a neighborhood morning market near the South Gate of Xi’an. It was one of those unexpected experiences that often becomes a favorite memory—not because it was a famous attraction, but because it offered an authentic glimpse into everyday life. The market was already bustling with activity as local residents...

Traditional Ear Cleaning – Muslim Quarter, Xi’an As we wandered through the bustling Muslim Quarter, one of the more unusual sights was the traditional ear-cleaning practitioners seated along the pedestrian streets. Carrying an assortment of delicate tools, they have practiced this centuries-old craft for generations, offering what many describe as both a cleaning and a relaxing massage for the ears. The ear...

Xi’an to Beijing by High-Speed Rail May 13, 2026 One of the highlights of traveling through China was experiencing its remarkable high-speed rail system. On May 13, we departed Xi’an North Railway Station aboard a modern Fuxing (CR400AF) high-speed train for the journey to Beijing, covering nearly 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) in just over four hours. The stations themselves were impressive—large, clean, and...

China Journal — Wednesday, May 13 — Xi’an to Beijing Another early morning in Xi’an as the city slowly woke beneath a hazy sky. Final packing, one last look from the hotel window, and downstairs for breakfast before departure. Suitcases lined up once again, passports checked, phones charged, and everyone beginning the familiar rhythm of transfer day. The drive to the railway station carried us through the...

Great Wall of China – Mutianyu Section May 2026 Location: Huairou District, Beijing, China Coordinates: 40.4319° N, 116.5704° E Our morning began with a 7:00 a.m. departure from the New World Beijing Hotel, hoping to reach the Great Wall before the larger tour groups arrived. The drive into the mountains was quiet, and as we approached Mutianyu, the anticipation continued to build. After entering the park, we...

Today was one of those days that felt almost impossible to absorb completely — standing in places that for centuries represented the absolute center of imperial China. The morning began under an overcast Beijing sky as Tracy met us for the drive into the heart of the city. Traffic flowed steadily through enormous boulevards lined with trees, government buildings, and endless streams of people moving through the...

May 2026 Anniversary Lunch – JA Jiaozi, Beijing Our anniversary lunch in Beijing was a celebration we’ll always remember. We enjoyed an authentic northern Chinese meal at JA Jiaozi – Lido Branch, where baskets of freshly made handmade dumplings arrived at the table alongside a variety of traditional Beijing dishes, each meant to be shared with friends. The afternoon became even more special thanks to our...

China Journal — Sunday, May 17 — Beijing to Tokyo Our Anniversary Day - Headed to Tokyo We woke to an overcast, rainy morning in Beijing, our final morning in China. Bags packed to the gills with souvenirs, spices, gifts, and memories from the past weeks of travel. Tracy and our driver picked us up at 7 AM for the ride to the airport. Notifications from Air China showed our flight to Tokyo right on time. Beijing...