Panda Travel

Late post-Japan Park Hopper Summer Break Fun departed Kyoto and visited Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nara before settling in at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere for the rest of our trip.

Yesterday’s group lunch for Japan Park Hopper Summer Break Tour in Arashiyama. After lunch, some members went to the Arashiyama Monkey Park while others went to the bamboo forest and some just went shopping.

Our home for the evening was at the New Miyako Hotel Hachijo.

Japan Park Hopper Summer Break Fun departed Honolulu on Monday along with 2 other Panda groups.

First day we were met with typhoon conditions while going to Disneyland. Our group members braved the storm and went. It was a blessing in disguise as there minimal wait times. Especially for Beauty & the Beast (25-30 minutes but felt less). The rain stopped later in the day so it was great.

Day 2 at Disney Sea-no rain and crowds back in full force. 😭

Tokyo In Bloom-Festival of Flowers on our final touring day before heading home. Visited Nezu Shrine for the Azalea Festival. It was a stark contrast from last year and it looks like we caught the tail end of it. Due to climate changes the azaleas likely bloomed early.

Followed with a visit to Sugamo or as our guide Kazuko calls it the Harajuku for seniors. 😝

Final stop before heading to the airport-Diver City, for some lunch and last minute shopping.

Tokyo in Bloom-Festival of Flowers returned to Honolulu yesterday but on had a free day prior to our last day of touring. Many took the opportunity to visit Shibuya. Some braved the train system to holoholo around to see Hachikō, cross the famous Shibuya scramble and visit the Mega Donki. A few even got to dress up in kimono and celebrate a birthday while doing so.

Tokyo In Bloom-Festival of Flowers had the opportunity to visit Ashikaga Flower Park the other day and took in all the beautiful smells of the wisteria & azalea in full bloom. So pretty.

Tokyo in Bloom-Festival of Flowers first stop at today

Bonsai Art Museum-some were from 350-1000 years old 😱

Last stop on yesterday’s Tokyo In Bloom-Festival of Flowers touring day. Kinbue Shoyu Park. Members got to learn about a dying trade of making/aging shoyu in wooden barrels. They also tried shoyu ice cream after buying various shoyu items (forgot to take pics)

Tokyo in Bloom-Festival of Flowers went strawberry 🍓 picking yesterday. All you can eat for 30 minutes at Chichibu Fruit Farm

Tokyo in Bloom-Festival of Flowers group went to Chichibu yesterday to view this beautiful Shibazakura Festival. Lots of food and other vendors available as well.