Fuji Speedway Formula 1 Japan

This was the day when my two wishes got fulfilled...one is watching F1 Live and the other is traveling in Shinkansen (Bullet Train)! I was planning for this day since April and finally I got to see the Formula1 race live here in Japan!! I traveled in Kodama Shinkansen (Slowest Bullet train in Japan - 220km/hr). Sitting inside you won't even feel the speed. It was really fun watching Formula1 live! I was so excited through out the race that I just didn't recognize when race started and when it ended.

Place - Fuji Speedway, shizuoka prefecture, Japan.
How to Go -
This depends on the place you are traveling from. For all the people going to Fuji Speedway there were shuttles arranged. Depending on the ticket purchased the station for shuttle was given. I had to go to Shinfuji. So I took Kodama - Shinkansen from Shinyokohama to reach Shinfuji. (In Japan stations which start from "Shin" have shinkansen stations). Please check on www.hyperdia.com for train route from your place.

Tips -
1. If you are going to book Unreserved seat then I would suggest you to go early and find a place at suitable height from where the fence won't come in between while taking photos. I reached bit late and couldn't find proper place.
2. Unreserved seat in Fuji speedway is nothing but hilly area with grass. Also it was raining on that day so it was bit muddy. So carry enough accessories to deal with such situation :-).

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Matsushima

One of the three best scenic places in Japan, Matsushima is a group of 260 islands. The name itself means islands(Shima - 島) with Pine trees (Matsu - 松).

How to Go -
Please check this link - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5105.html
By Road it takes about 5 hours from Tokyo (Depending on the traffic)

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Nikko

Nikko is located about 140km North of Tokyo. It is famous for shrines and mousoleum. All the places to be seen are located close to Nikko station except onsen and lake chuzenji.

How to Go -
You can go by train or car. There is Shinkansen to Nikko from Tokyo or Ueno station. Please check this link for more details. - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3805.html
We preferred to go by car. Rent for car was about 1Man yen (10,000 yen) per day. GPS is your lifeline while travelling by car. Its so convenient to travel by car when you have GPS, that you don't have to worry about roads.

Places to see -
1. Toshogu - Most lavishly decorated shrine
2. Rinnoji Temple
3. Futarasan Shrine
4. Lake Chuzenji
5. Yumoto Onsen
Details at - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html

Where to stay -
Youth hotel is best place to stay. Its cheap and comfortable. We got excellent breakfast at youth hostel that too at 7:10 am! Here are some links of youth hostels.
http://www.hostelsweb.com/cities/nikko.html
http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~daiyayh/

Where to eat -
There is a indian restaurant just opposite to Nikko station.
Also there are lot of japanese restaurants in Nikko.

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Tobu World Square

Tobu World Square is about 40 min drive from Nikko. This place has got miniatures of most of the famous places or monuments in the world. It has got 42 World Cultural and heritage sites including Taj-Mahal of India.

How to go
http://www.tobuws.co.jp/en/access/index.html

Where to eat
This place has got good Japanese restaurants. If you prefer Indian food, then you will have to come to Nikko. There is one Indian restarant opposite to Nikko station.

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