July 17–25, 2013: West Coast USA Tour
I traveled to the American West Coast on a tour, flying from Haneda Airport with All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Day 1
We departed from Haneda Airport at 00:05, and the flight to Los Angeles took approximately 10 hours and 15 minutes. The time difference between Japan and Los Angeles is 16 hours (due to Daylight Saving Time). We arrived in Los Angeles at 18:20 on the same day, after crossing the International Date Line.
Upon arrival, we took a bus to the Miyako Hotel Los Angeles, located in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles. After having dinner at the hotel restaurant, we rested for the night.
Day 2
After a half-day sightseeing tour in Los Angeles, we traveled by bus for 490 km to Las Vegas.
At Hollywood Highland, we visited various shops and restaurants, and saw the Dolby Theatre (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre), where the Academy Awards are held. On the Walk of Fame along the street, we saw many star-shaped plaques with the names of famous stars and their handprints and footprints, including those of Michael Jackson, Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks, Richard Gere, and John Wayne, which we photographed.
We then toured Beverly Hills (the home where Marilyn Monroe once lived) and Santa Monica Beach, before heading to Las Vegas.
Arrival in Las Vegas at 17:30
Even in the evening, the temperature in Las Vegas was above 35°C, and it was very hot. After dinner, we watched the fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel and filmed the Fremont Street Experience, a 450-meter-long arcade covered by a canopy that features a spectacular light and music show.
Tonight's accommodation was at the Luxor Hotel. Of course, the hotel had a casino, and I tried playing the slot machines, but unfortunately, I lost.
Day 3
We left Las Vegas and drove along Route 66 towards the Grand Canyon. On the way, we stopped at a famous souvenir shop along Route 66. In the vacant lot next to the shop, there was a car that was said to have inspired the movie Cars, allowing us to experience a sense of "Old America."
We arrived at the Grand Canyon at 17:50. This is a U.S. National Park, and it was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979. The entrance had a gate, and the park seemed to be very well managed.
Our main goal was to see the sunset at the Grand Canyon, but unfortunately, the weather turned bad, and heavy rain started halfway through. We retreated to a lodge outside the park and stayed there for the night.
Day 4
We woke up at 4:30 and headed to the Grand Canyon for the sunrise. Due to the time difference and lack of sleep, I was feeling very groggy. After breakfast, we headed to our next destination, Antelope Canyon, which is a popular spot for photographers and tourists. The canyon’s unique shape was formed by flash floods, and it is a significant tourist attraction in the Navajo Nation. There were many tourists, and it was challenging to take photos due to the crowds.
I entered the canyon around noon, and I was lucky enough to see sunlight streaming down from above. Depending on the season, the morning might be the best time to visit.
Afterward, we went to Monument Valley, which is often seen in American Western movies. The valley is filled with strange, red rock formations, and the Valley Drive, a 4WD tour through the valley, is one of the main attractions. The road is unpaved, bumpy, and sandy, causing a lot of dust. My DSLR camera also started acting up due to the conditions.
We stayed at a lodge located on the same property for the night.
Day 5
We were all scheduled to go for sunrise viewing at Monument Valley. The group gathered in front of the lodge at 5:30. However, the night before, the air conditioning was so loud that I wore earplugs to sleep and ended up sleeping through the morning call. I woke up to the sound of the tour guide knocking on my door. I apologized to everyone, as the group had already gathered. Fortunately, I was still able to join the sunrise viewing and captured some beautiful shots.
After that, we headed to Sedona, known as a power spot in the U.S. At the suggestion of our local guide, I bought a healing power stone bracelet, which I still wear today.
Later, we were supposed to fly from Phoenix to San Francisco, but due to a technical issue with United Airlines, they transferred us to another airline. We were told to wait with no further explanation. As a result, our arrival in San Francisco was delayed, and we didn't reach our hotel until late at night, so we went straight to bed.
Day 6
Since it was a late night, I was a bit tired. Today, we toured Yosemite National Park. The bus ride there took more than 4 hours, and we spent just under 2 hours in the park. Afterward, we returned to San Francisco in 4 hours.
Day 7
This was our final day in the U.S. We spent the afternoon sightseeing in San Francisco until around 3:00 PM, then traveled to Los Angeles for our flight back to Japan.
I had heard about the "foggy San Francisco," and when I visited, there was fog over the Golden Gate Bridge, creating a very mystical atmosphere.
I actually preferred the streets of San Francisco to those of Los Angeles—they felt more charming and appealing.
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