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Showing posts from December, 2011

Cycling Around Mount Fuji

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Note that this photo is a posed shot. You are supposed to cycling anti-clockwise around the lake! Haha If you are deciding between taking the train to Kawaguchiko or driving, you can check out the car rental prices at   https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/user-guide/reservations.html   and train prices at   http://www.hyperdia.com/ It depends on whether you’re staying overnight at Kawaguchiko and the number of people travelling. Remember to add toll fees of about ¥4200 one way. We decided to rent a car but forgot about the toll fees so it ended up being more expensive. I’d say if you’re staying for one night and there are at least 3 of you, renting a car is a good option. If there are two of you and you want more freedom to move around (such as going to neighbouring places like Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, Yamanakako etc) it is also better to rent a car. You should also be warned that traffic is congested upon leaving and arriving at Tokyo. We parked our car at our ryokan Kozan
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Japan Dec 2011 Day 12: Nagasaki 長崎

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About 2 hours from Hakata on the JR Limited Express Kamome is Nagasaki 長崎, where the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945, likewise in Hiroshima 広島. Nagasaki also has European and Chinese influences as can be seen from the architecture. Getting around by streetcar is probably the most convenient way of sightseeing in Nagasaki. Each ride, regardless of distance travelled, is JPY 120. A one-day pass may be purchased from hotels or the tourist information booth at JPY 500 for unlimited riders. We got on the No. 1 streetcar toward Shokakuji-shita, get off at Tsuki-machi and transferred to No. 5 toward Ishibashi. From Oura Tenshodu-shita stop, it is a short walk to Oura Catholic Church 国宝大浦天主堂, the oldest Gothic church in Japan, designated as a National treasure in 1933. It is also known as "Church of the 26 Japanese Martys" because on March 17 1865, the hidden Christians of Nagasaki, who were later martyred, were discovered here.   From Oura Catholic Church, you may follow the road si
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Japan Dec 2011 Day 11: Kumamoto Castle 熊本城

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The  highlight of today is a visit to Kumamoto castle 熊本城. Although only part of the castle is original, it is still a very impressive castle worthy of a spot as one of the top 3 castles in Japan. The visit is made even more enjoyable by staff dressed as palace guards, shogun and whatnots. Everyone wanted to take pictures of them and with them, me included hahaha I stuck my head into one of those ready-made costume models We ended our tour at the Honmaru Goten 本丸御殿 where the living quarters, kitchens, dining areas used to be. We had lunch at level 2, a set that replicates some of the royal dishes that used to be served. Reservations are required, by phone (Japanese only... I used my very broken Japanese again). JPY3000 per person. Do turn up if reservation is made because they actually prepare your meal, set your table with your name and have a shelf with your name for your shoes. Ask for level 2 as it is much nicer. They spelt my name wrongly Since we had the car, we decided to check
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Japan Dec 2011 Day 10: Aso Farmland 阿蘇ファームランド and Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉

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The weather was awesome so we tried going up Aso crater again but gah! Ascent to the crater was prohibited because of gas emissions!! grrrrr… so we stopped by Aso Farmland for some shopping and food and discovered a lovely little mushroom farm inside that grows all sorts of mushrooms =) I highly recommend this place especially for people with kids. They will love the dome-shaped hotel rooms and activities (looks like a summer resort). The farmland is a huge compound with many different kinds of spas. Dome-shaped hotel rooms in Aso Farmland The drive to Kurokawa onsen on Route 212 is very very scenic! We stopped by an observatory along the way which sells handmade soba. If we hadn't already had lunch, we'd definitely eat there! Even the toilet cubicles have nice mountain view haha. It has a little farm that will be an educational visit for kids =) Entrance is JPY100, by integrity, no staff manning the place, just a coin box for you to deposit your fee =) Ryokan: Okunoyu  奥の湯 A
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