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 ou...
After a brief drizzle, the sun came out and we ascended the rope way to be greeted with the splendor of Mount Asahidake. The hotel staff told us the course is 難しくないので、子供もできる (it's not difficult, children can do it too) but I found it rather challenging. Going down the rocky steps can be rather dangerous! The round trip takes one hour if you keep going and do not stop. We had to stop at every viewpoint (there were 5 in total) to ooohh and waaaah and take lots of photos so we took a total of 3 hrs 30 min (we left the hotel at 0830, walked there and returned at 1200). Definitely recommend this place!
The sign in the ropeway station toilet
1st Viewpoint
2nd Viewpoint
3rd Viewpoint
4th Viewpoint
5th Viewpoint
The easier path.
夫婦池 Meoto Ike (Husband and Wife Lakes)
The steaming hot Mount Asahidake
Never too young. If this girl can do it, so can we!
Never too old!
These shoes were sufficient for me. Hiking shoes are not really necessary for this path. Just be careful of the loose rocks and steps.
On the way to Sounkyo, we stopped by the Hokkaido Ice Pavilion to experience what it's like in Hokkaido in Jan and Feb. Here's a video of our fun experience:
We checked into Sounkyo Choyotei. The onsen is quite nice with a variety of tubs like rectangular pool, round porcelain, square wooden and rocks but the meals really need improvement. I had the worst nabe ever in Japan (I've been to Japan more than 10 times and stayed in a variety of accommodations such as ryokan, hotels, pensions). I think they tried to do a fusion nabe of European vegetable and sausage soup but they failed badly. The cast iron pot over charcoal flame looked impressive but don't be deceived, the taste was horrible. I was expecting some fish, pork or wagyu but no, the Japanese waitress put two SAUSAGES and assorted raw vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, carrot, mushrooms) and pre-cooked onions into the soup. I started getting suspicious so I asked her whether sausages are Japanese (of course they are not) to which she replied, no it's German. Ok thanks. The onion soup was way too peppery and the charcoal flame was so slow that the nabe didn't boil at all so the vegetables were not cooked but we were told that they are ready to be eaten. I was so shocked that I forgot to take photos. Will not recommend this ryokan.
The Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road is a cycling route from JR Iwase station to JR Tsuchiura station and continuing to Lake Kasumigaura loop. The stretch between JR Iwase station and JR Tsuchiura station is 40km and the loop around the lake is about 100km so the total return trip is 180km. Map of Ring Ring Road from JR Iwase station to JR Tsuchiura station We only did part of the straight route and part of the lake so we covered only about 50km. Here’s a video of our trip. IMPORTANT NOTE: We based in Tsukuba because we needed to meet a dear friend. Tsukuba is not the best starting point for this cycling route because we had to cycle 10km to intersect at a part of the Ring Ring Road since public transport connection between Tsukuba and Iwase or Tsuchiura is poor. We took a taxi from JR Tsuchiura station back to Tsukuba (¥3400). When we told the taxi-driver our destination, he smiled happily and said Arigatou!! 🤣🤣 A better plan will be as follows: Use Mito in Ibaraki as a base. Mit...
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 ou...
花見 hanami literally means flower-viewing and it's a really big deal in Japan. When I saw it for the first time, I can totally understand why 桜の美しさが日本人の心を捕らえる (the beauty of sakura has captured the hearts of Japanese). No words can describe the beauty of an entire park in full bloom or 桜吹雪 sakura fubuki sakura petals raining on you. Here are some of my favourite Sakura-viewing spots in Tokyo =) 1. Chidorigafuchi Park 千鳥ケ淵 Chidorigafuchi Park near the Imperial Palace has got to be my number one hanami spot. The palace moat, lined with sakura trees, transforms into a dreamy pink stream when the petals fall onto the water surface. You can also rent and row your own boat along the moat to enjoy a different view of sakura. Definitely highly recommended! It's rather strenuous! Melody enjoying the view from the boat Nearest station: 10 min walk from Kudanshita station You can couple the trip there with a visit to the Imperial Shrine of Yasukuni Shrine that commemorates those who pe...
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