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...
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2016 Hokkaido Trip Day 5 (6 Sep):
Sounkyo 層雲峡
Akanko 阿寒湖 Accommodation: Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza
I had signed up for a sea of clouds 雲海 (unkai) tour so we woke up at 4:45 am to reach the rope way station at 5:50 am (we were very kiasu. The rope way is actually just a 2 min drive away). To our disappointment, we were told that viewing the unkai is not possible today due to the warm but wet weather. We decided not to take the chair lift too as it was wet. So we just walked around with our guide who tried to explain some interesting facts such as point out animal footprints and what to do if you see a bear. You should stay still. DO NOT RUN! You can never outrun a bear ok! She explained about the mass of the bear and just think F = ma and you'll be dead meat. Just stay still and retreat the way you came. In Shiretoko, we learnt that you can clap a few times when you are hiking so as to warn the bears of your approach.
We dropped by the Sounkyo Visitor Center to get my tourist ink stamp and since the rain got heavier and we couldn't go anywhere, we joined a Kirie 切り絵 (paper-cutting) class at the center.
Sounkyo Tourist Information Ink Stamp
Our paper cut-out
We arrived at Akanko 阿寒湖 (Lake Akan) on a wet day so we just tried to check in at 12:30 PM and to our delight, Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza was able to accommodate our early check-in! The view from the lounge is spectacular and it's the first time we were served creme brûlée at check-in!
Creme Brulee and Yuzu Drink
Lounge
While waiting for our room to be ready (they told us it will take 30 min), we tried the relaxing foot bath, complete with cold drinks and towels.
Exit to foot bath
Complimentary Drinks
With view of Akanko
And yes, exactly 30 min later, we were escorted to our suite. Our jaws literally dropped when we entered the suite. I'll let the photos and video speak for themselves.
Since it was raining, we just spent the time relaxing in the very luxurious room and using the hot spring and checking out the ryokan-hotel. Usually you are not allowed to take photos but since no one was around, I took some photos of the entrance areas then a lady showed up so no photos of the hot springs. Chris said the guy's public bath has an outdoor bath with lake view. The ladies' public bath doesn't.
Public bath vanity
Public bath relaxation are
Public bath lockers and changing area
Sauna which was only slightly warm
Amenities in public bath
Selection of yukata for ladies at the lounge
Shop
The kaiseki dinner included a scrumptious Kinki fish (called menme in Hokkaido) nabe cooked in shiro miso (white miso) soup. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the vegetables and seafood in Hokkaido and I think it's possible to be vegetarian here.
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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