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Showing posts from September, 2017

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

Japan September 2017: Harie Village of Living Water (針絵:生水の郷)

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One of the many waterways in Harie 針槐の水路 Crystal clear spring water 生水 (すみません、 日本語があまり上手じゃない。) Since we only called in the morning to book a tour (available times: 9AM, 1030AM, 130PM), only Japanese tour was available. I guess if you call early enough, you can request for an English-speaking guide. The train costs 970 yen per person and the tour costs 1000 yen per person. If you have money to splash, there is also an English tour available from  http://www.yutour.net/tours/002_harie.html but it costs at least 10,000 yen per person which includes  English-speaking tour conductor (licensed guide interpreter) Admission fee for guided walking tour in Harie Fare for all transportation listed above Insurance Local tax あの日は朝電話で予約して、日本語を話せるガイドさんだけいる。もし早く予約して、英語を話せるガイドさんもいるかもしれない。電車は970円、ツアー費は1000円。 http://www.yutour.net/tours/002_harie.html  は英語のツアーがあるけど、ツアー費は10000円だ! The phone at Harie community center 古い電話 Our guide, Maeda San ガイドさん前田さん Our visitor pass which allows us to visit Kabata in ho

Japan September 2017: Kurama, Kibune Nagashi Soumen (鞍馬、貴船: 流しそうめん)

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(すみません、 日本語があまり上手じゃない。) I wanted very much to try kawadoko dining (dining above the river) which is only available in summer so I planned a trip to Kibune via a hike from Kurama.  To get to Kurama from Kyoto, take the Nara line to Toufukuji, change to Keihan line to Demachiyanagi then take the Eiden to Kurama, the final stop. The entire journey takes about an hour. Don't believe websites that tell you it's "30 min from Kyoto". It's actually 30 mins from Demachiyanagi.  From Kurama, it's a 2-3 hour hike to Kibuneguchi. The hike is easy and is about half ascent and half descent with toilets and vending machines nearer to Kurama side. It's possible to go both ways although we see more people going from Kurama to Kibuneguchi. This could be because there are more restaurants at Kibune area so it's nice to end your hike with a meal. Even though it's September, the hike is comfortable because it's mostly cool and some parts are breezy. 京都の川床を食べた

Japan September 2017: Ine no Funaya (伊根の舟屋)

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(日本語があまり上手じゃないので、すみません。) T his has got to be the highlight of the trip! I can't believe we only discovered this paradise now! All the funaya that accept internet bookings were full for our shortlisted dates so I had to make a reservation by phone to Kagiya (Japanese only). Alternatively, you can leave a message on the Facebook page and they will reply very promptly. Before boarding the bus to Ine from Amanohashidate, I had called Mina San to inform her of my ETA so she can meet us at Ine bus stop. Since we arrived at 2PM but check in is 3PM, she took our baggage and we hung around at Ine Cafe and used the complimentary bicycles to check out the nearby spots. 伊根の舟屋は今度の一番楽しい経験だ! 電話で鍵屋を予約した。鍵屋のみなさんは伊根のバス停に待って、伊根カフェに送ってくれた。いろんなデザート(クレムブル、チョコレートケーキ、マンゴプリン)を食べて、無料な自転車に乗る、周りに観光した。 Ine Cafe, a rather modern and hip place モダンな気持ちの伊根カフェ Ine cafe 伊根カフェ Complimentary bikes around the village 無料な無料な自転車 Mina san came by the cafe again to pick us up for check in. Upon entering Kagiya, we were