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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Izu: Pottery experience, Antique cup museum and cafe, Capybara rotenburo, Mount Omuro, Dog cafe
Izu Shaboten Park: Capybara Rotenburo
We stayed at Bousui Ryokan which I wrote about here. On our second day, we drove out about 20 min from the ryokan and visited these places which are clustered around the same area.
Pottery-Making Experience
On the second day, we got the ryokan to make a reservation at えんのかま En no Kama for a pottery-making experience. The instructors speak only Japanese and they were very patient even though I kept making mistakes. I selected the JPY3000 course for making two pieces and it took about an hour. They were able to ship it to Singapore for a small fee of JPY2400 after drying and baking it in the kiln.
Shop name: えんのかま En no kama
Address: 静岡県伊東市富戸 1317-1053
Contact: 0557-51-8069 (+81-557-51-8069)
Parking lots: 7
Open every day 0930 - 1630 hrs (last appointment 1600 hrs)
Courses available (prices stated in JPY, tax and delivery charges not included):
Electric spinning wheel (1 hour): 3000 for 2 items
Hand-spun (2 hours): 2000 for 2 items
Painting or pastel colurs (45 min): 1500
Name Plate (1 hour): 2500
Animal food dish (2 hours): 2500 for S size 135mm, 3000 for M size 160mm, 3500 for L size 195mm.
They don't seem to have a website so here is a photo of the brochure and more photos of the place and my experience.
Instructor explaining the procedure. He made it look so easy.
Me, trying not to mess up.
Instructor to the rescue
My heart-shaped bowls
Binya Antique Cup Museum and Cafe
We chanced upon a lovely Binya Antique Cup Museum and Cafe (along the same road as the pottery place, like 2 mins drive away) with a wide collection of exquisite tea sets. I also had one of the best Mont Blanc Cake ever. The chestnut cream was light and not too sweet which I absolutely loved.
Mont Blanc
Capybara Rotenburo
A short 5 min drive from the pottery place is Izu Shaboten Zoo. We wanted to visit this place mainly for the capybara rotenburo and we were not disappointed! Capybara Rotenburo Timings: Weekdays: 1330 - 1430 Weekends and public holidays: 1030 - 1130, 1330 - 1430. You may park at the carpark near Mount Omuro lift and take a short walk up or go further up to the carpark near Izu Shaboten Zoo. Here's a photo of the schedule and type of baths from 18 Nov 2017 to 8 April 2018.
We arrived at the pool 15 mins before the scheduled time and there was already a crowd! Thankfully we managed to still get “front row” standing space. The capybara started appearing when the traditional matsuri-like music played, as though they know it’s time for a bath. When the hot water gushed out, everyone let out a waaahhhh! They were sooooo kawaii! What an unforgettable experience. Here’s the video.
Izu Shaboten Park also has a wide range of cacti
Cute containers for bringing home some cacti
Love 湯! In Japanese, 湯 which is pronounced "yu" means bath. I see what you did there!
I wish I had the luggage space for this cutie
Mount Omuro
Mount Omuro lift was just beside Izu Shaboten Park so we made a quick ascent by ski lift, walked one round to take in the picturesque scenery, including a peek of Fujisan before heading back to the ryokan for onsen. It is a dormant volcano so you can walk along the rim and there is actually archery experience right where the crater used to be. On a good day, you can see Mount Fuji!
Aiken no eki
The next morning after checking out, we stopped by 愛犬の駅 Aiken no eki that seems to be an outlet of the one in Shinjuku. The love Japanese have for their furry companions is evident from the facilities and thoughtful amenities provided. There’s an outdoor dog playground where you can have a footbath while watching your dog, dog wash areas, wet wipes, towels, dog toilets, indoor playground, waiting area for dogs when you need to take a leak etc. It’s just so amazing! We also noticed that this town is very dog-friendly with places allowing your pet dog. In our brochure, there’s a note on places that allow pet dogs.
Thankfully, humans only = OK!
Hats for dogs
Strollers
Pottery making experience with your best friend
Ingredients for dog pancakes
Menu for dogs
Dog water bowls
Water for dogs
Towels for dogs
Towels for humans
Washing area for dogs
Outdoor playground
Footbath for humans while you watch your best friend running in the playground
Indoor playground
Photo spot
Waiting cubicles for dogs outside human toilets
Because you need to smell fresh for your doggie
Dog toilets
There are actually many more places to explore such as wasabi farms, teddy bear museum, stained glass museum etc but we didn't have time to do so much as we were only in that small area. We will definitely come back to Izu!
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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