by mijville
On tour to Kushiro Shitsugen National Park to row canoes through the wetlands. Very pleasant way to spend the day. A huge pod of Dolphins entertained us soon after leaving Kushiro. Next day was at sea – scenic cruising.
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Diamond Princess, eagle, Japan, kushiro, wetlands
by mijville
Leaving Yokohama on the “Diamond Princess” One of many the great pools on board.
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Diamond Princess, Japan, Yokohama
by mijville
Lake Harunako is about 30 kms from Takasaki. We took the bus from in front of the JR Station (bus no 2) It took around an hour and 20 minutes to get to the lake and we did not expect to see what was there. The lake was completely frozen over. Quite strange to see boats on the shore of a frozen lake. The lake is actually the caldera of a dormant volcano – Mt Harunafuji, the large mountain in […]
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Japan, Lake Harunako, Mt Haruna, Takasaki
by mijville
Takasaki is famous for the Daruma Doll which is traditionally bought at the beginning of the year with the eyes blank. A wish is made and the left eye is painted in. If the wish comes true the other eye is painted in and at the end of the year the Daruma is returned to the temple.
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Daruma, Japan, Shorinzan, Takasaki
by mijville
Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo and then changed for Takasaki. Takasaki is a small town in the Gunma Prefecture surrounded by mountains. First day went to Mt Kannonyama to see the cavern. Taxi up there but walked 80 minutes to get back to the hotel. No taxis or buses. The cavern was built by a business man who started building in 1919 and continued building till he died in 1964. The tunnel was built using sheer manpower with shovels and […]
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: cavern, Japan, Mt Kannonyama, Takasaki, tunnel
by mijville
A few photos from the two week language course taken at the Kyoto International Academy of Japanese Language. Still can’t converse in Japanese but had a fantastic time and learned a lot. Only three of us were taking the two week study tour course. Mornings spent in the classroom and afternoons having adventures in Kyoto. Classes were all done in Japanese – no English. Even learned some Katakana and Hiragana.
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by mijville
A 3 hour trip on the Shinkansen south gets you to the very tidy and well laid out city of Kokura. We took the monorail to the Tanga Market and then walked over the bridge to the Castle, Yasaka Shrine and the Riverwalk. The Old and New – Kokura Castle and in the background some of the fabulous buildings on the River Walk Yasaka Shrine Takoyaki (octopus balls)
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Castle, Japan, Kokura, Monorail, Yaska jinja
by mijville
In October I took the Sagano Scenic Railway, also known as the Romantic Train to Kameoka for the Hozugawa River Run to Arashiyama. After a fun wild ride down the river we ended up in Arashiyama for lunch Beer and cuttlefish – yum!!!!
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Arashiyama, Hozugawa River, Japan, Kameoka, Kyoto, Romantic Train, Sagano
by mijville
Saiko Village – A village of thatched roof houses that contain museums and shops. The village has wonder views of Mt. Fuji Shraito Waterfall
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Mt Fuji, Saiko Village, Shiraito Waterfall
by mijville
Stayed the night at the Fuji View Hotel. Dinner and then the Onsen. Next morning Fuji was so clear. Next was a visit to the Kawaguchiko Musical Forest Museum where Europe meets Mt Fuji The Dance Hall Organ. Wonderful sound. Could almost imagine the hall filled with dancers. So wonderful to watch as well.
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: dance Hall, Kawaguchiko, Mt Fuji, Music box
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