Visited Okutama and Takaosan in early Nov for fall foliage.
day trip from Tokyo, about 2hrs by express train from Shinjuku. The lake area can be accessible by public bus.
easy day trip from Tokyo, just 50min by express train from Shinjuku, followed by a cable car ride and a short hike. As it was on a weekend with some Koyo, it was very crowded.
Arrived at the onsen villa in remote mountain/valley after a long drive. The villa is huge with several houses and a garden beside a river stream and a forest. The owner is a senior living there who has renovated part of the house with onsen facilities. His late father has been awarded by the Showa Emperor due to his contribution in forestry.
The owner was quite meticulous in serving a Shabu-shabu dinner with famous local pork and vege. After breakfast, he took us to a tea house and served Japanese tea in the traditional manner. Overall, it was quite an experience. Returned car in Hashimoto and took train back to Osaka/Namba.
Before departure, visited the Ume garden in Osaka castle. The garden is huge with many Ume varieties. Though it was not in full bloom yet – many trees were in bare branches, others were blooming. In our opinion, this garden is even bigger than the one in Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto that we visited earlier in this trip.
We were last here 20+ yrs ago. This world heritage was really awesome even from a distance. Amazing wooden architecture and lots of artifacts inside such as the giant Buddha, with lots of statues and carvings etc.
From Nara city, stopped by Yakushi-ji but did not enter as one of the pagodas was fully covered in canvas for renovation.
drove here as it is about 10km away from Nara city centre. This is the oldest remaining wooden structures in the world since 8th century, and the first world heritage in Japan. The complex is huge and it includes a pagoda, many halls and a Treasure gallery full of Buddhist artifacts for 1000+ yrs. Spent about 3 hrs there.
Visited Nara Park. Followed path uphill to Kasuga Taisha. Along the path leading up to the shrine, there were many stone lanterns lining on either side. The stone lanterns have inscriptions on it stating the amount of donation and the name of donors. From time to time, deers were wandering in the park, waiting for passers-by to feed them. Inside the shrine, there are many hanging lanterns.
From Kasuga Taisha, followed path to Todai-ji and arrived at Nigatsu-do. This beautiful hall is part of Todai-ji and is located in its eastern hillside. Nigatsu literally means the second month (in the lunar calendar) for an annual rite held since 8th century. There are many hanging lanterns, paintings and carvings in the hallway. A nice view of Nara city could be seen from the deck.
visited several World Heritage sites in Kyoto and Nara when there were less tourists in Feb. Returned to Osaka/Namba after Nara.
Byodoin is in Uji, a town famous for green tea and is about 30min by commuter train from Kyoto. It’s more than 1000 years old and its Phoenix Hall is featured on the back on the JPY10 coin. Apart from its beautiful architecture and garden, there are many valuable artifacts such as paintings, statues and sculptures in its treasure house.
After brief soba lunch, visited the Uji Shrine on the opposite side of the Uji river. Returned back to the tea alley to visit 500-year old tea house, whose founder had served the shogun. The current owner is already the 16th generation. The Uji-cha (tea) sets with local desserts were excellent. A Swiss guy serving us showed us to visit the tea information room on 2F.
Visited Ume (Plum) blossom in garden. Though it was not in full bloom when we visited, Ume flowers in various colours were blooming.
visited Wakayama city and Prefecture for the first time by car. Stayed in Wakayama city overnight after landing in KIX. Nice dinner in local restaurant. On next morning, picked up car and stopped by Wakayama castle before heading to Shirahama.
Shirahama literally means white seaside. Took about 2 hrs by expressway through many tunnels. Had a late Ise-ebi (local lobster) lunch. Visited some coastal features such as Senjojiki (千畳敷) nearby before checking in onsen hotel.
drove past the southern-most tip in Honshu and onward to Kii Katsuura. There were other coastal features in Kushimoto (串本). After lunch in Kii Katsuura town, drove uphill to visit World Heritage Nachi Taisha and Fall.
Drove back to Wakayama city via Tanabe, returned car and took Nankai rail to Osaka/ Namba.
stayed in a suite with wide seaview of Toba coastline. Picked a French dinner course with wine pairing options. Free shuttle bus to its nearby annexed ryokan with pearl onsen, which we stayed in our first visit in Feb 2014.
Day 4 – drive along Shima coastline. Had Italian lunch in Spanish resort with lovely bayview.
D5 drove to Matsusaka. Visited Matsusaka castle ruins and nearby former Samurai residence. Returned car then went back to Nagoya by train.
Picked up rental car on D2 in Ise. Visited Kawasaki area which used to be a warehouse area along a stream. Had a stroll around the morning market. Drove to Toba town, had lunch there. Skipped the Mikimoto HQ where we visited in our last trip.
D3 – drove to Shima. Re-visited old and new observation points in the beautiful Shima coastline with plenty of estuaries. Had delicious Italian lunch in Ichigohama, with a beautiful beach and sea as blue as in Cote d’Azur !!
After skiing in Hakuba, travelled to Nagoya to meet up with wife flying from Hong Kong.
2nd visit. Took Kintetsu train from Nagoya and arrived at Ise. Had a great (fresh with varieties, good service and yet inexpensive) sushi lunch in local shop. Visited Oharai-machi near Naiku afterwards. As we visited the Outer and Inner shrines in an earlier visit just 1 year before, we skipped both this time.
Next to the Naiku entrance there was a long street with Meiji-style shops. Did not spend too long in the first visit. This time we spent a whole afternoon starting from Okage-yokocho. We happened to witness a drum performance, had several rounds of delicious snacks before settling down in a traditional tea house, with a nice Japanese garden.
