Stayed in Dec 2005 while visiting Kanazawa for the first time. Kagaya has been voted as #1 onsen hotel/ryokan in Japan for 10 years. We stayed in Setsugetsuka (雪月花) room with in-room onsen overlooking the bay, a western, a Japanese living room and a twin bedroom.
A young Okami-san who had been sent to Taiwan to learn Mandarin was assigned to look after us from the moment we checked in. We enjoyed our stay very much. She even accompanied us to the train station after checking out. Sumptuous dinner was served as expected, but having a chef to grill seafood in front of us was really a big surprise. Apart from the traditional Japanese-style, a western-style breakfast was served as per my wife’s request. There were performance after dinner.
We strolled around and noticed photos of previous stays by royal families and foreign dignitaries.
Visited Izu Shuzenji in late February after skiing in Yuzawa onsen. Shuzenji is a small onsen town in central Izu, about 1 hour from Mishima served by local private train.
The town is famous for Shuzenji temple, a small bamboo forest and several historical onsen ryokans. We were lucky to be there while Ume (plum) flowers were starting to blossom.
Stayed in Feb 2007. Kikuya is a historical onsen ryokan where the late Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki in Meiji-era stayed for rehabilitation and some of his artifacts were displayed.
We stayed in a modern room with twin beds with in-room onsen in the balcony. Sumptuous meals were served. Service was meticulous as usual but not intrusive.
Kikuya literally means house of Chrysanthemum.
Entrance
Artifacts used by Natsume Soseki while staying in Kikuya
Visited and stayed in Gero onsen, which is one of the three famous onsens from Edo-era. Stayed in Oct 2012, after visiting Takayama and another onsen stay in Fukuchi onsen.
Picked the new wing in Suimeikan. Instead of traditional Kaiseki dinner, we picked the French course which was very nice.
It was a surprise that the reigning Japanese Emperor and Queen had stayed in this ryokan when they were Prince and Princess in Showa era, and other royal family members.
Our first trip visiting Hokkaido on our own – Sapporo > Otaru > Niseko > Hakodate > Toya-ko (by public transport).
Sapporo
Remaining snow was on the roads/pavements here and there, while some Azaleas were blossoming.
Former Gov’t Bldg
old clock
Tower in Odori Park
Sapporo Beer factory
tsutsuji (azalea)
Otaru
Easy day visit and stayed in hotel overlooking Otaru Port.
otaru canal
BOJ Otaru Museum
kitaichi glass emporium
“Sea Cat house”
old Hokkaido bank (otaru bine)
Port view from Hilton hotel
Niseko
stayed in Niseko Konbu onsen for the first time. Returned in 2008 by car.
Mt Annpuri
dinner
Hakodate
visited the Historical Buildings area including the ex-British Consulate where we had a tea set. Had dinner in the warehouse area. Returned in 2008 for Mt Hakodate night view and others.
russian orthodox church
catholic church
view from Hachiman-saka dori
old public hall of hakodate
ex-British consulate
tea set
meijikan
Onuma National Park
On next day, went to the famous morning market to have breakfast. Took the Steam Locomotive (SL train) to visit Onuma National Park. Spent about 2 hours there.
Visited Nagoya > Takayama > Norikura Kogen > Kamikochi > Rose garden in Gifu in late May.
Takayama
Visited Takayama 2nd time since 2000. Strolled in the old town area with many cool local shops. The Hida Kokubunji and the thousand-year old Ginkgo tree should not be missed.
view from room
local sake shops with new sakes for the year
Hida-Kokubunji
Old Ginkgo tree of over 1000 years
used in Takayama festival
Hirayu onsen
Stayed overnight in Hirayu onsen.
JP Alps in the distance
Kaiseki dinner
Norikura Kogen
Went up to Tatami-daira @2700m in Norikura Kogen. While Mt Norikura and trail was covered in snow, hiked up to Fujime-dake @2800m. From the summit, Kamikochi and the Japanese Alps could be seen in the distance.
on Fujime-dake @2800m
Mt Norikura
Kamikochi in the distance
snow-wall
Kamikochi
3rd visit in Kamikochi. While we were on the way trekking to Myojin-ike drizzle turned into heavy rain, so we did not stay long nor take any photos and had to return to bus terminal.
Taisho-ike
Yaki-dake
On Tashiro bridge
Kappa bridge
Fukuchi onsen
Another Hida-style onsen ryokan in Oku-Hida onsen-go. Fukuchi literally means “Land of Fortune”.
