Japan Trip 8th - 22nd April 2024

In April 2024, I had the chance to travel with a few good friends ( Alice and HT whom I knew back in early 90s, then Amy and Tik in 2023).   

We visited the northern part of Tokyo, Japan. Renting a car allowed us to travel more relaxingly. On the night of arrival we stayed at the APA hotel. 

It was a five seater Nissan X-Trial SUV. We managed to do over 4000kms with luggage from five of us. I had the most luggage. As the rear vision mirror is a dash cam installed at the back window so we did not have issues for looking at the rear. A definite bonus. 

Day 1 (8/4)

When we arrived in the midnight, we checked in at the APA hotel about half an hour train ride from Haneda airpot (羽田机场)

In the morning after breakfast, we set to Nikko (日光) , it is in Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県). 

To reach Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖) , we had to drive along a very steep, winding and challenging mountain route along "Irohasaka" 伊呂波山. There are 48 bends on this road. I was the driver driving up the hill, very exciting and challenging. 

Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖畔)

Photos of Chōsenji chuzenji Temple (中禅寺)

The six-meter-tall wood-carved Guanyin is another reason for the temple's fame (Tachi-ki-kannon 立木观音)

Our last stop for the day was at Chugushi waterfalls , also known as Kegon Falls (華嚴爆布), it orginates from Lake Chuzenji and flows into the Otani River    

Day 2 (9/4)

The cold, wet morning was ideal for us to photograph the tranquilly of  Shoyo-en Garden (逍遥園) at Zan Rinnoji (日光輪王寺), a world heritage site.

We left Nikki and stayed a couple of nights at this very modern airbnb 莉櫻蓮 at Zaōsan or Mount Zao (蔵王山水苑)  in Miyagi  Prefecture(宫城县). We had steam bowl for dinner. 

Day 3 (10/4)

We set off to Shiroishi (白石市) aiming tto view cherry blossoms along the Shiroishi River (白石川堤). We were ecstatic to see the cherry blossom in full bloom. With snow-covered Mount Zao in the background, we snapped a tonne of pictures along the riverbank. So many people around and we had difficulty to find carpark, so we took a chance to park at someone's carpark.

Burst with joy (心花怒放)

Me being silly.

We had the famous ox tongue at a restaurant but turned out not the best. 

                          Visited Akiu great falls (秋保大滝) inn the afternoon.                                                           

Day 4 (11th April)

We arrived at Naruko-kyō, also known as Naruko Gorge (鳴子峡 ), However, we were disappointed to find that this place was best visited in the autumn when the maple leaves were in bloom.

Next we set off to Geibikei Gorge (猊鼻渓 谷), we took a boat ride, along Ichinoseki river (関川), it was a unique experience where boatmen propel boats with wooden poles, offering a 90-minute tour through a scenic gorge, including a stop for a short walk and a chance to throw "undama" (lucky stones).  On the way back, the boatman also sang us a traditional song, which was quite moving.

We were quite late getting to our Airbnb in Nishiwaga is 西和賀町 in Iwate Prefecture (岩手县) and the hosts (Yasushi and Hiroko) made bread and bagel for our next day breakfast. 

We were taught how to make our bed. Everything is clean and comfortable.

 

Day 5 (12/4)

In the morning, Hiroko took us around their house and showed us the beautifully bloomed Mizubashos.  They have a dog called Tiger.

We visited Kitakami-Tachibana Park (北上展勝地) in Iwate Prefecture (岩手県), it is famous for the more than 10,000 cherry blossom tress planited alongside the Kitakami River. Definitely this Park has more cherry blossom trees than Shiroishi River (白石川堤).

Food and drink vendors are also present in most parks throughout the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season. So we had lunch at the pop up stalls. 

After lunch we went back to take more photos of the most beautiful cherry blossom tree in the park.

Day 6 (13/4)

We visited Ryusendo Cave limestone caves (龍泉洞)

We lunched at Miyako Satsukicho Fish and Vegetable Market (宫古市七草町鱼菜市场). The market sells Bin Don (瓶當) -a unique rice bowl dish where fresh Miyako seafood is poured from a bottle over hot rice. We decided to give it a miss. 

We then drove along the sea coast of Jodogahama (浄土ヶ浜), peaceful sceneries with series of rock formations along the coast of Miyako Bay in the city of Miyako.

He did so well !

Day 7 (14/4)

We set off to Kosaka -Lake Towada (十和田), we again had to travel up a winding mountain road and I was thrilled to see that there was still snow in the area.

We were able to get lunch at a small restaurant that closed at 2:30 pm. We had a lovely lunch onion and pork on stove with rice. Then we checked in at Towadakohan Sakura (櫻樂). 

After that, we were looking for somewhere to have dinner on that night but discovered that nothing was available after lunch because it wasn't tourist season. We found a little convenience store and bought fruit and instant noodles for breakfast. 

For dinner we ended up driving almost an hour  and arrived at Kazuno (鹿角市 ) .  We dine at a  traditional Japanese tavern - Izakaya (居酒屋) that was run by one woman band. The cuisine was excellent.

Driving back to hotel, we saw a couple of deer running a few meters ahead of our car . We all believed that both the deer and us wereblessed,  otherwise, many issues would have arisen.

Towadakohan Sakura (櫻樂) also offered onsen, so we did have a soothing time at the onsen for two consecutive night. At night time, the hotel also provided cup noodles for supper.

Day 8 (15/4)In the morning we found the scenery at Lake Towada (十和田) is absolutely tranquil. We were also surprised to find that we had breakfast provided at the hotel.

We planned to walk along Oirase Gorge Promenade the14 km long (奥入瀬渓流). However, the weather was very hot and also we frequently had to trek back to the highways, which was a bit dangerous. We completed only 5km, I believed. 

After the walk, we went to Hachinohe seafood (八戸港) where we bought fresh seafood and grilled it over a charcoal brazier ourselves.

We then visisted Hachinohe - Kabushima Shrine (蕪島神社) it is a major breeding ground for black-tailed gulls. We were amazed by the seashore beauty as we were approaching the shrine.

 But sadly, there were far too many blacktailed gulls, which contributed to pollution of many kinds.

It was during sunset so we had our shadows photographed.

Upon returning to the hotel, we were told that breakfast was not part of our package, which was a lovely oversight on the part of one of the staff. 

Day 9 (16/4)

We were travelling along the highway and pulled over at Tsugaru-sa (津軽) to refuel and encountered Goshogawara Sugaru (岩木山) from a distance.

We arrived at Takayama Inari Shrine  (高山稲荷神社) - This is the only place to see thousands of torii gates lined up one after the other. Torii gates are traditional Japanese gates that mark the entrance to Shinto shrines, signifying the boundary between the human world and the sacred realm.

We continued our trip to Hiratakinuma Park (平滝沼公園),  we walked on the longest wooden bridge in Japan that spans across Tsugaru Fujimi Lake (鶴舞之橋)

We ate dinner at the Bikkuri Donkey restaurant, where we discovered that the portion 

was enormous in addition to the pricing being fair. 

Day 10 (17/4)

We reached the heartland of apple producing in Japan, AOMORI (青森市). We sampled their renowned ice cream and apple pie. We also purchased a few apple related items as souvenirs. 

We met a couple from Hong Kong and they told us we should visit Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) at night because of its famous nightly illuminations.  After a little rest at Airbnb, we headed to Hirosaki Park in late afternoon. Once more, the riverbank is lined with cheerful blossom trees that make the ideal backdrop for photos.

I owe my great friend, who has the nicest camera, also taught me how to post in this photo, which I like very much. 

We walked through the park, but we were unable to find the river that was regarded as having the best nighttime views. Upon asking an old man, he was so kind and walked with  us to where we could witness the most breathtaking nighttime illuminations. 

The park was packed by that point. In order to prevent the person being photographed being blocked, there were five of us, with two of us standing guard on the left and right. 

Take a look at the pictures we captured from sunset until nightfall.

We are all pleased with Hirosaki Park's magnificent and stunning cherry blossom display. 

Day 11 (18/4)

We arrived at Shirakami Sanchi (白神山地), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Tōhoku region with 16,971 hectares is a natural native virgin beech forest.

                        

Lake Juni (十二湖) - Twelve Lakes is  the name of a group of 33 ponds and lakes. The area is so beautiful it has become part of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

                                                                  

Goshiki-numa (五色沼) also known as Five Color Lakes, are a cluster of volcanic lakes and ponds located in Fukushima Prefecture. 

These lakes are famous for their vibrant, ever-changing colors, which can range from emerald green to cobalt blue, depending on the time of day, weather, and season. The colors are due to the volcanic minerals and sediment that have seeped into the water over time

We returned to the same airbnb owned by Yasushi and Hiroko. 

Day 12 (19/4)

Arriving at Kakunodato (國館), it is a historic samurai town with lots of old Japanese houses which exudes a sense of solemnity. 

When we arrived, we saw that the cherry blossoms had started to fall, and when the wind blew,  we felt like being sprinkled by cherry blossom petals. 

We took a ride on the Akita Shinkansen (秋田新幹線) also known as railway of smiles. The journey was enjoyable and passed through several agricultural areas.  According to the videos shown on the train, the best time to visit is in the autumn. We got off at Aniai (亞仁合駅) .  

Next we were told that if we wanted to return to Kakunodate, we had only fifteen minutes for lunch. We all ate quickly, and I thought the fried chicken from that small store was the best.

With time permitted we also quickly drove to Lake Tazawa (田澤湖) it is the deepest lake in Japan at 423 metres; situated in Semboku ( 仙北市) in Akita Prefecture(秋田县). The statue is said to have been created in the image of Princess Tatsuko bathing in the spring.

When we got back to airbnb Yasushi and Hiroko made us a sponge cake.

Day 13 (20/4)

Yasushi and Hiroko took us to see Lysichiton camtschatcense (水芭蕉).  Then we had to say goodbye to them. You don't come across nice hosts liked them often. 

Day 14 (21/4)

We arrived at Ouchijuku (大內宿) in Minamiaizu(会津), Fukushima Prefecture(福島県) It is famous for the numerous traditional thatched buildings from the Edo Period (江户时代)

Thatched roofs are made of Japanese silver grass, reeds, rice straws and wheat straw

Tsurugajo Castle (鶴之城) in 會津市

Day 14 (22/4)

We weren't sure if we should visit Ashikaga Flower Park (足利銱卉公園) as that is always a popular park with many tourists also we weren't sure if wisteria (紫藤)  were in full bloom, so we texted a friend who assured us that we should go. We were all glad that we came. We saw both white and purple wisteria.

In the park, we then ran into the friend we texted her a couple of hours earlier. She nenver mentioned she was plannig to come. 

We stayed at the Toyoko Inn(東橫成田機場新館), it was very close to the airport. it only had a little grocery shop (Lawson) where we bought bento boxes and other dinnertime snacks. 

Day 15 (23/4 ) 

The Inn provided buffet breakfast something I did not expect as they did not even provide any food at dinner time. 

Friends decided to go shopping at outlet as we had an afternoon before leaving Tokyo.  They chose Mitsui Outlet Park (三井木更津). I was not that interested at the beginning as I did not think of anything to purchase. Friends wanted to buy travel gear at a shop called Montbell, a brand name that we did not have at Perth. Once inside, I realised they had so many T shirts and then I photographed them and sent back to my daughter to see what she preferred, at a result, I was the one who purchased the most. 

After returning the hire car near the airport, the hire car company took us back to Narita Airport (成田机场). Sadly, I had to bid them farewell because they all took flights back to Hong Kong, leaving me to return to Perth (with an 8-hour stopover in Singapore).

It was one of my best vacation, we went to so many places. All my friends are kind and understanding, especially I joined them after they had made the travel arrangements. We had the best driver—not me as HT could drive at night time, it was the more challenging and difficult time; the most patient accountant and photographer, the most perceptive individual who could identify stores and eateries when we needed them most, and the best accommodation planner who was able to arrange all of the hotels and Airbnbs; she is also an excellent pilot when I was behind the wheel.  Many gratitude to each and every one of them.