JP 2007 May Rose Garden

Flower Festival Commemorative Park in Kani

After returning from Hida-Takayama, visited the Rose Garden in Kani, which was more than 1hr from Nagoya by train and shuttle bus. This rose garden was huge – apart from 30,000 rose bushes, it also had many Spring flowers such as Poppy, Daisy, Camelia etc.

 

Inside the greenhouse and other flowers

Roses from rest of the world

 

 

official website

JP 2004 Nov Kyoto

2nd Koyo visit in Kyoto. The 1st visit was in mid-Nov 1999. Koyo was probably 50% peak and it rained quite heavily. This time we visited in late Nov.

Arashiyama (嵐山)

visited World Heritage Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺) and Tenryu-ji (天龍寺)  in Arashiyama. Colours were brilliant !!

 

Higashiyama (東山)

also peak colours in Tofuku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashi-Hongan-ji.

Tofuku-ji (東福寺)

 

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)

 

 

Higashi-Hongan-ji (東本願寺)

 

 

==>  Arima onsen ==>

 

JP 2016 Oct Tohoku (Part 4)

Nasu-dake (那須岳)

Visited Nasu-dake on 16th Oct (Sunday) by Tohoku Shinkansen to Nasu-Shiobara, then by bus. Bus took 1hr+ but traffic grinded to a halt after passing Nasu-Kogen, before reaching the Nasu ropeway as the final stop. The bus driver was nice to suggest that hiking to the ropeway was possible in about 20min. Some of the passengers included me of took his suggestion. It was quite a steep climb along the road and also cutting through via footpaths.  I finally reached the ropeway station after noon time. Realized that so many people were visiting, I had a quick soba then queued up for the ropeway.  Reached the top station @1684m past 1pm, then quickly commenced hiking. Though it was a clear day, strong gusty wind blew amidst a very steep climb. About 30min later, I was rewarded with gorgeous views of Koyo laden Nasu-dake. With another 45min to reach the summit of Chausu-dake @1800m, I decided to turn back at that point. There was no more Koyo upward, and I needed to queue for both the return ropeway and bus.

Queued for bus after 2:30pm. Slightly after 3pm the bus arrived and the bus driver nicely let us embark, though it could not depart before 3:30pm. The bus was so full.  I was lucky to have a seat while some had to stand for more than 2 hours before reaching the nearest JR station. Traffic was really heavy.

 

JP 2016 Oct Tohoku (Part 3)

Yamagata Zao (山形蔵王)

arrived at Yamagata Zao onsen town. Took Zao ropeway to Juhyo-Kogen station.  Took lift and hiked to Iroha-numa in about 20min for Koyo. 

 

travel guide

 

Okama (御釜)

drove along the Zao Eco-line with nice Koyo views around 1400-1500m. Reached a car park and took lift to Okama at about 1700m.

Had seen photos of Okama before but was stunned at its huge size. The crater lake was filled with turquoise water and it was truly beautiful,  with a backdrop of blue sky and moving white clouds in the distance.

Hiked for about 15min to reach the summit of Toggata @1759m. As usual, there is a small Jinja up there. Though it is a normal weekday, there were many visitors, while the nearby payable car park was full. on the way back to Fukushima city to return car, stopped by a waterfall viewing deck then Toggata onsen town, which I last visited in 2001 for day onsen.

 

==> Part 4 ==>

 

JP 2016 Oct Tohoku (Part 2)

First visit to Dewa Sanzan (出羽三山) in Tsuruoka (鶴岡), in northwest of Yamagata Prefecture, not for fall foliage but for 3 famous sacred mountains. Visited 2 of them in this trip.

Hagurosan (羽黒山)

This is the mountain which opens all year round and is easily accessible by bus to the mountain top, where there is a Haguro-san Shrine (三神合祭殿), which houses the deities of the 3 Dewa Sanzan shrines. At the foothill, there is a 5-storied pagoda (五重塔) and the Zuishinmon (随神門), where the approach to the Haguro-san trail begins.

Yudonosan (湯殿山)

The other sacred mountain symbolizing “rebirth”.  Drove via a toll road and took a shuttle bus and started a short walk to the inner shrine. The inner shrine area prohibits photography – all the photos were taken outside of that area, and where all visitors are required to follow a purification ritual on bare feet.  This is unique among all the shrines I have visited in Japan.

travel guide

==> Part 3 ==>

 

 

JP 2016 Oct Tohoku (Part 1)

First “Koyo” trip in 2016 in 2nd week of October. Visited Fukushima and Yamagata Prefectures in Tohoku by car. On another day, visited Nasu-dake by public transports.  Overall, fall colours were in general 5 to 7 days later than yearly average.

Mt Adatara (安達太良山)

Prior to the visit, noticed from its local blog that peak foliage was about 5 to 7 days later than yearly average.

Stayed overnight in Dake onsen prior to heading to Mt Adatara the next day. Picked an onsen ryokan facing the Mirror pond (鏡が池). Drove up to parking lot at the ropeway base and it was full that many cars were parked along the hill slope – I followed 🙂 From the top of the ropeway @1350m, hiked for about 30min to an open area where the summits and peak fall foliage could be viewed clearly. Did not hike up to the summit @1700m (which would take another 2 hrs to return) as I needed to dash for the nearby Bandai Azuma Skyline @1600m.

local website

Bandai Azuma Skyline (磐梯吾妻スカイライン)

Took about an hour (about 30km) to reach the top Jodo-daira @1600m (浄土平) of the Skyline through numerous elbow turns. Traffic was quite busy even on a weekday, which was a good sign that peak foliage was up there! Took a quick stroll to the nearby Oke-numa (桶沼). Reflections and colours of the small pond was gorgeous ! The best shooting spots were up on two benches and I had to take turns with several local ladies 🙂  One of the many nice things in Japan is that locals are in general courteous and form a queue by themselves if needed.

Bandai Azuma Lakeline (磐梯吾妻レークライン)

Left Shodo-daira without lunch – there’s a huge restaurant up on 1600m and the chargeable car park was full! and head straight to Urabandai via the Bandai Azuma Lakeline. Had a quick soba as late lunch nearby Hibara-ko and then head straight to Shirabu onsen ryokan (about 74km) before dusk. As the colours were still greenish at lower elevations I did not bother to stopover. Besides, I had last visited these locations in late Oct 2014.

 

 ==> go to Part 2 ===>

 

JP 2016 May Hokkaido (Part 2)

Lakes in Hokkaido East

After visiting the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, drove to Abashiri-ko for onsen resort, while stopping by Saroma-ko, Notoro-ko en route. Each of these lakes are huge and almost indiscernible from the sea. On the next day, visited Kussharo-ko, Mashu-ko and Onneto while heading to Tokachigawa onsen.

Tomita Farm

There were not many flowers blooming in Tomita Farm in end May, except for some poppies. The Hoshi Hayazaki (deep purple early blossom) Lavender grown in a small house was always an attraction, same for the dried flowers in the shop.

Daisetsuzan in Spring

Out of the several times we had visited Biei, this is the 1st time when Daisetsuzan could be seen so clearly in blue sky and not covered by clouds/mists. In fact, when we passed by Minami-Furano, it rained quite heavily. We also dropped by the blue bond before checking in an onsen hotel in Furano. Though it is beautiful, it is overrated in my opinion if compared with the lakes in Hokkaido East.

Sapporo Moerenuma Park

This is another huge park in the north-eastern corner of the city. This park is a fusion of art and nature. Bicycles can be rented from the entrance. 

Moerenuma Park website

 

Sapporo Lilac Festival

The Sapporo Lilac Festival lasted from mid to late May. There were 2 venues but we went to the one in Odori Park only. During the weekends, there were live music performances, food stalls and wine bars offering fresh food and drinks. There were many people on that Sunday morning, all having a good time welcoming the arrival of Spring.

Sapporo Lilac Festival

 

 

JP 2014 Oct Hakuba

Hakuba Tsugaike Kogen (白馬栂池高原)

3rd visit. In previous visits did not complete the full loop due to poor visibility.

Timing – early Oct.

Took gondola to top station @1900m and started hiking. There were facilities before the mountain gate like cafeteria, washroom, visitor info. But once inside, there were only two makeshift toilets about midway uphill. Clouds were covering the mountain tops while fall foliage was past peak. Took about 2hrs to reach the top observation deck @2100m. The deck was fully filled with many hikers. On clear days the Mt Shirouma-dake could be seen. On the return trail, spotted the Tsugaike downhill in deep blue. Took nearly 5hrs back to the mountain gate, including photo time and a break on the deck.

Tsugaike Kogen website

 

Hakuba Happo-ike (白馬八方池)

2nd visit. Last visit was in Aug 2001, but the Mt Shirouma-dake was shrouded by clouds.

Took gondola and changed ski lifts to top @1800m and started hiking. It looked cloudy downhill but up there the sky cleared up due to strong wind. There were many hikers along the way. Took about 1hr+ to reach Happo-ike @2000m+. So glad that finally the 3 summits of Mt Shirouma-dake of nearly 3000m revealed themselves from fast-moving clouds across the horizon of Happo-ike. Took a break and chatted with 2 locals who were from Yokohama. Returned back downhill and visited a Jinja with 2 huge Sugi of 1000 years old.

Hakuba Happo hiking course

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