Category: Living in Japan

Niigata: A Hidden Gem in Japan – 5D4N – Day 4/5

ningzheaven

Day 4/5: Minami-Uonuma 南魚沼: A Serene Escape

Itinerary

  • Travel to Ogi and back
  • 9:30AM Depart Ryotsu Port 両津 to Niigata Port 新潟 on Sado Kisen Jetfoil 佐渡汽船 ジェットフォイル
  • 10:37AM Arrive at Niigata Port 新潟
  • Lunch at Niigata
  • 1:03PM Depart Niigata Station 新潟駅 to Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅 on Jōetsu Shinkansen Toki 62
  • 1:46PM Arrive at Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅
  • Ponshukan Sake Museum
  • 3:15PM Bus to Ryugon 龍言
  • 5:00PM Dinner at Ryugon
  • 8:30PM Shamizen Performance at Ryugon

Next Day

  • 8:00AM Breakfast at Ryugon
  • 10:30AM Travel to Hakkaisan Yukimuro
  • 12NN Lunch at Echigo Winery

The last part of our Niigata trip was spent in Minami-Uonuma. Two key destination points are Hakkaisan and Ryugon.

Morning – Sado Island

Before we headed to Minami-Uonuma, we took a quick ride around Sado to the beautiful coastal view of Shukunegi and then to the port.

Sado Island has two ports, Ryotsu Port, which connects to Niigata city (Niigata Port) and Ogi Port, which connects to Joetsu (Naoetsu Port). Do note that the ferry route to Naoetsu does not run throughout the year. Remember to check the Sado Kisen site on ferry timings and availability. This trip, we decided to take the ferry (Jetfoil) back to Niigata Port.

There are many options before heading to Minami-Uonuma. The option we took is to have lunch at Niigata City, travel to Echigo Yuzawa then the Ponshukan at Yuzawa Station to grab the free ride to Ryugon. You could also consider lunch at Niigata, Ponshukan at Niigata and walk around Niigata before taking train to Muikamachi Station, or spend more time on Sado.

You can choose between sushi or soba in Niigata City, though many sushi restaurants do not open on Sunday in Niigata.

Lunch – Suzakaya Soba Niigata Station 須坂屋そば 新潟駅前店

〒950-0901 Niigata, Chuo Ward, Benten, 1 Chome−4−29 1F～3F ＩＭＡビル

Yum yum, hegi soba.

Ponshukan Echigo Yuzawa Sake Museum ぽんしゅ館

〒949-6101 2427-3 Yuzawa, Yuzawamachi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Here you get to try all sorts of Nihon-shu or sake! You get 5 coins for 500 yen. Sake are charged between 1 to 3 coins each. Just place your cup, insert coins and press the button to dispense. There are rankings and staff recommendations if you cannot decide.

Stay – Ryugon 龍言

The stay at Ryugon Ryokan was nothing short of enchanting. This traditional Japanese inn provided a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The serene atmosphere, combined with the impeccable service and attention to detail, made for an unforgettable experience. The ryokan’s exquisite gardens and soothing hot springs allows for a good relaxation.

Ryugon, located in Minami Uonuma, Niigata, is a historic building situated at the foot of Mount Sakado. It has a rich history. It is named Ryugon as it was built on the ruins of Ryugon temple which was a branch temple of the ancestral temple Unto-an of Nagao Masagake, brother-in-law to Uesugi Kenshin, former lord of Sakado Castle. Originally a branch temple, it now showcases unique folk architecture from the region.

After withstanding harsh winters of Niigata, Ryugon underwent renovations into an onsen ryokan with a focus on the “Snow Country Culture”. The rejuvenated Ryugon offers a blend of tradition and modernity, providing a serene escape for guests seeking a unique experience in the snowiest region of Japan.

After settling in, have a nice stroll around the ryokan. Be treated to a free flow of snacks as well as sake before dinner. Speaking of dinner, we were treated to a delectable dinner at Ryugon. The traditional kaiseki meal showcased the finest local ingredients and flavors. Each dish featured the essence of Niigata and I loved everything we had! I love rice, but Niigata’s rice is on a different level – it was so good and unforgettable! Look at how the rice glistens! We passed by the lands where the rice was from on our way to the hotel.

Ryugon is well-known for its hospitality. We were there on a Sunday, and were lucky to catch a Shamizen performance! Be sure to catch the performance, enjoy the onsen at night and in the morning as well before breakfast.

Breakfast was also a joy! Again, I loved the rice and all the accompanying dishes.

Next Day – Exploring Hakkaisan

On the second day of my Minami-Uonuma adventure, we went to Hakkaisan Sake Brewery. The views were breathtaking and if you have time, can consider going on a hike at Hakkaisan. We were there for the nihonshu so we headed straight to the Yukimuro 雪室. After the tour through the Yukimuro, we enjoyed the free flow of free sake tastings. Junmaidaijinjyo is still the one of my favourites, and I discovered the 3 Year brew!

Nigirimeshi Teppen　にぎりめしてっぺん

〒949-7112 415-23 Nagamori, Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Minami-Uonuma offers a captivating itinerary filled with cultural discoveries, scenic landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. One night was too short, definitely worth a second visit. My stay at Ryugon Ryokan was nothing short of enchanting and given the activities available, 2 nights stay will definitely be worthwhile.

This ends the 5 day 4 night trip to Niigata. All in all, if you love food, nature and history, Niigata is a hidden gem in Japan not to be missed.

Niigata: A Hidden Gem in Japan – 5D4N – Day 3

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Day 3: Echigo Yuzawa （越後湯沢） to Sado Island （佐渡）

Itinerary

  • 9:06AM Depart Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅 on Jōetsu Shinkansen Toki 305 to Niigata Station
  • 9:51AM Arrive at Niigata Station 新潟駅
  • 11:30AM Depart Niigata Port 新潟 to Ryotsu Port 両津 on Sado Kisen Jetfoil 佐渡汽船 ジェットフォイル
  • 12:37PM Arrive at Ryotsu Port 両津
  • 12:40PM Drive to Sado Kinzan 佐渡金山(Car ride about 40 mins)
  • 1:30PM Tour at Sado Kinzan 佐渡金山
  • 2:30PM Leave for Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) たたこ館 (Car ride about 1 hr)
  • 3:30PM Taiko drum experience at Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) たたこ館
  • 6:00PM Dinner at Motsuyaki Den Sadokanaiten もつ焼 でん 佐渡金井店

Day three we are off to our next location in Niigata! Sado Island.

Sado island

Sado island is the island off the northern coast of Niigata. Sized at around 800 km², Sado is an island home to many rare birds, natural beauty, great food and history. Visitors can immerse themselves in the island’s abundant natural beauty, from rare bird species to stunning vistas. Sado Island is a must-visit destination that promises unforgettable experiences. Can find more information on Sado Island at their Tourism site.

Sado Island is reachable via two ports, one in Niigata city (Niigata Port) to Ryotsu Port on Sado Island, and the other in Joetsu (Naoetsu Port) to Ogi Port on Sado Island. Do note that the ferry route from Naoetsu does not run throughout the year and is for car ferry. Also, ferry frequency is in interval of about 1.5 hour. Remember to check the Sado Kisen site on ferry timings and availability. This trip, we decided to take the ferry (Jetfoil) from Niigata Port as it was faster to reach Niigata via Shinkansen.

11:30AM Niigata Shinkansen Station is not far from the ferry terminal so you can choose between taking the cab or bus. If you are traveling in a group of three or more, you may wish to consider taking the cab. We took the cab and it cost ¥1170 to get to the ferry terminal. By bus, it would be ¥260 per person. We had quite a bit of time to shop around the ferry terminal, but if you are cutting it close, I would suggest reaching at least 30 minutes before time. This is so that there is sufficient time to get your tickets off the counter before the boarding time which is about 15 minutes before departure. The ferry ride is about an hour, long enough for a nap!

On the island, there are bus services as well as chartered cabs. We decided to rent a car so that we can control our timings and with more flexibility. If you are driving too, be sure to have your international driving permit before arriving in Japan!

The coastal views and rock formations are breathtaking. Driving along the coast is definitely recommended. Roads on this island are not complicated. They are generally single lane roads – split into 国道 (State Road) vs 県道 (Prefecture Road). State Roads are much better maintained and the Prefecture Roads might be mountain roads. You may wish to refer to the map for the differences. In this case, the Japanese rental cars GPS systems will typically recommend taking the national roads.

Sado Gold Mine 佐渡金山

1:30PM Our first stop is the Sado Kinzan or Sado Gold Mine. Sado Island has a rich history that dates back centuries. One of the most significant aspects of its history is its gold mine. The gold mine on Sado Island was first discovered in the 17th century and quickly became one of the most productive mines in Japan. It played a crucial role in the economy, attracting many workers and contributing to the wealth of the island. During the Edo period, Sado Island’s gold mine was under the control of the Tokugawa shogunate. The gold extracted from Sado Island’s mine was used to finance the shogunate’s military campaigns and support the economy.

There are different mine tunnels, where you can learn about the mining techniques used in the past, and gain insight into the lives of the workers. We took the Sohdayu Tunnel Mine, which is a 30-minute course that displays the mining experience of the Edo period (1603-1867) with mechanised displays. There are 3 other courses, and one involves wearing MR glasses, which we did not go for this time. The tunnels can get quite cold so be sure to wear a jacket.

Sado Island Taiko Centre たたこう館

3:30PM After the gold mine, we drove to the other side of the island. We signed up for a one hour trial session to learn how to play the traditional Japanese drum – taiko.

Taiko is a traditional Japanese drumming style that has a rich cultural history. It involves the dynamic and energetic performance of various drumming techniques on large drums called “taiko.” The art of taiko drumming originated in Japan and has been a part of Japanese festivals, ceremonies, and performances for centuries.

We had an very passionate instructor who guided us through basic techniques and creating rhythms together as a group. It was a fascinating experience! Highly recommended if you have time. The session costs ¥2,500 per person. For more information about the Sado Island Taiko Centre, including opening hours, please visit their official website.

Nameたたこう館
Address〒952-0611新潟県佐渡市小木金田新田150-3
Emailtatakokan@kodo.or.jp
Tel0259-86-2320

Unfortunately, it was raining very heavily on Sado Island that evening so we did not try the washtub boat ride.

Tabino Hotel Sado

This trip, we stayed at Tabino. Tabino Hotel Sado is a very comfortable hotel. The hotel was one of the tallest buildings (at round 5 floors) in the area. The best part of the hotel was the nearby restaurant selling motsuyaki.

Motsuyaki Den Sadokanaiten もつ焼 でん 佐渡金井店

  • Address: 99-8 Chigusa, Sado, Niigata 952-1209, Japan
  • 〒952-1209 新潟県佐渡市千種99-8
  • TEL/FAX 0259-58-7444.

If you would like to try some raw beef or pork or innards, Motsuyaki Den Sadokanaiten will be probably the best restaurant where you will ever have these. Do not make the same mistake as I did, or at least make this mistake knowingly – sashimi at this place is not raw fish but raw meat innards. We had raw pork fallopian tube, raw beef tongue and raw pork liver. We had a feast that night as everything was very cheap and tasty.

I concluded that more time is needed on Sado Island! If you can, should take an earlier ferry to Sado!

Imoya いもや

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Address: 1-chōme-32 Kanda Jinbōchō, Chiyoda City, Tōkyō-to 101-0051, Japan (jimbocho station exit 3A)

Tel: +81 3-3292-0575

Pricing: below 1000 yen for me

Food: tempura

No pictures as I have not been able to go there for a while. But my favorite tempura place for the “feel”. Definitely value for money. Better call to check if it’s open before going.

Meatman

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Address: 4-8-8 Roppongi, Minato Tokyo Prefecture (Roppongi station exit 6)

Tel:+81-3-3479-9818

Pricing: About 3000 yen for me

Definitely my favorite. A place I revisit each time I’m back in Japan. I love yakitori but this place it is more than yakitori. I regard it as having more kushiyaki. There’s chicken, pork, beef and vegetables. I love it for the atmosphere, a small place in Roppongi with great food and vibe. The secret is I fell in love with the place many years back as they were playing final fantasy as their background music. I don’t think they do that now.

The menu changed over the years, so I will always go for some of the specials, along with the various bacon rolls. Oh and the umeshu. Always call and make a reservation first. It’s fairly crowded even on weekdays. Pictures from my latest trip in April 2019 are below!

Comment: Many friends have asked me for food recommendations in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I never quite kept a list that was easily shareable. (And I was not quite the food connoisseur.) So I’ve decided to use my website as a place to keep track of my favourite places.

Day trip in Mie prefecture from Nagoya

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To Ise Shrine, I would recommend staying at Nagoya if you have lots of luggage and using the JR pass. If you can afford just bringing a small piece of luggage, perhaps you could explore other lodging options in Mie Prefecture. 三重県

  • 8:05 am Took the JR tokkyu line from Nagoya station 名古屋駅 this had another 810 yen per person even with the JR pass. Or you could take the 8:37 am train which is the JR kaisoku mie no. 1 JR快速みえ1号 鳥羽行, which reaches at 10:18 am but you don’t have to worry about changing trains. You will still have to pay an extra 500 yen (collected on the train as well) as part of the track is owned by another company. Whichever train you take, go for the unreserved seats. (I love Japanese trains, they all have toilets lol)

  • 9:56 am Reached Iseshi. This station brings you close to the geku of the ise shrine. 外宮 伊勢神宮 the walk is fast and pretty straightforward.

  • Map taken from the shrine. You can’t take pictures of the shrine itself. But it’s unlike most other shrines you have seen. It has a long history dating as far back as 4 BC and is of the most important shrines in Japan. It is where the imperial family visits. Happen so that the imperial family visited the day before I did. The Ise Jingu consists of 125 jinjas. The Geku, my first stop, is dedicated to Toyo’uke-no-Omikami 豊受大神 or goddess for agriculture and industry. For more information you can visit the site.
  • While I couldn’t take pictures of the shrine, I took pictures of the massive trees they have.
  • 11:34 am After a walk round Geku, we proceeded to take the bus to Naiku 内宮.

  • 11:47 am We alighted at the last stop, iseji busstop. Or you can alight one stop earlier and head to the old town first. But I’ve decided to head to the shrine first before lunch at the old town.
  • Lovely walk in. The shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu and considered one of the most important shrines in Japan. You will not be able to take pictures of the shrine.
  • After the shrine, have a nice walk down the old town. Okageyokocho おかげ横丁 Try the matsusaka beef 松坂牛丼 or udon. Abalone too.

  • 1:51 pm Took the CAN bus to meoto Iwa. 夫婦岩 This was to maximize my time in Mie prefecture. You could choose a later time for the bus and stay in the ancient street longer.

  • 2:28 pm journey was shorter than I had expected but good to reach early. Did some shopping at the 水族館. Small shrine with two rocks by the sea. I suppose the best time would be either sunrise or sunset, but nonetheless, we came and we saw. Then we did a slow walk to the futamino ura station 二見浦. One of the most remote stations I have seen. No one manning! And no gantry.
  • 4.02 pm I think the walk was a good 20 mins for me. I wanted to take it slow and yet not miss the 4.02 pm kaisoku mie 20 line 快速みえ 20. Reaches Nagoya at 6.06 pm and you don’t have to transfer trains. You will need to pay an extra 500 yen per person as you did coming from Nagoya to Ise. It started with two cars at futami no ura station and joined up with other cars at iseshi. Quite cool.
  • 6.06 pm Back in Nagoya. Here you are free to roam and grab dinner. I highly recommend chicken wings or hitsumabushi. ひつまぶし I really looked forward to chicken wings.

Day trip to Mount Hiei from Kyoto

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(Decided to post this as I had difficulty finding a nice itinerary)

• 9 am – had breakfast at Hoshino coffee at Kyoto station 京都駅 600 yen for toast with coffee. It’s near the 八条東口

• 9:48am – took JR Tokaido-Sanyo line 東海道・山陽線 from Kyoto 京都

• 10:03am – reached Hieizan-Sakamoto 比叡山坂本 station.

• 10:10am – I used the toilet and missed the bus which departed at 10:08 am. So I took a taxi which cost 690 yen to cable Sakamoto Eki busstop ケーブル坂本駅 That’s still manageable especially if you have 3 or more people. If you take bus, the bus ride would be about 10 mins (but the next one would be at 10:38 am). Bus stop is really easy to locate.

• 10:30am – Hieizan-Sakamoto cable car to cable enryakuji station ケーブル延暦寺駅 which is the other end of the cable. Cable car departs every 30 minutes. Cost 1620 yen for a 2 way return ticket. This is the longest cable rope way.

• Ride up was about 10 minutes. Mom and I took a really slow walk – stopping to take pictures of random trees – to enryakuji. 延暦寺

• once you arrive, you could hear the temple bell ring from a distance. You know you are in the right area. Since the temple is a sprawling one, we decided to take it slow and stay in the east side where the main hall Konpon Chu do 根本中堂 was. It’s under major refurbishment. There’s entry fee. I forgot how much.

• 11:30am – we were hungry so went to the kaikan 延暦寺会館 that is nearby to have a vegetarian meal. Cost was 2,200 yen per person. Tel: 077 579 4180. Hall was big so we didn’t have to make any reservation. View of biwako 琵琶湖 was great but cherry blossoms not yet in bloom.

• In the todo area 東堂 we saw a few places including the daikodo 大講堂 where you could ring the bell. Also went to see the todo 東堂 and amidado 阿弥陀堂

• 12:43 pm Next, we took bus from enryakuji bus centre 延暦寺バースセンターto the summit 比叡山頂. Using your pasmo or suica card, you can tap in and tap out. It’s 160 yen per person.

• Went into the garden. 1,200 yen per person. I think we came too early, give it another 2 weeks the sakuras at the temple will bloom and the garden will have prettier scenes. Nevertheless, you can enjoy the view of biwako and kyoto.

• 2:30 pm – took bus back to todo area 東堂

• 3 pm – took cable car back from the same cable enryakuji station ケーブル延暦寺駅 to cable sakamoto station ケーブル坂本駅

• 3:20 pm – bus to Hieizan-Sakamoto 比叡山坂本 station

• 3:42 pm – train to sannomiya station 三ノ宮 (JR湖西線新快速 姫路行)

• 4:52 pm – Teppanyaki Dinner with Kobe beef

• 6:22 pm – train to Kyoto 京都 (JR神戸線新快速 草津行)

~ End of day ~

Comments: This was a pretty relaxed itinerary. If you like something more, you could try the eizen ropeway or visit the other areas on hiei or take the boat rides in the lake. For me this let me fully utilize my jr pass!

GLAMOROUS SKY by 中岛美嘉

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原唱:中岛美嘉  翻唱/后期:LALA

開け放した窓に 廻る乱舞のDEEP SKY
AH 仰いで…

「繰り返す日々に 何の意味があるの？」
AH 叫んで
飛び出す GO
履き潰した ROCKING SHOES
跳ね上げる PUDDLE
フラッシュバック
君は CLEVER
AH，REMEMBER

あの虹を渡って あの朝に帰りたい
あの夢を並べて 二人歩いた GLAMOROUS DAYS

「明け渡した愛に 何の価値もないの？」
AH 嘆いて
吐き出す GO
飲み干して ROCK’N’ROLL
息上がる BATTLE
フラッシュバック
君の FLAVOR
AH， REMEMBER

あの星を集めて この胸に飾りたい
あの夢を繋いで 二人踊った GLAMOROUS DAYS

眠れないよ!

SUNDAY MONDAY
稲妻 TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
雪花
FRIDAY SATURDAY
七色 EVERYDAY
闇雲 消える FULL MOON
応えて 僕の声に

あの雲を払って 君の未来照らしたい
この夢を抱えて 一人歩くよ GLORIOUS DAYS

あの虹を渡って あの朝に帰りたい
あの夢を並べて 二人歩いた GLAMOROUS DAYS

GLAMOROUS SKY

akebanashita mado ni,  mawaru ranbu no DEEP SKY
AH… aoi de

kurikaesuhibini, nan no imi ga aru no
AH… sakende
tobidasugo

hakitubushita ROCKING SHOES
haneageru PUDDLE
FLASHBACK
kimi ha CLEVER
AH… REMEMBER

ano niji wo watatte ano asa ni kaeritai
ano yume wo narabete futari aruita GLAMOROUS DAYS

akewatashita ai ni, nan no kachimo nai no
AH… nageite
hakidasu GO
nomihoshite ROCK&ROLL
ikiagaru BATTLE
FLASHBACK
kimi no FLAVOR
AH… REMEMBER

ano hoshi wo atsumete, konomune ni kazaritai
ano yume wo tsunaide,  futari odotta GLAMOROUS DAYS

SUNDAY MONDAY inotuma TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY yukibana
FRIDAY SATURDAY nanairo EVERYTHING
yami kumo kieru FULL MOON, kotaete boku no koe ni

ano kumo wo haratte kimi no mirai terashi tai
kono yume wo kakaete hitori arukuyo GLORIOUS DAYS

ano niji wo wataete ano asa ni kaeritai
ano yume wo narabete futaride aruita GLAMOROUS DAYS
GLAMOROUS SKY

Dr Ci Labo V^.^V

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Highly recommended for people like me with sensitive skin. 🙂 Also, what’s great about it is, there is no hassle at all… just one item is sufficient. Previously I had to use the toner+whitening lotion+moisturiser, but now all I need is one Aqua-Collagen-Gel, very economical too :).

The site: http://www.ci-labo.com/

What’s interesting is, they have a few campaigns going on right now as it is the 10th anniversary this year, so I cant help but blog about it. I think it is only available for people living in Japan…

1. For limited sets only, there is a special combo campaign for a extra large size for the Aqua-Collage-Gel product. You could save up to approximately 9000 yen in total! I did 🙂

http://www.ci-labo.com/campaign/10th_big2/

2. Again, for limited sets only, for 10000 yen,  you get a bag of products worth 25000 yen though you wouldnt know exactly what would be in the bag.

http://www.ci-labo.com/campaign/10th_fukubukuro/

3. You can also get samples for free!! Very decent package.

http://www.ci-labo.com/cishop/sample/