Tag: 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

ningzheavenLeave a comment

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!

Niigata: A Hidden Gem in Japan – 5D4N – Day 2

ningzheavenLeave a comment

Day 2: Echigo Yuzawa （越後湯沢）

Itinerary

  • 8:00AM Breakfast at Ryokan
  • 9:40AM Bus from Yuzawa Station Bus Terminal 湯沢駅前 Lane 1 to Naeba Prince Hotel Stop 苗場プリンスホテル前
  • 10:21AM Arrive at Naeba Prince Hotel Stop 苗場プリンスホテル前
  • ~10:35PM Shuttle Bus to Dragondola Sanroku Station and Dragondola ride
  • 11PM Reach Dragondola Sancho Station
  • 12:20PM Dragondola back to Dragondola Sanroku Station
  • 12:52PM Bus from Naeba Prince Hotel Stop 苗場プリンスホテル前 to Yuzawa Station 湯沢駅前
  • 1:38PM Reach Yuzawa Station 湯沢駅前
  • Lunch at Shinbashi / Shopping
  • 2:40PM Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway
  • 4:20PM Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway back to Yuzawa
  • 5PM Dinner at Yuzawa Kamakura
  • Onsen at ryokan

Day 2 in Echigo Yuzawa started with a nice hearty breakfast at the ryokan!

9:15AM After filling our tummies, we set off towards Yuzawa Station where there is a bus (Lane 1) that will take us to the Dragondola. The walk was short and we reached the bus terminal at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. However, there was already a long queue! We had no seats but thankfully we got on the bus. I suggest to reach the bus terminal early like us to avoid disappointment. Also, you should check the latest bus timings either at the tourist information center or at your ryokan in case there are updates to the schedule due to the season like our case.

9:40AM The bus ride was approximately 40 minutes and takes you through the mountains. Nice scenery along the way. In order to get to the Dragondola, you will need to transfer to another shuttle bus at the Naeba Prince Hotel. The ride to Naeba Prince Hotel costs 700 yen. This bus did not accept Suica or Pasmo when I took it. Remember to have some cash on hand! If travelling in a group, you can also combine your payment and pay with notes as well.

Alternative Route! You can also consider a different route, which is to start with the Tashiro Ropeway. It brings you above 二居湖（ふたいこ）Lake Futai before reaching the top. It’s the same bus, but instead of alighting at Naeba Prince Hotel Stop 苗場プリンスホテル前, you alight at Futai Tashiro Ski Resort Stop 二居田代スキー場前. Tashiro Ropeway (1066 Mikuni, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6212)

  • 10:21AM Arrived at Naeba Prince Hotel Stop 苗場プリンスホテル前. So, the route we took was a round trip on Dragondola itself. It should be pretty obvious where to alight – most people will alight at the Naeba Prince Hotel stop. Here, there is a building where you can buy round trip tickets (3,800 yen) for the Dragondola and take the shuttle bus to the Dragondola station. We missed one bus after arrival but another bus soon came after, so you need not worry about waiting for too long. There isn’t much to do here anyway, so hop on to the next shuttle bus when you see it.
  • The shuttle service stops right at the Dragondola station, you can follow the crowd or just walk up towards the ground floor to catch the gondola.

Dragondola Sanroku Station

Address202 Mikuni, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6292
DirectionsBus from Echigoyuzawa Station (East Exit) bound for Naeba Prince Hotel then shuttle bus
Opening Times9:00A.M. – 3:00P.M. (Last downbound 4:00P.M.)
Check for seasonal operation times!
Websitehttps://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/autumn/mtnaeba.html

Dragondola

The Dragondola ride is approximately 25 minutes. At 5,481metres long, it is said to be Japan’s longest gondola. It goes through a few peaks, so look out for the majestic view as it passes each peak. The view is spectacular with a few picturesque viewpoints to look out for.

I was with a couple of friends and we joined another passenger on the same ride. Some of us took the front seats and I took the back facing seats. Personally, I felt that for this direction, both views were great. What you might want to take note of is if you are on the left or the right. If you are seated on the right (when forward facing), you will be able to catch pictures of Lake Futai. There is also a small “caveat” – If you are afraid of heights, I suggest grabbing the forward facing seats! The final climb is rather long and can be initimidating if you are looking at the depth as it climbs higher.

At the top of Kagura, there are food trucks, coffee and snacks. There’s also a restaurant where you can have food (Last Order 2:30pm). For us, we walked towards Lake Tashiro. We rode the Rakuraku Lift （ラクラクリフト）up to the end of the Tashiro Ropeway. I recommend taking the lift up as the alternative route is fairly steep! The view of the area was very pretty even though it was the tail-end of the autumn colours on this end. You can take the ropeway back or you can make a turn like us. This time I didn’t take the lift down. Instead I took a nice stroll down and enjoyed the nice weather and view.

We took the Dragondola back and this time I sat on the front facing seats. While the view is the equally pretty and colorful, the experience was different. You are always drawing nearer towards the bottom of the valley. If you want a different view, you might want to shift sides instead. This time, you will see the lake on the left and autumn colours on the right.

12:52PM We were not hungry so we decided to take the 12:52PM bus back to Yuzawa. If you are considering a non repeat route instead of our route, I recommend Tashiro Ropeway → Rakuraku Lift → Dragondola instead of the opposite direction. You are more likely be able to get on to the bus on your return if there is a crowd. Personally, I think the roundtrip on Dragondola was worth it for the view and the longer ride.

1:38PM After reaching Yuzawa Station 湯沢駅前, our next step is Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway. Given the differences in temperature, Yuzawa Kogen Autumn was pre-peak while Kagura was post-peak. Something to note if you are chasing autumn colours. If hungry, you can make a short detour for soba!

Shinbashi

If you desire food, I recommend hegi soba at Shinbashi. It is on the way to the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway. Hand-made soba with great texture and taste. What more can I say! Loved it.

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

2:40PM The Ropeway departs every 20 minutes and take about 7 minutes to reach top of Alp no Sato. It is 1,300 metres long and is said to be one of the world’s biggest ropeways, having a capacity of 166 passengers. Alp no Sato is at an altitude of 1,000 meters, and features a garden made with rocks, as well as 200 rare species of alpine plants you would normally only see at highlands around 2,500 meters above sea level. On your way up, you get to see the view of Echigo-Yuzawa and its surroundings. Round trip was 2,600 yen.

Weather was not great when we arrived so we did not go far. However, we caught double rainbows! What a lucky sight! If you like, you can take an earlier ride and enjoy the view and work around the area. There is a bus shuttle to bring us up the slope or you can take a walk up.

Address新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町大字湯沢490
Directions10 minutes on foot from the west exit of JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station
Opening Times【Ropeway】Late April to Mid-November: 8:40A.M. to 5:00P.M.（Operation Frequency: Every 20 minutes）
Websitehttps://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/6943

We spent about 1 and a half hours before catching the last gondola down for more food and onsen! Dinner was at this place called Yuzawa Kamakura, an izakaya. Good for drinks and rice balls, grilled fish, chicken and beef!

Yuzawa Kamakura

Niigata: A Hidden Gem in Japan – 5D4N – Day 1

ningzheavenLeave a comment

Day 1: Tokyo （東京）→ Echigo Yuzawa （越後湯沢）

Our first stop is Echigo Yuzawa （越後湯沢）, the first shinkansen stop in Niigata （新潟）on the Toki line. It is famous for Fuji Rock and Ski Resorts such as Naeba. Toki is a rare bird found in Sado Island.

To get there, head to Tokyo（東京） Station. If you had bought the JR Pass online, you will have to exchange your online ticket for the JR Pass at the designated offices. We went to the JR East Travel Service Center near the Marunouchi North Exit 丸の内北口. Given there were a lot of tourists, JR opened up two offices when we were there, so look out for the shorter queue. At the office, you will need to determine which days to cover. We got the JR East Pass for 5 Days. It nicely covered our 5 day-4 night trip in Niigata.

I recommend to get the reserved seat tickets for all your subsequent train rides at one go. There are still options for you at the other Shinkansen stations, but it will be less worrying if you get it at this point.

It was a Thursday when we travelled to Niigata, so there were two trains that we could take:

  • Departs 10:16AM Jōetsu Shinkansen Toki 315 to Niigata （新潟）、reach 11:31AM – 1 hr 15 min (5 stops)
  • Departs 11:40AM Jōetsu Shinkansen Toki 319 to Niigata （新潟）、reach 12:58PM – 1 hr 18 min (5 stops)

10:00AM We decided to grab Ramen at the Ramen Street in Tokyo Station. Tokyo Dried Sardines Ramen Gyoku 東京煮干しらーめん玉東京駅店 had a unique fish-based broth. If you are earlier or have more time, you can have ramen as early as 8:30 AM or consider other ramen options which had long queues.

11:10AM We did not reserve seats online beforehand, so we could only use the unreserved seats. As Tokyo is the first station for the Toki line, we managed to secure seats by queuing early at the platform. Take note of the queue lines – one is for the next train, and one is for the subsequent train. Even though we reached 30 minutes before the train departure time, there was already a queue. I recommend heading to car 2 where there are more seats compared to car 1.

11:40AM Riding the train to Echigo Yuzawa station

12:58PM After reaching Echigo Yuzawa train station, our first stop is the Kiyotsu Gorge. As there was only 12 minutes before the bus departs, we used the luggage lockers to hold our luggages before heading to the Kiyotsu Gorge. Note that there are not many buses, only one in the morning and 3 in the afternoon at 2 hour intervals (as of October 2023).

1:10PM Based on the bus schedule, we managed to catch the 1:10PM bus from 越後湯沢駅　東口. Look out for the East exit and walk towards the bus terminal – Lane 4, bus number 5 towards 桃宮野原　Momomiyanohara. On the timetable, the bus times are on the right most column. It costs 500 yen to get to Kiyotsu Gorge 清津峡. When boarding the bus, you might not need to take a ticket. This means that you will pay the amount indicated on the bus board where there is no number indicated. This bus did not accept Suica or Pasmo, but you can combine your payment and pay with notes if you do not have sufficient change.

1:34PM After arriving at the Kiyotsu Gorge stop, we embarked on a leisure 20-30 minute stroll. Of course, being avid photographers, we just had to stop every few steps to capture the breathtaking scenery. The autumn colours were just starting to show, like they were putting on a slow fashion show. It seemed like we were a tad early for the grand spectacle by about 1-2 weeks, but hey, at least we didn’t have to fight for tickets! Pro tip: If you’re planning a visit during the peak season, make sure to secure entrance tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Address新潟県十日町市小出癸2119-2
DirectionsBus from Echigoyuzawa Station (East Exit) bound for Morimiyanohara Iriguchi Station.
Alight at Kiyotsukyo Iriguchi Station
Car ParkAvailable
Opening Times8:30AM to 4:30PM(March-November)
9:00AM to 3:30PM(in winter)
Websitehttps://nakasato-kiyotsu.com/

Kiyotsu Gorge 清津峡

Kiyotsu Gorge, also known as the Tunnel of Light, is a remarkable attraction located in Niigata, Japan. Designed by MAD architects, the Gorge is truly a sight and visual experience. It is almost like an art exhibition in itself. The gorge features a long tunnel that creates a surreal atmosphere with its play of light and shadows. At the end of the tunnel, there is a reflective water area where you can capture stunning photos.

It costs 1000 yen to enter the tunnel. Depending on the crowd, I suggest going right to the end where you can take photos in the tunnel over the reflective water. When we got in, there was already a short queue but by the time we were done, there were a lot more tour groups queuing to take pictures. Big poses are recommended.

After exploring tunnel, we had some ice cream at the shop right at the entrance of the tunnel, and had a foot bath. Aim for the 3:57 PM bus ride back to Yuzawa（湯沢駅）. Otherwise, the last bus will come at 5:57PM.

Be careful if you decide to wait for the last bus. There might be scams and people targeting Japanese speaking tourists when the night falls.

3:57PM Bus from Kiyotsu Gorge to Yuzawa（湯沢駅）. Bus ride costs 500 yen. There was no option to use Suica or Pasmo this trip, so prepare some cash on hand. For the return, remember to take a ticket when boarding. The number will determine how much you pay! If you lose it, you will have to pay the full price.

Ryokan Shosenkaku Kagetsu 松泉閣　花月

5PM First day ended with us checking into our Ryokan Shosenkaku Kagetsu 松泉閣　花月, 5mins from Echigo Yuzawa station. Beautiful onsen ryokan, with very friendly staff. The ryokan has a bit of rustic feel, very clean and comfortable. Loved the smell of the tatami and enjoyed the sight of koi swimming in a stream as we walked into the ryokan. We had dinner at the ryokan that night and it was a wonderful spread from the lands of Niigata.

****

Itinerary

  • 10:00AM Brunch at Ramen Street in Tokyo Station
  • 11:40AM Train to Echigo Yuzawa on Joetsu Shinkansen Toki 319
  • 12:58PM Arrive at Echigo Yuzawa Station
  • 1:10PM Bus to Kiyotsu Gorge Entrance stop　(清津峡入口 Kiyotsu kai iriguchi)
  • 1:34PM Reach Kiyotsu Gorge Entrance stop
  • 2:00PM Reach Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel of Light
  • 3:30PM Leave Kiyotsu Gorge
  • 3:57PM Bus from Kiyotsu Gorge to Yuzawa（湯沢駅）
  • 4:25PM Reach Echigo Yuzawa Station
  • 5PM Dinner and onsen at ryokan

Meatman

ningzheavenLeave a comment

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

ningzheavenLeave a comment

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

ningzheavenLeave a comment

(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!

Dr Ci Labo V^.^V

ningzheavenLeave a comment

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/