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Japan via Kuala Lumpur
  • Kerrie Palamountain
  • Kerrie Palamountain

Japan via Kuala Lumpur

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    7Our Ryokan breakfast table
    7Our Ryokan breakfast table10One breakfast serve2Breakfast this morningA little shrine along the Torii Path16One of the many Buddha Statues where people just leave money!2Beautiful hiking path1Fungi (edible)More fungiDescending into Narai-Juku2Narai- Juku. This street goes for 1 km.1Cemetery on a hillKiso Ohashi big Bridge made of timber1Over 100 Buddha statues at this shrine3Our final Ryokan living area1Ryokan bedroom1Some of the food presented at our final Ryokan DinnerMenu - page 12Menu - page 26No time tonight to shower before our 6 pm dinner!Sushi entreeBeef and vegetables that we cooked ourselvesMore courses!Clam soup and mushroom rice163Arriving at Narai-JukuNatsuko talking about chestnuts5Our final Traditional Japanese dinner with jazz in the background

    Kiso Fukushima to Matsumoto

    29 September 2025, Jepun ⛅ 17 °C

    The Ryokan we stayed at overnight produced a delicious breakfast. We had our own cookers again and a number of other dishes.
    We were ready to roll at 0815 and the Ryokan shuttle bus returned us to the Yabuhara Station where we rode in a local train to the beginning of the Nakasendo Toriitoge Pass Hiking Trail. The weather was perfect - lower temperatures and much less humidity, just perfect for hiking the 9 km Pass. The first 3 km was up a mountain and the remaining 6 km was a delightful descent into the Historic Post Town of Narai-Juku.
    We were given 2 hours to explore this ancient area. We enjoyed another Okinomiyaki at a local restaurant before gathering again for another 56 minute train trip to Matsumoto. We then got a local bus to our final Ryokan, maybe 20 minutes from the city. Once again we were treated to a fabulous traditional Japanese dinner with many courses!
    We are thrilled to have a low bed rather than a futon tonight. We showered after dinner and relaxed in a private onsen. These onsens (deep wooden baths) are amazing. I (Kerrie) want one!!
    Sadly we are fast coming to the end of this fabulous trip. The group has worked well together and our Guide, Natsuko, is the best Guide you could ever wish for. Her organisational skills are amazing. We all just follow along like puppy dogs and wait for her to tell us what to do, where to stand, when to move, when to go to the toilet, etc (get the idea?). Oh dear, the day after tomorrow this trip concludes and we are all dreading having to look after ourselves again!!
    Another superb day, with the last day of the trip tomorrow when we visit Matsumoto Castle before travelling to our final destination, Tokyo.    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    1Our final Ryokan breakfast
    1Our final Ryokan breakfast2Our individual breakfasts6Hate to keep harping on this but jazz is played in empty rooms!!The owner of the 150 year old Ryokan farewelling our group1Car versus our bus accident2Matsumoto Castle4Extremely steep stairs to each level of the castle1Almost fits in the garage!11From Matsumoto on express train to Tokyo eating sushi!Getting close to Tokyo and getting excited!1Francie being presented with her birthday giftCrunchy deep fried shrimp heads!3Deep fried shrimp heads - quite nice!SushimuSalad courseTempura mushroom and prawn cutletRice with some yummy crunchy something on top!Dessert2Natsuko is just beautiful!Christina presenting Natsuko with our gift to herTokyo6We have arrived in Tokyo!

    Matsumoto to Tokyo

    30 September 2025, Jepun ☁️ 24 °C

    We had our final Ryokan breakfast in the 150 year old building and were then farewelled by the staff and owner.
    We got a bus back to Matsumoto and the bus was involved in a minor accident. This is the first vehicle accident I (Kerrie) has even been in! We were all jolted forward as the young bus driver slammed on his breaks. No injuries thankfully.
    We visited Matsumoto Castle and climbed the terrifyingly steep stairs to the 6th floor (and down again with back packs on!)
    We then got the Express Train to Tokyo which took 2 hours. Natsuko was concerned about arriving in Tokyo and transferring to a local train to reach our hotel. The central station in Tokyo has 3.5 million commuters per day! We got onto the local subway train without any hassles which Nat was very happy about!
    We dressed for dinner at a Tempura Restaurant nearby and walked through the amazing city of Tokyo to get there.
    It was Francie's birthday, so we sang happy birthday and Nat presented her with a gift from OKU (tour organiser).
    Natsuko then presented the group with a momento of the trip before we gave her a well earned envelope of tips. She deserved every Yen! By far the best Tour Guide we have ever had.
    Then the heartfelt farewells to each other - we all know that this is just a once off special time in our lives, but, oh boy, it's hard to say goodbye 🫂.    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    3Amazing Tokyo!
    3Amazing Tokyo!21The glitz of Tokyo3The street owned by the Yakuza (Japanese Marfia).2The Tokyo Food Tour GroupSushimiFried Pork with mustardCitrus Depressor - Okinawan Fruit DrinkA delicious tuna salad with a delicate seaweed.4An Okinawan vegetable salad with ... Spam!!Okinawan purple sweet potato crumbed & friedThis was delicious - vegetable encased seaweed fried.1Dessert - Katsugorou (like a crisp pancake with filling)2This is a wax display of a raw horsemeat meal! For Di Brown!2One of the many wax meal displays2Japanese are fascinated with these games!6On our Tokyo food tour. This is Omoide Yokocho - Memory LaneThis dish is called Tofu Thunder!2Entertainment everywhere!3No one (not even children) makes any noise on the train!!1Trout served scorched on our food tour of Tokyo33D Imagining with a rapper in the background.

    Tokyo & Food Tour

    1 Oktober 2025, Jepun 🌧 20 °C

    This morning we had breakfast with a few of the OKU hiking group before moving to a much less expensive hotel about 350 metres away. We arrived far too early to check in, so were able to launder heaps of our hiking clothes and book our bus tickets to Kawaguchi on Friday, 3/10/25. We settled into our room before check in time (we think the Reception staff felt sorry for us) and had some down time just repacking our bags and preparing for our Tokyo tours.
    We were booked for a Tokyo Food Tour at 6 pm and, once again, had to negotiate the Tokyo Subway train system to reach the meeting point for the tour. We had to get off at the busiest train station in the world (fact) - Shinjuku Tokyo. We eventually found the Guide for the tour and the rest of the group (12).. We were given a wide variety of sumptuous food (with the exception of the spam in the Okinawan Salad!) - see the photos.
    Being in Tokyo at night is fabulous! Such a buzz! The education by the Guide was fascinating. For example, our Guide, Will, spoke of the Yakuza (Japanese Marfia) who, even today, rule by fear. If someone is dishonourable to a Marfia boss, the expectation is that the person will chop off a finger themselves and present it to the boss (with a financial payment often as well).
    We got the train back to Ginza Station and our Hotel without any problems around 10.30 pm and had to quickly prepare for our Tokyo Bike ride at 0900 in the morning.
    We have gone from one extreme to another in Japan - from the very traditional Japanese rural villages to one of the biggest cities in the world. It's all just incredible!    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    3Stadium built for 2000 Olympics but not used because of Covid3Hachico's monument5Hachico's mini shrine next to his Master's monument2Hachico's Master's Monument2Tokyo Tower built for Radio Transmission in 1938. Copy of Eiffel Tower3Buddhist Dojo Temple, built in 1393 but rebuilt after WW11 bombing4Inside Buddhist Dojo Temple11See explanation - next photo4At every Shrine in Japan people can write their prayers for the next year (and pay to do so!)The Japanese have beautiful hearts ..3This bell rings 108 times each NYE. People gather to begin the New Year with a pure heartFrom the Emperor's PalaceOur Guides for the Bike Tour.3This is not common in Tokyo, but the homeless are there!2Tokyo Kabukicho Tower14From the 46th floor of Tokyo's Kabukicho Tower3Trains run every 3 minutes

    Tokyo Cycle Tour

    2 Oktober 2025, Jepun ☁️ 22 °C

    An early start this morning because we needed to be approximately 8 train stops away from our nearest Ginza station to join a bike tour of Tokyo, starting at 0900.
    We disembarked the Marunouchi Line Train OK but found ourselves underground with no idea how to exit the subway! We had to find the correct exit because we could find ourselves a long way from our meeting point otherwise! We arrived right on time, but slightly stressed!
    There were 6 in our group with 2 Guides.
    Biking in Japan is very interesting and challenging. You ride mainly on the footpath (along with many pedestrians). You weave around people and often ride on the wrong side of the road to get to your destination. It is impolite to use your bell so you cannot warn people that you are about to whiz past them! It all seems to work though!
    We visited another Shrine built in honour of a previous Emperor and the Buddhist Dojo Temple.
    We also visited the huge cemetery which has the tombs of many Japanese Families. The most interesting was the Memorial to the dog Hachico, who waited every day for 10 years for his master to come home from work (he died at work). There is a film called 'Hachi' based on this true story. Hachico's remains and Monument are next to his Master's Tomb. Very touching story and one that captured the hearts of the Japanese people .
    The best part of the tour was the view from Tokyo's Kabukicho Tower, where we were able to get a bird's eye view of this incredible city.
    We travel by train and bus tomorrow to Kawaguchi (near Mount Fuji) for the last phase of our Japanese Adventure!    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    9Mount Fuji with a Lawson Convenience Store in the foreground!
    9Mount Fuji with a Lawson Convenience Store in the foreground!1Our rental house1There are 4 bedrooms like this one.

    Tokyo to Kawaguchico (Mount Fuji)

    3 Oktober 2025, Jepun ☁️ 15 °C

    Today we embarked on the final leg of our time in Japan - Kawaguchico, the township at the base of Mt Fuji.
    But first, the journey to get here ... maybe get yourselves a coffee (or something a bit more nerve soothing first)!
    We knew that today was going to possibly be not only the last, but the biggest challenge of our trip ... and we were not wrong!!
    We left our Hotel with an extra 1.25 hrs up our sleeves, just in case things went haywire getting to our ultimate destination - our bus to Kawaguchico from Shinjuku Tokyo Railway Station.
    All went swimmingly until we disembarked from the train at Shinjuku Station (the busiest station in the world). We were underground, of course, and had no GPS to direct us to the correct exit to the bus station. Let's paint the Shinjuku Station picture here - there are many levels underground and the corridors go in all directions for hundreds of metres. What we found was that the signage for an exit was OK for a while, but then there was nothing. We think that they probably think that if they get you on a certain path you can figure out the rest yourselves! Wrong!
    Long story short, we were like rabbits in a burrow, scurrying from one exit to another! Eventually we surfaced (dragging a case with wheels with a back pack and shoulder bag) and followed Google Maps to the Bus Station, but even that was difficult!
    On the bus we climbed and almost collapsed into our seats with exhaustion at 1125 hrs!
    Our rental house on Kawaguchico is maybe 500 metres from the bus station. It is a house with 4 bedrooms. No living area, unless you want to sit on your legs on a tatami mat!
    We walked maybe 1.5 km to a supermarket, however, everything is labelled in Japanese. I was looking at buying something to nibble and was about to drop a packet of yummy looking things into our shopping basket when I realized it was dog treats! Roger said, after what he's eaten in the last month in Japan, he would probably have happily munched on the dog food! We ended up buying a salad and some hot food from the 7 Eleven Convenience Store for our dinner. That's a story in itself! We bought a white wine from Chile for $6 and a red from France for $10 so happily ate our meal and drank our wine at the house rather than eating out.
    We were booked to do 2 days of guided bike riding tomorrow and the next day, but the forecast is for rain. The tour operator is going to take us on a 6 hour guided tour by car instead. The next day should be good for cycling. Our day ended so happily with a surprise call from Sue & Duncan!    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    3Torii gate leading to the Shrine of Mt Fuji
    3Torii gate leading to the Shrine of Mt FujiMt Fuji Shinto ShrineThe original beginning of the climb to Mr FujiThe God who protects Hikers en route to Mt FujiMt Fuji ShrineA thatched roof needing replacement3Private residence3New thatched roof3The water from Mount Fuji is crystal clearThe clear waters from Mt Fuji1The gardens of a Guest House11No that's not Mt Fuji!4A garden growing on a thatched roof.Taken from our lunch restaurant window5Village of Nenba5Tokyo Bike Tour1Tokyo Bike Tour Group4Our Guide insisted on us posing like this - Roger loved it (!!)1

    Tour of Fujiyoshida

    4 Oktober 2025, Jepun ☁️ 18 °C

    Our scheduled bike tour became a car tour because of drizzling rain. Our Guide, Aaron, is an American married to a Japanese woman. They run Fuji Bike Tours and they are about to build an Art / Craft shop in the district.
    First Aaron took us to the Shinto Shrine to Mount Fuji. We are becoming very proficient at Shinto Cleansing and we will be returning to Australia as pure, unadulterated souls! To cleanse one self you go through a ritual of washing both hands and then your face (it's quite complicated and I, Kerrie, will need to demonstrate in person!) Don't ask Roger, he refuses to participate! To pray, first you throw some money into a tray to alert the Gods you are present, then you bow twice, clap twice and then pray. You then bow once again.
    This Shrine to Mount Fuji is particularly picturesque with a mountain in the background and lots of cypress trees.
    Aaron took us all around the Fujiyoshida district which has a population of 60,000 people. Sadly, 30% of the houses are abandoned because young people who have inherited the properties don't want to live in the country and don't want to pay the costs associated with owning the property, so they just walk away.
    We visited a village called Oshino where there are houses with thatched roofs that need repairing. There are only 45 people in Japan who can replace thatched roofs apparently.
    Aaron took us to the village of Nenba which was rebuilt in the early 2000's following a landslide where 92 people lost their lives. The village is now a tourist attraction with lots of artisan shops.
    We enjoyed a curry lunch before being dropped off at our accommodation mid afternoon. Once again we created a dinner thanks to 7 Eleven!
    Hopefully tomorrow we will be able to ride around the picturesque lakes.
    (We received some photos from our Small Group Tokyo Bike Tour so I'll add some to the photo collection.)
    PS The weather is cool and we are now wearing, for the first time, the jackets we've been dragging around Japan!    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    2On our way to the airport - farewell Tokyo!
    2On our way to the airport - farewell Tokyo!Mountains everywhere!2Roger was so impressed with this rental Chevvy Corvette - $120 / day!!

    Japan - our thoughts ...

    4 Oktober 2025, Jepun ☁️ 21 °C

    We are now well and truly on our way home. We have just had 2 bus trips - one from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo (traffic horrendous, e.g. 12 km took 1 hour! We then got the Airport bus to Narita Tobu Hotel which is where we are right now.
    This will be the last Footprint for our Japan adventure. We thought (really to prompt our memories in the future) we would highlight some things that have made this trip so special.
    Once again, thanks so much for allowing us to share our journey with you.
    Here's our take on Japan -
    The Japanese are polite, kind, conforming and honourable people.
    The Japanese babies and toddlers are absolutely gorgeous.
    There are no rubbish bins in Japan and absolutely no litter.
    If there's a complicated way of doing something, the Japanese will do it!
    Japanese love announcements and in lifts, on trains and buses, at train and bus stations there are announcements constantly - often 2 announcements at one time!!
    The public transport system is efficient (to the minute) and fabulous!  The Icoca and Suica cards are a god-send. You load them with Yen and just swipe them on trains and buses. No need to purchase tickets or pay for any transport. The cards can be used at stores as well.
    Matcha is part of the green tea plant and Japanese people love it! Matcha smoothies, ice cream, chocolate, etc.
    Cheers in Japanese is 'campie'!
    Kaideki meal - lots of different small courses.
    Before eating - it is polite to say "itadaki masu" which means you are grateful for the food provided.
    Food in Japan is much less expensive than in Australia (especially restaurant meals).
    Toilets in Japan - talk about Hi-Tech! Some lift their lid as you enter the toilet, most flush automatically, there are inbuilt bidets (we love them!), there is a panel of options that you choose to operate for flushing, various bidet functions, etc! Amazing!
    We have been very surprised by the Japanese terrain. 70% of Japan is uninhabitable because of very steep hills and high mountains.
    So it's sayonara from your Pals, Kerrie & Roger xx    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    2Flower Garden en route to Lake Yamanakako.
    2Flower Garden en route to Lake Yamanakako.132Lake Yamanakako - they love novelty craft!1Lake YamanakakoLake Yamanakako3Lake YamanakakoLunch at an Udon (noodle/soup) restaurant.1Every time the children step off the tatami mat they automatically put their shoes on and vice versaLake KawaguchiLake KawaguchiLake KawaguchiLake KawaguchiLake KawaguchiLake Kawaguchi3Summer Cedar - really beautiful!Lake Kawaguchi1Lake KawaguchiBuses are constantly coming to & leaving Kawaguchico Station

    Cycle Lakes Yamanakako & Kawaguchi

    5 Oktober 2025, Jepun ☁️ 20 °C

    Aaron, our Guide for today and yesterday, picked us up at 0900 with 3 hybrid bikes onboard. Cycling is on!
    We headed for the lake closest to Mt Fuji, Lake Yamanakako. En route we stopped at a large flower farm.
    The cycling around the lake was very pleasant and not at all demanding (15 km).
    We then went for lunch at an Udon noodle restaurant which was very ordinary.
    We then cycled the beautiful Lake Kawaguchi (approximately 20 km). When we were a quarter the way round the lake, Aaron gave us the option of turning back. We had no intention of turning back! He then upped the pace which suited us fine.
    Apparently he is quite used to people wanting to stop part way through a cycle tour. He said we were fitter than many 20 year olds which was a lovely compliment. If he had taken us up hills the story would have been different!
    We had a delightful day and enjoyed all the information Aaron gave us about the district and also about living in Japan as an expat - fascinating insights.
    We had some left over food from last night, so off to 7 Eleven for more hot chicken for dinner!
    Tomorrow night we will celebrate the last day as tourists in Japan with a meal at a restaurant. Hopefully we will get to the 5th Station of Mount Fuji tomorrow. Since those first photos on arrival here, we haven't sighted Mt Fuji (shrouded in cloud)!    Baca lagi

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  • Kerrie PalamountainJapan via Kuala LumpurPengembara
    2Mount Fuji in the morning
    2Mount Fuji in the morning7At the Fifth Station - Mt Fuji7So fortunate to see Mt Fuji!!3At 2000 metres elevation3Higher than we normally fly our plane!8At the Mt Fuji Shrine there were these 2 prayer boards with Chris & Alyssa next to each other!!2The path we walked from the Fifth Station112Lava from the volcanic eruption in 1707-08271The tops of Japanese pine trees die because of exposure to low tempsThis is the delightful restaurant we had our Udon Noodle lunch at2Our yummy Udon Noodle lunch1This is the Fifth Station - lots of tourists!4Hear the song to Mt Fuji? Made by tyre noise on the road!!Money given to the female God of Mt Fuji2Japanese BBQ birthday dinner!4Seafood for dinner too!

    A birthday on Mount Fuji!

    6 Oktober 2025, Jepun ☁️ 20 °C

    Today was our last day on tour in Japan. We had booked a private guided tour of the Fifth Station at Mount Fuji with Yuki. We were not at all sure we would make it up to the Fifth Station because of inclement weather.
    The Birthday Gods were obviously happy because the weather was ideal for a visit to Mount Fuji.
    We arrived with blue skies and lovely views of Fuji. Our Guide, Yuki, is a 35 year old who also teaches English to school students. He is an avid hiker and climber, has a partner, is an only child, but doesn't want to marry or have children.
    Yuki took us on an easy hike to a mountain cafe where we had a delicious Udon (noodle) meal.
    Along the way, Yuki gave us lots of interesting facts about the mountain, the 43 eruptions in the last 2000 years, the landslides and vegetation which has to grow predominantly in lava rocks and decomposed vegetation.
    After lunch, the clouds engulfed the mountain and it started to rain. How lucky were we?
    We came 'home', started to pack and then walked into Kawaguchiko to a Japanese BBQ restaurant where we enjoyed some seafood and Wagyu beef, cooked by us at the table.
    Birthdays don't get much better than this one. Feeling very blessed!
    So this is it. Tomorrow we get the bus back to Shinjuku Bus Station (2 hrs) and then another bus to Narita Tokyo Airport ready for our flight home the day after tomorrow. We are very happy to return home after our amazing time in the wonderful country.    Baca lagi

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    9 Oktober 2035