JapanTakayama36°8’23” N 137°15’28” E
May 19, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Takayama Jinya is a former government office dating back to the Edo period. It is the only one of its type still remaining.
The main work of the office was to handle legal cases and tax collection.Read more
JapanTakase Gawa36°20’20” N 137°54’36” E
May 20, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
After a two hour drive from Takayama we arrived at Daio (King) wasabi farm. We walked around looking at the growing process.
An essential requirement is lots of fresh, clean flowing water.
The rootRead more
JapanJigokudani Monkey Park36°43’57” N 138°27’42” E
May 20, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Jigokudani Yaen-Koen is home to the Japanese Macaques, also known as snow monkeys.
Jigokudani literally translates as 'hell's valley' because of the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of smallRead more
JapanMatsumoto Castle36°14’19” N 137°58’12” E May 21, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
First today, a visit to Matsumoto Castle - sometimes called Crow Castle due to its black exterior.
It dates back to the 16th century and is the oldest wooden castle in Japan.
As with all theseRead more
JapanNarai35°57’51” N 137°48’36” E
May 21, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
From Matsumoto Castle we were driven to a miso factory where we had the fermentation process explained.
It is a three year process and uses soya beans, salt and malted rice. The beans are mashed, andRead more
JapanSuwa36°2’34” N 138°6’20” E
May 21, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
On the drive to Suwa, Inage explained that we would all be supplied a casual kimono to wear to dinner tonight. He said he would demonstrate how to wear it in reception when we arrived at theRead more
JapanMaru Yama35°23’41” N 138°43’58” E
May 22, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
Below is an excerpt from our itinerary for today:-
“Travel approximately one and a half hours by road to Hakone. The region is spectacular with the calm waters of the five lakes, formed by pastRead more
JapanAshino Ko35°12’45” N 139°0’36” E
May 22, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
On arrival at Lake Ashi, we de-coached at a ferry terminal at Motohakone.
The lake was formed after Mount Hakone's last eruption, 3,000 years ago.
We took the ferry a little way around the lake toRead more
JapanKomaga Take35°13’26” N 139°1’26” E
May 22, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Yes, we did get good views from the top!
Then we had a two hour trip into Tokyo. After arriving at Hotel Grand Nikko at 6.00pm, we had to meet at 6.45 to go into Tokyo for dinner.
We caught theRead more
JapanHamarikyu Gardens35°39’45” N 139°45’50” E
May 23, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
A drive around Tokyo pointing out notable buildings and areas took us to our first of today's visits, Hamarikyu gardens.
Hamarikyu gardens are a beautiful example of Japanese garden and it is rightRead more
Your trip looks great. Doing and seeing a lot of interesting things [Denise]