Tanaka

Monday we travelled up to Sendai, it's north of Tokyo so it took us most of the day to travel there. We visited our first pokemon centre, our first Japanese arcade and bravely experienced the local specialty cuisine - gyutan (grilled beef tongue).

Tuesday we were very busy, we visited Matsushima in the morning, enjoying a cruise around the bay. Matsushima is meant to have one of Japan's top 3 best views (Japan likes top 3 lists) and we agree! We explored some of the small islands and went for a traditional green tea in an old teahouse overlooking the bay - it was a very Japanese experience! It had a small museum to Masamune Date (feudal Lord of the region in 1600s who used to own the teahouse) attached. In the afternoon we travelled to Yamadera (translation of this place is literally mountain temple), we climbed 1000 steps to the very top - very hard work as we are unfit but we managed and got to enjoy the view from the top! Personally I think it could do with a zipwire back down, but it's a case of decending all 1000 steps. Much easier down than up though.

Wednesday we travelled to Nyuto Onsen, a hot spring town further north in the mountains near lake Tazawa. We stayed in a very rustic and traditional room with an irori (fire pit in room) to have dinner cooked on. We enjoyed wearing our yukata and bathing in the hot spring and having a traditional Japanese experience, although Hannah was plagued by headaches and we struggled with the food. We are pleased we got to experience this part of Japan and managed to get some needed relaxing time. We stayed here 2 nights.

It is now Friday for us so we arrived a week ago! What a busy week it has been. We are looking forward to our next adventures :)Read more