Japan Winter 2016 | FindPenguins

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January 23, 2016
Japan Winter 2016 The Vacationist
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Day 1
Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 9:00 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 351 m
Japan Gala Yuzawa-eki 36.95021, 138.799836°57’1” N 138°47’59” E
Gala Yuzawa
January 23, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Your trip to Japan in winter is not complete if you don’t visit at least one ski resort. The Gala Yuzawa ski resort is the only ski resort in Japan which has its own bullet train station. Easy access. No hassle. Its direct from Tokyo. If you are not into skiing, why not try snowboarding? Either way, this resort offers beginner lessons if you know next to nothing regarding these two sports. Not into the above activities? That’s fine too. You can always go sledding or throw snowballs at random Japanese people (or not). The cafeteria here has the most amazing view (Picture 5). Enjoy the sight of frost tipped mountains while you sip on warm green tea.

There are souvenir shops here. I recommend the Gala Yuzawa Chocolate Mochi (Picture 6). It melts in your mouth. My friends and I kept taking the free samples til the point the salesperson took them away.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 3 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Japan Tsukiji Honganji 35.66549, 139.7708535°39’56” N 139°46’15” E
Tsukiji Market
January 24, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C
Giant tuna head! No, seriously. They put it out on display. I was just passing through and decided to stop by for some eel, or unagi as they say in Japanese. It is to die for!

Tsukiji Market is a big fish market. Divided into the inner and the outer market. We tourists usually visit the outer market and buy dried squid or eat at the restaurants. However, the inner market is pretty interesting too as they auction off seafood in the wee hours of the morning. Of course, what are we going to do with a giant tuna head rotting in our hotel rooms right?Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 1:00 PM
☀️ -4 °C
Altitude: 853 m
Japan Kawaguchiko Eki 35.49823, 138.7688435°29’54” N 138°46’8” E
Kawaguchiko
January 24, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ -4 °C
This is where Lake Kawaguchi lies. It is the most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes. The reason I came here was to get to Kachi Kachi Ropeway. This ropeway ascends up Mount Tenjo to give you majestic views of, the one and only, Mt. Fuji. It’s observation deck is at about 1000 meters above sea level. I went on a clear day and this was my second trip to Japan, and so I FINALLY got to see this volcanic legend.

On another note, I was freezing my butt off here. It hit about -4 degrees that evening.

To get here, take the train (or the bus) from Tokyo to Kawaguchi station. And from there, just walk in the town for a bit til you find Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Its not difficult to find. Just ask anyone or follow the other tourists.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, January 25, 2016 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 2 °C
Altitude: 40 m
Japan Tochōmae Eki 35.68925, 139.6918635°41’21” N 139°41’31” E
Shinjuku
January 25, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is where you go if you want to see what Tokyo looks like from 202 meters (45th floor) above ground. Best part about this observation deck is that it is FREE. And so, when something is free, everyone wants a part of it, which means you have to wait in line for a bit.

Panoramic views of the city from up here are amazing. I even got to see Mt. Fuji in the distance.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, January 25, 2016
☀️ 6 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Japan Daiba 35.62479, 139.7767135°37’29” N 139°46’36” E
Odaiba
January 25, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
The man made island of Odaiba is where you come to do shopping. I just came here to see the giant robot. I suppose this life size Gundam statue is the guardian of the shopping malls here.
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Day 3
Monday, January 25, 2016
☀️ 6 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Japan Tawaramachi Eki 35.71063, 139.7928935°42’38” N 139°47’34” E
Asakusa
January 25, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
The Sensoji temple, or its more famous, Kaminarimon Gate (the one with the giant red lantern), is infested with tourists. Well known not only for its cultural history, but also its array of souvenir stalls. A fun fact: This is Buddhist temple is Tokyo's oldest temple. Its freaking ancient. Don't worry, I'm not going to make this a history lesson.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM
☀️ -2 °C
Altitude: 369 m
Japan Shiyakushomae-eki 36.64855, 138.1942436°38’55” N 138°11’39” E
Nagano
January 26, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ -2 °C
Took the shinkansen from Tokyo and headed to Nagano. Dumped out luggage in a coin locker in the station and went sightseeing for a bit.

Walked around and ended up at Zenko-ji temple. This town basically grew around this temple, so it is a prominent landmark.

Temples are okay, but what you should be looking for here is oyaki. Oyaki is a vegetable or red bean stuffed dumpling which “skin” is made from fermented buckwheat. It is a Nagano speciality. I went to this traditional oyaki shop, where they cook the oyaki above the fire-pit right in front of you. These tasty treats make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside especially in the cold winter months.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
☀️ 0 °C
Altitude: 581 m
Japan Yudanaka 36.74463, 138.412636°44’41” N 138°24’45” E
Yamanouichi
January 26, 2016 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
From Nagano, took a train to Yudanaka. And in Yudanaka, took a taxi to Yamanouichi.

What’s all the hype about? The Jigokudani snow monkeys of course. These primates are endemic to Japan. You won’t find them anywhere else in the world. I’m sure you have seen pictures of monkeys relaxing in hot springs. This is where you will find them. Of course, you have to earn it. So you have to hike up a 1.6km trail to where these creatures live. Be careful as this snow covered trail is slippery. I fell countless times. With its snow covered branches and powdered floor, this trail is perfect for taking photographs.

By the time I got back down the trail it was getting dark and I was getting hungry. Soba noodles were for dinner. Soba is buckwheat, and buckwheat is what the Nagano prefecture is known for. With its cold temperatures, rice doesn’t grow very well here, so locals turn to this as their staple food. This soupy sensation was exactly what I needed to end my frozen, fun-filled adventure.Read more
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Trip end
January 26, 2016