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Japan

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  • Treading Through GaiaJapanTreading Through Gaia

    Tsumagoi IV

    1. februar 2025, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C

    Having gotten not much sleep, once I saw it was around 6:00 AM, I decided to just go for the onsen again. Much relaxed and with a hearty breakfast, we boarded the bus that took us to the slopes of Tsumagoi.

    Things were going pretty smoothly. I got my gear all set up and got on the gondola taking us to the top. Once I got on my board however; I realized that the angles for my boots were different and I wasn't used to it. I couldn't ride properly and realized it would be impossible for me to go down from here at this rate. I reluctantly went back down the gondola to ask to have it fixed only to be told that I had to do it myself. The clerk taught me the basics and I went on to change the angles, and once again got on the gondola. Having wasted a lot of time already, I was raring to go.

    It took a while to get used to it again still, I hadn't ridden at all the whole year last year but after 2 runs, I was back in business. By the 3rd run, I realized my boots were too small since my toes were getting numb so I asked to change them to size 25s and it was much much better. With no more pain and my muscles getting used to it, I was able to board for a couple of more runs, yet I found myself not so happy and even a bit out of it.

    Still the day was good and I was able to separate from the main group to grab dinner for myself in a Chinese restaurant that night and had another onsen time before once again, not getting sleep.    Læs mere

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    Kusatsu VIII

    2. februar 2025, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C

    The last day, despite not getting sleep for 2 days, I felt significantly better today than yesterday. First order of business was still the onsen. Grabbed some breakfast at the buffet and headed out around 8:15 AM.

    It was snowing heavily today as I walked towards Kusatsu Ski Resort where I rented some snowshoes to do try out some hiking. It was a short trail but still beautiful, the snow was definitely thicker and deep and I was able to utilize the snowshoes properly. It was a fun experience but a tad bit disappointing with the overall length. Nevertheless, this meant I had time for another onsen.

    My favorite one in the area was Ohtaki no Yu just because of the multiple baths. Bathing outdoors with falling snow was so calming and the water wasn't that hot too. I tried some himokawa udon for lunch which was the first time I've encountered them too, these flat noodles that were pretty hard to eat with chopsticks but it got me quite full. With everything I wanted to do for the 3 days accomplished, I went back to the hotel satisfied and ready to go home.    Læs mere

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    Chiba

    15. marts 2025, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Neil and his family were visiting Japan and for their first day exploring, I took them out to the town of Sakura in Chiba. They had the Sakura Jidai Festival there which celebrated the town's old history. We got there a bit early and the festival stalls were already selling their goods. We got our first meal of the day in the form of pastries with mozzarella cheese fillings. We walked around towards the end of the street, supposedly going to the castle park but we were called by the sound of music and dancing figures in blue kimonos in the distance.

    We watched them dance in a line parade towards a parking lot where we admired the choreography while more passers-by joined in. We were further sidetracked by an opportunity to try on samurai armor and Neil was quite keen on that. We explored more of the other end of the street while waiting for his turn and once it was time, they were all over him, putting pieces of armor meticulously. It took a while before the helmet or kabuto was put on as well as the two katanas got pulled out from their scabbards. The pictures were definitely unique.

    After a successful transformation, it was time to find lunch around the multitude of food stalls, we opted for the classic karaage, as well as grilled squid and scallops. It was more than enough to get full. Neil's parents holed up inside a soba store to stay away from the cold while we were given time to continue and explore the area, the main reason why we came here in the first place.

    We first dropped by Makata Shrine, a Shinto shrine where coincidentally a wedding was happening. The construction next door disrupted the peace a bit but I was able to show Neil the misogi and other Shinto essentials. We walked away from the noise towards the Samurai Residences where we were able to appreciate the lives and abodes of samurais of the past. The Samurai forest was particularly interesting as it brought us up close to nature, there was a bamboo forest right on the outskirts of the garden, and from there we could hear the chirping of various birds. We also saw a frog that was unafraid no matter how close I got to take its pictures. Right at the pond, we also noticed mating frogs too, first time I've ever seen something like that.

    One of the coolest parts of the trail was the Hiyodori-zaka, a bamboo grove slope that had us enveloped by towering bamboo. From there, we did a small hike up the hill towards Sakura Castle Ruins Park where we were pleasantly surprised by plenty of blooming sakuras in a sea of pink. Much photos were taken here and we were still sidetracked by various sights including some rocks and a pond. The final objective of the day was to find the Great Stone Buddha of Usuki. I had thought it would just be a small one but I was amazed by the sheer size of it, and it's just standing there without anyone else admiring it. What a find and what a joy it was to discover it.

    We had finished circling the town of Sakura and met Neil's parents over at the station where we went to Narita next. I've always skipped this place going to and from the airport but it's actually a really beautiful area. The Old Town featured old architecture with a lot of interesting food to try. The group ended up in a matcha store and we also got some unagi skewers at the Omotesando.

    From there, Neil saw the Narita Shinsho-ji's Niomon Gate and thought that was already the temple due to its sheer size and grandeur. What came next was a series of surprises as things just kept getting better and better, first with the arrays of giant stone lanterns, and a pond with the turtle rock. We then proceeded up the stairs to witness the temple's main hall, which was absolutely massive. Neil and I went up where he drew an Omikuji and got semi-good luck. It wasn't over though as we went further back where the crowds started to disappear and we got to see the Great Pagoda of Peace, with very unique architecture that I haven't seen before in Japan.

    Encircling the entire temple compound was Naritasan Park, a traditional Japanese garden we were able to explore in peace and solitude. The main highlights for them had to be the plum groves. Though there were plenty of interesting sites to see including a koi pond, cats, and stones. After finishing the loop, we ended back at the resting station to plan the next day and where to eat dinner. We decided to eat at a nearby izakaya specializing in seafood, the sashimi platter itself was humongous and the fish tasted super fresh. All the other food tasted exquisite like the karaage, egg, and the aburi sashimi which became a favorite for them.

    We went back to Tokyo satisfied after a very successful and fulfilling day.    Læs mere

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    Akita

    18. april 2025, Japan ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    It was quite a busy day today having woken up early to finish my application to visit Turkey, and having to navigate a morning meeting that was pushed to afternoon while Arvin and Roy stopped by my place. The two of them joined me while I visited the snow monkeys in Nagano as well as Shirakawago. This time around we were going to Akita.

    Realizing that there won't be enough time for lunch anymore, I decided to just head straight to the airport. They left their things at my place and after a long journey, we finally touched down at Akita. We rode the bus heading into town and put our things inside the locker where the two got their first look at the mascots of Akita, the Akita Inu and the Namahage. Little did they know that I had a little something prepared for them that night for a much better cultural immersion.

    Our first stop was the nearby Senshu Park where they were holding a cherry blossom festival. It seemed like it was rainy that day so there wasn't much people or stalls open. We saw the traditional fishing game as well as some karaage and other food but the main draw here was of course, the sakura. And we had an abundance of them all around, having the park to ourselves was also a major win. We got to visit the shrine as well as the castle at the top. Having a bit more time, we visited the original Akita Castle ruins site which was even more abandoned. A huge field with just the remnants of walls and gates but it was really quiet and a good place to unwind and feel the nature all around us.

    We got on a bus that took us back to the town center where the highlight of the day waited: Akita Nagaya Sakaba. This was an izakaya that I had my eye on ever since reading about it for the first time. The two had never had an izakaya experience before and this one blew everything out of the water, including all of my own experiences. The quality of service was simply impeccable, the atmosphere so immersive, and the interior design gave off such a traditional vibe that we were sold just by the entrance alone. We were given amazing seats and tables and were pleasantly surprised to see traditional performances through dancing and instruments such as the shamisen and wadaiko. The food we got was good in volume and in taste, the price was on the higher side. However this wasn't the climax, what the restaurant was known for was the nightly visits by the famous and legendary Namahage. It was quite theatrical as they had dimmed down the lights and had created an atmosphere of suspense and even perhaps horror with the red lighting. Then came the knocking, the stomping, and suddenly the barging in of the Namahage! Clad in all of its garb and wear, the mask, the staff, and the horrible loud and growling voice. So this was the Namahage. The Namahage then visited each table, exchanging pleasantries. He spoke in a very strange and archaic Japanese or maybe it was the Namahage way of speaking as even other guests didn't understand it. We had to have a staff translate it to normal Japanese as for us too.

    When we left, they even had to do a send-off for us, by casting a special rock salt of thing behind our backs as a form of blessing for good health. It was such an awesome experience, I couldn't stop lavishing about it even after we had walked far. Arvin and Roy commented that it was going to be all downhill from here as far as their izakaya experiences would go. We walked back to our place which was an entire apartment for ourselves, I had a whole room to myself and after taking a bath, I was just about ready to sleep because tomorrow was going to be one epic day cycling around Oga.    Læs mere

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    Oga

    19. april 2025, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    The boys and I got up early and managed to once again make just a few minutes before the train departed towards Oga. It was a peaceful ride on a 2-car train, the cloudy skies made me a bit nervous on how the day was going to turn out but after more than an hour cruising through the country side, we finally arrived at the Oga Peninsula, where we were going to go on a biking adventure.

    First stop was breakfast at the nearby convenience store before stopping by the rental shop where I had already made the necessary preparations. No sooner, we found ourselves already strapped on our bikes and testing them out on open roads. The cloudy skies had parted for sun and the weather suddenly became amazing, boosting our own moods as we felt the speed on our e-bikes along with the cool breeze, surrounded by cherry blossoms.

    We were heading out to the seaside and stopped by the first spot, Unosaki Beach where it really dawned on us that we were in for a hell of a day. The whole bike route was going to be beautiful views from here on out. But first, a little side quest to a farm just above a hill where we got to meet some adorable animals and interact with the local farmers who showed us their sheep, goats, and horses.

    Afterwards, we stopped by the shoreline of the famous Godzilla Rock (there was also a King Kong Rock too). There was also a giant Namahage statue on the way to our next side quest: Akagami Shrine Goshado. We had to do a short hike above some 999 steps to see a unique row of 5 shrines. The mountain path was said to have been made by the Namahage themselves!

    Other highlights included the Daisanbashi Observatory where we were enamoured by the lone benches and the secret Kankane Cave tucked away behind a small fishing village. We passed by the Oga Aquarium and went straight to have a much-needed late lunch in the form of Kaisen-don, a first for the two as well. Having replenished our energy and water, the kind lady advised us about the slopes awaiting us as we made our way to the most northern point of the peninsula: Cape Nyudo. The slopes were indeed hard but at one point, the path cleared out to even more beautiful seascapes. We had this empty road all to ourselves that we couldn't resist not taking photos of us on our bikes.

    Just a few minutes beyond that was Cape Nyudo, I thought it was just a pretty spot but I was gravely mistaken after seeing the rugged and dramatic landscapes. The jagged rocks towering above the sea stirred up quite the emotions, it seemed like the whole world was in tune with it and the clear skies suddenly turned overcast, shrouding everything in its moody embrace.

    From there, we started to bike back the other way now. It was going to be a really long way and it wasn't even our last stop yet. We stopped by a tiny shrine that was hiding another secret, 12,000 Jizo statues on its walls and ceilings was quite an impressive site. But no, the last stop was the Namahage museum because what better way to get to know Oga than by learning more about its local residents. The museum was fascinating and the highlight was the room filled with a hundred different Namahage costumes. Though my personal highlight would be the ice cream we got at the end.

    A visit to the nearby Shinzan shrine became an immersive sensory experience as I caught the familiar scent of hinoki. I was glad that Arvin and Roy were also able to catch a whiff. But now we truly had to be getting back as we had to return these bikes by 18:00. A long journey back with a last brief stop at a nearby temple got us exactly back at the rental store by 17:59. Another clutch as we always have done.

    We decided to eat at a nearby family restaurant while waiting for the train back to Akita. After a while, we were so engrossed in our conversation that we didn't even realize that we were already back! Getting back to our apartment was always a great feeling and the bath was the first stop for me, always.    Læs mere

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    Kakunodate

    20. april 2025, Japan ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Our final day in Akita started off with a rainy morning. After we packed up our things, we called a taxi that took us to Seitai Hoshikai. My mother had initially suggested for us to visit Our Lady of Akita after hearing about my plans to visit. I didn't even know about such a thing but after doing some research, it was intriguing that there was a recognized Marian apparition in Japan.

    It just so happened to also be Easter Sunday today so it's an even better excuse to make a detour. We got there a bit early and had the time to go around the gardens and check out the stations of the cross. When we got back, there was already a lady waiting for us and we were allowed inside the church. It was interesting to see the Japanese-style church, it had both Eastern and Western inspiration. The main draw was of course the statue of Our Lady of Akita which was said to have cried tears more than a hundred times in a few years, ending at the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

    From there, we called cab back to Akita Station where we got on a train heading towards Kakunodate. Our first stop however wasn't the weeping cherry blossoms but a hike. We found ourselves on another cab heading to Dakigaeri Valley. We were dropped in a rainy forest. We started off with a visit to the nearby shrine while I chomped on some breakfast. So began our hike through turquoise rivers and pretty bridges but the path toward the waterfall was super wet. By the time we got to the waterfall our shoes were soaked yet, it was so worth it as it was grander than I had imagined, plus we worked for it and we were the only ones there. Sadly, we had to walk all the way back and by the time we reached the entrance, things were truly soaked. I called the same cab and he dropped us by Kakunodate or as close as he can. We were immediately attracted to the Taiwanese fried chicken booth as to help stave off the chill in the air and in our bodies. We explored the streets but unfortunately, the sakura here weren't in full bloom yet. It was still beautiful nevertheless. We stopped by various stores and houses but in the end were once again pulled in by the allure of food as we haven't had a proper meal yet. We all got duck udon which tasted amazing and was more than enough to give us the energy we needed because what came next was another hike up a small hill that gave us an overlook of the town below.

    From there we went back down and walked along the river and back to the train station where we caught our shinkansen back to Akita. We still had a bit more time before our bus to the airport so we visited the Akita Inu Station to see some goods since the meeting time for the dogs had already passed. The rest of the trip went pretty smooth, the airport was pretty peaceful and we got to eat dinner there before our flight back to Tokyo.    Læs mere

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    Isumi

    6. juni 2025, Japan ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    After finishing up my work, I went over to Isumi, Chiba to meet up with Karolina, my previous Couchsurfer from Poland. I walked through the rural town, across the farm fields, and got to the AirBnB she rented out. We went out to to the nearby beach to relax and feel the wind. It was a cloudy day, the beach felt a bit gray. We got some dinner at a nearby restaurant that had some sort of retro outdoorsy vibe going on. The pizzas were really good though!Læs mere

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    Isumi II

    7. juni 2025, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    The real reason we were here in Isumi was to try out surfing. I had asked my friend Mitsuki if he could help us out and he referred to us to his friend out here in Chiba, Hide. Karolina and I picked up our surfboards and went out the a beach with a cool torii gate. Seems like some Olympic games were held here once.

    Hide picked us up and brought us to a secret beach and we had the waves all to ourselves. He taught us the basics and off we went. It was easy going as the waves were gentle and the waters were shallow enough to allow us to walk out to catch the waves. I was able to catch a couple of surfs too. Once we were satisfied, we went back to Hide's to change and he showed us around his strawberry farm. He called up his friend, Ikumi, and we all had lunch together before Karolina and I walked back to our AirBnB.

    After freshening up, I gave her one of the gummies I got from Prague and we popped them babies in. We took the bikes that came with the apartment and rode around the Isumi area, visiting various sites from beaches, hikes, and coastal rocks and even a lighthouse. However, Karolina's bike broke down towards the end so we had to walk back. At night, I showed her RedBull BCOne's breakdancing competition which is always a treat to share.    Læs mere

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    Ashigakubo

    29. juni 2025, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    A hike to Mt. Hinata with Nik took us all the way to Yokoze in Ashigakubo. A sweltering sunny day, it was quite brutal from the get-go. I'm glad we brought umbrellas for this hike. We saw the cool statue over Genjuin Betsuin, an extra side quest before we began a short but difficult hike that had us puffing and heaving due to the humidity. We had to take frequent breaks and hide under the shadows of trees. The fact that there was no wind was not helping much at all. In the end, we got to the summit for a quick photobreak and a snack before beginning our much easier descent.

    We made a visit to the Terasaka Rice Terraces as well which was a little treat I saved at the end of the hike. The farmers were hard at work despite the heat, with plenty of tadpoles swimming around the rice flats. We finished the day over at Chichibu where we got some good soba before deciding to call it a day.    Læs mere

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    Ashigakubo II

    6. juli 2025, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Just after a week since the Mt. Hinata hike, I was once again back in Ashigakubo for another. This time with a different group. I met Lisa's boyfriend, Jasen, for the first time along with his dog. Arino and Momo also came along. We were doing Mt. Futagoyama this time, a much more strenous, longer, and technical hike that required some ropes but the good thing is that most of the hike was covered by a forest and there was also a river so it wasn't too bad but I definitely still felt all the sweat and heavy breathing from the heat and humidity. We had a little picnic up in the summit before going back down. Our groups kinda started to separate a bit and I ended up with Arino up front before the rest of them caught up.

    We passed by the Ashigakubo Icicles, or supposedly where they were supposed to be but it was summer. Interesting to see the views when it isn't winter though. We stopped by the river later to cool ourselves off before heading back to the car for the long ride home.    Læs mere

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    Aomori

    11. juli 2025, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    I was once again traveling with Lisa and Scarlett. This time to Aomori to escape the summer heat. Scarlett and I went ahead first via the Shinkansen and transferred over to Asamushi-Onsen.

    We got some eggs to boil at the hot springs tomorrow morning. The AirBnB we got was pretty huge as well. They shared a room at the bottom while I got a whole floor over at the top.Læs mere

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    Aomori II

    12. juli 2025, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We started the morning with a short walk to boil some eggs for breakfast, along with some cheese that Scarlett brought from Switzerland.

    Once we were all set, we went to visit the Showa Daibutsu Buddha. The temple grounds was sprawling with plenty of pretty things to see, the familiar pinwheels for Jizo and the impressive and gigantic bronze seated Buddha statue. Back at the main temple, there were also performances of the koto. Scarlett and I got to try them out.

    We got back to the car to drive to Jigokunuma Pond next, just a brief pass through with the car. We passed through Oirase Gorge which apparently was a popular spot for autumn. We didn't have much time as we were trying to make it to Lake Towada for our afternoon SUP session.

    It was also my first time trying out SUP but I found it to be pretty easy and we were able to cruise across Lake Towada, a long distance at that. We found a small alcove and had some snacks and tea there before heading back. We stopped by Towada Shrine, just a short drive away. A small inlet akin to a Ghibli island of sorts, the ferns were quite impressive.

    On the way back to the city, we stopped by Nebutanokuni Takakyu. This izakaya was as unique as the one in Akita, perhaps a tad bit more lively as everyone here was singing and dancing. Seems like it was the place to be in Aomori. We all had our own little party hats as well.

    Back at Asamushi Onsen, we tried to catch the fireflies but admittedly it was hard to say it was a success. I may have spotted one or two, perhaps it was just my own imagination. All the same, it was a peaceful and cool walk.    Læs mere

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    Aomori III

    13. juli 2025, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    The morning started off with another visit to the kombini, this time around I got to take a photo of Yuno Island with its torii gate upfront.

    We were going westward today, and our first stop was Inakadate and its famed rice paddy art. This year's works were quite interesting although it was a bit difficult to relate to them, the anime one was cool though.

    We also visited the Tsugaru-han Neputa-mura Village, where we got to try some drums and witness a Tsugaru Shaminsen performance along with getting to see some of the famous parade floats up close. We also visited Hiroki Castle nearby though the summer heat was definitely cooking us by then.

    On the way to the day's final highlight, we stopped by the Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge. Apparently the longest wooden bridge in Japan, but also very aesthetic and beautiful. The waters and surrounding mountains provided a calming backdrop.

    The final spot was Takayama Inari Shrine. Another otherwordly Inari Shrine, akin to the likes we've seen in Yamaguchi and Saga. Hundreds of torii gates meander from the main shrine perched at the top. It was surrounded by a manicured Japanese garden which doesn't take away much from it even though I prefer Saga's Yutoku Inari Shrine's more rugged and forested vibes.    Læs mere

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    Nikko II

    18. oktober 2025, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Lisa wanted to go some place to see some autumn foliage, after some back and forth we went ahead with Nikko. Coming with us was another girl named Lisa and Momo.

    We drove for almost 3 hours to get to the trailhead of Mt. Nikko-Shirane. We had to use a ropeway to go up to the trailhead. The hike was cool under the canopy of trees, yet we were also wary after being warned of bear sightings near the area. The hike took us pass the forest until it was all rocky outcrops. The views were exquisite though, featuring several lakes and ridges. We also got back on time for the ropeway back down before it closed and even had some time to use the footbaths with views of the sun setting down on golden-hued trees.

    We drove back and stopped by a seafood restaurant and played some Uno while waiting for our order before continuing to our hotel where we had just enough time for a quick dip in the onsen.    Læs mere

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    Nikko III

    19. oktober 2025, Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The second day was a bit more packed despite the first day's epic hike. We started off at Kegon Falls. I've already been here before but I still recommend them to go down to see it closer as we stopped by the far-off observatory first. Once again, it was well worth it to see one of Japan's Top 3 Waterfalls up close.

    Next stop was Kanmagafuchi Abyss, famous for a long line of Jizo statues by the river. It was quiet and peaceful with not much other people, a good contrast to the busy Kegon Falls. We were doing quite a lot of waterfall hopping today too as we also went to Ryuzu Falls before starting the walking trail around Senjogahara Marsh. During autumn, the whole grassland also turns into a fantastic shade of orange so it was perfect timing.

    At the end of the trail was Kodaki, the little fall. They had thought that this was already the final part until I pointed out that the actual waterfall was still a few meters away. The final stop was actually Yudaki Falls, one of the most impressive and beautiful waterfalls I have seen. Like a blanket of water carefully draping the black cliffs. There was even a troop of monkeys crossing the river. What a sight that was. We had some of their famous udon here for lunch and managed to catch the bus going back to where we parked the car by Ryuzu Falls.

    From then on, it was a long drive back to Tokyo.    Læs mere

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    Chiba II

    15. november 2025, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    After getting my driver's license, it was time to finally test it out. I went on a road trip with my friend Anuska, from Nepal, whom I have met while in driving school.

    We stopped by Funabashi to grab lunch before continuing onwards to Choshi, basically the most eastern point of Chiba. I had saved a couple of sites but it turned out to be really good as a lot of the cliffs and seascapes here were rugged and dramatic. We also stopped by Nikkawahama, a beach punctuated by several wind turbines as the sun set on the other side. It was a chilly day but the drive back was a success. We helped each other out and tried to remember a lot of the lessons along the way.Læs mere

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    Chiba III

    7. december 2025, Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    My first solo drive took me back to Chiba again. I was a bit nervous and made a lot of wrong turns. It was a long drive to the Meiji Centennial Memorial Observation Tower but I was rewarded with sweeping views of Tokyo Bay and a visible Mt. Fuji.

    I also stopped by Tokyo-wan Kannon, perched on top of a hill. On the way to Hota Elementary School, which has been converted to a roadside station, I got into a pinch and had a difficult time navigating the tight spaces after making some wrong turns. I had some lunch here before continuing southwards.

    I stopped by Ryushima Coast to admire the views and seeing some fishermen in action. I also went to Daifukuji Temple which was a Buddhist temple hanging on some cliffs. It was quite a jam-packed day as I also did a tiny hike up to see Shiroyama Castle before once again getting into a snag trying to see the supposedly golden algae near some farm lands behind the castle. It was not worth it.

    The last stop was Okinoshima Beach, a pretty little sandbar leading to a tiny island. I went around it and found some really pretty land formations as well at the northern edge. For sunset, I stopped by Okamoto Pier. A picturesque and aesthetic place, the wooden boardwalk extending towards the horizon, now coated in shades of violet and orange with Mt. Fuji as the backdrop. It was a popular spot and very tranquil.

    The long drive back to Tokyo was a bit fatiguing but I made it back in one piece.    Læs mere

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    Ibaraki

    14. december 2025, Japan ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    A road trip with Sophie to explore some hidden gems of Ibaraki. It was my last chance to get some practice in before going on a full 1 week driving journey across Oman.

    We went to visit the Ushiku Daibutsu, the biggest bronze Buddha statue in the world. We could see its head from afar. It was a cold and rainy day but it was great since there was no crowds around the place and it made for a very solemn and tranquil walk to its body. The interior was a surprise as it was quite modern and very well-presented. It was strange to be entering the Buddha and going up to its head with the elevator but the main temple inside was also quite impressive with hundreds if not thousands of tiny golden Buddhas in hundreds of columns. When we got out, we stopped by a petting zoo to see some animals before grabbing some udon.

    Then we got to Boso Village where we got to see the living quarters from different eras, all the way to the neolithic period, the same sort of huts we saw back in Saga. The haniwa museum was also super fascinating, I always remember Miyazaki's haniwa garden but these little guys are just so cute despite their connection to death.

    Though the main highlight was without a doubt the swans. I found a secret spot where the migrating swans would conglomerate and they would number up to hundreds. The whole place was full of them and we even got to see some fly in from afar, greeting their friends for the first time after years. It was quite a thing to see.    Læs mere

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