JAPAN - JAN/FEB 2015
25 Days 24 Nights
Self Drive Trip
18 January 2015 - 10 February 2015
Map of our roadtrip: Tokyo > Izu Peninsula > Nagoya > Takayama > Kanazawa > Wajima > Nanao > Hirayunomori > Nagoya > Naha > Nago > Naha > Kagoshima > Miyazaki > Fukuoka
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TOKYO
We took SQ634 from Singapore to Haneda and landed around 2140 hrs. From the airport, we took a 18 mins train ride from the Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal Station, and our hotel is just 10 min walk from the Monorail Hamamatsucho Station on the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line. After settling in our hotel, Hotel MyStays Hamamatsucho, we had our supper in one of the restaurants nearby. |
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TOKYO
From our hotel, we walked to the Daimon Station and took the Oedo Line to Tsukijishijo Station, which is just beside the famous Tsukiji Fish Market to have our brunch. After lunch, we headed to Nihonbashi where we spend the whole afternoon shopping around there. In the evening, we took the JR line to JR Ryogoku station and walked to Popeye Beer Club, which offers 70 different types of beers on tap. This place is really packed, and we have to wait for quite some time before we got our table. We ended the night with burger for supper before taking a train back to Hotel MyStays Hamamatsucho. |
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TOKYO > ATAMI > HIGASHI IZU
We picked up our rental car at Tokyo station in the morning and started our drive to Izu Peninsula. We rented a Subaru/Impresa from Nippon Rent-A-Car for 12 days, costing us 124,740 yen. We drove along Jyogasaki Coast towards Ito and arrived at Ito Station around 40 mins later. This town has popular souvenirs that include dried fish and hot spring buns. We dropped by Mizono, which sells various types of dried fish such as butterfish, alfonsino & mackerel. We also visited the 80 years old Oil Shop, Matsuda Tsubaki. Next, we headed to Tokaikan - a 3 story Ryokan with observation deck to view the town, mountains & ocean. You can do a Showa-style hot spring there to relax. In the late afternoon, we continued our journey to Izu Kogen, and wanted to take a cable car up to the Peak of Mt Omuro. But unfortunately, it was too late and the cable car service was already closed for the day. Hotel stay : Tsuruya Kisshotel in Hokkawa Onsen , famous hot spring in Higashi Izu. |
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HIGASHI IZU > KAWAZU
This morning, we woke up and walked to the open-air onsen by the seashore to enjoy sunrise. After breakfast, we headed back to take the cable car up Mt Omuro. It was windy and cold up here, but we have a panoramic scenery of Sagami Bay. After walking around the crater, we continued our journey to Jyogasaki Coast and the Kadowaki suspension bridge. |
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KAWAZU > SHIMODA
Drive to Shimoda from Kawazu. At Shimoda must visit Fish Market in front of roadside station. Famous fish - Alfonsino ! Go to Ebiman to eat . Visit - Perry Road with many nostalgic shops. Must visit: Yamada , 70 yrs old shop sells bonito flakes source from all over Japan. Also Fishmen's flip flops - Gyosan. Now drive towards Irozaki, southernmost of Izu Peninsular. Make a stop over famous beach - Yumigahama most beautiful beach in Japan. For lunch go to Aoki Shop that serve fresh seafood (Turban shell & Lobster)and BBQ items.. After that continue to a special viewing pt in Ose. Follow by driving along the coast towards Nishi Izu to view the ocean. Once arrived Matsuzaki check out the famous Namako well. Later make our way to Nodanosyo, a Ryokan built 340 yrs ago for the headman. Stay and enjoy the local food like the nameko mushroom and mozuku seaweed, salted dried bonito...also freshly made Mochi. We stayed at Shimoda Yamatokan |
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SHIMODA > OSEZAKI
Head North towards goal of Osezaki. Stop over @ Dougashima and take a sightseeing boat trip that goes through the cave - Tensodo. After boat ride, continue to drive towards North to Koganezaki Park. There is an observation deckwith nice view of Mt Fuji. The drive to the town of Heda n go to Marine View with 6 types of private bath. Later, stop by Heda Port best known for Deep See Fish. Check out the restaurant by the port : Kaniya famous to serve giant crab a local speciality. Then heads towards Osezaki to end this trip. |
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OSEZAKI > NAGOYA > SHIRAKAWAGO > TAKAYAMA
We set off early in the morning after breakfast and drove about 5 hrs from Izu Peninsula to Nagoya to meet the other two couples. We arrived around 1pm and departed Nagoya City to Shirakawa-go. We took road 158 for about an hour, enjoying the mountain scenic view and snowy road. By the time we reached Shirakawa-go village, it was around 5pm. We had to park our car in a public carpark to the the shuttle bus to heritage site. The light-up in Shirakawago only happened three weekends a year. Departed the village around 7pm, and took the bus back to carpark, and headed towards the hotel in Takayama (arrived around 8pm). We stayed at Ryokan Asunaro in Takayama |
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TAKAYAMA > GERO > TAKAYAMA
We had Japanese style breakfast at 7.30am, which is included in the price for our stay. After breakfast walk to Hida Takayama Miragawa Morning Market in Hida Takayama City Area. We enjoyed local street food..Pickles, Beef sticks, bun, Miso etc, and visited Takayama Sake Brewery…enjoying free Sake Tasting . We had lunch in a famous Hida Beef Resturant. Thereafter, we walked back to the hotel to pick up our cars and drove to Gero - one of the top 3 onsen places in Japan. We get to soaked our legs for free here. After relaxing in the open air onsen (the locals actually soaked naked here in the public), we drove back to Hotel in time for dinner at 8pm. We stayed at Ryokan Asunaro |
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TAKAYAMA > KANAZAWA
We had early morning onsen before having our breakfast at 7.30am. We checked out ~9.30am and drove to Hida Great Limestone Cave / Glacier Cave. After that, we drove to Hirayu Grand Waterfall and enjoyed Orange Sake Ice ball and chips in front of waterfall. After a light lunch at a Japanese Noodle house near the exit area before heading off to Hirayu no-mori , a 16 pools Onsen and accommodation Ryokan style. Enjoyed onsen in snow for 40 mins and drove to Kanazawa ~3hrs. After checking in the Hotel, we had dinner in a nearby Sushi restaurant. Hotel MyStays Kanazawa |
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KANAZAWA > WAJIMA
Buffet breakfast at hotel before checking out from Hotel. We drove ~15-20min to nearby Ohmi-cho Fish market and spent almost 1.5hrs in the market. After that, we walked to Famous Kanazawa Castle park & Kenroku-ten Garden. Had tea in Shiguretei Tea House inside the Garden, and walked back to Ohmi-cho Fish Market for late lunch. Fresh sashimi and fried fish lunch in a small eating house. Sashimi at the fish market is a lot cheaper. After our meal, we drove about 2 hrs to Wajima. Along the way, we stopped over at a beach (cold & windy) and relaxed at the hotel onsen for 30mins before dinner at 7.30pm. Wajima Onsen Yahio |
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WAJIMA > NANAO
Morning onsen before breakfast and drove along coast way to Nato Penisular Light House after we checked out. We also visited a salt factory along the way. Had light lunch at a small eatery by the sea, where we shared fresh fish and sashimi bento. Aftertaking some photos at the Rokko Zaki Light House (at tip of Nato Penisular), we make our way to Hotel Kaibo, which has a nice overlooking sea view from our room. Drove to nearby 100yen shop for shopping, and back to hotel for dinner by 8pm. The hotel has super sumptuous diner menu. After Dinner, rested a while and enjoy an hr of onsen before calling the day. Hotel Kaibo |
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NANAO > HIRAYUNO-MORI
As usual, we enjoyed the onsen before our breakfast. After checking out, we too a slow drive around the small quite Town. Drove to Kaibo Fisherman Wharf and "Super Market Shopping at Baymall (Wakura Area). Bought some vinegar, seasoning & food etc in the supermarket. Had light bread snack & Tea at Anan Bakeshop (Bread bakery - Famous mochi bread and Curry Bread), and continued shopping at similar mega mall like 'AUST/ US Target'. From there, we drove back to Hotel Onsen Hirayuno-mori (16onsens). Checked in immediately, and had dinner here. After dinner, rested 1hr Onsen Guesthouse at Hirayuno-Mori |
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HIRAYUNO > MORI > NAGOYA
Breakfast at Hotel; checked out Onsen Hirayano mori and drove 10mins to nearby Hirayu Onsen Ski Resort. Heavy snow here and had lunch at Ski Resort. "Setting off back to Nagoya ~ 4hrs Shopping at Aeon on the way back to Nagoya" Arrived in Nagoya ~6pm and checked into Merriot Hotel in City. Dinner - Japanese restaurant hopping at around hotel Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel |
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NAGOYA > NAHA
Today, the 4 couples went on separate way, where 4 of them flew back from Nagoya to Singapore, one couple drove back to Tokyo, and one couple flew off to Naha, Okinawa. Rented a car from Nippon-Rent-A-Car from 31Jan - 5 Feb for 42,120 yen in Naha. We stayed in an apartment which is walking distance to the main shopping belt, Kokusaidori Street, in Naha. Kokusaidori (国際通り, Kokusaidōri, literally "International Road") is Naha's main street, stretching for roughly two kilometers through downtown Naha. The street takes its name from the former "Ernie Pyle International Theater", a movie theater that was built along the road after the war. From here, you can venture into the colorful Heiwadori, Mutsumidori and Ichiba Hondori arcades, which branch off Kokusaidori around the intersection with Okieidori, halfway along the street. The shops in the arcade are smaller than those along Kokusaidori, and are often made up of just a small booth and a single shop owner. Condominio Makishi |
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NAHA
In the morning, we walked to the Makishi Market, also known as "the kitchen of Okinawa" from our apartment, This famous Naha market started as a black market after WW2. Now there are more than 400 shops on the main floor. You can buy many of Okinawa’s traditional foods like dried sea snake (イラブー irabū), pork ( a main part of Okinawa’s diet, special vegetables not found on mainland Japan, colorful tropical fish, edible seaweed and many other tasty and strange treat. Next, we picked up our and drove to the pottery street. Naha's Tsuboya district has been a center for Okinawan pottery since the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and many pottery workshops are still concentrated in the area today. After that, we drove to Shuri Castle (首里城, Shurijō), which served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites. Next stop was Cape Chinen Park, situated at Cape Chinen, the easternmost point of Nanjo City. This park offers spectacular views over Kudaka Island, one of the most sacred sites in Okinawa, and a star-filled night sky. It is also known as the best spot to watch the first sunrise of the year. Thereafter, we drove to nearby Sefa Utaki (斎場御嶽), an important sacred site of the indigenous Okinawan religion, which, similar to Shinto, places emphasis on the worship of nature. The site is located on a densely forested hillside along the ocean and features several rock formations, which are connected with each other by walking trails. Sefa Utaki is included as one of Okinawa's World Heritage sites. Although regarded as a powerful spiritual site beforehand, it was in the early 16th century that Sefa Utaki came into prominence. During this period the Okinawan religion underwent reorganization and centralization under the royal government, and Sefa Utaki became one of the main locations for religious ceremonies and rituals. Reflecting the strong connection between the royal family and the religion, the sites for prayers at Sefa Utaki were named after important places in Shuri Castle. From here, we drove to Imaiyu Market on Ojima for late lunch, a driving spot in Southern Okinawa where you can find lines of fresh fish caught near the coast. The recommendation at Imaiyu Market is the seafood bowl. It is quite a deal with several different seafood, fresh off the boat, laid out over vinegared rice. After that we drove to Ooshiro Tempura Shop, a famous tempura shop (add: Ou-193 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Tel: 098-948-4580) before heading back to the hotel for the night. Condominio Makishi |
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NAHA > NAGO
First stop after check out was Nakamurake (中村家), a traditional Okinawan style house, dating from the 18th century, when it served as the residence of the Nakamura family. Nakamurake has been designated a major cultural asset by the Japanese government and is open to the public. Next was Nakagusuku Castle (中城), one of several castles that were built across Okinawa during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which had been in existence for several centuries before Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. Only ruins remain of the castle today, but these are well preserved, and the castle's division into multiple citadels can still clearly be recognized. There are also nice views of the surrounding area and Nakagusuku Bay from the castle ruins. Nakagusuku Castle is among the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, which were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 2000. From here, we drove to Tomb of Amamichu, located at a coral rock pile just off the eastern shores of Hamahiga. There is a stone walkway leading you there, about a 75 meter walk. However, during high tide, the stone walkway disappears under the ocean. Lunch was at xxx, which is pretty difficult to locate. However, the food and setting was great and definitely worth our time trying to find this place. Only Japanese menu, and the owner don't really speak English. After lunch, we drove to Cape Manzamo, a uniquely shaped Ryukyu limestone cliff, former coral reefs that have been eroded by the constant waves. Cape Manzamo affords an outstanding view of the surrounding area. We continue our journey to our beach front hotel, AJ Koki Resort in Nago. AJ Koki Resort Hotel |
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NAGO
Today, we continue to drive northward. North of Nago, Okinawa Honto is only scarcely populated and mainly covered by forests and hills. Cape Hedo (辺戸岬, Hedo Misaki) is the island's northernmost tip, offering spectacular views of the cliffy coast. After that, we drove to Hiji Waterfall, located in the northern Yambaru area of Okinawa Honto, where the population density is very low and the majority of land is covered by natural forests. The waterfall can be accessed in an attractive and easy hike along a nature trail through the forest. The trailhead is about two kilometers inland from the main road along the island's western coast. At the trailhead there is a gate where an entrance fee must be paid. From there, the distance to the waterfall is about 1.5 kilometers, and the hike takes about 40 minutes one way. The trail is well maintained, and there are quite a few steep sections with stairs along the way. One of the highlights of the walk is crossing a suspension bridge that spans a valley 17 meters below. The trail comes to an end at the Hiji Waterfall, which makes an impressive sight. Nestled in the forest, the waterfall is about 26 meters tall. The sound of the running water and the tranquil atmosphere of the forest make the waterfall a good spot for a rest before making the return trip to the trailhead. Next stop was driving to cross the Kouri bridge - the longest toll free bridge with a span of 1,960 meters in Japan featuring the spectacular ocean views which will dazzle your eyes as you cross the bridge. Our final stop for the day was the Churaumi Aquarium (美ら海水族館, Churaumi Suizokukan). It is the main attraction of the Ocean Expo Park on the former grounds of the 1975 International Ocean Expo in northern Okinawa Honto. The aquarium was completely redesigned and reopened in 2002. The highlight of a visit to the Churaumi Aquarium is the massive Kuroshio Tank, one of the largest in the world. The tank takes its name from the warm Kuroshio current which plays a large part in the variety of Okinawa's of marine life. The tank contains a wide variety of species, the most striking of which are the giant whale sharks and manta rays. AJ Koki Resort Hotel |
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NAGO > NAHA
After breakfast, we drove to the Nakijin Castle Ruins (今帰仁城跡, Nakijinjōato) and are among the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In contrast to other castles on Okinawa, Nakijin Castle stands in an area of low population density with lush forests, that bestow the ruins with a unique atmosphere. Nakijin Castle was built in the late 1200s. During the Sanzan Period (1322-1429), Okinawa Honto was divided into three kingdoms: the Hokuzan in the north, the Chuzan in the middle and the Nanzan in the south. Nakijin served as the castle of the Hokuzan king until it was taken over by the Chuzan on their way to unifying the island and forming the Ryukyu Kingdom. Thereafter, we drove to one of the restaurants that Korean drama "Its Ok, its Love" filmed for tea break. Next was Mihama American Village, a large entertainment complex located in central Okinawa Honto. Many American military bases are located in the area, and the entertainment complex' theme of Americana provides a nostalgic pleasure for residents of the bases as well as an interesting diversion for the locals. The Mihama American Village resembles a big American outdoor shopping mall with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes and a large parking lot. Condominio Makishi |
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NAHA > KAGOSHIMA
After checking out from the apartment, we had our breakfast in Makishi Market. After breakfast, we drove to the War Memorials. The main memorial to the Battle of Okinawa is the Peace Memorial Park, which is located near the southern tip of the island. Its main attraction is the Peace Memorial Museum, which gives a sobering overview of the lead up to the battle, the battle itself and the reconstruction of Okinawa. Other monuments in the park include the "Cornerstone of Peace", a collection of large stone plates with the names of all fallen soldiers and civilians, including Koreans, Taiwanese, Americans and Britons. There is also an area with memorials donated by each of Japan's 46 other prefectures. After visiting the War Memorials, we had lunch in Hatakemachi no Cafe Restaurant, before visiting Gushikawa Castle Ruins. End of Okinawa tour, and off to Kagoshima, We rented a car from Nippon-Rent-A-Car for 6 days for 62,100 yen, pick up at Kagoshima Airport and drop off at Fukuoka Airport. Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kagoshima |
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KAGOSHIMA > IBUSUKI
This morning, we drove our car to take the ferry to Sakurajima (桜島), one of Japan's most active volcanoes and the symbol of Kagoshima. The volcano smokes constantly, and minor eruptions often take place multiple times per day. We spend the whole morning driving and exploring Sakurajima, and managed to see the eruptions of the active volcanoes. In the afternoon, we drove to Chiran Samurai Residences. 知覧 town has retained the charm of the Edo period through the many samurai houses lining Bukeyashiki Dori. Having been rehabilitated, several are open to the public - although only some rooms, as some are still inhabited by the descendants of the Shimazu clan, which once ruled the region (see Shôko Shusei-kan Kagoshima) Their gardens are worth visiting, they are models of sophistication. bordered by stone walls topped with moss. Our final stop for the day was Ibusuki (指宿), an onsen town that is famous for its sand baths, where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand. The town encompasses the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, and the main downtown area is along the coast facing Kagoshima Bay. Ibusuki Royal Hotel |
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IBUSKI > KIRISHIMA
Our first stop was Unagi Onsen, where hot spring springs out in east northern coast of small eel pond around the Lake Ikeda 4.2km in the east, eel village. Next, we drove to Yamagawa Sunamushi Onsen for sand bath hot spring. After the sand bath, we drove to Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi for lunch. “Nagashi-somen” is an eating style of somen to catch and eat fine white somen noodles from cold running water. Spring water gushes forth from the bottom of Tosen Gorge at a cool 13°C throughout the year. This water is famous for its purity, and has even been selected as one of Japan’s 100 most famous springs. Each day some 100 thousand tons of water emerge from the spring, and at the Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi, you can enjoy nagashi-somen using this famous spring not just in summer but every day of the year. Conventional nagashi-somen involves sliding noodles with a stream of flowing water down a ramp made from a tube of bamboo cut in half. At the Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi, however, circular trays are installed in the tables where somen spins around. Thanks to this innovation, we can enjoy cool nagashi-somen throughout our meal without waiting. This style of circular nagashi-somen was invented at Tosen Gorge. After lunch, we drove to Lake Ikeda, the largest lake in Kyushu. The lake is 3.5km in diameter, 15km in circumference, and the deepest point in the lake is 223m. It is a caldera lake that was formed over 6400 years ago by volcanic activity. This beautiful indigo lake has been designated as a natural monument and giant eels also live within the lake. From Lake Ikeda you can see Mt. Kaimondake, also commonly called "Satsuma Fuji". - Shih Ohitashi Spa Ryoma Park - Sakura Sakura Onsen in Kirishima - Black pork dinner - Maruo Fall Guesthouse in Kirishima |
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KIRISHIMA > MIYAZAKI
- Kirishima Shrine - Takachiho Farm for grill beef and pork lunch - Sekino-o-Waterfalls - Udo Shrine - Stone Onsen Kirishima shrine for mountain worship was built around the 6th century. Originally it was at the foot of the sacred mountain Takachiho-no-mine but repeatedly burnt down due to volcanic eruptions and was moved to the current location. The current shrine buildings are reconstructions made in 1715 and designated as Important Cultural Property of Japan. Takachiho Farm is located at the foot of Mount Kirishima, which is near the prefectural boundary of Miyazaki and Kagoshima. It has a cattle shed, a sheep shed, observation deck, dairy farming factory, barbecue area , milking station , horse riding, petting zoo and shops, etc. In the shops, original dairy products, ham, sausages and fresh meat are available. We recommend the special soft ice cream made of thick milk, which can be eaten only farms. Sekino-o Waterfalls consisting of 3 separate waterfalls is selected as one of the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan. From the suspension bridge, you can see the waterfalls close by with its roaring sound. Udo Shrine (鵜戸神宮, Udo Jingū), located on the Nichinan Coast south of Miyazaki City, is dedicated to Yamasachihiko, the father of Emperor Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan. This brightly painted shrine is set in a cave on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean and so enjoys a spectacular view. There are a few legends concerning Emperor Jimmu and this cave, although it is unclear whether he was born here or visited here as a baby. However, the one thing the stories have in common are the breast shaped rocks in the cave wall which are said to have nourished him. Hotel AreaOne Miyazaki |
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MIYAZAKI > TAKACHIHO
- Aya Teruha Suspension Bridge - Lunch @ Ayaxxx - Takachiho Gorge The Aya Teruha Suspension Bridge is a pedestrian bridge with a span of 250 meters (820 feet) and a height of 142 meters (466 feet) which spans the Aya River Valley. Visitors here can cross this suspension bridge while gazing out at the spectacular evergreen forest that extends to the Aya Minamigawa River. With a height of 142 meters (466 feet), visitors will only see a trickle of the Aya Minamigawa River when looking down from the bridge. The spectacular steep walls of the Takachiho Gorge were formed by columnar jointing, due to the rapid cooling of an ancient lava flow that filled the narrow valley of the Gokase River after an eruption of the Mt. Aso volcano. The Takachiho Gorge was designated a National Scenic and Natural Monument in November 10, 1934. Ryokan in Takachiho |
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TAKACHIHO > FUKUOKA
- Amano-Iwato Shrine - Kikuchi Onsen Town The shrine's Amano Yasugawara cave is where Japanese mythology has it that the sun goddess Amaterasu hid until found by Tajikarao, who removed a huge rock blocking the entrance, Amaterasu then being enticed out by Ameno-Uzume who performed a bawdy dance - the first kagura. Amano Iwato-Jinja shrine is split into two parts by the Iwato River. Visitors first enter Nishi Hongu and then walk to Higashi Hongu to see the legendary Amano Yasugawara cave. Known as a special retreat of Kumamoto, Kikuchi-onsen is a relatively new hot spring found in 1954. Its water is clear, colorless and slightly alkaline. They say the water is as smooth as skin of maiden. The rich water that almost sticks to skin is called “water to make skin beautiful” and “water for makeup.” It is said to make skin beautiful in addition to effects for nerve pain, joint pain, sore muscles, and fatigue. The hot spring is popular among many tourists including women. Though the hot spring is relatively new, the place is the home of Kikuchi family who governed the area starting from the middle Heian period (794-1185). The hot spring resort that used to be a historic castle town is marked with a large number of long-established Japanese confectionery stores. Welcome sweets on the table of inn and souvenir shopping are part of the pleasures for tourists. The town is working to restore historic townscape; there is a waterfront space created by partially restoring an old canal, for example. Hakata Green Hotel |
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FUKUOKA > SINGAPORE
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TRIP PHOTOS - JAPAN