A Short Return to Kyoto and Visiting the new Nintendo Museum

A Short Return to Kyoto and Visiting the new Nintendo Museum

After nearly two weeks traveling across northern Japan, Kyoto offered a brief return to familiar ground. Between food halls, tonkatsu, the new Nintendo Museum, and an evening catching up with an old friend, the city served as a short but meaningful stop before the final days of the trip in Tokyo.

Seafood Breakfast and a Kaiseki Finale in Rainy Kanazawa

Seafood Breakfast and a Kaiseki Finale in Rainy Kanazawa

In Kanazawa we combined early seafood breakfasts at Omicho Market with one of Japan’s best landscape gardens. When the weather forced us indoors, the modern Prefectural library fit perfectly, and the day ended with a sake tasting and a private kaiseki dinner.

Riding Barrel Boats on the Golden Island of Sado

Riding Barrel Boats on the Golden Island of Sado

Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata, let us experience the gold rush, a ride in barrel shaped boats and remote island lifestyle. Sado combines raw nature, cultural heritage, and a 400 year gold mine on an expansive island.

Modern Architecture on the Shonai Plain and the Stone Steps of Dewa Sanzan

Modern Architecture on the Shonai Plain and the Stone Steps of Dewa Sanzan

A modern hotel set among harvested rice fields on the Shonai Plain became our base before heading into the cedar forests of Dewa Sanzan. This stretch of Yamagata offered architecture, nature, and centuries of mountain worship. The day was complete with the sunset on the Japan Sea and arrival in Niigata.

Samurai in Kakunodate and Surprises in Rural Akita

Samurai in Kakunodate and Surprises in Rural Akita

Rain set the pace in Kakunodate as we walked the samurai streets, moved between old houses, and stayed the night on the former bukeyashiki road. After plans to climb Mount Chokai fell through, we discovered Karamatsu Shrine deep in the trees, before ending the day along the coast at sunset.

Lakeshore Walks and Forest Valleys: Lake Tazawa, Dakigaeri Valley and Nyuto Onsen

Lakeshore Walks and Forest Valleys: Lake Tazawa, Dakigaeri Valley and Nyuto Onsen

Lake Tazawa, Dakigaeri Valley, and Nyuto Onsen are close on the map, therefore we did not drive long this day. From the deepest lake in Japan and its Nessie-like legend to forested valleys, the route ends at a secluded mountain hot spring, one of the most profound I have visited.

Red Leaves and White Snow: Crossing between Morioka and Goshogake Onsen

Red Leaves and White Snow: Crossing between Morioka and Goshogake Onsen

Red leaves, white snow, hot spring steam, and a former copper mine. This part of the trip moved between the extremes. From fall in Morioka to winter in Akita’s mountains, including a stay at remote Goshogake Onsen on the peaks of Hachimantai and a visit deep underground at Osarizawa Mine.

Deep in Nature: Hakkoda-san, Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada

Deep in Nature: Hakkoda-san, Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada

These days were active with hikes on Hakkōda-san’s snowy trails, along Oirase Gorge with moss and waterfalls, and quiet moments in the Hoshinoya resort hotel and around Lake Towada. We experienced Aomori with a strong local apple theme throughout.

1000 Torii, a 1000 Year Tree and Timeless Calligraphy: In and around Aomori

1000 Torii, a 1000 Year Tree and Timeless Calligraphy: In and around Aomori

Aomori was where the trip truly began. Meeting up with three Swiss friends kicked off the two-week road trip across Tohoku. Long drives, beautiful nature and shrines, calligraphy, and surprise encounters replaced trains and crowds, setting the tone for everything that followed.

Tokyo, Chichibu, Kawagoe: Starting off the trip

Tokyo, Chichibu, Kawagoe: Starting off the trip

One day after arriving in Tokyo, I again visited Chichibu with two friends. This time we stayed at a ryokan with a private open-air rock bath and gorgeous dinner. On the way back Kawagoe offered Edo-era streetscapes, sweets shops and a calm shrine.

Abonnieren