Japan 2017/18 Days 14 & 15: Hida, Takayama and back to Tokyo

Japan 2017/18 Days 14 & 15: Hida, Takayama and back to Tokyo

A day with so many things going on, I had to split the log into two. Continuing from the last article, I arrived in Takayama in the afternoon after the bus tour to Ainokura and Shirakawago ended.

Japan 2017/18 Day 14: Ainokura and Shirakawago

Japan 2017/18 Day 14: Ainokura and Shirakawago

In a day-trip from Takayama I visited the UNESCO world heritage sites of Ainokura and Shirakawago, remote villages with a special housing style in the mountains.

Japan 2017/18 Day 13: Toyama and Takayama

Japan 2017/18 Day 13: Toyama and Takayama

From the coast into the mountains — from Kanazawa the journey went on to Toyama and Takayama. The town is well worth a visit, even in winter. And did you know that the beef of the local cattle tastes as good as the one from Hyogo?

Japan 2017/18 Day 12: Kaga Onsen

Japan 2017/18 Day 12: Kaga Onsen

The best thing to pass bad weather is taking a hot bath. Following this mentality, I visited Yamanaka Onsen today, a secluded Onsen town in a gorge south of Kanazawa. Also I enjoyed more fresh sea food in Kanazawa.

Japan 2017/18 Day 11: Kanazawa

Japan 2017/18 Day 11: Kanazawa

Located between the mountains and the coast, Kanazawa combines many opposites, which are reflected in its architecture, the cuisine and the culture. When I first visited the city in 2014, I liked it so much that I wanted to return on the next opportunity. While it was raining for during the whole day, I made the most out of it.

Japan 2017/18 Day 10: Snow Monkeys and Matsumoto

Japan 2017/18 Day 10: Snow Monkeys and Matsumoto

From Nagano I visited two well-known destinations in the prefecture. In the morning I went to see the adorable Snow Monkeys bath in a hot spring and in the afternoon I explored Matsumoto Castle, part of the World Heritage.

Japan 2017/18 Day 9: Kusatsu and Nagano

Japan 2017/18 Day 9: Kusatsu and Nagano

This Sunday we left Kusatsu and I followed the Hokuriku line to Nagano. The former Olympic town in the mountains is famous for its soba noodles and a historic temple.

Japan 2017/18 Day 8: Kusatsu Onsen

Japan 2017/18 Day 8: Kusatsu Onsen

It’s half time of my trip. Spending a night in the Onsen town Kusatsu in Gunma prefecture I had a relaxing stay with friends from Tokyo. The water from the natural hot spring is used in many ways here besides for bathing.

Japan 2017/18 Days 6/7: Hirafu and Sapporo

Japan 2017/18 Days 6/7: Hirafu and Sapporo

The last two days we were skiing in the biggest resort of Niseko and I eventually left Hokkaido via Sapporo.

Japan 2017/18 Days 4/5: Skiing in Niseko

Japan 2017/18 Days 4/5: Skiing in Niseko

Happy New Year! The first three days in Tokyo were great and with the start of the new year it is time to do something very different. In the last two days I flew to Hokkaido and went skiing in