10/04/2026 / Last updated : 10/04/2026 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Daio Wasabi Farm. Shirahone Onsen Awanoyu　　大王ワサビ農場、白骨温泉

Oct. 31st. & Nov. !st. 2025 Michi no eki Otari Michi no eki Otari is a good place to stay in that it has an onsen and very good facilities. It is on the main road and trucks roar down or rev. up the hill all night so it is on the noisy side. Nearby Hakuba is on the same road and has similar parking so Otari is the better option, certainly it is far less crowded. We were the only vehicle apart from distant trucks. Daio Wasabi Farm The day is chilly, overcast and windy. Rain is forecast for the afternoon as we set off for Daio Wasabi Farm. […]

10/04/2026 / Last updated : 10/04/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Hakusan Shirakawago White Road 　白山白川郷ホワイトロード

Nov. 2nd. 2025 Michi no eki Hida-Hakusan A peaceful night at michi no eki hida-Hakusan. We have stayed here probably 3 times and, now twice, someone has set up a tent in a parking area. This time under the roof of the handicapped parking. I feel a fool not using such space on wet nights but I just can’t do it. Hakusan Shirakawago White Road Today we plan to drive the White Road. This is a toll road currently, 1,700 yen, that links Gifu to Ishikawa ken. The toll is high but the route is long and very spectacular and in this kouyo season (autumn leaves) well worth the expenditure. […]

01/03/2026 / Last updated : 01/03/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Okususohana Shizen-en Hiking　　奥裾花自然園

Oct. 30th. 2025 Michi no eki Kita Shinshu Yama no Uchi is a reasonable and popular place to stay. There were quite a number of shachuhaku vehicles sharing the parking lot with us. The facilities are good but a little overwhelmed in the morning rush hour. There is a vegetable market that is very busy with farmers delivering produce and customers waiting for the shop to open at 8.30am. Shibu Onsen – Ryokan Kanaguya　渋温泉金具屋 We depart, later than most, and take the short drive to Shibu Onsen. Here we want to take a look at Kanaguya. This ryokan, built in the 1930’s is the model for the onsen in […]

22/02/2026 / Last updated : 22/02/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Route 292, the highest point on a national road in Japan　日本国道最高地点

Oct. 29th. 2025 Michi no eki Kawaba　　道の駅川場田園プラザ Michi no eki Shirasawa has only the onsen and a leafy parking area to recommend it. The facilities are minimal, no washlet, no heated seat and no flower arrangement. There are rubbish bins only for cans and pet bottles. So, after leaving and driving for perhaps 10 minutes, we pull in at michi no eki Kawaba which has an abundance of rubbish bins. Not to mention the 7 car parks, maybe 4 with their own toilets. There are a number of fancy restaurants quite expensive plus a pond with resident geese. We have stayed here in the past and, on reflection, should have […]

11/02/2026 / Last updated : 11/02/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Nasu Sesshoseki and Shimogo Kannon-numa　　那須殺生石、下郷観音沼

Oct. 28th. 2025 Michi no eki Nasukogen　　道の駅那須高原友愛の森 Morning displays Natsukogen Yuai no mori in all its glory. There are a very large number of shachuhaku vehicles and people arriving for the large shop selling the usual veg. and omiyage(souvenirs). The large plaza area has a display of art works in stone and wood. Also, a shop selling various craft works from jewelry to a large, wooden Godzilla. Adjacent to this, sizeable workshops for woodcarving, pottery, rattan work and perhaps other things. Classes are held here, I would suppose. The place is busy for a chilly Tuesday morning. Rubbish bins are provided, one notably full of wine bottles. People waiting for […]

08/02/2026 / Last updated : 08/02/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Azuma Kofuji　　吾妻小富士

Oct.27th. 2025 Michi no eki Fukushima　　道の駅ふくしま Michi no eki Fukushima is a good spot to overnight. Although it is very large and popular, the facilities are very good and can cope with the traffic. Also, rubbish bins are provided. Bandai Azuma Skyline　　磐梯吾妻スカイライン Today rain is forecast for the afternoon as we set off for Azuma Kofuji via the Bandai Azuma Skyline. We have been here before but on that occasion this end of the skyline was closed so this is our first drive up this satisfying, winding section. There are various parking spots on the way up, to stop and take pictures or just enjoy the view of autumn leaves. […]

22/01/2026 / Last updated : 22/01/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Jizo-numa and Nature hiking　　地蔵沼、山形県立自然博物園

Oct. 24th. 2025 Michi no eki Nishikawa　　道の駅西川 A cold night, 10 degrees this morning apparently. Michi no eki Nishikawa is busy as groups of school children are accosting everyone with a questionnaire about how to revitalize their nearby town. Rubbish bins would be my suggestion as there are none at this michi no eki, but the town is different. Bins for cans and pet bottles are tantalizingly visible inside the building. They are taken inside at night. (maybe a precaution due to bears) Iwanesawa-sanzan Shrine　　岩根沢三山神社 We set off for the nearby Iwanesawa-sanzan shrine. This we find is huge but in the late stages of disintegration. This shrine has burnt down […]

21/01/2026 / Last updated : 21/01/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Takkoku no Iwaya and Motsu-ji　達谷窟、毛越寺

Oct. 23rd. 2025 A cold night at michi no eki Genbikei, which provided a magnificent display of stars. Such an array I had not experienced for, perhaps, years. Genbikei Gorge　　厳美渓 From the michi no eki Genbikei, we walk for 10 minutes or so to Genbikei Gorge. This gorge is famous and on the tourist itinerary. Mainly because of a novel dango shop that dispenses its wares by way of a rope pulley system. The dango, soft rice balls, are delivered in a basket across the gorge. A gimmick I can do without, but I’m a miserable old sod. The gorge itself is rocky and steep-sided. It is not very long […]