An account of a “shachuhaku” road trip from Kyushu to Aomori. Shachuhaku means sleeping in your vehicle. The aim of this Summer 2018 trip, was to see the Aomori Summer Festivals. These Aomori Festivals are among the most spectacular in Japan.

This account provides information on the famous Aomori Nebuta festival. However, it also covers the Hirosaki, Goshogawra and Hachimantai festivals. All these festivals attract large crowds. Therefore the account gives suggestions on michi no eki within easy striking distance of each.

In addition, it suggests places of interest to visit from Aomori to Kyushu.

Finally, as Shachuhaku in hot weather is not easy, cool places to sleep. Such insights into higher elevation michi no eki, are useful.

Tataraba
03/03/2019 / Last updated : 24/08/2020 d.d Drive Chugoku Area

Sugaya Tataraba, Princess Mononoke Iron Works　菅谷たたら場

Tataraba Ichibanchi is indeed a splendid shachuhaku spot. At the far end of the car park, there are even trees to shade you from the early morning sun. Shimane Police The only downside was a visit from the Shimane Police, who driving around the car park noticed I was not Japanese and demanded to see my gaijin (foreigner) card. Never, in my nearly 40 years residence, have I been asked for ID, so I wanted to know why it was necessary. “Fukuoka plates” was the response. If it were Naniwa plates would they call for back-up? There was only one other vehicle in the large car park, a flashy camping […]
01/03/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Chugoku Area

Izushi – stork revival 出石

Tajimarakuza, michi no eki, does not improve with familiarity. In mitigation, I should mention that the old building is undergoing refurbishment. So, it may be better in a few months, say Spring 2019. Izushi – stork revival From Tajimarakuza, we take a look around the nearby town of Izushi, famous for porcelain, sara-soba, an old clock tower ‘Shinkoro’ and storks. Here, some traditional buildings remain plus the foundations of the castle. These castle foundations are jumbled with an Inari (fox) shrine. Interesting enough. Izushi is only a half hour drive from the famous Kinosaki hot spring, and 2 hours from Himeji and its famous castle.   As we are leaving […]
Iwashimizu Hachimangu
23/02/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Kansai Area

Iwashimizu Hachimangu　石清水八幡宮

Lake Biwa Ohashi Usuzumi Sakura no Sato is an excellent place for shachuhaku. It has an large, clean, interesting, if a little kitsch, onsen. There is parking for perhaps 100 cars, but we were the only souls there. It is surrounded by misty mountains but, has a large, flat, grassy area. Much recommended. Today, we make for Kyoto and Iwashimizu Hachimangu. The early part of a damp day, is a drive through pleasant scenery that deteriorates as the land flattens out towards Lake Biwa. The lake, as we approach, looks very mysterious; wreathed in cloud and mist, with towering grey skies. Further south, crossing the toll bridge and stopping at […]
Mt.Hotaka
23/02/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Chubu Area

Abo Toge / Abo Pass　安房峠

Michi no eki Fuketsu no sato is a busy michi no eki on the main route between Matsumoto and Takayama. Consequently, a lot of tour buses stop here and it is on the Highland Kamikochi and Norikura bus lines. Thunder in the night and the day breaks cloudy with intermittent rain. After driving towards Matsumoto, to take advantage of the cheaper gasoline, we U-turn towards Takayama. Skirting the town, we have wandered its crowded tourist sites in the rain before and have no desire to do so again, we head slowly on R. 173 towards Gujo Hachiman. Having time on our hands we plan to check a few michi no […]
Kuonji temple
07/02/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Chubu Area

Kuonji Temple　久遠寺

Wake to an overcast, misty morning at Asagiri Kogen, Michi no eki. Immediately we move further away from the stench, emanating from the manholes, so we can attempt breakfast. Kuonji Temple Set off for Kuonji, as the day brightens into sunshine. Shy, Fujisan continues to drape its elegant form in cloud. By 9.30am it is 30 degrees C. The road to Kuonji passes Motosuko, Motosu Lake, and then climbs into the mountains before deciding to follow the wide but shallow Fujigawa. Fuji River. Kuonji is approached through a traditional temple gate and then, a narrow street, climbing past the usual shops and restaurants associated with major temples. The temple, at […]
Mt.Asama
07/02/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Kanto Area

Mt.Shirane Yugama and Manza Onsen　白根山湯釜

Route 292 Our plan for the day was to walk around Mt.Shirane Yugama, a crater lake above Kusatsu. On arrival, we find this is not possible, as the area is still closed after the sudden eruption of last January. Consequently, we decide to drive around and approach from the other side via route 292. We take the toll road (Manza highway) to Manza onsen where we pick up R.292 again and drive to the highest point on a national road – 2,172 meters. This is, of course, pointless but the views are magnificent. On this route, the toll road bit, I was surprised to see two serow; presumably a mother […]
Lake Saiko
05/02/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Chubu Area

Lake Saiko glimpses of Fujisan and Asagiri kogen RS　西湖

After a few days in Tokyo, we drive out in the direction of Mount Fuji. Following the navi through the maze of city. Worried we will not have time walk at Kuonji, we get on the Chuo Highway, only to realize there is still too little time and get off again. Winding through the narrow mountain roads of Kanagawa pref. we skirt around Lake Sagami and finally arrive in the Fujisan area around 3pm. The elusive mountain is nowhere to be seen. Lake Saiko We visit Lake Saiko, a very quiet lake by five Fuji lake standards. No power boats for a start. That should – read “no motorized vessels” […]
Tengu Mask
05/02/2019 / Last updated : 22/08/2020 d.d Drive Kanto Area

Michi-no-eki Myogi and Chichibu　秩父

Michi-no-eki Myogi As expected Myogi RS. turned out to be hot and steamy. There was also some revving of engines and high speed comings and goings. So D. told me. I confess, I slept through most of it. We learn later that Myogi is something of a Mecca for Bosozoku so perhaps it is not such a good place for shachuhaku(sleep in a car) even if handy for Tokyo. The michi-no-eki itself is fine, overhung by the rock massif of Mt. Myogi. Halfway up, on a crag, there is a clear white kanji ‘Dai’. This, I am told, denotes a shrine; which I am disinclined to visit. Chichibu We set […]