Nagoya castle in Saga
10/04/2021 / Last updated : 09/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Nagoya Castle, Hideyoshi’s base camp in Saga　名護屋城

March 26th. 2021 Niji no Matsubara　虹の松原 We set off for Karatsu heading towards Yobuko and the Genkai Nuclear Power station. Not that we have become fans of nuclear power generation, but we want to explore Nagoya Castle. No, not the Nagoya castle in Aichi prefecture but the less distinguished affair in Saga near the Genkai Power station. This Nagoya Castle or its remains, and the remains of 150 plus other base camps, are the relics of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s ill- fated attempt to conquer Korea. It is also noted for its cherry blossom so now is the optimum time to pay a visit. Following R. 202, we pass through Nijo no […]
Yobuko
02/01/2021 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Nanatsugama Quasi National Park and Yobuko 七ツ釜、呼子

November. 2020 An extraordinarily hot day for November. Due to the Corvid 19 pandemic, long trips seem indulgent and reckless, so we take a day trip to Nanatsugama Quasi National Park and Yobuko. From Fukuoka, we take the coast road R.202 to Karatsu. This road used to be narrow and very busy but, due to the toll road highway (Free in this area), the coast road has become far less frequented. It has also been improved so less heart-stopping but still satisfyingly winding. There are also good views of the sea for considerable parts of the way. Niji-no-matsubara　虹の松原 This road also passes through Niji-no-matsubara an area of pine trees planted […]
Okinawa
29/11/2020 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Extra Edition-Okinawa

Ikei Beach and Cape Hedo 伊計ビーチ、辺戸岬

Day 2 We pick up a rental car at Louis Vuitton, or at least the large store housing LV and a host of other luxury brands. Being unaccustomed to entering such places, we could not find the rental car office. We wandered around outside this large, imposing building never dreaming the rental car counter would be inside. Ikei Beach First, we drive out of Naha and on to Ikei-jima to visit Ikei Beach. We take the Kaichu-doro by Kin-wan (bay) which is an interesting route. We cross two islands to Ikei-jima which is quiet island mostly given over to sugar cane. Ikei beach, I would suggest, is best avoided. It […]
Sky
30/07/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Drive Shikoku Area

The UFO Line-scenic drivecourse　　UFOライン

October 28th. Beppu-wan SA Woke in Beppu-wan SA (Oita-do highway) after a cold and very windy night, and a drive from Fukuoka. This service area is on the top of the hill overlooking Beppu near the APU campus. I once met an APU student, from Singapore, whose first words in Japanese were “Kaze ga tsuyoi desu ne” The wind is strong, isn’t it? If you spend time around APU you will understand this. Nevertheless, from a shachuhaku point of view Beppu-wan SA is a good place to stay,. It is busy early on a Sunday night but ultimately quiet. There is a viewing mound, or grassy knoll, with a view […]
Tokachi
14/02/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Cape Erimo and “Thoroughbred Ginza”　襟裳岬とサラブレット銀座

June 17th. We were the only people to spend the night at Sarabetsu michi no eki which is a fine place to stay, very quiet despite the proximity of ‘Tokachi Obihiro airport’. The morning is bright and sunny with a stiff breeze, so we take the opportunity to air the car a little before setting off for Cape Erimo. After leaving Sarobetsu, but before hitting the coast, we spot a pair of Tsuru in a meadow. This is a surprise as we are some distance from the Kushiro wetlands and Tsuruimura. Ogondoro or Gold Road The coast, we find, is rocky and wild. The road is known as Ogondoro or […]
Cape Kiritappu
09/02/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Cape Kiritappu, Tsuruimura　霧多布岬、鶴居村

June 13th. Kiritappu A cold, grey, cloudy morning but no real rain. Our plan is to visit Kiritappu. Due to the weather, we avoided the campsite for last night but still want to revisit this headland. On our way to Kiritappu, we spot several deer on a hillside and a very pretty young fox on the road ahead. This small fox abandons the middle of the road at our approach and hides under the large Fuki leaves on the verge. We can see its nose and bright eyes as we crawl past. We stop at Akkeshi Gourmet michi no eki which is apparently famous for its food – number one […]
Cape Gorota
19/01/2020 / Last updated : 15/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Cape Sukoton Hiking Course in Rebun　礼文島ハイキングコース

7th. June A little rain in the night but the morning is dry, if overcast. Cape Sukoton　　スコトン岬 We take the bus from Rebun-so Hotel to Cape Sukoton, the start of the Cape Tour hiking course . This is a hike of some 12 kilometres. The bus is very expensive, so the day passes that are available are probably a good idea if you are likely to take the bus more than once. Arriving at Cape Sukoton we join the bus tour groups gazing across the water to Todo Island. This is a wintering spot for sea lions, but they left in April. It is also the location of the most […]
Wakkanai Kohoku Breakwater Dome
06/01/2020 / Last updated : 16/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Lake Kutcharo and Wakannai　クッチャロ湖から稚内

June 5th. Kutcharo Kohan Campsite The Kutcharo Kohan campsite stands the test of an overnight stay. In the morning, we look at the nature centre. This has a wide selection of stuffed bird and animals. Not hunter’s trophies, I hasten to add, but rescue animals that didn’t make it. From bears to weasels from Stella’s Sea Eagle to Goldcrest. It is the wrong time of year for most of these species, unfortunately. It was also the wrong time of year for the famous Lake Kutcharo swans. These throng the lake in spring and autumn. ＊Lake Kutcharo Waterfowl Observatory ; free Wakkanai From the campsite, we make our way to Wakkanai […]