24/01/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Kushu Course in Rebun　久種湖

June 2019, Wake, a little stiff from yesterday’s hike, on the cold, grey morning we leave Rebun Island. We must catch a bus at noon, in front of our hotel, in order to make the 1.25 pm. ferry that goes by way of Rishiri. The morning, is ours to fill. Kushuko Hiking Course Consequently, we opt to walk around Lake Kushu, the Kushuko Course (4.2km). This walk is very gentle and, as it follows the lake closely, has no inclines to test your aching limbs. It is a pleasant, if unremarkable walk, following a mown grass trail along the lakeside and through an area of marsh and reeds. This section […]

18/01/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Rebun-Floating Island of Flowers, Hiking the Momoiwa Observation Course　礼文島

June 2019, Up at 6am after a quiet night at Wakanai michi no eki. It is a long trek to the toilets in the night but, at least, when you get there, they are modern and clean. Ferry to Rebun Island We drive the short distance to the ferry port, about 2 minutes, and buy our tickets. We then return to the michi no eki for breakfast with 30 minutes to spare before boarding. Back at the ferry terminal, we leave the car in the pay car park. People do leave their cars in the michi no eki car park; we feel, probably stupidly, that this is a bit rude. […]

11/09/2019 / Last updated : 02/02/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Naoshima-Benesse House Museum 　直島

November 2018, Naoshima The rain in the night causes us no problem and we are awake early to catch the Shikoku Kisen ferry from Takamatsu to Naoshima. We arrive in good time for the 10 am sailing. It is a sunny morning, after the overnight rain, and the short boat ride to the island is very pleasant. ＊Takamatsu – Naoshima (Miyanoura) ; 990 yen / adult (return) On arrival at Naoshima, we have a picnic lunch at the ferry port with a view of Kusama Yayoi’s red pumpkin. We then take the 100-yen bus to the Chichu Museum but, rather than enter, we walk along the road devoid of cars, […]

14/08/2019 / Last updated : 03/11/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Ibusuki, Tamatebako Onsen and Sakurajima　指宿、桜島

December 2017, Tamatebako Onsen A good, quiet night so I can recommend Yamagawaminato Iokaido for an overnight stay. Quite a lot of activity on this Sunday morning, as people arrive to stock up on Katsuobushi. There is even a small bus tour, stopping to make purchases before 9am. We depart and make it back the 15 minute drive to Tamatebako Onsen. We are the first to arrive, still a few minutes early for a 9.30 opening. The entrance building is a modern, unimpressive, concrete structure which belies the experience within. Well, not the washing area which is small, only 8 washing stations, functional and rather cold as the door to […]

12/08/2019 / Last updated : 02/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Tomioka Castle, Sakitsu Christian heritage 　富岡城、崎津

December 2017, We leave michi-no-eki Ariake around 9am after a dark and stormy night. The morning is mainly dry with occasional rain or sleet showers. The wind is bitterly cold, so we abandon any thought of walking along the nice sandy beach by the michi-no-eki. Tomioka Castle The first stop of the day is Tomioka-jo, castle remains and a National Park visitors centre. Inside the visitor’s centre there are no English explanations and it is mostly a collection of sea-shells. The most spectacular are not local. There are some castle foundations and a view of the sea but not much that was of interest to me. The explanation of how […]

25/07/2018 / Last updated : 06/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Hotokegaura, white ant hill　仏ヶ浦

Day 38, October 2016, Oma, Aomori　　大間 After arriving in Ooma Shimokita peninsula in Aomori by ferry from Hakodate, drive through narrow streets out to the point where everything is Maguro(tuna). We park and wander around the usual shops selling junk and fishy things. A tentacle stall catches my eye, before we find the point itself. Here people are taking pictures and the couple from Osaka are there entering into the spirit of the thing more than D. and I are able. They give D. a name card and we learn they run an izakaya in Sakai city in Osaka. Hotokegaura To find a supermarket, to get some lunch, we wind through […]

10/06/2018 / Last updated : 06/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Northern Fisheries Museum and Hakodate town walk　函館

Day 37, October 2016, The morning breaks cold and damp but the weather is fine as we eat breakfast with a superb view of Hokuto and the sea. By the time we finish and are preparing to pack up, very ominous clouds appear over the mountains. Within 10 minutes, it is pouring with rain. We delay the clearing up and packing and wait for the worst to blow over. Eventually we check out of the Kijihiki campsite and descend into Hakodate but it is raining solidly again, so we go to an art museum. This is very disappointing, as the exhibition is very small and of limited interest. A few […]

02/01/2018 / Last updated : 03/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Fukuoka to Maizuru,Tottori Sand Dunes 鳥取砂丘

September 2016, Day 1 Mitou SA (Chugoku Highway) We left Fukuoka around 9:30 pm. D. was already in her pajamas. Took the urban expressway from Imajuku and drove straight to the Mitou SA. in Yamaguchi Pref.. There were a lot of big trucks on the road and not much else and after Shimonoseki very little traffic at all. Arriving at the service area a little after midnight,* we don’t use our sleeping bags, just a thin blanket. It is a warm night and we sleep reasonably well. *Japanese highways are expensive but if you’re on the highway between midnight and 4 am it’s 30% cheaper. <probably change in 2024> *Mitou […]