14/12/2019 / Last updated : 14/07/2022 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Mt.Chokai Waterfalls and Namahage Demons　鳥海山、男鹿ナマハゲ

May 29th. Mototaki Fukuryusui　元滝伏流水 A wet night at Kisakata michi no eki but by morning the weather is clearing. Mt. Chokai is still a mass of towering, grey cloud but there are patches of blue out over the Nihonkai (Japan sea). We set off for Mototaki Fukuryusui. This is about 15 minutes’ drive from the michi no eki. This is a natural spring, that forms many small waterfalls. It is fed by the numerous rivulets emerging from the subterranean springs of Mt. Chokai. The whole area is covered in a luxuriant moss due to the damp and shade. There is a pleasant ten minute or so walk through the woods […]

20/10/2018 / Last updated : 18/11/2021 d.d Japan Summer Festivals Road Trip '18

Goshogawara Neputa Festival 2018 五所川原ねぷた

Kayano Plateau　　萱野高原 Leaving michi-no-eki Namioka, we make for Sukayu. We have to be back at Honda in Aomori city by one to have a new part fitted and plan to picnic lunch at the Kayano Plateau. As we reach Sukayu, the weather is closing in and we are driving in misty rain. As we drive around the ring of Mt. Hakkoda the Aomori side is experiencing a bright, sunny though blustery day. The Kayano Plateau is on the west side so in sunshine. We walk a little on the grassy plain and have lunch before heading to Honda. The part is fitted before we have finished our complementary coffee. Our […]

10/10/2018 / Last updated : 18/11/2021 d.d Japan Summer Festivals Road Trip '18

Aomori Nebuta 2018　青森ねぶた

Today or tonight is Aomori Nebuta, the main event for this trip. Unfortunately our electrical problem recurs, so we make for Honda in Aomori. Our plans are now disrupted as the car has to stay at Honda for the day. Before we abandon the car, we check the free camping at the ferry port. This is something of a morass so we write that off as an option. Being reliant on your vehicle for transport and accommodation causes problems if you have mechanical problems. On Nebuta night in Aomori, vacant hotel rooms just do not exist. Helpful Honda In the end we leave the car at Honda as they say […]

06/10/2018 / Last updated : 18/11/2021 d.d Japan Summer Festivals Road Trip '18

Kuroishi and Hachinohe Sansha-Taisai Festival ’18　黒石、八戸三社大祭

Kuroishi Before heading to Hachinohe, we start the day with a walk around Kuroishi, another place that has seen better days. It features a number of dead or dying shops, mixed with interesting remnants of the old town’s former important position and prosperity. The original streets feature covered walkways (komise) to protect the punters from snow during the winter months. Traditional fire towers feature prominently and we noted an old onsen place with free entry but quite what was on free offer I am not sure as we didn’t enter so early in the day. The road past Sukayu Onsen From Kuroishi we took the road over the mountains past […]

04/10/2018 / Last updated : 18/11/2021 d.d Japan Summer Festivals Road Trip '18

Hirosaki Neputa ’18. Inakadate Tambo Art　弘前ねぷた、田舎館田んぼアート

Bandaisan SA to Hirosaki BanEtsu highway – Tohokudo highway about 485km　　　　　　　 All day on the highway from Bandai san SA to Hirosaki. Arriving in Hirosaki, we check the Road Station Hirosaki. This has a busy market and although parking is limited in a the front, there is more space available at the rear. The toilets are better than the first impression suggests but we decide to check michi-no-eki Inakadate. Tambo Art at Inakadate Inakadate is a much better prospect from a […]