19/02/2021 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Kunisaki Peninsula – Antony Gormley　国東半島

Dec 2020 day two Kunimi michi no eki was a very peaceful place to stay. We were the only vehicle staying overnight and the road itself was almost as silent as the bright, cold night, stars and half-moon hanging overhead. Itsutsuji Fudoson – Antony Gormley 　五辻不動尊 Our first stop of the day is to be Itsutsuji Fudoson. This is a shrine clinging to a rugged crag high in the Kunisaki Peninsula. Since the 2016 Kunisaki Art Project, the shrine has shared this outcrop with an Antony Gormley figure “Another Time XX”. The figure stands on a rocky ledge, just below the shrine, staring out over a magnificent view of the […]

08/12/2020 / Last updated : 08/12/2020 d.d Extra Edition-Okinawa

Bise, Kouri Island and Manzamo 備瀬、古宇利島、万座毛

Day 3 Very comfortable night in our accommodation on Sesoko. I told D. the foam mattress was a “True Sleeper”, but she did not believe me. After our complimentary breakfast coffee, we set off to walk on the famous Sesoko island beach nearby. Sadly, access was denied as construction of a huge hotel had taken over the entire area. So, we visited the only other beach on this island which turned out to be a poor affair under the bridge that links it to the mainland. We made use of it for a U-turn and set off for Bise. Bise Bise is a very old settlement, laid out on a […]

06/08/2020 / Last updated : 02/10/2021 d.d Drive Shikoku Area

Uchiko and Shikoku Karst 内子、四国カルスト

October 29th. Tenku no sato Sansan and Uchiko Fresh Park Karari michi no eki Tenku no sato Sansan michi no eki is a good place to stay. It is not the first time for us to stay here so it holds up on a second visit. This, despite the torrential rain all night that remains solid in the morning. There is extremely heavy, low cloud all around. Absolutely no chance of climbing Mt. Ishizuchi today, though the weather is forecast to clear by the afternoon. We set off for Uchiko, a town with a preserved historical district. On arrival, we park at Uchiko Fresh Park Karari michi no eki. This […]

03/06/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Drive Kansai Area

Sasayama Castle and Okutsu Onsen　篠山城、奥津温泉

June 16th. Kyotamba Ajimu no Sato Kyotamba Ajimu no Sato is an excellent place for shachuhaku. It is one of those two faced affairs. One side is the michi no eki and the other a SA on the highway. Being perched on a hill, there are good views of the sunset. After 8 pm there is only one, multi-purpose toilet. As we were the only people staying overnight, it was a personal bathroom. Once the michi no eki becomes popular, and it is very new, this could be a problem. The access to the main restrooms on the SA side is open from 7 am so not a big deal. […]

03/06/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Drive Kansai Area

Ohara Sanzenin to Miyama 大原三千院、美山

June 14th. Leave Nanamori Kiyomi michi no eki with an end of trip feeling. We are definitely heading home. Nanamori Kiyomi michi no eki, however, deserves some recognition. It is a good place to stay. The toilets are clean and relatively modern, and the flowers are changed daily. (This is always an excellent sign.) The vegetable shop is cheap and popular. The michi no eki is also very convenient for Takayama, as a short, free highway leads directly into the town. We, on the other hand, now head for Gujo Hachiman on the Seseragi Kaido (R.257, R472). This is a good road to drive and far from busy in the […]

30/04/2020 / Last updated : 13/10/2021 d.d Drive Chubu Area

Nishi-Izu, Matsuzaki and Dogashima　西伊豆

July 3rd. Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana is not a bad place to stay but it is low lying, backs on to a river and is surrounded by foliage. In the rainy season it is hot and full of mosquitoes. Our night was not as bad as I make this sound and we both slept well. The dismal weather is a problem. This area is famous for views of Mt. Fuji and that is out of the question. As we drive the coast road R.136, the glimpses of the cliffs and coastline urge us to stop and admire the scenery. However, as in many areas like this, where the land drops abruptly […]

01/01/2020 / Last updated : 16/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Yoichi Nikka Whiskey and Hamanasu no Oka Koen　余市ニッカウィスキー

June 3rd. Yoichi Nikka Whisky Museum Being a Monday, the space museum is closed so we opt for the Nikka Whisky factory/museum instead. This is, surprisingly, busy quite early in the morning. The popularity of the place is probably due to an NHK drama based on Taketsuru Masataka. And his Scottish wife Rita. Taketsuru is the father of Japanese whisky. By chance, we stumbled upon his birthplace (also popular) Takehara in Hiroshima on a previous trip. I had expected to see a working factory as the Nikka Yoichi factory is operational, but the public viewing is confined to historical or replica buildings. Hamanasu no Oka Koen　　ハマナスの丘公園 From Yoichi we move […]

01/12/2019 / Last updated : 17/10/2021 d.d Drive Kansai Area

Wakakusayama and Unkei statues　若草山

November 20th. Resuty Karako・Kagi michi no eki Resuty Karako・Kagi, proves to be a good place to stay and with easy access to Nara. A look around the shop shows it offers a wide range of produce, vegetables, meat and a few bentos. It also has a bakery, a restaurant and sells clothes and trinkets. Also, within walking distance, are the Karako Kagi Remains, now a park featuring the Yayoi era. Wakakusayama　　若草山 We leave, and make for the Nara Okuyama Driveway. This is not what we expected at all and we find ourselves in a car park at the top of Wakakusayama overlooking Nara. This is a viewing spot but if […]

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