Tateyama trip

Took a 2D1N trip with YOKOSO Japan Tour

Their itenary was very pack. Time must be sharp. People were very disciplined and kind (well that's Japanese people - salute!)

[Welcome@club-tourism.co.jp]

[Http://www.yokoso-japan.jp]

DAY 1

7.30am Nagoya
9.30am Takasu
11.30am Kosugi
11.45am Namerikawa
12.30am Toyama gift shop
12.45pm Unazuki dam.
Ready for train ride
1 - 2 pm Trolley train ?? ride from Unazuki to ??..
2-3 pm Enjoy natural hot spring. Foot bath... nice view of hot spring river
3 - 4 pm ?? Train back to Unazuki
4.30 pm To Hotel in ??
6.30 pm Arrived Hotel De Lailae at Hakuba. Room 508
7 pm Dinner together. Can enjoy Japanese style open bath in hot spring water. Man and women separate but have to be totally naked.. erkkk!

DAY 2
7.40 am Get ready in the bus after having breakfast
7.45 am Bus leaving for the next destination

[Map shows location of Hakuba]

Hakuba - a village with an amazing view of Japanese Alps

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Starting point of an amazing journey to Tateyama Mt. 

What captured my sight -- Murodo The magnificent snow wall

## will update details later. But as of now. . Pictures will tell the thousand words ok....

Tateyama Mt. 
Biggest tree 10m dia, 300 y.o

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3.50 pm Leaving to Nagoya after 20 mins stop at Tateyama souvenir shop

4.40 pm Passing Orube city - beautiful rice fields I can see

[See map and pic]

8 pm Arrived Nagoya safely. Alhamdulillah

Toyota Museum

There are 2 Toyota Museums is Nagoya..

1) This toyota museum is only about cars... it is in the Nagakute City, reachable by train from the nearest stop - Geidaidori sta. (~400m)by Linea Motor Car. This one is not connected to Nagoya train lines..
Alternatively can take Higashiyama line, gonto Fujiguoka. But u need a taxi to get to the museum from here.

2) And the other one is in the city. Reachable by JR line, the Sato sta.
Toyota Commo.... Museum covered a wider range of Toyota technology - cars.. space.. robots etc.

NGK friends

Thanks to an awesome hospitality from our Japanese friends from NGK. A great thanks to ...

♧ Takeuchi san
♧ Tsuyumu san
♧ Kawakami san
♧ Okano san

And many other great companion from throughout our stay..

♧ Itoe san, Kyoto
♧ Ms Hasegawa san, Fuji

More interesting spots around Nagoya

Well I must say 1 month is still npt enough to cover only this area.. some of those which I might do some other times...

1. Shirakawa-go
A traditional farm village near Takayama, Gifu Prefecture

2. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

3. Disneyland and Disneysea, Tokyo

Mount Fuji

Fuji Mountain.. or the Japanese call it Fuji-san.. like a "Mr. Fuji"! Hehe.. 

No I was kidding. . 

San means mountain ..but has different kana.. with same reading with san for Mister..

Therefore

Fuji=name of this place

San= mountain

It is actually quite complicated for a first timer to reach the Fuji Mt. Thefore we took a tour. Tour start at 7am from the Nagoya bus sta. The tour agent office is in the basement level of ETSU mall.. just opposite McDonalds.

Kintetsu tour bus, that's our bus.. Guided by an English speaking, Ms Hasegawa

1. From Nagoya bus sta. to Shakashima Park waterfall via Kofu Showa
(Highway toll ¥14,800)
Twice R&R stop (20 mins each)
Sokawo lake?
8km long tunnel.. too many tunnels actually!
Travel 4 hrs

2. From the Waterfall to Shibazakura

Shibazakura means Moss Phlox.

A special type of creeping flower tree which grows on the mountain.

Here you can view the Mt Fuji. Fujishima? 

Travel 3 hrs

Returning back to Nagoya took 5 hours due to traffic jam (2x rnr stops). 

We arrived Nagoya city at 22:00hrs. Nice tour.. nice guide, Ms Hasegawa!

Alhamdulillah

*****

There are also other ways to reach Fuji Mountain. For those who want to go by trains, Kawaguchiko sta. is the nearest one. Or try to go to Shizuoka town. 

Family arrival

17 May - Yay! The day long awaited.. my parents and my baby is coming today!

Took a morning train (Meitetsu line) to the airport at 07:20.. should take 30mins to arrive Nagoya - Chubu Intl Airport and yeay.. I arrived at 07:50..

Waiting and waiting and waiting.. and 08:50 has passed. No even a single little news on the board. I've got panic attack for a little while until my.dad called me from the inside the plane once they landed.  Phew. Alhamdulillah.

But it doesn't end there.  I've waited until 10:15.. still no news. Suddenly had an idea to call mom. Luckily she quickly answered and told me they're having problem to pass the customs. Unfortunately I forgot to tell the the hotel name and they won't let go until it was written on the arrival card.

That was totally my blunder. Sorry!

So finally they arrived. It was priceless to see my daughter's face when she first saw me... a totally frenetic face.. haha

Cape Irago

Starting from Nagoya city train sta.
Take the Meitetsu line to Kowa, the port. This will take 45 mins.

Kowa is the last train sta. for this line.. once arrived.. take a short 1 min ride by bus to the Kowa port at platform 2. Owh well.. u can walk if u like.. from the station. . Head left and walk staight up to the ferry sta.

Then take a ferry from Port of Kowa to reach Port Irago to get to Cape Irago. This will take 40 mins. Note that this is not a direct ferry.. so dont get off at the wrong port ok! ; 0

Irago misaki
Irago is located at the tip south of Atsumi Peninsula.. famous for it's special form of seaweed.. like a jelly type seaweed and dried form.

The trip distance for over-sea is 80km from Nagoya sta.

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For coming back.. we will take a bus to Toyohashi Sta. (¥1,490) which will take abt 2 hrs. So there'll be no ferry ride for this route. Total time is also longer as the distance will be 130km via this over-land route.

Bus route is very interesting.. you will get to see the agricultural activity in this Tahara city area. Mostly are corn, cabbage,  pineapple,  honey dew and many other types of fruits and vegetables.

Remember the bus route will take abt 2 hrs.. so please don't get off at Tahara city sta. (Approximately 1 hour distance from Irago). Tahara train somehow is not connected or more difficult to reach to Nagoya sta. compared to Toyohashi sta.

Once reached Toyohashi, take a JR line (or maybe Meitetsu) to Nagoya sta. This will take an hour.

Nagashima Resort, Nagoya

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

http://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/resort/download.html/

I discovered this place when I was reading the Nagoya map and flyer given by the hotel.. or maybe I took it at the Nagoya stn.

Didn't know that the place we are about to discover will going to be this awesome.

Nagashima Resort consists of several attractions. . The amusement park, the spa, the sports center and maybe the garden. And don't forget the Outlet mall.@!

From Meitetsu bus stn (near Nagoya stn.. level 2 inside Meitetsu building), u can purchase a return ticket bus or a set of bus ticket and Nagashima Spaland amusement park entry ticket.

The Meitetsu bus will go from Meitetsu Bus Stn - Nabana No Sato - Nagashima Spa/Sport Land

There is a flower market in Nabana No Sato..!

The amusement park - Nagashima Spaland:
Roaller coasters were outrageous. especially the Steel Dragon.. but the White Cyclone wasn't too good due to very high vibration. Feel kinda dizzy.
The giant frisbee almost caused us to throw up.

Outlet mall:
Mann.. 4 hours were not enough.! Even if it was just a window shopping u will enjoy it. There osnalso Kids room.. waiting rooms and few restaurants. Shopping lovers will go crazy here.

Hotels:
There are four hotels here. I just forgot the name. You can just always ask Mr Google €:

I didn't have enough time to check out the spa and the flower garden. It looks awesome on the web. Maybe next time.

♡♡♡

Nagoya city

In Nagoya subways and JR lines are available for ease of transportation. Some highlights on the tourist spots are

1. Sakae area - Nagoya TV tower
Lots of shops and a nice Central park

2. Osu Cannon
It's actually a temple but there are hundreds of shops varieties from Kimono shops, souvenirs, food etc.
U can also find a halal Turkish kebab restaurant here.

3. Noritake Garden
Was the original manufacturing factory for the famous Narotake wares. Great for relaxing.. nice ambiance.. fountains.. cafes etc.

4. Midland square (opposite nagoya stn.)
My first time watching movie in foreign country. . It felt kinda awesome!.. This time I watched Spiderman and mibd you it is EXTREMELY expensive to watch movie here in Japan. On normal days.. 1 movie you have to pay ¥2,200 that is RM70!!!!
SUPER WOW!**

Here also in Midland square there is an unbelievably amazing Observation deck at Level 42.. tikets are from ¥750 per adult and believe me.. the view is astounding! !!

But the picture below is not from the observation deck. It's free viewing for everyone who came all the way up to Level 42..

5. Nagoya city science museum

Located in Sakae area. We came here after work but unlucky enough they are close every 3rd Friday. So for interested plan your trip accordingly ☆

This planetarium is the biggest in the world!!

6. Electrical museum

Located in Sakae area

7. Malaysia Restaurant - Bunga Raya

It's located in Sakae area.. more precisely at the Yaba-cho intersection

See map captured

8. Otsu-dori road

High fashion boutiques

9. Nagoya castle

Nearest and easiest train stop is Meijokoen

10. Japanese cotton

Otsu kaya. Nearest train : Kurumamichi

Takayama, Gifu Prefecture

11th May 2014 - Takayama

Takayama is a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 92,369 and a population density of 42 persons per km². The total area is 2,177.67 km². Wikipedia

Area: 2,178 km²

Weather: 9°C, Wind NW at 2 m/s, 89% Humidity

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5900.html

Takayama (高山) is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. To differentiate it from other places named Takayama, the city is also commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama. Takayama retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. It now ranks as one of the prime candidates among travelers wishing to add a rural element into their itineraries.

Takayama gained importance as a source of high quality timber and highly skilled carpenters during the feudal ages. The city was consequently put under direct control of the shogun and enjoyed quite a bit of prosperity considering its remote mountain location. The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, is considered one of Japan's best festivals.

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Only local train is available from Nagoya to Takayama.. 2h 15m on a direct local train costing ¥2,680 + ¥6,700 (one way), but worthwhile with the breathtaking scenery of the Japanese Alps and rivers along the way.

Takayama is such a little town, everything is accessible just by walking. There is also a bag locker in the station for those who need to keep their stuff while enjoying the traditional Takayama. 

Information and tourist center is just outside the station where you can grab your map or should you wish for a side trip.

Nohi bus is also available at the bus stn if you want to reach the Hida folk village. A one round ticket is only ¥210 whilst one day bus pass is ¥630 and Hida folk village set ticket (bus + admission fee) is ¥930. I highly recommend to take this bus to enjoy the scenic view of the Japanese Alps and overview of the Takayama town.

Now going back to Takayama town.. there are 2 morning markets open daily until 12pm - Miyagawa and Jinya mae.. Miyagawa is longer and located along the Miyagawa river with variety of choices.

The rest are mostly shrines and temples.. but dont forget the Old private houses..! Trishaw boys are also at service for ¥5000 per 30 mins.

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Now lets go further.. the Okuhida Onsen-go hot spring village. To do this you have to spend the night at Takayama so that you can start early. Just grab a bus from Takayama stn from 07:00 (next bus is 40 mins later I.e 07:40 and hourly at 08:40 and so forth until 18:40) and you will arrive at Shinhotaka Ropeway (cable car) 1h 45mins later. The ticket price is ¥2,160 (one way).

From the Ropeway stn you can board the bus back to Takayama from as early as 06:20 until 17:55 (last bus).

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Fukuji Onsen - an onsen village nestled deep in the mountains with a very nostalgic atmosphere. A must see Snow Wall in Norikura, open from mid May until end June yearly promises an experience you may not get anywhere else. 

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There is also tour bus with lunch provided to famous villages around Takayama (English guide available) for the price of ¥6,000++.

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Well that ends my Takayama note.. there are so much to show but too little space....

Till then.. ♧♧♧♡♡♡