4th Jan (pre-departure)
Left home for Changi airport at 10pm. First time travelling in Zipair,a new budget airline from Japan. Apparently it carries "lie flat seats" ...checked with counter staff, only one lie flat seats available, costing additional $300. Since we traveled in 2, we decided not to take up the offer.
Had our meals at SAT lounge before departure.
5th Jan
Flight departed at 0040H. We reached Narita airport around 8am+, but it took a while for us to clear the custom ,and pick up our luggage.
Picked up by a shuttle bus provided by car rental company Be Kobe. Friendly stuff. Apparently the company was owned/run by Chinese. Initial communication via WhatsApp was in English; then conveniently changed to Chinese once it was established that we know Chinese as well.
Very friendly staff. Very practical briefing for driving in Japan. The rental company even provided snow scraper to us....
Drove to our first tourist attraction - Oya History museum and Oya temple 大昭观音 nearby.
Oya History museum used to be an ancient quarry, where precious rock was mined (manually in early days). The ambience reminded me of ancient Chinese tombs.
The Oya temple which was about 5 min driver away was very impressive, with its Buddhist statues carved out from the rock. There is also a huge Goddess of Mercy statue nearby.
Personally, the Oya temple is mote impressive and definitely worth visiting, when compared to Oya History Museum.
We then drove to our hotel Utsunomiya Tobu Grande Hotel. As we walked out from our hotel, in search of dumplings for dinner, I realised that 二荒山神社 was just about 3-4 minutes away from our hotel; and dumpling street 饺子店 was just about 5min walking distance away from our hotel. The so called dumping street is actually located in Basement 1 of Mega Donkie shopping complex - there are a few stalls selling dumpling there - free seating, and you can order dumplings from any of the stalls.
Self check in at the hotel. My wife was fumbling through the check in process, whilst the staff just looked on (I drove to park our car at basement 2). My wife was definitely not pleased 😄.
We are dumplings for dinner at dumpling street at basement 1 of Mega Donkie store.
Day 2 (6 Jan)
Visited 二荒山神社 first, then took our breakfast at the hotel.
Some scenery along the way back to our hotel...
Drove to Aizuwakaimatsu会津若松.
Stopped at Lake Inawashiro 猪苗代湖 boat dock for sightseeing - many wild ducks were there. The view was fantastic.
Drove along snowy mountain road to Ouchi-jouku 大内宿. It seemed the path we took was a less traveled one..it led us to the back of the village. The car park was at the opposite end, and most vehicles arrived at that end (the front end). ( I had to park our car in some random spot, to ask for direction from a shop owner, specifically where to park our car).
The scenery was impressive, but many shops were closed for business (particularly the restaurant selling bark weed noodles 荞麦面）. The view was much more impressive than Shrikawa 合掌屋， but less crowded.
Drove to our hotel for the night. Took our dinner in the onsen hotel (Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel).
3rd day (7 Jan)
Visited the attractions in Aizuwakaimatsu:
- Bukeyashiki Samurai Mansion - impressive building depicting living condition of the samurai, including tragic death of some ladies staying there. It's akin to that of historical museum showcasing the samurai wealth.
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| 轿子 |
-Double heliz wooden building, Sazae temple (the only one of its kind in the world) ,it was next to the Byakkotai "white tiger force" memorial burial ground. It was a small but impressive historic building. We toured the Sazae temple, but did not visit the memorial burial ground.
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| walking up to the temple |
- Tsuruga castle + walked around the compound. Didn't enter into the castle. The castle looked impressive from outside - but my wife felt that it did not feel "authentic" enough - most likely a rebuild version.
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| The surface of the river seems to have been coated with a layer of thin ice |
Since we completed above tours before 2pm, I decided to drive up to 五沼湖 Goshikunumo ponds。
The drive there took us over 1 hour. The ponds were not accessible to casual visitors in winter. There is guided tour with special snow shoes, visiting the ponds. We managed to see a segment of a pond from road side. And visited a tourist information office before driving back to our hotel.
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| frozen lake |
Drove back to hotel, in time for our dinner around 6.30 pm.
Day 4 (8 Jan)
It snowed from last night. Had to shovel the snow from our car before driving off.
We drove to Kaneyama Fureal Hiroba viewpoint,
then Hayato Onsen (the onsen was open, but the restaurant was closed; there were a few people going there for public onsen when we were there),
followed by Oezakaido Mishima Juku Roadside Station to view the scenic Tadami Line First Bridge (there is a gentle slope, next to the roadside station, in the direction of a road tunnel). The 2nd and 3rd view points were off limit to visitors (there was a sign stating bears were sighted, but I think it was more of the danger from slippery ascent that led to the viewpoints to be off limit).
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| the slope going up to the first view point, next to the road tunnel |
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| the roadside station |
Heavy snow obscured the entire scenery.
We drove through heavy snow fall along the way. The experience of driving pass snow laden road, with snow rushing forward and " crashing" onto our windscreen was truly impressive.
By the time we reached our hotel @ Zao Onsen vicinity, it was almost 7pm. We braved through heavy snow along the way. The visibility at night was not so good. even at driving speed of ~50 km/hour. Experienced for the first time the wind sweeper being stucked in the ice as we drove in the mountain range, with temperature hovering between-5 to -6'c.
Day 5 (9 Jan)
breakfast at our hotel
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| parking was free at ski station, but cost 1000 yen in Onsen Ropeway |
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| entrance to ski lift |
Queue for more than 1/2 hour to board the first cable car to middle station, before embarking on another cable car to the top of the Ropeway to see Snow Monster 树冰。
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| just in front of the Onsen Ropeway station |
The view of the snow laden trees (picturesque snow white, like that of ancient Chinese painting) was amazing. It was freezing cold up on top, with strong wind blowing. We could only catch some glimpse of Snow Monster nearby. Then rush in to the station to warm up, before venturing out to take some more photos.
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| Tree Monsters in the background |
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| 藏王 |
After that we drove to Yamadera 山寺。We reached there around 2.40pm, just in time before the ticket counter closed at 3pm. We managed to hike up the hill, for a panoramic view of the village below the temple.
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| 山脚下 |
The scenery was amazing, But crampons are definitely needed to avoid slippery fall while descending the hill.
After this, we drove to our hotel at Higashine (Super Hotel Yamagata Sakurambo-Higashine Station Front). Found out that there was a Uniqlo near our hotel - bought some cashmere inner shirts (at discounted price of 1800 Yen (~SGD 17.50) per piece - it was selling at SGD 27 in Singapore).
We drove out to take BBQ beef at a nearby restaurant - it was delicious++.
Day 6 (10 Jan)
view from our hotel window
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| Transit station for shuttle bus to Ginzan Onsen |
Ginzan Onsen is place where the animated film " Spirited Away" bath house got its inspiration. It is supposedly very pretty at night (when the lights are up) and in winter (when there is snow fall). The place is equally impressive in the day.
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| walking from bus stop to Ginzan Onsen |
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| reaching Ginzan Onsen |
After visiting Ginzan Onsen, we drove to our next hotel - Kansyokan 观松馆。
Drove to a town Shinjo, which is about 20 minutes drive away from out hotel for dinner.
The first restaurant (offering BBQ beef) was full (all reserved), and we were guided to a 2nd one - which was also fully booked; but the owner fortunately allowed us to dine there provided we can finish our meal by 6.30pm (ie.in about 1.5 hours) - we happily obliged - in fact we finished by 6pm.
The BBQ beef was equally delicious as the one before.
Day 7 (11 Jan)
Drove via toll free road to Matsushima.
It was snowing heavily along the way - scenic view along the way.
Reached out hotel around 12 noon - parked our car there, then walked to catch a ferry /cruise tour of the tiny island at Matsushima Bay at 2pm. The tour took 50minutes.
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| in front of our hotel |
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| walking down the slope to town centre |
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| town centre |
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| at the pier |
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| boat tour of the bay |
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| The bridge leading to Fukurajima Island |
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| Entrance into Zuiganji Temple |
After the boat tour, we checked into our hotel (Komatsu-kan Kofu-tei) - the view from the hotel was great.
This is one of the most expensive hotels we stayed in - costingSGD335 per night, including Breakfast) - the room was spacious, with good view of the bay/island, and the sun rise in morning. It is within walking distance to the major attractions in Matsushima Bay.
Day 8 (12 Jan)
Took onsen bath in the morning, followed by breakfast.
I then ventured on my own to visit the small island Fukurajima (entrance fee 200Yen),
and the iconic temple Zuiganji Temple (this is a must visit temple in Matsushima, showcasing ancient architecture at its wonder).
After this, I went with my wife to explore -
1. Godaido Hall (in a small island, accessible via a short red bridge)
2. Fish market (for lunch)
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| not what i thought it was - it's just a building with stalls selling prepacked seafood items, sushi, seafood noodles. |
3. Look out point at Shin Tomimaya
Day 9 (13 Jan)
View of sunrise from the horizon at 6.50am, from our hotel room.
Checked out from our hotel after breakfast - drove to Sendai.
Places we drove to -
1. Naruko gorge ( a 1.5 hour drive, passing by Naruko onsen town) - but it was not accessible in winter.
2. Rairaikyo Gorge - a small gorge in the outskirt of Sendai- can be omitted if short of time (the spot could have been easily missed, as it is located in a not so conspicuous corner, next to a main road/hotel)
Checked into our hotel in the middle of the city - discovered that walking street was just 2 blocks away.
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| 商业街 |
We managed to buy our tax free "cosmetic items' from the drug stores there. (We visited a few drug stores along the way - many of them don't offer tax free items to foreign tourists)
We came across a BBQ restaurant, offering all you can eat beefs/snacks etc at 4400 yen per person - the beef was not as tender as the ones that we had the past few days.
Day 10 (14 Jan)
Visited the Asashi Morning Market just 2 blocks away from our hotel. Took fresh Sushi for breakfast. My wife bought some potatoes, 南瓜，红豆 in the market.
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| double deck parking |
Checked out from our hotel, and drove to Zuihoden (Mausoleum of Date Masamune), and then 仙台大观音像 Sendai Dai Kannon.
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| looking down from the top @Zuihoden |
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| This is just a replica. The original one was destroyed in WWII. |
We just took snap shot of the Dai Kannon from the vicinity (did not enter the statue).
After that, we drove another 1/2 hour so to visit the ancient Shigoma Shrine (the shrine dated back to 1200).
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| 800 year-old tree |
After visiting the shrine, we drove to a former primary school (Anahama elementary school) affected by the great tsunami of year 2018 - it has been transformed into educational site for the unfortunate historic event.
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| rooftop, where those who took shelter here were lifted off to safety by helicopter |
Then we checked into our hotel at Fukushima Hotel Route Inn Fukushima Nishi Inter (took noodles before we reached our hotel).
Zao Fox Village was closed on Wed 14 Jan - hence, has to be deferred to the next day.
Day 11 (15 Jan)
Drove 1 hour to Zao Fox Village - it is located high up in the hill, had to drive up winding slope to reach the place.
Despite the hectic drive, Zao Fox Village is worth a visit - to see the free ranging foxes roaming freely in an enclosed sanctuary.
Checked into our hotel at Onahama Ocean Hotel and Golf Club - with sea view.
Drove out 10 min to take out sumptuous Ramen noodles - it was simply delicious.
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| had to buy a ticket first, then gave the ticket of food ordered to the attendant |
After dinner, we bought some beef from a supermarket nearby.
Day 12 (16 Jan)
Another wonderful view of sunrise from our hotel around 6.55am.
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| dawn at 6.15am |
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| sunrise at 6.55am |
Had another round of Onsen bath, followed by breakfast. then drove for 2 hours + to return our car.
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| one last look from our balcony, before we checked out |
Reached airport just before 1.30pm. Our flight (Zipair) departed around 4.50pm.
Touched down at Changi Airport at 11.10pm....
In summary, we covered most of the iconic tourist destinations in East Japan -
- Aizuwakamatsu - Samurai mansion, Sazae temple, Tadami Line First bridge viewpoint, Ouchi-jouku
- Zao Ropeway,
- Yamadera
- Matsushima Bay
- Sendai - Zao Fox Village, Shigoma Shrine, Zuihoden
The drive through snow/winter is not that formidable, as long as one drive slowly, and do not apply brake suddenly. Snow tyre is a must. And most people also vouched for all wheel drive vehicle if possible.
