9 月1日至11日，正式开使我们一家四口的熊野县自驾游。现在当主驾者还是靖捷，随行的除我之外，还有我的老婆，及从澳大利亚飞来的婧怡。租的是能乘载多个行李箱的车。
The day has finally arrived - for us to start our 11 day self driving tour in Wakayama, Japan. We will be visiting many shrines in the areas, particularly those linked to Kumano Koda Pilgrimage Trail. Also, there will be ample time to visit the scenic coastal areas, and sample the delicious Japanese food (Ramen, BBQ Beef, Sashimi etc); and of course, not forgetting shopping (shoes, cosmetics, clothes).
We flew into Osaka via Scoot Air, and returned via Peach Air from Kansai Terminal 2 Airport (International Departure).
第一天
早上四点乘搭私召车往樟宜机场去.
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| Boarding Scoot from Changi Terminal 1 |
经过6。5 小时的飞行，终于在下午2。30 左右到达日本关西机场。
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| on the plane |
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| Reached Kansai International Airport |
然后乘搭接驳车到租车公司去提车（20分钟的距离）。我们定租的是沃尔沃V60的旅行车（因为此车的后备箱容量大，能接纳几个行李）。提车手续办好后，便直往Sennan Long Park (泉南临海公园）去，那里能远眺衔接大版与关西空港的大桥；
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| Sennan Long Park |
过后直奔我们预定的 Wakayama Kada Onsen（加太温泉）酒店入住。。。
在泉南临海公园停车场，碰到了一些小插曲 - 汽车的遥控器无法遥控上锁 - 后来发现原来是因为汽车后备箱的行李稍微凸出，影响了车门的关闭，导致遥控器失灵。在稍微调整行李的摆设后，便能顺利运用那遥控器。（不然我们也许得再把车驾回租车店铺！）
路途经过一个远眺海的驿站/观景台(Misaka Rd Station,岬道之驿)-那边的海景其实也不怎样，但却发现有家杂货店出售的花草植物蛮便宜，于是便买了一颗小树（准备带回新加坡种植）。那颗小树经过10天的折腾，最终成功被领会新加坡 （当时花已枯萎，树叶也有点凋零，能否开枝散叶，就要看它的造化了）。
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| 步上斜道往观景台 |
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| 从驿站的观景台远眺对岸的海洋 |
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| 驿站的小型贩卖部 |
酒店包晚餐与隔天的早餐，及晚上的温泉沐浴。酒店面临级淡海峡，以海景温泉及夕阳景色闻名。隔壁有一座神社--淡岛神社Awashima Shrine。
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| our hotel room |
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| dinner |
We rented a Volvo V60 state wagon for the trip - to accommodate 3 checked-in medium size luggage and 3 Hand-carry small baggage. The car rental was about 20 min drive from Kansai Airport. Yes, the car has enough boot space for our luggage. However, it is not so "powerful" (need to press on the accelerator quite a bit to reverse up some curbs). The grip of the wheels was not so strong at time, creating a lot of screeching sound when we made a turn on the road. We also rented ETC to facilitate use payment of toll fees when using highway.
Sequence of event for first day - landed at Kansai airport, noted one of the luggage was damaged on transit --> submitted damage report at baggage pick up area --> went to pick up point outside terminal to take a ride to car rental company which was located 20 min drive away (kind of far) --> drove to Sennan Long Park -> look out point along the way to Wakayama Kada Onsen -> retired for the day (dinner followed by onsen).
第二天
早上醒来，泡了个温泉浴，然后去吃早餐。
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| breakfast |
吃了早餐后，便步行到隔壁的淡岛神社逛一逛，沿途也捕捉了沿岸的海景。这是个小神社，不过那里有一些蛮精致的摆设品。
After breakfast, we explored the area around the hotel (enjoying the sea view); then strolled to the shrine (Awashiwa Shrine) next door. The shrine was small - it has some eye-catching figurines there.
然後继续我们的行程- 往和歌山城堡 Wakayama Castle，与 Itakiso shrine （伊太祁曾神社 -主要祭祀五十孟命，与森林，树木和木材文化有密切关系，是和歌山著名神社之一）去。
Wakayama Castle...hiking up to reach the castle. It was very hot in the morning sun.
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| Need to pay to enter the castle. |
当天艳阳高照，蛮热。在城堡里的饮食店喝冰凉饮料解渴避暑。城堡的周围有一座小型的动物园，蛮精致，也有些看头（相信很多小朋友会流连忘返）。
There is a mini zoo inside the compound of the castle - surprisingly, they have Penguins there!
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过后驾车去Kishi station (贵志驿，以猫站长闻名-不过当天是猫站长的休息日）；抵达这个电车终点站时下着大雨，也没有免费停车场，靖捷匆匆忙忙下车，往终点站一逛便出来了。
We missed the cat stationmaster - it was not on duty on that day. We only made a cursory stop, then proceeded to the look out point @ Aragi Island Rice Terraces.
KISHI Station
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| the external facade of train station resembles that of a cat |
Before reaching Aragi Island Rice Terrace, we chanced upon a 160m long red suspension bridge (Zaobashi Bridge) that spans the Futagawa Dam. - stopped for photo shots (it drizzled then).
在前往荒木岛稻田梯级的路上，意外的看到一座横阔江河的雄伟红色吊桥， 停下车落脚打卡。
然后继续驾车往Aragi Island Rice Terraces 荒木岛稻田梯田去 - 把车停在一两百米外的公共面付费停车场，撑着雨伞，在大雨下的催打下，步行到观景台欣赏梯田。那景色怡人，值得一游。
也就从当天开始，每天都连续下雨。也因为下雨的缘故，原定在生石高原 （Oishi Kogan）夜观星象的计划只好免去。
It started to rain from mid-day. We had to brave the rain on the way to Kishi Station （in car), and when visiting the lookout point for Aragi Island Rice Terrace.
The place we stayed in was located in a small village - only one restaurant is open nearby (within an onsen resort). Our AirBnB host helped us to make reservation for dinner. We went to a local "supermarket" for a look before going to the restaurant for dinner - it was more like a grocery store, rather than a supermarket - we bought some candies, and a bottle of honey from the store.
The AirBnB that we stayed in for the night belongs to a historic refurbished old house, dated 150 years ago apparently. 当晚入住有150年历史的古屋。（门无法上锁，屋外种些花草蔬菜，正屋旁有储藏室，有点意思）。
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| 旧式厨房 |
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| 储藏室 |
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| 厕所与冲凉房皆在屋外。 |
第三天
Drove to Shirasaki Kaiyo Koen/Shirasaki Ocean Park 白崎海洋公园 (observation tower, and view of rugged limestone cliffs) then to Gobo - lunch at Gobo.
这天的第一站是白崎海洋公园；那里有免费停车场。爬上铁制旋转梯级到石灰峭壁上方观赏一望无际的大海及沿岸的岛屿。登上观景台后又突然降下大雨，虽然当时有带上雨衣， 但因为雨水蛮大，还是得匆匆忙忙赶回车去避雨。
我们在附近的小镇吃鳗鱼饭（味道可口）。
过后到斗鸡神社去。。。真的是斗鸡。。。相传当年就是以斗鸡的成败来决定某个军阀的存亡。幸好在这个神社时天气还不错， 偶尔有些细雨，但不影响我们拍照。
Then drove to Tokei Shrine 斗鸡神社 (named after the legend of the Genpei wars; it was added to the World Heritage list of "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"); In the Tale of the Heike, the story of the matching of chickens at the Battle of Dannoura is told.
Then drove to Banshoyama Park 万象山公园 （offers a serene escape with its tropical flora and three observation decks providing stunning vistas of Nanki Shirahama's coastline 南级白滨海岸 and Engetsu Island 圆月岛。
Explored Sanjojiki Rock Plateau 千畳敷 - there was a group of young students there, exploring the plateau.这里的海岸岩石，不尽让我想起台湾的野柳地质公园·。值得一游！
We drove to Sadanbeki Cliffs 三段壁 after checking into our AirBnB - our lodging came with a hotspring shower/bath facility. Sadanbeki Cliffs are fascinating, but pale in comparison to Sanjojiki Rock Plateau.
第四天
Drove to Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Information Center. Heavy rain on that day; one of the pilgrimage trails starts from there. 正式启程往熊野古道的游览资料中心，当时下着倾盆大雨，即使撑着雨伞，鞋子也难免会弄湿。
Visited Takijirioji-gu Togo Shrine (a spiritual entrance to the sacred Kumano mountains) - it was raining heavily, hence only took some snapshots of the place. Did not even attempt any hiking...原本打算在古道上来个局部（短程）爬山活动，但因为恶劣天气缘故，只好作罢。
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| 倾盆大雨 |
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| 熊野古道质询管 |
在资料展览中心对面的神社（古道的出发点）拍照打卡后，便驾车往半山腰的另一个古神社（高原熊野神社）去打卡。
古道的起点。。。下雨。。。
半山腰的休息站可远眺对面的层层山峦，景色非常迷人。在山林里的古神社(高原熊野神社）也蛮有震撼力。在这里的休息站，有几位登熊野古道的中年人，身披雨衣，被着行囊，撑着登山杖，整理行装，喝水休息闲聊。
Drove to Takahara Kumano Shrine (高原熊野神社), a pivotal stop along the Kumano Kodo trail, established in 1403. The view from the parking lot was fantastic.
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| 半山腰的停车场 |
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| Takahara Kumano Shrine (高原熊野神社) |
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| 犹如处身于万里长城的山脉里。。。只是没有长城。。。 |
We took our lunch at one and only boutique restaurant nearby (in the midst of heavy rain), then walked around the neighbourhood (looking out for a tomb nearby).
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| 熊野古道路线之一 |
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| the tomb was located further up, on the left... |
Drove to Sansuikan Kawayu Matsuya (hotel) -stay overnight -it has both an indoor and outdoor onsen (facing a river)。We thought we booked the adjacent cheaper hotel, but was told our booking was for this rather high end hotel. Breakfast was included, but not dinner. It poured as usual. We checked into our room first.
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| Outdoor onsen next to the river... mixed used by men/women, had to wear clothes provided by hotel (something akin to Sarong for men, and pyjama for ladies) |
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| our room |
It was still early in the day, around 3pm. After checking into our room and dropped our luggage, we drove to nearby Yunomine/Tsuboyu Onsen 汤之峰温泉- Japan's oldest Onsen; then to Kumano Hongu Taisha 熊野本宫大社 for a tour. We took our dinner in a restaurant opposite the shrine (took fresh tuna shashimi, noodles, rice etc). Then drove back to our hotel for the onsen.
汤之峰温泉古色古香，在雨下步行欣赏街景，另有一番味道。
Yunomine Onsen street view...
抵达熊野本宫大社时，将近寺庙关闭时间。匆匆忙忙爬上梯级到神社去拜访。日本的神社，建筑模式大同小异，除了颜色各异之外。。。看多了有时真的分辨不出个别神社的名字（真是罪过）。
Kumano Hongu Taisha ...
Took our dinner in a restaurant opposite the entrance of Hongu Taisha.
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| dinner |
第五天
Today, we visited the following places 这一天·，我们主攻以下景点:
- The giant Tori and surrounding park - 超大的鸟居。附近有稻田，公园，与溪流/小山坡。景色蛮美，环境清幽。
- Dorokyo Gorge/ Kumano-gawa river 熊野川 - we did not take the river boat cruise; we just went for a brief walking tour of the area (where guests buy tickets and board the boats). Drove along the road coasting along the river/gorge.. all the way to Kumano Hayamata Taisha.
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| driving to river boat docking place |
- Kumano Hayatama Taisha 熊野速玉大社 -temple in the midst of town.
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| dessert |
- Nachi Falls 那智瀑布 and Kumano-Nachi Grand Shrine 熊野那智大社 -的的确确是不可错过的旅游景点。This is one of the main attractions in Wakayama/Kumano Kodo trails.
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| Parking right outside the entrance to Nachi Grand Shrine, 500 JPY per entrance |
那智瀑布，是日本最高的瀑布。附近也有座气派非凡的古寺。我们爬上石块堆积而成的梯级，到山上的古寺。靖捷下山往山脚下的停车场，驾车到山顶接我们下山， 那里知道还须付800日元的过路费！（即使没有停车！）。早知道都话，直接把车驾上山，便不用费力爬山了。
* Kumano Takahara Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine and Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine are considered the three main shrines of Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail.
Drove to Kujirahama Beach (famed for its captive whales) - walked around the Whale Museum. Did not see any whales there. (Apparently there were some whales in captivity in the bay there, and people can pay to swim with the whales in captivity in August). It started to rain again as we were exploring the area just outside the Whale Museum... we rushed back to our car as usual.
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| narrow road, two way street, but only one car can drive pass each time |
Drive to Okage Yokocho 托福横盯 @ Isuzu -Took our lunch there (noodles) and explored the walking streets there (aka historic old street). The place was surprisingly crowded despite the rain (partly because it was Sunday morning). There were queues for entrance into restaurants.
这是我们整个旅程中，人流最多的景区。它就好像中国的古镇/古街 -街边两旁有仿古式店面，当时正下着倾盆大雨，但完全没有影响游客逛街的雅兴。
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| Fiber drink at Lawson in the morning, after checking out from our AirBnB |
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| driving in the rain, with choppy waves of the sea in the background |
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| a brief stop at a look-out point on the way to Ise |
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| there are many tunnels in Wakayama prefecture |
Visited Ise Grand Shrine 伊势神宫 nearby (in fact right at the end of walking street) - again in heavy rain. 此神社看来历史悠久，占地蛮大，有正宫与其它个院落，古色古香，值得一游。还需要在步入正宫前在·河边洗手。。。不少人都是在逛完老街后顺道往神宫去。
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| UJI bridge..into Grand Shrine |
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| 证明自己不是小三 |
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| ISUZU river hand washing place 五十鈴川 御手洗場 |
Went back to our AirBnB for a short break, then drove out to Futami-Okitama Shrine 二见兴玉神社, and viewed the wedded rocks (Meoto Iwa) 夫妇岩 (a symbol of love and marriage)。The choppy waves and gloomy sky with rain added some solemn melancholy vibes to the area. 这也是值得一游的景点。
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| Our AirBnB for the night |
第七天
Drove to Mt Takami - our original plan was to do some hiking there, but the road to the mountain peak was blocked by tree branches/rocks falling off from the cliffs. Hence, have to abort the plan.
山路弯弯曲曲，有些路段蛮狭窄，需小心驾驶。途中，树枝卡在车下，须下车把它移掉。因为上山的道路受阻。只好作罢，转攻吉野山。
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| Look out point on the way to Mt Takami |
Drove to Yoshino 吉野 instead - lunch at a Tofu restaurant in Mt Yoshino 吉野山 （因樱花而闻名遐迩）；这里也有不少古刹。我们在半山腰停车（800日元），在附近的豆腐餐饮店吃午餐，然后逛逛旧街与临近的两座古寺（气场非凡）。只可惜这个时候，没有樱花飘香，只有绵绵细雨陪着我们，不久演变成倾盆大雨 （那时我们已坐进车内，绕山盘行；山路狭窄，在雨中驾车，着实考研司机的技术/应变能力）。
Mt Yoshino has many temples/shrines - it will be impossible to visit all in one day.
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| along the way to Yoshino |
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| the tofu restaurant that we stopped for lunch |
Explore Mt Yoshino old town after lunch. It was drizzling.
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| 赏樱的地方 |
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| 古刹 |
Then drove to Dorogawa Onsen 洞川温泉 for sightseeing. Nothing much to see there （it was supposed to be glittering with lantern lights decorating the street in the evening, creating a charming mystical ambience). Managed to park our car in a car park next to a shrine for free; otherwise, most parking lots are charged...we then went for a stroll in the Onsen village. We missed the limestone cave - it was just started to close for the day.
洞川温泉，标榜夜景迷人 (灯笼高挂，使整个街景灿烂起来）。因为我们是在下雨的午后抵达，没有灯光的照耀与粉饰，除了路边的旧式店家/旅馆 (Ryokan), 总觉得没有什么特别看头。
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| landscape garden of the temple where we parked our car |
第八天
From Yoshino 吉野 - we drove to Koyasan via a paved road that cut through the mountainous terrains.
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| Bought some pears from a road side store along the way... the shop owners were very particular about customers touching their pears! |
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| along the mountainous road |
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| paved but narrow road |
高野山上有好几家与附近寺院挂钩，古色古香，装饰豪华的民宿 （但其它消费可得额外付款，比如素食早晚餐，夜间逛坟场，凌晨念经祷告祈福的活动），但收费不菲 （每人单单住宿便须缴费200-300 日元），我们只能退而求其次，入住附近比较实惠的普通民宿 （4 人每晚花费不超过400 日元）。
Streets of Koyasan...
Reached Koyasan - it was raining when we reached Koyasan, Hence, we decided to go for our lunch first at Kadohama Goma-tofu Honpo).
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| It was drizzling by the time we finished our lunch |
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| Lunch, vegetarian style |
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| entrance of the restaurant |
After lunch, we walked to visit the main shrine Danjo Garan 璮上伽蓝 nearby - the ancient historic temples/building were truly amazing. The colourful 49m tall Great Stupa was mesmerising. As we were strolling in the compound, a monk started to use a giant round wooden mallet/beam to knock on the massive bronze bell hanging in the middle of one pavilion.
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| The Grand Stupa |
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| a monk knocking on the bell... pulling on the rope tying to the wooden beam/mallet |
Then drove to Okunoin Cemetery 奥之院 - had a quick walking tour there. The chief attraction there are moss-covered tombs hidden in the midst of tall cedar trees. Many dignitaries and warlords have their tombs there. To the best of my knowledge, this is probably the one and only cemetery in Asia that is gazetted and promoted as a tourist attraction. In general, Asians are usually very superstitious, and aversive to things related to deaths...
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| tall cedar trees |
The main prayer hall of Okunoin, Torodo Temple, is famed for its perpetually lit lanterns decorating the ceiling... we missed it on our first visit, had to make a 2nd trip on the day of our departure from Koyasan 2 days later.
据我所知， 在东方社会，也只有在日本这个国度，才有办法（在百无禁忌的情况下）把坟场包装成旅游景点。不过反说回来，那参天大树确实把整个环境衬托成安详宁静的所在，完全没有恐怖阴森气氛。据说这是日本最大的坟场，很多名人望族埋在这里。
Then checked into our hotel (stayed there for 2 nights). We drove to view 女人堂 before dinner.
Nyojindo 女人堂 is a Buddhist hall resembling a residence where female pilgrims to Mount Koya stayed until the Edo period. Until 1872 (Meiji 5), Mount Koya was off-limits to women, and women visited the mountain via the Nyonindo (Women's Path) that encircled its perimeter, with Nyonindo (Women's Halls) established at each of the seven entrances to Mount Koya. This particular Nyonindo is located at the Fudōzaka entrance, one of the seven entrances to Mount Koya, and is the only one of its kind still standing. (abstract from Wakayama Cultural Heritage Website)
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| Our lodging @ Koyasan |
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| parking by the road side in front of our lodging |
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| the trees near our lodging |
It rains the entire day. Decided to drive down to Rinku Premium Outlet and nearby Donki for shopping.
气象预测显示接下来两天都会下雨， 于是便更改行程 - 往室内购物中心逛。从高野山驾车到购物中心须耗1.5 小时。山路弯弯曲曲，幸好路面还蛮寛，比之前的（只能然一辆车通行）狭窄山路好走得多。
Before driving down Koyasan, we visited Dai Mon Gate 大门。
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| one of the kumano koda trails |
We also viewed the gate from afar about 1/4 way down Koyasan...
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| look out point for Dai Mon gate |
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| it rained...again |
We visited a temple Jison-in temple 慈尊院 （sitting at the foot of Koyasan, a site to pray for women's health issues) en-route to Rinku Premium Outlets. It houses a shrine catering for women with breast disorder (such as breast cancer). It is also part of Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail (a gateway to Koyasan - can hike up to Koyasan from here). Apparently, women were not allowed to visit Koyasan prior to 1872; hence, Jison-in temple became a sacred site of worship for them.
走近慈尊寺，最引人注目的是挂在一个角落挤挤的类似迷你“双”馒头的点缀品。后来才知道那是模仿女性乳房的供品。因为这座寺院，是为女性健康祈福而建。
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| Breast shape offering |
我们在往市区购物中心的半途中，在寻找午餐场所时碰钉 - 两家赤身餐馆都没有营业 （即使谷歌网表明有营业）；最后在一家面食店落脚。店主是一位中年汉子，一手包办整家店铺的操作（煮面，送上食物，清洗桌面等等）。面汤过咸。
We took our lunch at some random noodles stall (because a few restaurants that we were looking for were closed for business, even though Google said otherwise). The noodles were rather salty! |
| One man show |
在临空名牌特卖场/临空奥特莱斯，有好多名牌商店，标榜10%折扣或免税，除了本地人外，也有不少拖着行李的旅客在那里消费。确实，那里的商品价格，在折扣后，蛮吸引人。
Chanced upon Owndays Spectacles shop in Rinku Premium Outlet - make a pair of glasses for both my wife and myself. Then explored the shoes there - Cheng Yee bought a pair of Converse shoes, whilst my wife and I bought Hoka shoes for ourselves (paid by Cheng Yee/Jie).
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| Rinku Premium Outlet |
Cheng Jie could not find his pair of volleyball shoes in the Premium Outlet stores. 其实，我们的初衷是来物色靖捷的排球鞋。但那里似乎没有出售排球鞋（跑步鞋，篮球鞋，消闲鞋倒是琳琅满目。
We then drove back to Koyasan and had our dinner there. By the time we finished our dinner, it was past 9pm.
第十天
離開高野山前，再去奧之院的燈籠堂（Torodo Hall) （不可拍照）及一座神社。然后再往Kongobu-ji 金刚峰寺逛一逛。我们没有买票入院内观赏里边的花园/屋内装饰，只在寺外徘徊。
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| 寺前方的小溪 |
然後在高野山坡下的一個瀑布區逗留一下（沒有看到瀑布，只能遠眺山谷下的鄉鎮)。
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| there is supposed to be a waterfall nearby.... but not within sight |
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| View of the pagoda from the car park |
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| Leaving first shrine... driving to 2nd shrine |
吃了午餐後 （吃了生鱼片/刺身-蛮新鲜可口，又实惠），便往Gu, Donki Donki 唐记诃德/驚安@殿堂及臨空豪華奧特萊斯（ Rinku Premium Outlets)去。
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| delicious sashimi |
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| roof of restaurant |
當天也是下雨天，無法尋訪其它旅遊景點。CK wanted to purchase Samsung HP - we went to a electronic store, and was told that it only sells IPhone; whereas most android phones are sold together with mobile plans. 靖凯拜托我们帮他物色三星手机的事情也泡汤 -因为这边没有单独售卖安卓手机(须绑定当地的电信服务）。
We made a last minute check on the weight of our luggage, and fathomed that we probably have additional space for another 3-5kg of goods to spare. Hence, decided that we should make a last minute purchase tomorrow morning. 当天晚上，在重新整理行李后，发现还有3-5公斤的行李空位, 也就是说我们还可以再去添购其它物品。
第十一天
早上退房。。。
最後一天，在確定還有多少行李可托運或手提上機後，來個最後一次的購物衝刺。
It was raining heavily in the morning. We made a quick stop at 7-11, to buy duck-tape to secure our check-in luggage which was "cracked" slightly on the day of our arrival in Kansai Airport(managed to claim back SGD50 for damaged baggage from our travel insurance).
靖捷看上了驚安殿堂的冰涼床套，我們決定再往那家店去光顧（當然也難免會有他人乘機物色其它化妝品）.
過後駕車去附近的糕點店購買些糕點/麵包 （當早餐或午餐來吃）。
接下來便是去尋找靖捷與他朋友的排球鞋。我們跑了兩家專零售運動設備的連鎖店，最終才物色到靖捷的鞋。Cheng Jie finally managed to secure his pair of volleyball shoes after visiting a 2nd sportshoe outlet.
最終在下午2.50抵達租車公司還車，辦完歸車手續後，便乘坐接駁車到關西空港第二航站去搭下午6,45的班機返新。
Walking towards the gate for boarding - akin to a walk through prison walkway.
Walking towards the plane.
抵達新加坡樟宜機場時也是隔天凌晨一點左右。
After thoughts -
Driving in Wakayama/small districts can be quite challenging - the roads are quite narrow - allowing only one car to pass at times.
When negotiating roads in the mountain - it can be rather daunting for the faint hearted. Even in some neighborhood (when our AirBnB lodging is located), the road can be quite narrow as well. Luckily, Cheng Jie was quite "pro" in his driving. And thanks to our lucky stars, the AirBnB lodging places were easy to locate via GoogleMap (it used to be a nightmare previously).
There are so many places to visit in Wakayama, it is impossible to cover all places of interest in such a short period of time. Just be selective. Nara was nearby, but we did not have time for that...
As usual, the main appeals in Japan are its food, scenery, onsen, and various shrines; not forgetting shopping (now that Japanese Yen is fairly "weak" compared to Singapore Dollars).
Tax- free shops are such a convenient way to shop - the tax is deducted up front at the cashier when making payment. Apparently such convenience will be done away with by November. Tourists have to claim tax refund at airport service counter before their flights home - I am sure this will add more grey hair to tourist, worrying about long queue for tax refund, and missing their flights home.
The good thing about self driving tour is we can make changes to our travel plan when there is bad weather - making impromptu stops at shopping malls or restaurants. But of course, there is a lot of planning needed beforehand.
We are the type of tourists that are reluctant to pay extra on parking, entrance fees for temple/museum, but won't blink on food, or tours!
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