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[dreamer75]

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[dreamer75]

28 August 2010

The Journey Of Visiting Hot Springs – Enjoying Snow View Secret Spa (Pt 1)

This week, join us as we visit various scenic hot springs in winter. Our trips will be full of interesting encounters. We will stay at cosy inns plus feast on delicious local cuisines.

Our first destination is a secret spa in Niigata. Located deep in the mountains, it boasts a panoramic open-air bath with a spectacular view of the snow mountains. Travel by Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa, and then change to the Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line. Make a stopover at Tokamachi and visit Sekkiichi, an event held every winter. Before going to this special festival, drop by Honyarado cafe for some adzuki bean soup and rice cake. In local dialect, “Honyarado” means small snow hut. The restaurant, which even has a fireplace, also serves coffee and side dishes made of local vegetables. Adzuki bean and glutinous rice are supplied by the local farmers. Niigata is a rice-producing area and these handmade rice cakes are smooth and very tasty.

After this delicious snack, make your way to the Sekkiichi festival. There are several booths selling a variety of goods. For example, you could buy some crampons, which are used for walking in the snow. There are also many local vegetable and fish street stalls. One popular item you must get is Chinkoro – figurines of animals and dolls made of rice flour dough. “Chinkoro” means puppy in the local dialect. The stall which sells these rice flour dough figures often attracts long queues. At times you may have to wait for 30 minutes and sometimes the figures are sold out within an hour. Some say that these figures were eaten in the past, but now they are used as good luck decorations. Cracks appear on these figures after a while, but it is believed that these cracks are auspicious. During the Sekkiichi, the skilled locals gather together to knead the rice flour and shape it into delicate figures. Each handmade figure has its own uniqueness and charm.

Next, go to the Kojimaya Nagomitei soba restaurant for lunch. Established 55 years ago, it is located in a 130-year-old house. It serves Tokamachi's specialty, hegi-soba. A special thickener is used in the dish. The cooking method is kept secret and only a limited number of staff are allowed to make it. The gosai-soba is served with mountain vegetables, grated yam, vegetable tempura and kinpira burdock. In Tokamachi, mustard is served with soba instead of wasabi.

After this, go to a secret spa in Echigo. Travel by Hokuhoku Line to Matsudai Station. The hotel can arrange a pick-up service for you, if you make a booking in advance. Enjoy the gorgeous snow view during the 10-minute ride to Unkai in Matsudai Shibatoge Onsen. This picturesque lodge is situated on a hill and guests are greeted with a panoramic snow view at the lobby itself. The rooms come with a splendid view of the Uonuma Mountains and Mt. Naeba. If you stay in an eight-mat Japanese-style room, it costs 12,600 yen (S$198.32), inclusive of two meals. If you’re travelling with your family, you can opt to stay in a six-mat spacious Western-style room.

After relaxing in your room, go to the hotel’s open-air bath. Enjoy the chilly breeze and winter view while soaking in the warm hot spring. For dinner, enjoy a meal of 13 dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients. One item is apios tempura. Apios, a kind of bean which is farmed locally, is rich in calcium and iron. There is also Niigata beef steak grilled on hot stone, which is served with grated radish in ponzu sauce. Other dishes include the luxurious hot pot with chicken, prawn and sea bream; and Japanese fluvial sculpin nanbanzuke. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, end your trip to Echigo in Niigata by taking a refreshing a morning bath.

Our next trip takes us to Tochigi. Travel by Tobu Railway Limited Express Spacia from Asakusa to Kinugawa Onsen. This time, we will visit a secret spa inn in Okukinu Spa Town. You may wish to roam around Kinu River and go to scenic spots nearby before taking a 10-minute bus ride to Ryuoukyo Entrance. Take a sightseeing tour. The course is quite though, and you will have walk down winding stairs to the ravine. Along the way, you will see a scenic 20m-high fall in the freezing ravine. What makes this fall unique is that it doesn’t freeze in winter. Walk further down and you will come across a suspension bridge. The Nijimi Bridge is the perfect place from where you can enjoy the beauty of the magnificent ravine.

For lunch, go to Shunsaikura Senya at Ryuoukyo Entrance. It serves handmade soba, which you can relish while sitting around a hearth. The soba is topped with fresh yuba, a speciality of Nikko. After lunch, take a bus to Kaiun no Yu in Kamikuriyama. This famous spa has been visited by popular personality Guts Ishimatsu twice. It is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. Kamikuriyama is a small village with about 50 families and the Kaiun no Yu bath house is open to the public at a fee of 500 yen (S$7.87) per person. This bath is run by the villagers of Kamikuriyama region. It is also called the “Good Luck Hot Spring” as it is believed that using the Kaiun no Yu bath house brings you good luck. There’s nothing quite like warming your body in the spring water after walking in the snow. Plus, you can enjoy the snowy view of the Kinu River as well. After your bath, try some of the snacks available. The food is prepared by those on duty. Sip some tea and nibble on the treats while chatting with the friendly staff.

After this heartwarming encounter in the mountain village, get on the bus to a secret spa in Heikedaira Onsen. Enjoy the view as the bus travels along a snowy mountain road for 35 minutes. Onyado Komayumi no Sato was founded 25 years ago and it features Japanese-style rooms. After a rejuvenating bath, enjoy a delicious meal for dinner. Feast on a total of 11 mountain delicacies such as raw local yashiomasu - a specialty of Tochigi - rainbow trout grilled with salt; and another speciality - salamander tempura. The next day, take a morning bath while enjoying the refreshing breeze before checking out of the hotel.

For our next adventure, travel by Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Morioka. Do some sightseeing first. You may wish to visit a 100-year-old farm nearby. Observe how the whole family works together to make items like dried radish. The radish is first boiled and then soaked in water for a day to remove its bitter taste. Then, it is hung on wax tree logs for 1-2 weeks. The radish can be preserved for over half a year. You can even try some motsunabe with dried radish at the farm. Next, head downtown and go to the Senryu restaurant, which serves traditional local cuisines. One item worth trying is Nanbu (South) "hatto" pot. “Hatto” is a general term for noodle cuisine. The udon is made of Nanbu wheat flour. Scallop, oyster, codfish, soft roe and other seafood are put into bonito and kelp stock and boiled, after which udon is added.

After lunch, head to a spa inn in Iwate. Take a bus from Morioka Station to Matsukawa Onsen. It is on the other side of Mt. Iwate which has an altitude of 2,038m. After 1.5 hours, you will reach Hachimantai Royal Hotel. From here, change buses and travel by the nostalgic Bonnet bus to Matsukawa Onsen. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes. From Matsukawa Onsen, walk for about 10 minutes to your inn for the night – the 50-year-old Matsukawa-so. It is a secret spa built in the nature of Hachimantai.

This Week's Tips

Check out the Kaiun no Yu bath house in Kamikuriyama which brings good luck to its customers

Visit the Sekkiichi festival in Niigata and buy some Chinkoro figurines made of rice flour dough

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/japanhour/highlights_aug28_2010.htm

A. Niigata

Honyarado
2 Honmachi, Tokamachi-Shi, Niigata
Tel: +81 (0) 25-752-0461
http://r.tabelog.com/niigata/A1504/A150403/15005067/

Sekkiichi(Chinkoroichi)
Suwacho Street, Suwacho, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata
Tel: +81 (0)25-752-0050
http://www.tokamachishikankou.jp/modules/gnavi/index.php?lid=99



Kojimaya Nagomitei
407-1, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata,
Tel: +81 (0)25-757-1513
http://www.hegisoba.co.jp/shop-info/nagomi-tei.html

Matsudai Shibatouge-Onsen “Unkai”
11-1 Hasudaira, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata,
Tel: +81 (0)25-597-3939
http://www.shibatouge.com/index.html



B. Tochigi

“Ryuokyo” Tourism Association of Kinugawa-Kawaji Hot Spring
Tel: +81 (0)288-77-2052
http://www.kinugawa-kawaji.com/index.html
http://www.kinugawa-kawaji.com/en/index.shtml http://www.ryuokyo.org/

Shunsaigura Senya
1357 Fujiwara, Nikko-Shi , Tochigi
Tel: +81 (0)288-77-0759
http://ggyao.usen.com/0003019971/

Kamikuriyama Kaiunnoyu
179-31 Kamikuryama NIikko-Shi, Tochigi
Tel: +81 (0)288-97-1952
http://www.joy.hi-ho.ne.jp/ma0011/T-Tochigi23.htm

Okukinugawa-onsenkyo Heikedairaonsen Onyado Komayuminosato
646-1 Kawamata, Nikko-shi, Tochigi,
Tel: +81 (0)288-96-0321
http://www.komayuminosato.com/index.html




C. Iwate

Kisetsuryori Kawanagi
2-5-12 Odori, Morioka-Shi, Iwate
Tel: +81 (0)19-622-5428
http://www.ccimorioka.or.jp/local_f/shop_63.html

Hachimantai National Park Matsukawa-Onsen “Matsukawaso”
Matsukawaonsen, Matsuoyoriki, Hachimantai-Shi, Iwate
Tel: +81 (0)195-78-2255
http://www.hikyou.jp/iwate/matukawa/matukawasou/
matukawasou.htm

 

[Kahlan]

i saw last sunday's episode. Wah i must go in spring, want to catch the cherry blossoms.

 

[dreamer75]

i saw last sunday's episode. Wah i must go in spring, want to catch the cherry blossoms.

me too!

nice nice!

 

[dreamer75]

04 September 2010

The Journey Of Visiting Hot Springs – Enjoying Snow View Secret Spa (Pt 2)

More snow view spas await us this week. The 50-year-old Matsukawa-so inn in Matsukawa Onsen, Iwate features rooms with a view of the river. A night’s stay in a 10-mat Japanese-style room costs 12,600 yen (S$199.44), inclusive of two meals. The hotel has three fountainheads and its mixed-open air bath is built beside the river. After soaking in the scenic spa, feast on char, mountain vegetables and seafood for dinner. A total of 11 dishes is served. A popular dish here is eel wrapped in eggplant which is then deep fried. Plus, cod roe – best eaten in winter – is served as tempura. The crunchy outer skin and creamy cod roe are a perfect match.

The next day, after a delicious 10-dish breakfast, which includes homemade yose-tofu, do some sightseeing. Matsukawa boasts Japan’s first geothermal power plant. There is a place which makes use of the steam to produce dyed goods. So head to a dye works, where you can try dyeing using a mixture of steam and decolourant. For example, you can try dyeing a scarf, and take it with you as a memento of your trip. Return to your inn and indulge in a scenic morning bath before checking out.

Next up is a secret spa in Agamachi, near the border of Fukushima. Travel by Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Niigata. Then, take the Banetsu West Line to Tsugawa Station, located in the mountains. Make your way to the pier by taxi, and get on the Japanese-style Okuaga Sightseeing Boat. The boat, which has Japanese-style tatami seats, takes you on a tour around Agano River. Enjoy the picturesque winter view of the pine trees, snow-covered ravine and a prefectural nature park during the boat trip. Later, go to a place where local purification deity Shoki Daimyojin is enshrined, choose your wishes on some charms of Shoki and float the charms – made of Japanese paper - on the Agano River. After the boat ride, take a 15-minute walk to a day tripping bath called Kanose Onsen Akayu. Opened in 1990, it features red water because of its high iron content. The hot spring water gushes out ceaselessly at a temperature of 60 degrees. Admire the view of the snow and pine grove as you bathe. For lunch, head to a restaurant called Hanamizuki on the second floor. It is known for its delicious yam hot pot. Japanese yam is a specialty of Agamachi. The Japanese yam hot pot is available from December to March. The yam is grated and soaked in water to remove its bitter taste. Other items you could try include pork with sweet soy sauce broth, which is topped with Japanese yam; and chicken with salted broth.

Go back to Tsugawa Station and take a 35-minute bus ride to your inn for the night – Mikagura Onsen Asunaro-so. Alight at the bus stop near the inn. You could either walk to the inn from here or make use of the hotel’s pick-up service. The wooden bungalow-like inn is located along the river. The inn’s 12-mat Japanese-style Sakura room, for example, boasts a gorgeous snow view and features a kotatsu. It costs 8,650 yen (S$136.97) per night, inclusive of two meals. Later, soak in the inn’s beautiful open-air bath, while enjoying the spectacular snow view and listening to the soothing sounds of the river. For dinner, enjoy 13 dishes featuring mainly local ingredients. There is char grilled by the hearth, seasonal yellowtail served with botan shrimp, horse meat, Chinese yam roll, yose-**** filled with Niigata’s delicacies, fish ball made of snow crab, and mushroom and vegetable tempura. The next morning, end your trip to Okuaga by taking a refreshing morning bath surrounded by snow views.

For our next trip, travel by Nagano Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano Station. Our destination this time is a snow view secret spa which was founded 240 years ago. It features an open-air rock bath with a superb view of a ravine. From Nagano Station, get on the Nagano Electric Railway and travel to Suzaka Station. From here, take a bus to the spa town of Yamada Onsen, which is in mountains. After travelling along a ravine for 20 minutes, you will reach Yamada Onsen of Shinshu Takayama. This hot-spring resort has about 10 spas. If you wish to do some sightseeing first, two spots worth visiting are Takaibashi and the Yadaki Observatory. Takaibashi features a red bridge built over Matsukawa Ravine. The trees covered with snow liven up the landscape, offering a beautiful contrast of white and red. To reach Yadaki Observatory, you will have to climb with the help of a handrail. Do be careful as the path is quite slippery. Later, marvel at the sight of the eight-level waterfall which is 180m high.

In Shinshu, soba is a must-try item. So for lunch, go to a 157-year-old soba restaurant. Local buckwheat flour is used to make handmade soba the traditional way. If you order ten-zarisoba, it comes with tempura made of local vegetables. You could also try hot tempura soba which is chewy and aromatic. The restaurant also sells a speciality of the area – nozawana. Pickled nozawana is served with tea. After lunch, head to tonight's inn Fukeikan, which was founded in 1764. It faces Matsukawa Ravine and all the guest rooms come with a beautiful winter view of the ravine. The accommodation cost per night is 13,650 yen (S$216.15), including two meals. The spa here used to be well-known among visitors for its healing properties, and the open-air bath built along the ravine is still very popular. Do note that you will be required to wear a coat and non-skid boots before going to the open-air bath. You have to walk down 150 steps to the spa and it is quite slippery. Soak in the warm and relaxing rock bath while enjoying the snow view.

For dinner, the chef asks guests what they would like to eat and grills the items over a hearth. You could try seafood caught from the Sea of Japan such as snow crab; local vegetables; dried persimmon; Shinshu salmon; boiled yellowtail and radish; and char shabu-shabu. There is also a local dish called hinnobe-****, the main ingredient of which is suiton. "Hinnobe" means "stretch" locally and many love its chewy taste. The next morning, visit another scenic open-air bath at the ravine and end your trip on a truly blissful note.

This Week's Tips

While visiting Okuaga, choose your wishes on Shoki charms and float them in the Agano River

Soba is a must-try item when going to Shinshu



Two popular sightseeing spots in Yamada Onsen are Takaibashi and Yadaki Observatory

A. Iwate

Hachimantai Chinetsusensyoku Kenkyujyo "Kobo Mujyosen"
Matsukawaonsen, Matsuoyoriki, Hachimantai-Shi, Iwate
Tel +81 (0)19-578-2451
http://www2.ocn.ne.jp/~geocolor/



B. Niigata

Okuaga Yuransen
11540-1 Kanose, Higashikanbaragun Agamachi, Niigata
Tel: +81 (0)254-92-5629
http://www.okuaga.co.jp/yuuransen/index.shtml

Kanose Onsen Akayu
11540-1 Kanose, Higashikanbaragun Agamachi, Niigata
Tel: +81 (0)254-92-4186
http://www.okuaga.co.jp/akayu/index.shtml

Osyokujidokoro Hanamizuki
11540-1 Kanose, Higashikanbaragun Agamachi, Niigata
Tel: +81 (0)254-92-4186
http://www.okuaga.co.jp/akayu/hanamizuki/

Mikagura Onsen Asunaroso
1714 Hirotaniotsu, Higashikanbaragun Agamachi, Niigata
Tel: +81 (0)254-95-2375
http://www.kamikawa-spa.com/asunaroso.html



C. Nagano

Yugengaisya Hiranoya-Shoten
Yamadaonsen, Kamitakai-Gun, Nagano
Tel: +81 (0)26-242-2604
http://nagano.aimu-net.com/view.cgi/081432/

Teuchi Soba Dokoro "Minemoto"
3568 Yamadaonsen, Takayamamura, Kamitakai-Gun, Nagano
Tel: +81 (0)26-242-2609
http://www8.shinmai.co.jp/soba/sobaten/data/89.php

Yamada Onsen "Fukeikan"
3598 Yamadaonsen, Takayamamura, Kamitakai-Gun, Nagano
Tel: +81 (0)26-242-2611
http://www.fukeikan.co.jp/

 

[dreamer75]

11 September 2010

Cherry Blossoms Are In Full Bloom! The Journey of Touring Spring Flowers (Pt 1)

When one thinks of spring, the image of lovely colourful flowers comes to mind. And in Japan, one associates this season with flowers such as cherry blossoms. So this week, join us as we go in search of places known for their gorgeous flower views in spring.

Our first adventure is a day trip on Chichibu Line. There are many flower spots along the line. Travel by Takasaki Line from Ueno, Tokyo to Kumagaya, Saitama, and then transfer to the Chichibu Line. The ticket, which allows unlimited travel for a day, costs 1,400 yen (S$22.13). For added fun, you can take part in a stamp rally while travelling, whereby you collect stamps at various spots. All you have to do is show your train ticket. Start by going to Kumagaya, where you can visit a spot with lots of cherry blossoms. It takes five minutes to walk to Kumagaya Sakura-tsutsumi from Kumagaya Station. Kumagaya Sakura-tsutsumi has been a scenic spot since Edo period. About 500 cherry trees line the river bank and this place is known as one of the 100 best scenic spots in Japan for viewing cherry blossoms. After this, return to the station and walk to a nearby pier, collect a stamp and take a river boat ride to Nagatoro Valley. Located in a mountain village, it is a famous tourist spot. During the 3km boat ride, look out for the various flowers along the river such as Thunberg's Meadowsweet which grows on Iwadatami (Pile of Rocks).

At the end of your boat ride, a pick-up bus will take you back to Nagatoro Station. Admire the view of the cherry trees as the bus travels along the cherry blossom tunnel. Once you reach the station, drop by a garden restaurant nearby called Sakura Nagatoro for a snack. Try some of its seasonal specialities made of cherry, such as red bean dessert topped with cherry sherbet. The restaurant’s terrace seats give you a spectacular view of the cherry blossoms. After this, purchase a steam locomotive (SL) ticket and get on the SL Paleo Express. It has been operating along Chichibu Railway for 23 years. During the ride, you can admire Chichibu’s spring view of the river and cherry trees. If you’re hungry, try the lunch box which is sold on the train. It features items such as fried minced kurobuta pork from Hanazono and grilled kurobuta pork from Chichibu.

Alight at Bushu-Nakagawa Station and get your second stamp. Walk to a famous scenic spot of Kanto called Seiunji. It is a 15-minute walk from the station. It attracts many visitors and is known for its beautiful shidarezakura cherry blossoms, with their characteristic weeping branches. There are about 30 cherry trees here, one of which is a 650-year-old tree. There is also a temple here which is surrounded by three cherry trees which are 400 years old. Return to the station and take the train to the next station, Bushu-Hino. Collect your third stamp here. Walk to a nearby popular scenic spot where katakuri flowers bloom. You can see over 200,000 of these small and cute katakuri flowers growing on a slope. Next, go to Ohanabatake Station, where you can get a souvenir of the stamp rally - a free ticket case with a cherry blossom pattern. Then, walk for about 15 minutes to Hitsuji Park to see moss phlox. You can see over 400,000 fully-bloomed moss phlox here during the Golden Week.

For our next trip, we will travel on the Chuo Line in spring and visit more secret flower spots. Start from Shinjuku and go to Higashi-Nakano Station. Head to Kandagawa Shiki no Michi, a 2km road along Kanda River which is lined with cherry blossoms. These cherry trees were cultivated 20 years ago. The scent of spring embraces the whole place. Visit an agar shop nearby which was founded in 1914 to taste some cherry paste anmitsu. It is a speciality only available in spring. Next, take a train to Nakano Station and walk to Baishouin, which is decorated with cherry blossoms. Visit the scenic spot of Araiyakushi to view cherry blossoms during the Cherry Festival. The festival also boasts several stalls. You can play games, buy some treats such as candyfloss or even watch a magic show. Another spot is Kichijoji. Visit the Inokashira Park; 250 cherry trees surround the pond here, creating a beautiful spring atmosphere. Take a boat ride to have a closer look at the cherry blossoms. Many people believe that if two people row a boat here, they will separate soon. But don’t worry, you can worship Benzaiten in the park to break this so-called “curse”.

Next, take a leisurely walk to Mitaka Station while enjoying the spring breeze. Then, travel by bus to Jindaiji and go to the Yusui soba restaurant for lunch. Spring water from Jindaiji is used in the soba here. Established during the Edo period, the restaurant uses the best buckwheat flour from all over Japan for its handmade soba which is known for its smoothness and flavour. Only 50 servings of Yusui soba are prepared everyday. After lunch, return to Mitaka Station and head to Tachikawa which has the largest park in Tokyo - Showa Kinen Park. There are voluntary guides to take visitors around. Look out for flowers such as Chinese colza blossoms and shokatsusai. It is said that Shu Han's military strategist Zhuge Liang cultivated shokatsusai as food for soldiers. The park even has flower colouring corners where visitors can colour postcards for free. After this, go to Takao Station and visit yet another spot to view cherry blossoms. The Tama Forest Science Garden is a research institute which boasts several types of rare cherry trees such as kanhizakura. You can even find out how certain cherry trees got their name by asking the researchers here. For example, the kichijoji cherry is named after a 300-year-old cherry tree located on Mt. Kichijo in Aichi.

For our next trip, travel by Shinkansen from Tokyo to Himeji in Kyogo. This time, we will embark on an overnight trip to Awaji Island. First, visit the famous Himeji Castle, a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms. Climb to the top to get a magnificent view of the flowers and the sea. After this, go to the ferry pier in Akashi Port to take a boat across the Seto Inland Sea to Awaji Island. If you have some time before the ferry departs, have lunch at the nearby Shinhama seafood restaurant run by fishermen. It is known for its fresh seafood caught from Akashi Strait every morning. You can try the ryoshi no donburi (fisherman rice bowl), which includes Kawatsu shrimp, cuttlefish, sea bream, octopus, sea bass and Japanese black porgy. After lunch, head by ferry to Awaji Island, which is known as the island of flowers. The boat ride takes 20 minutes. Once you’ve reached the island, travel by bus to a popular flower spot called Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park. You can book a guide in advance to take you around. The park boasts 600 kinds of 1.4 million flowers such as viola and muscari. Visitors from all over Japan come here to see these flowers. Have your camera on hand to take shots of the picturesque view here. Do also look out for the 260 kinds of colourful tulips in full bloom. There is even a rare tulip originating from the middle of Asia.


This Week's Tips

Some scenic flower spots have guides to take you around if you make a booking in advance



You can find out how certain cherry trees got their name from researchers at the Tama Forest Science Garden



Take part in a stamp rally while travelling along the Chichibu Line to make your trip more exciting

A. Chichibu

Chichibu Railway
Tel: +81 (0)48-523-3822
http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/

Kumagaya Sakurazutsumi
Arakawa River North Side Bund, Kumagaya-Shi, Saitama
Tel: +81 (0)48-525-9335
http://www.city.kumagaya.lg.jp/kanko/midokoro/sakura/

Nagatoro Line Kudari
489-2 Ngatoro, Nagatoro-Machi, Chichibu-Gun, Saitama
Tel: +81 (0)494-66-0950
http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/kanko/

Garden Restaurant "Sakuranagatoro"
417-1 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-Machi, Chichibu-Gun, Saitama
Tel: +81 (0)494-66-3888
http://www.sakura-nagatoro.co.jp/

Seiunji
690 Arakawakamitano, Chichibu-Shi, Saitama
Tel: +81 (0)494-54-2114
http://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/flower/seiunji/index.html

Otofuji Katakurien
Arakawahhino Chichibu-Shi, Saitama
Tel: +81 (0)494-54-2114
http://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/flower/katakuri/arakawa/index.html

Hitsujiyama-Park Shibazakura-Hill
6267 Omiya, Chihibu-Shi, Saitama
http://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/flower/shibazakura/



B. Chuo-Line

Kantenkoubo Sanukiya
3-46-11 Takadanobaba, Shinjyuku-Ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)3-3371-7987
http://www.sanukiya.co.jp/

Baishouin (Araiyakushi)
5-3-5 Arai, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)3-3386-1355
http://www.araiyakushi.or.jp/index.html

Inokashiraonshi-Koen (Inokashira Park)
1-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino-Shi, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)422-47-6900
http://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.jp/seibuk/inokashira/annai.html

Teuchisoba Yusui
5-9-1 Shindaijimotomachi, Chofu-Shi, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)424-98-1323
http://www.yusui.co.jp/

Showa Kinen Park
3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa-Shi, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)42-528-1751
http://www.showakinenpark.go.jp/english/index.htm

Shirotaiyaki “Tai-chan”
1607-1 Takaomachi, Hachioji-Shi, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)42-668-8898
http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1329/A132904/13114094/

Tama Forest Science Park
1833-81 Todorimachi, Hachioji-Shi, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)42-661-0200
http://www.ffpri-tmk.affrc.go.jp/



C. Awaji

Himeji Castle
North Area of Sannomaru
Himeji castle
Tel: +81 (0)79-287-3653
http://www.himeji-castle.gr.jp/index/English/index.html

Ryoshimeshi “Nihama”
2-7-1 Nakazaki, Akashi-Shi, Hyogo
Tel: +81 (0)78-912-5957
http://www.taco-ferry.com/shinhama.html

Tako Ferry
Tel: +81 (0)78-911-2872
http://www.taco-ferry.com/index2.html

Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
8-10 Minamiuzaki, Awaji-shi, Hyogo
Tel: +81 (0)799-72-2000
http://www.awaji.kkr.mlit.go.jp/

Awaji Hanasajiki
2865-4 Kusumoto, Awaji-Shi, Hyogo
Tel: +81 (0)799-74-6426
http://hyogo-park.or.jp/hanasajiki/

 

[droozy]

sob sob.. anyone got last sun episode ? My recorder something wrong .. din manage to record it...

me too!

nice nice!

 

[vaxvms]

sob sob.. anyone got last sun episode ? My recorder something wrong .. din manage to record it...

dun tell me u record every single episode?
if yes, need to share wif us liao

 

[vaxvms]

Telecast

Every Sat 7.30pm

Every Sun 8.00am, 1.00pm

good job on opening this thread esp on "copy and paste" data ...should have start earlier as many "gems" cannot be archive in cna url

 

[dreamer75]

dun tell me u record every single episode?
if yes, need to share wif us liao

me also want

 

[dreamer75]

good job on opening this thread esp on "copy and paste" data ...should have start earlier as many "gems" cannot be archive in cna url

u r most welcome...

 

[coolwinx]

can't find it in youtube too.

 

[droozy]

for few yrs I did record every episode.. but delete some if its boring... now my hdd crash

but the hdd still at hm though lol..

Bro Vaxvms.. did u record last sun episode ?

dun tell me u record every single episode?
if yes, need to share wif us liao

 

[vaxvms]

for few yrs I did record every episode.. but delete some if its boring... now my hdd crash

but the hdd still at hm though lol..

Bro Vaxvms.. did u record last sun episode ?

me no recorder how to record lolxxx

u mean ur "crashed" HDD still at home?
u waiting to recover the data?

 

[droozy]

Bro vavxms : ya my crashed HDD is still tugged one corner lol..

Bro dreamer : if u using starhub, u can extract the video out . My fren did it d last time. lucky got record last wk one, so maybe I can watch it heheh

me no recorder how to record lolxxx

u mean ur "crashed" HDD still at home?
u waiting to recover the data?

 

[dreamer75]

Bro vavxms : ya my crashed HDD is still tugged one corner lol..

Bro dreamer : if u using starhub, u can extract the video out . My fren did it d last time. lucky got record last wk one, so maybe I can watch it heheh

teach me?

but i din record last week's ep leh

 

[Kahlan]

actually why xinmsn do not have catch up tv for CNA japan hour. They have it for Channel 5, 8 and U but not for CNA.

I missed one of the Japan hour episode and was hoping to watch it.

 

[vaxvms]

bro dreamer, u planning tohoku rite?
just now happen to find this while planning for my frd
intro u http://www12.plala.or.jp/fukuhoukan/
seafood eat till u drop
got fight with the legenary hokkaiado http://www.saromako.ecnet.jp/

 

[dreamer75]

bro dreamer, u planning tohoku rite?
just now happen to find this while planning for my frd
intro u http://www12.plala.or.jp/fukuhoukan/
seafood eat till u drop
got fight with the legenary hokkaiado http://www.saromako.ecnet.jp/

Thanks!!

Not yet, next time bah

 

[dreamer75]

Ahhh sakura so nice!!

18 September 2010

Cherry Blossoms Are In Full Bloom! The Journey of Touring Spring Flowers (Pt 2)

Cherry Blossoms Are In Full Bloom! The Journey of Touring Spring Flowers (Pt 2)

Join us as we continue to visit more flower spots in spring this week. In Awaji Island, take a bus from Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park to a resort hotel where you can stay the night. Under a profitable hanahaku plan, it costs 8,789 yen (S$139.80) per night to stay in a Japanese-style room and includes two meals. The room comes with a view of the ocean and Shikoku island. Dinner is served in a restaurant on the hotel’s top floor. You have a choice of French, Chinese or Japanese cuisine. The full-course French meal comes with dishes featuring a taste of spring. Enjoy spaghetti with vegetables as the hors d'oeuvre. It is garnished with rape blossom and butterbur. For the main course, you can choose either meat - fond de veau - or fish – sea bream from Awaji Island.

The next morning, feast on a buffet breakfast featuring 50 kinds of items such as Awaji Island’s seafood and freshly baked bread. After checking out of the hotel, head to Naruto in Tokushima. Here, there is a special type of flower – the flower of the sea. These sea flowers are actually whirlpools, which are best seen in spring due to strong currents. Then take a one-hour scenic train ride to Awa-Yamakawa, a mountain village in central Tokushima. From the station, travel by bus for 10 minutes to see Takagai’s famous moss phlox. Enjoy the view of the cherry blossoms as you climb up a hill. You will later see a slope covered with colourful moss phlox. Many visitors come here to admire the area’s simple beauty. This spot is also known as one of the country’s 100 places with the best landscape.

Next up is a trip to different flower spots in Izu Peninsula. Travel by the limited express from Tokyo to Izu-Kogen Station. Begin by roaming around the east of Izu, Izu Kogen. Go to the famous Izu Kogen 3km cherry-lined road. It is a five-minute walk from the station. Travel by bus along a cherry tunnel and go to the top of Mt. Omuro, which overlooks the cherry-lined road. You will have to take a chair lift to reach the top of the mountain, from where you can also see the whole of Izu. Next, head south for more spring views of Izu. Visit Kawazu, which is famous for having flowers throughout the year due to its mild climate. Do go to Carnation Mihonen, which is a 10-minute walk from the station. It boasts 333 species of carnations grown by greenhouse cultivation. All of them are rare species. One such species, cultivated in Inatori, is named “star cherry”. Another species has a diameter of about 11cm. However, 70% of the flowers here do not have proper names.

After this, head further south by train. Get off at Shimoda, the terminal of Izukyu. Visit the Kaze no Hana (flower of wind) Festival, held near the port. Here, you can see a flower only found in Shimoda. It is actually pinwheels. In Madogahama Kaiyu Park, 15,000 pinwheels are used to decorate various objects. Pictures and pinwheels made by children are used to make ornaments such as ladybirds and a dragonfly plane. You can even try your hand at making pinwheels. For lunch, drop by Katsu, a restaurant famous for its seasonal local fish and other seafood dishes. You get to choose the fish you want. The most popular item is freshly-caught golden eye bream. You can also order yellowtail, amberjack, crab, bonito, grunt and salmon roe.

After lunch, take a bus from Shimoda to Nishi-Izu. Along the way, you may wish to a make a stopover at Naka River in Matsuzaki. Cherry blossoms and nape blossoms line the river. Colourful flowers also stretch all over a field spanning 52,000 square metres. Six types of flowers are cultivated here, including African marigold, baby blue eyes and toadflax. What is interesting is that every June, this flowerbed is transformed into a rice field. Originally a rice field, flower cultivation was started 10 years ago to fully utilise the space and liven up the town when rice cultivation is not in season. The sight of the cherry trees and flowers all over the field paints a picture of a flower carpet. It is a breathtaking scene indeed.

After this, head to your hotel for the night, located in a fishing village called Kumomi Onsen. Hamadoraku, founded in 1967, is one of the best inns in Kumomi Onsen. You can see Mt. Fuji and Myoto-Iwa from the guest rooms. Before dinner, try the inn’s cosy hot spring bath. Then, enjoy a luxurious meal in the comfort of your room. The inn serves seafood items which have been caught by the owner on the same day. Dishes include gurnard, sakuradai shabu-shabu served with a specially-made sauce garnished with cherry blossom, and mozuku rice porridge. The next morning, before breakfast, the inn’s owner will take you on a boat trip to see wild cherry blossoms. This is a special treat which guests can enjoy for free. Marvel at the sight of over a thousand cherry trees which creates a natural work of art. Return to the inn for a delicious breakfast, after which you can head to Ihama. It is famous for cultivating flowers such as marguerite. Most of the marguerite flowers in Japan are cultivated in Izu.

Next, go to Orchid Resort Dogashima, known as the hometown of moth orchids. Visit a botanical garden spanning 42,000 tsubos which boasts 8,400 kinds of orchids from all over the world. You can see the orchids throughout the year. Look out for meoto Shidarezakura, a cherry blossom tree decorated with orchids. These orchid-made shidarezakura are made up of 1,200 moth orchids. End your trip by going to a suspension bridge nearby. It is named the Love Call Bridge as visitors often stand in the middle and cry out “love”. It also offers a nice view of the sea and the surroundings.

Our next trip takes us to Wakayama. Travel by Shinkansen and limited express from Tokyo to Wakayama Station. Then, ride on the Kisei Main Line and go to Kimiidera. With over 1,200 years of history, it is a scenic spot for viewing cherry trees. There is a cherry tree here which heralds the start of spring. Many believe that when five cherry blossoms bloom on this somei yoshino tree, the cherry trees in Wakayama will start to blossom. It is said that the monk who built a temple here 1,240 years ago had visited the Dragon’s Palace and brought back a sapling of this special cherry tree as a souvenir. From the Wakayama Observatory, you can get a panoramic view of the cherry blossoms and the sea. Before heading to your next scenic spot in Kinokawa, you may want to buy something for lunch. There is a popular sushi restaurant on the way which sells delicious jako-zushi and ayu-zushi. Its jako-zushi, for example, is made from pickled river fish. Continue on your journey to Kinokawa. You will be greeted with a spectacular view of peach blossoms. Stretching along Kino River, Togenkyo is flower a paradise, boasting over 100,000 peach trees. To make sure the peace blossoms don’t become overripe, they are picked and made into delicious jam.

From here, head to Kada, a fishing town. Stay at an inn in Kada where you can enjoy scenic views, a relaxing hot spring and delicious meals featuring a seasonal delicacy of the area – sakuradai. After dinner, take a bus to Wakayama Castle, which is a famous spot for viewing cherry blossoms at night. The Wakayama Cherry Festival is held here in March and April every year. The next morning, go to Yoshino, a well-known cherry blossom spot. Take a ropeway halfway up a mountain and go to a lookout to see shimosenbon. The thousand cherry trees here is a feast for the eyes. It is said that many historical figures, including Meiji Emperor’s wife, have come here to see cherry blossoms. Then, roam around the path which leads to the mountain top. Drop by one of the shops to try some kudzu from Yoshino. It goes well with azuki beans. End your trip by indulging in an open-air bath with picturesque views of the greenery and cherry blossoms.


When visiting Naruto, Tokushima, make sure you see the “flowers of the sea”, which are actually whirlpools



Izu is well known for cultivating marguerite flowers, which can be seen at Ihama