T o k y o

We usually do not celebrate Christmas out of Singapore as we always have a family gathering on that day. For a change this year, we extended our holidays in Japan past Christmas. We spent a few days in Tokyo and visited some new places. One of it is Daikanyama near Ebisu.

 On the map, the circled sector is Daikayama.

 Daikanyama is a gem because of its laidback and less crowded atmosphere.

 Saw these foot prints and they led us to this shop...

 ...that sells everything about cats. What a find!

Unique & luxury shops filled the streets, along with cafes & restaurants for the up market individuals. 

 How eco-friendly this building is, and it brings a touch of freshness.

 Other husbands bring bouquets home, my dear!

 A 'shoulder' to lean on.

 Outside a children special school.

 Beethoven & Phantom face-off.

 Beautiful Christmas lightings decorated the walkway.

If you prefer street shopping than department store like I do, you would like Daikanyama. There are many shops housed in low-rise building, and they sell mostly fashionable clothings & accessories. Even if you have nothing to buy, it is fun still to walk around this charming town. Sharon & I had a wonderful day here and enjoyed our Christmas in Tokyo.

And another travel trip awaiting....

S e n d a i

It is the last day to use our JR Rail Pass, and I wanted to make full use of it. We have never gotten beyond north of Tokyo other than Nikko, so I took the opportunity to visit Sendai with the Pass. Sendai is in the Tohoku region and the journey by JR train is almost 2 hours. Closed by to Sendai is Matsushima Bay, which is one of Japan's three most scenic views. I have to see it for myself.

 The best way to see Matsushima Bay is by taking the cruise boat.

 While waiting to board, we made friends with a pair of doggies. Look how interesting the owner dressed them up.

 As in all seaport, seafood is in abundance.

 We board the one-way cruise boat from Shiogama.

 The navy coast ship guarding the water of Japan.

 Matsushima Bay is dotted with many islands covered with pine trees.

 These islands were probably land and it got eroded over the centuries to form small pine clad islets.

 Returning cruise boat passing between the islands.

 This particular one has the belief that whoever passes through it would live 3 years longer.

 Resting place for sea birds.

 Kanejima. Wonder how many years longer can you live if you pass through this one?

 The sun setting as we approached the end of the cruise.

Smoking Chimney.

 Silhouette cast against the setting sun.

 Pretty printed fabric that you could frame it as wall paintings.

 Where we board our train back. Just loved the wood feel.

 We visited a factory outlet, that is near to the bay.

 Mitsui Outlets is considered small, and the items are not exactly cheap. We strolled and left in quick time.

 Sendai city has more things to see & shop. Look how orderly these taxis are.

 We spend the evening at the city before embarking another long train ride back to Tokyo.

From my short day trip, I found Sendai to be a pleasant and comfortable city. Although it is the largest city in Tohoku, it has a lot of open space and does not give me the concrete jungle feel. The roads are wide and the buildings are not cluttered. In fact, I see more greens here than in Tokyo. It is certainly worth a 2nd visit, perhaps enroute to the Tohoku region.

And another travel trip awaiting....

O k u h i d a

We know for sure that if we wanted to see snow, we would have to go to Okuhida, in the mountains of Northern Japan Alps. Beside its beautiful mountain ranges and fabulous ski resorts, Okuhida is also famous as a hotspring destination. That is where we headed to after our stay at Shirakawa-go. 

 A not so steep ski slope for beginners.

 For challenges, this would be it.

 The ridges become prominent only when winter and snow arrived.

 We took the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway up 2150m to the observation upper deck.

 As far as the eyes can see. What a spectacular view!

 A lone lodge perched on the mountain range.

 Closed-up. Wonder how much it is to stay a night there.

 The cold and silent bring a vacuum stillness in the air. It is like looking at paintings in a quiet gallery.

 This is a great hiking place in summer.

 Us having fun 1.

 Us having fun 2.

Us having fun 3.

We felt so deprived of snow that we played in it for awhile, so much so that we almost missed the last ride down. We spent our remaining evening at the ryokan where we soaked our tired bodies in the onsen. What a joy, though I was not courageous enough to use the open air onsen. It was simply too cold for me. Another time perhaps.

And another travel trip awaiting....

S h i r a k a w a - g o

This is the reason why I was so keen to go to Shirakawa-go, to spend a night in one of the thatched roof Minshuku in the village of Ogimachi. I would love to go when the snow is thicker like it is above, but unfortunately, we could not travel during the late winter months. The above photo is taken from a fellow blogger named Ling. Credit goes to her and her wonderful shot of the village.

This is our photo, and being early winter, we did not get as much snow. Nonetheless, I had a wonderful time here as I added this to my to-visit-before-I-die places.

 The girls buying food from the vending machine at the bus station before we board for Shirakawa-go.

Yes, you can buy taiyaki off the vending machine.

 The folks are happy to arrived at the destination.

 The region of Shirakawa-go receive a large amount of snow fall every winter. We did not get to see much since it is still December.

Not much snow but the weather was very cold.

 Across the bridge is Ogimachi Village, the largest village with the most gassho-zukuri farmhouses in Shirakawa-go.

 Some information of the bridge.

 Interesting manhole cover design.

 Ogimachi is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many of its farmhouses over a couple of centuries old.

 The village draws in thousands of tourists yearly, and where this is tourist, there is gift shop.

 Myozenji Temple. Look at the shear size of the thatched roof.

 We boys decided to check out the hill.

 The village is surrounded by mountains, hence it has a valley feel.

 Many of the farmhouses have been converted to museums, restaurants or minshuku.

 Beagle outside a liquor store.

 Calm water that would soon be frozen.

 Irrigation farming to supply water to the land and agricultural crops.

 A lone persimmon tree.

 The gassho houses are protected and will never be demolised. In fact, it is illegal to even sell it away.

 A chance to have us photographed together.

 Admiring the impressive gassho farmhouses with the mist setting in.

 The sun setting a glow on the front.

 This is the Minshuku where we stayed a night.

 The place is run by an elderly couple and their daughter.

 Working shoes made of straw.

 Historical artifacts displayed inside the Minshuku.

 Our travel companions were quick to settle down.

 The dinner that was prepared by the host.

 Our hosts. The elderly man is 90 years old, and he is still working hard daily. 

 We trekked up to Shiroyama viewpoint the next morning.

 The viewpoint offers a fantastic view of the village.

 This is the famous view of Ogimachi Village....

 ....and with us for a picture perfect setting.

Ok. I have been there and done that. It would actually be perfect if there had been more snow, but I cannot be greedy. I am thankful that the weather has been great throughout, as it would be a disaster if we were to trap-in because of heavy snowing. We still have another place to visit after here. 

And another travel trip awaiting....