Shiraito “White Threads” Falls in Fujinomiya
Tall cherry blossom trees surround Lake Tanuki on an overcast day.
What started out as a short walk to “that small bridge over there” ended an hour later as we made a complete circle around the lake.
Mt. Fuji dominates the view on clear days. Today, it’s hidden behind a thick layer of cloud.
We missed a spectacular phenomenon known as Diamond Fuji. From April to August, the sun rises directly over the summit of Mt. Fuji casting a brilliant reflection onto the lake’s water.
After visiting Lake Tunaki, we had planned on driving up to the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji for a short hike, but the base of the mountain was still covered in snow and blanketed in fog, so access was denied.
Following our attempt up the mountain, we set out to find the elusive tea fields found on every tea bag in the world. It took cross-referencing between four different maps to find this area, including photographs taken of a tourist map at the lake.
Between the nav system repeatedly instructing us in Japanese to go back to the hotel and our lack of experience driving on the left side of the road, it was amazing that we succeeded in finding the fields alive!
Thuy discovered she had lost her JR Rail Pass when we got to Fujinomiya Station that night. The station employees were very helpful. They contacted our last hotel; no luck there. They called ahead to our next destination, Yokohama (a larger station) to explain our predicament. Because Thuy had the foresight to take a picture of her rail pass and still had her receipt available, they were able to issue her another rail pass without charge.
Lucky her. If they had read the fine print on the rail pass, it clearly states that passes will not be reissued if lost or stolen.
Because of Thuy’s little episode, we did not arrive at our hotel until past 10 PM. The hotel had given away our discounted rooms and had to upgrade us to their deluxe suites. The best rooms on the highest floor. SCORE!
One of the most famous icons of Japan, the bronze statue of Amida Buddha, is located at the Kotoku-in Temple. Built in 1252, it is approximately 93 tons and 44 feet tall.
Having missed the rock gardens in Kyoto, we were determined to visit one in Kamakura. We arrived at this garden only minutes before closing time. Enough for a moment of spiritual meditation...and a few pictures.
Takaragawa Onsen Resort has four large outdoor hot-springs baths flanking the banks of the Takara River in Minakami. Three of these baths are mixed gender. Because the Japanese experience hot-springs in their birthday suits, we were too shy to try the mixed gender baths.
Another √ off my list of things to do before I die: Relax in an outdoor hot-springs bath while snow still covers the ground nearby.
A traditional meal consists of over 27 dishes. Tonight’s dinner includes bear meat soup. Too tough and too gamey to swallow.
Another variety of cherry blossoms. Tall and sturdy.
A surprise ending to our paragliding day--more cherry blossoms!
Our ramen experience had been quite dismal, and with only two days left in Japan, we were determined to find the best ramen shop in all of Tokyo. After tracking back and forth lost under the pouring rain, we finally found the little shop in an alley off the main boulevard. All our efforts were handsomely rewarded. Definitely the best ramen we've ever eaten.
Home to Tokyo's tallest and most colorful skyscrapers, Shinjuku is also a shopping district known for its large entertainment and electronics shops.
Shinjuku is the world's busiest railway station serving over 2 million passengers a day.
Built in 1958 and modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Tokyo Tower is the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower. Standing at 1092 feet, it surpasses the Eiffel Tower by 39 ft.
A 360˚ view of the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo can be taken in at the special observatory deck .
Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.
Located inside Namja Town, a popular date spot, Ice Cream City boasts over ten different ice cream stores with countless interesting flavors all in one place. What more can you ask for?
We tried the garlic mint. Not the best. Perhaps we should have tried the chicken noodle soup flavor instead.
