Scenes Of Nasu Highlands 2

One of the main tourist attractions in the Nasu Highlands is, needless to say though, Onsen (or hot springs). Most of the accommodation in the area are equipped with the comfortable bathing spaces within. A hotel we stayed at had a private bathing space at the room's balcony.

This is a private onsen installed at the balcony
FYI: Hotel where we stayed is
http://www.nasu-hoshinoakari.jp/index.shtml

The view from the balcony was quite nice
FYI: Hotel where we stayed is 
http://www.nasu-hoshinoakari.jp/index.shtml

And also, there are a lot of onsen facilities providing drop-in bating services. We unexpectedly found one of them in the middle of mountains during the hiking. It was a very simple and retro-style place with no excessive services provided but just bathing. Such an interesting spot to visit.

We bumped into a hidden onsen spot.

The name of the facility is Kita Onsen
Lodgeing service is available according to their website.
FYI: http://www.kitaonsen.com/mokujie.htm

The bathing room is very simple. No amenities equipped,
but bath tub. You need to prepare self-washing items on your own.

Inside of the facility.

Inside of the facility.

Inside of the facility.

Inside of the facility.

The water of this creek @ their garden is also hot spring water.
Not hot, but warm.

The water of this creek @ their garden is also hot spring water. 
Not hot, but warm.

FYI: 

• About Nasu Highland Area: www.japan-guide.com/e/e3842.html

Scenes Of Nasu Highlands

The Nasu highland area in Tochigi Prefecture is a famous holiday resort, especially as a summer retreat.  Only a few hour driving or train ride takes you down there from central Tokyo.

If you want a relaxed atmosphere to escape from reality, the Nasu highlands are the one of the desirable places. Don't go to bustling tourist spots like Nikko or Hakone. They just give you more fatigue and take more money out of your pocket.

View from a top of Mt towards the Kanto Plain.
FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kant%C5%8D_Plain

Sessho-seki (or killing stone) site.
FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sessho-seki

Sessho-seki (or killing stone) site.
FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sessho-seki

Sessho-seki (or killing stone) site.
FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sessho-seki

Sessho-seki (or killing stone) site.
FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sessho-seki

Sessho-seki (or killing stone) site.
FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sessho-seki

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

Onsen Shrine (or hot spring shrine)
FYI: www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/nasu_onsen_shrine

FYI: 

• About Nasu Highland Area: www.japan-guide.com/e/e3842.html
• About Nikko Area: www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html
• About Hakone Area: www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

Famous Boat Houses in Northern Kyoto

Kyoto is not just a name of a famous old capital of this country, but a name of a governmental district, Kyoto Prefecture. Many people probably have an idea of what the city of Kyoto is like, but the other areas are less known among tourists.

The Tango area where I visited is one of the tourist destinations outside of the Kyoto city limits. It's located in the north of the prefecture and takes a couple of hours driving from downtown Kyoto. The area shows you totally different faces than you can see in the city.

Among the famous sightseeing spots in Tango, I recommend you to visit a very unique place which is "Funaya" (boat houses) of Ine town. As the pictures shows below, the houses have a garage for their small fishing boat. You'd better take a cruising tour to see them closer, I unfortunately didn't have much enough time though.

  

FYI

• About Tango Area: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/area/tango/
• About Funaya: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/views/funaya/
• About Ine Town: http://www.ine-kankou.jp/english/

Scenes of Asakusa

Asakusa is one of the most famous and popular towns among Tokyo visitors, the place isn't a destination for people living in Tokyo to make frequent visits though. This was probably my 2nd or 3rd time to be there. It was quite fun to stroll around.

Famous bar named Kamiya Bar
FYI: www.timeout.com/tokyo/bars-and-pubs/kamiya-bar

Tokyo Sky Tree and Sumida River
FYI: www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

Tokyo Sky Tree

Sumida River
FYI: www.japan-guide.com/e/e3042.html

Senso-ji (Senso Temple)
FYI: www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html

Back St. of Asakusa

Hanayashiki, famous old amusement park
FYI: www.hanayashiki.net/en

Entrance of Hanayashiki.
It was closed when I visited.

Rock-za, famous strip club
FYI: asakusa-rockza.com/contact/?lang=en#

Toyo-kan, famous comedy house.
FYI: bow-asakusa.com/?gitem=14492
Asakusa used to be a kind of capital of entertainment
and show business. 

Takeshi Kitano (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshi_Kitano)
started his career as a comedian and spent his early years
at this house. He was an elevator boy when he didn't get
show time 

• FYI: Asakusa Area http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3004.html