Visit Japan, Travel Japan, Discover Japan: 09/2013

9/30/2013

From the Southeast End to the Northwest End of Yamagata - Yuza Town

Finally, my hectic weeks have just been over since I posted my last article (see also; <Scenic Drive on Route 7> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/09/scenic-drive-on-route-7-along-sea-of.html) The season is rapidly turning to fall while I've been silent on this page. Getting cooler everyday in this Yamagata region.

I'm continuing the story about my summer drive along the Sea of Japan. The Yonezawa area - that's where I currently live and started my journey - is located at the southeast end of Yamagata Prefecture. And the town of Yuza sits in the northwest end of the municipal limits. It took about 4 hours to reach there by driving up through Route 7. It was such a long, but fun drive.

The main tourist spot of Yuza is Mt. Chokai. But unfortunately I didn't have much time to visit there in this trip.

FYI:

About Yamagata Prefecture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata_Prefecture
About Yuza Town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuza,_Yamagata
About Mt. Chokai: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Chōkai
Yuza Tourist Association (Japanese): http://www.yuzachokai.jp

Old Aoyama's Mansion.
Accoring to their guide book, Aoyama was a famous fisherman
of herrings in this town. Made a lot money only by catching the fish.

Sea of Japan

Map of 16 Arhats. Hard to explain what they are...
Pls take a look at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhat_(Buddhism)

16 Arhats.

One of them.

Downtown Yuza.

Mt. Chokai is somewhere behind the clouds.

9/16/2013

Scenic Drive on Route 7 - Along the Sea of Japan

Route 7 which is one of the national highways is a very nice scenic drive road. It mostly runs along the coastline of the Sea of Japan and runs through the mountain areas in some of its parts.

see also;

<Beach of the Back Side of Japan> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/08/beach-of-back-side-of-japan-sea-of.html
<I'm back> http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/05/im-back-to-this-page.html

I drove down though the highway from Tsuruoka City (south end) to Yuza Town (north end) in Yamagata prefecture this time. Unfortunately the weather wasn't good, but fun enough. If the weather had held, the vista of Japan Sea would have been magnificent.

It is worth checking out what the area is like.

FYI:

National Highway 7: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_National_Route_7
About Tsuruoka City: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuruoka,_Yamagata
Tsuruoka Tourist Association: http://www.tsuruokakanko.com/english/index.html
About Yuza Town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuza,_Yamagata
Yuza Tourist Association (Japanese): http://www.yuzachokai.jp

Sea of Japan

View of small port town from route 7

Side road of route 7

Prefecture border between
Nigata (left) & Yamagata (right).

Putting a municipal border line in the middle of
residential area like this is rare.

Looking towards the Nigata side.

Looking towards the Yamagata side.

House of the left is in Yamagata.
The right one is in Nigata.
Laws, except local ordinances, are the same.
But taxes are different. I don't know which one is cheaper.

They were in the Nigata side.

9/14/2013

When To Visit Tokyo ?

The answer is, as my recommendation, in spring. It's the most beautiful season with the comfortable weather. Cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom between late March and early April. You are definitely fascinated by the beauty of the nature

Unfortunately summer which is the time the Olympic Games will be held in 2020 isn't recommended, because the weather is severe. It's too hot and too muggy. You might as well go to see only indoor games with air-conditioning environment. Attending outdoor games such might turn to be a nightmare. Be careful !

The photos below were taken at Inokashira Park in Kichi George in the spring.

See aloso;

Find it out in a hideout: http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/find-it-out-in-hideout.html

Find it out in a hideout 2: http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/02/find-it-out-in-hideout-2.html

FYI:　Travel Info of Tokyo

http://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.htm
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
http://guide.enjoytokyo.jp/en/
About Inokashira Park: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inokashira_Park

9/10/2013

This Is the City Hosting the Olympic Games in 2020 – More Photos of Tokyo.

I can say, probably you can feel when in visiting, Tokyo is a very dynamic and energetic city. You won’t get bored whenever you come, wherever you go, whatever you do. The city is very rich in the culture of entertainment, food, history, night life,,, ahh,,, whatever. There is a lot of exciting fun stuff that makes your life (stay) more enjoyable. Probably the only lacking point is nature. All concrete with little green, that's doesn't sound good though.

And many of you think everything is so expensive in Tokyo. Well, maybe yes. All in all, it's one of the most pricey cities in the world. But you can take reasonable ways of how to spend on what. Choices for shopping, lodging, and dining out are so many. You can easily find cheaper alternatives. Even the public transportation is quite reasonable to move around the city. The cheapest subway fare is JPY 160 which is about 1/2 of London subway (GBP 2.10)

Anyway, don't worry. Just come and have fun in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

FYI:　Travel Info of Tokyo