Japan Day 11: Owakudani And Yunessun, Hakone

Previously:
Japan Day 10: Fujiya Hotel, Hakone

Today we got on the bus from Hotel-mae, which is located next to our hotel, to Owakudani that took around 20 minutes (580yen).  To try their famous black egg.  Apparently if you have one egg, your life span will extend for a year.  I think I really need 10 of them. 

It was a very windy and foggy morning

500yen for 5pcs

Lunch buffet at Owakudani 1,600yen for 1 hour

In the late afternoon, we headed to Hakone Kowakien Yunessun.  It is more like our thing, especially for my little one.  And I don't know why, even until now, this hot spa place that got everyone whinge that it always busy and crowded.  Today is our lucky day perhaps, it is like we privately owned the bathing place, hardly have no one here.  We can try each single hot spa without sharing with anyone and outdoor pool is zero people.  There are coffee bath, sake, green tea, red wine, collagen and so on.  However, we didn't even play in outdoor pool, the air was too cold although the water temperature was warm.  We stayed until the place nearly close at 7 pm.  What a great great time we had.





Coffee bath - this is my favourite, smells good

Sake bath

Red wine bath

Bozappyi hot water

Fresh yummy dinner

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun

Yubinbango250-0407

Ashigarashimo-gun,

Kanagawa Prefecture Hakone-machi Ninotaira

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Japan Day 12: Kawagoe



Japan Day 10: Fujiya Hotel, Hakone

Previously:
Japan Day 9: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

From Naha, we flew back to Tokyo, then with NEX to Shinagawa and continue to Odawara.  From there we changed to Tozan Railway, an all stops local train, to a small town called Miyanoshita.  By then, we arrived at the station around 8 pm and the concierge of Fujiya hotel is kindly picking us up from the station.  A pretty long journey from down side to this spa town and changing with a few type of transportations as well.

Tozan Railway

Catching this train is actually an exciting experience itself.  We at first counting how many stops needed before our stop.  As outside were pretty dark and we couldn't see much.  I think it was about 5 stops before Miyanoshita and we were pretty sure that the next one would be our stop.  When we got off the train, station was really dark and no sign could be seen.  The train driver was quickly called and run toward us and asked us where are we going.  We just said "Miyanoshita" and he explained to us that this wasn't a station, it is just a changing platform and Miyanoshita is the next 2 stops.  We surprised but also felt lucky that the driver saw us getting off the train.  We just realize that the train is going up the mountain and is pretty hard and longer time-consuming to make curvy railway.  Therefore, the rail is like zigzag with two heads train, once the train arrive in one end, the train driver have to run and drive the train from another head.  When we inside the carriage feeling like moving front and backward a couple of times.  Great job to who ever invented this and feeling thankful to the extra hard work of train driver.   

Miyanoshita station at night

Good morning Hakone, view from our window

I am ready to go for hot spa, mommy



The room is massively huge compared to any other hotel in Japan that I've ever been.  Their service was a five-star quality service, very friendly and she showed and explained to us all the facilities in the hotel.  Although this hotel is an old historical hotel but the building and the rooms are well maintained.  It actually makes them look even more charming and the touch of Japanese-style garden and outdoor chapel (Happiness Hill) made the beauty comes to life.  It is like tourist destination itself just inside the resort.  

Japanese garden

Happiness Hill

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Japan Day 11: Owakudani And Yunessun, Hakone



Japan Day 9: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Previously:
Japan Day 8: Mihama American Village And Shuri Castle, Okinawa

Churaumi Aquarium is homed to one of the largest tank in the world (Kuroshio Tank) and contains of wide variety of species, including the three giant whale sharks and manta rays.  I could just stand there for hours watching those big fishes swim by and whenever the three of them pop up at the same time on the glass window, it was amazing.

You can actually make your own way to aquarium by bus that takes about 2 hours journey.  However, in more convenient way, we chose a day trip tour that include aquarium entrance fee, Pineapple Park (my apologies, I forgot to attach pictures from this park) and Ryukyu Glass Village.  Hassel free and we just need to make our own way to the bus terminal.  The tour costs 4,800yen.  Depart 8 in the morning and back just before 5pm. 

Having fun with those star fish and sea cucumber

Pork belly taco

Stew pork belly with rice and tomato salsa

Eating while watching those giant whales.  What more can we ask!

At the Ryukyu Glass Village

One of the restaurant serving local delicacies just opposite the Makishi Market



Fresh de-skinned fugu fish at Makishi Public Market

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Japan Day 10: Fujiya Hotel, Hakone



Japan Day 8: Mihama American Village And Shuri Castle, Okinawa

Previously:
Japan Day 7: Greeting From Okinawa

Take bus number 28, 29 or 120 from Naha bus terminal

The Mihama American Village is a large entertainment complex with American theme as many American military bases are located in this area.  This village resembles a big American outdoor shopping mall with lots of fashion shops selling American brand clothing and restaurants that specializing in hot dogs and hamburgers.  Plus a big Ferris Wheel that can be seen from afar becomes the most recognizable symbol of this American Village.  The nice boardwalk of Sunset beach just a few steps away from the complex.  The village can be reached in a short walk from Gunbyoin-mae or Army Hospital-mae stop.


Sunset Beach

From there, we headed straight to Shuri Castle.  Made our way to Shuri station and then we had a bit of walk (around 10 to 15 minutes), you can actually catch the bus that will stop near castle but we just want to enjoy the city in the meantime.  

Again Shisa on the rooftop

Outer gate of Shuri castle

Shureimon Gate

The Seiden - Main hall

The throne of the Ryukyu king inside the Seiden

Convenient lift for wheelchair and pram - My boy got a little nervous and excited at the same time, on the lift by himself

Just before the castle close, we had an early dinner at Suimui restaurant still inside the castle area.  Trying their local delicacies such as Champuru, taco rice and Okinawa soba.  They are a real comfort food with great taste.  I surprisingly like that taco rice.  I will definitely try to make this dish at home, instead of tortilla, we just use rice which must easier to find. 

And bitter melon is actually one of the secret food for locals having a long life expectancy.  With an average life span is about 100 years up, among the highest in the world.  Mainly, it have been linked with their good health and diet. 

Pork spare ribs

Goya Champuru - stir fried bitter melon with tofu, egg and pork

Taco rice - American influenced dish with typical taco ingredients, such as ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes salsa and served over rice

Okinawa soba - unlike any soba dishes in Japanese mainland, in here they use buckwheat flour.  Therefore, it is more like a ramen dish instead, then topped with soft boiled pork and green onions with thick broth

Mihama American Village

15-69 Mihama, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture

Tel: +81 98-926-5678

Bus no. 28, 29, or 120 from Naha Bus Terminal
730yen, about 55 minutes

Shuri Castle

1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture

Open everyday: 8am-6.30pm

Shuri Castle can be reached in a 15-20 minute walk or a five minute by bus from Shuri Station on the Okinawa Monorail

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Japan Day 9: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium