Land of the Rising Sun - 东京/北海é“
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Originally posted by honeymouse:
Anyway, hope you have a great time in Japan!
yes~Hope AV enjoys the japan trip... (though somehow that sentence sounds extremely wierd/wrong/strange
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Originally posted by storywolf:
After so many hills, rivers, mountains, still no food !!! You there on diet ?
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???
=
really, there's no much food to show ......I only had simple food (microwaved bento, ramen, omu rice......all very common one) and even cooked my own meal for 2 days.... -
Originally posted by SevenEleven: really, there's no much food to show
off......I only had simple food (microwaved bento, ramen, omu
rice......all very common one) and even cooked my own meal for 2
days....
I, on the other hand, am planning on a week of gastronomic excesses :D
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Originally posted by zoragirl:
Ainu Village, did you see the sun-dried salmon ?
Also their Ainu show in the hut ?
Yes....and they also performed in our hostel that night. -
Originally posted by av98m:
I, on the other hand, am planning on a week of gastronomic excesses :D
I cannot bear to part $100 for a crab or scallops or a rockmelon. Do try that Jingisukan (700 yen), the famous BBQ lamb with a Sapporo Beer or the Otaru Beer. Mrs SevenEleven ruined my plan for that and I totally lost my chance for it.
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
I cannot bear to part $100 for a crab or scallops or a rockmelon. Do try that Jingisukan (700 yen), the famous BBQ lamb with a Sapporo Beer or the Otaru Beer. Mrs SevenEleven ruined my plan for that and I totally lost my chance for it.
ho mai gawd... if I go over japan, I sure eat until broke de... -
Caption : The Ginga no Taki (銀河��) Milky Way and Ryusei no Taki (�星��) Shooting Stars - Sounkyo (層雲峡) - Daisetsuzan National Park
Perhap the most popular of the waterfall should be these 2 waterfalls, the Ginga-no-taki (Milky Way) and the Ruyusei-no-taki (Shooting Stars) in Sounkyo. Popular because it is easily accessable to tourists by buses (no need to trek through the forest). But if you want to see them in pairs like the picture above, you still need to climb up 430m to the observatory platform. This was yet another feat by Mrs SevenEleven and Lady SevenEleven even though it was drizzling.
Caption : Ginga-no-taki and Ryusei-no-taki joining Ishikari River
We had wrongly turned into a small road that lead us to trek the Red Leaves Gorge for one small waterfall. Here we met a Japanese man who requested to join us for the trek because he was alone and was afraid he might meet a bear. We agreed and Lady SevenEleven even showed him the bear bell she brought to alley his fear.
Caption : A trek down the Red Leaves Gorge
He was friendly, speaks fluent English and even shared with us a bear's joke during the trek. Here's the joke: A hunter shot a bear in the forest. When he cut up the bear's stomach, he found 10 bear bells in it. Get the joke?
Caption : The fruit to our labour
After the trek, Mrs SevenEleven asked if I noticed the man was alway behind us when we trekked up the mountain and in front when we went down the mountain.
We were suppose to take the ropeway to Kuro-dake for a trek but due to the rain, it was but to be abandoned. So what was left to do was only the onsen. -
Originally posted by av98m:
I plan to do a photo scrapbook of my trip. I hope the idea does not get killed by procrastination
well, do not procrastinate... sometimes, there are things which u always says that u can do it next time... but then, sometimes, u might not have the chance anymore... -
Caption : Lake Abashiri (網走湖)- Abashiri (網走)
Abashiri is best known for 2 things: The Abashiri Prison :- a Meiji era prison used for incarceration of political prisoners. Today, this old prison is being converted to a museum. The other is the popular place to watch the floating sea in December, where the whole Sea of Okhotsk is filled with floating ice-berg and the ride on the ice-breaker into the sea.
Caption : Glasswort field - Ubaranai Park - Lake Notoro (能�湖)
Lake Notoro is a saltwater lake that opens itself to the Sea of Okhotsk. Thus is the breeding ground for the glasswort, a crimson red colour plant that look like red coral sticking out of the water. September and October is the season to catch the glasswort when they become a crimson red carpet.
Caption : A closer look at the glassworts also known as coral weed
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Caption : Cape Notoro (能�岬) - Abashiri (網走)
I must say I enjoyed the drive and walk to Cape Notoro, braving the strong wind and the rough waves from the Sea of Okhotsk. Perhap it was the peace and quiet that I appreciated most. We seems to like this place so we spent hours wandering round the area, creeping so near the cliff looking down at the caves dugged out by the rough sea.
Caption: Strong waves beating the shores at Cape Notoro - Sea of Okhotsk
Cape Notoro is also one of the favourite spot for watching the drifting ice from the cold Siberia wind. It can normally be seen at the end of January when the whole of Abashiri is dressed white. However, it will be something we had to miss if we wanted to go to the Shiretoko Peninsula.
Caption : Looking beyond the horizon is the land call Russia
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Caption : Looking down from the cliff
Taking photos here is not as easy as it seems. The strong wind would cause your hand to shake quite badly making your shots jerky. Fortunately, with the latest anti-shake camera, the task was made easier.
Caption : Which is stronger? The solid rock or the flowing water?
Looking at the watch, we still have plenty of time and decided to head straight to Sheritoko Peninsula instead of remaining in this sleepy town. We decided to take the National Highway and drive near the coast for the ocean road.
Caption : Looking at the lighthouse from another direction
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Caption : Fishing trawlers along Abashiri Promenade (�水街�)- Abashiri
While driving along the ocean scenic road to Shiretoko Peninsula, we make several other stops for more photographs.
Caption: Boshi Rock - Abashiri
Boshi Rock, a 23m squarish rock lies on the north side of the habour, together with the water breaker prevent this stretch of the sea from being choppy.
Caption : Lake Tofutsu Swan Park (濤沸湖白鳥公園) - Abashiri
Lake Tofutsu is an excellent place for bird watching. From the period of October to December, you can catch a glimpse of the big elegant whopper swans migrating here. Unfortunately, what we saw was only some wild ducks.
Caption : Koshimizu Natural Flower Garden (å°�清水原生花å›) - Abashiri
Koshimizu Natural Flower garden is a 8km natural wild flower field where more than 40 species of flowers blooms from spring to autumn.
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Caption: Oshin-Koshin Falls - Shiretoko Peninsula
Oshin-Koshin originates from the Ainu language meaning "where many Ezo spruce grow". As the waterfall consist of 2 water flow, it is also nicknamed "Soubi-no-taki" or "beautiful forked waterfall" .
Caption : Sea of Okhotsk - Shiretoko Peninsula (知庄�岛)
Shiretoko Peninsula is located at the easternmost of Hokkaido and is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2005. "Shiretoko" in Ainu language means "End of Earth" is a nature reserve and a protected area. There are only 2 roads going halfway into the Peninsula, thus a large area of "no man lands". There's only a couple of approved trekking trails and the rest protected area.
Caption : Many of these trails simply disappeared into the jungle
You'll have to register with the tourists information counter if you want to trek the approved trails and if you are not careful, you may simply lose your way into the jungle. You'll be lucky to escape the jungle with a hefty fine if ever the forest reserve rangers find you before the over 600 bears population there does.
Caption : 2 stags competing for the lady attention - Shiretoko Peninsula
I have seen so many "beware of wild deer", "beware of wild foxes" and "beware of wild bears" sign along the way got immune to them. The only time I have seen them were in private captives and the Asahiyama Zoo. I'll never see them in the wild. Not in Shiretoko Peninsula! These stags and deers were right outside our hostel.
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Caption : No, I didn't see a fox. I saw a family of foxes dashing across the road
Kitsume, the japanese word for fox is a common subject to the japanese folklore. They are often depicit as intelligent and have the magical abilities to transform itself into human form. Often associated to shinto-kami or spirit, they are potrayed as faithful guardian, friends, lovers or wives in the folklore if it is not a horror story. Japanese believed that it is good luck to see a wild fox and I get to see a family of them
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Caption : Looking for the source to the famous Iwaobetsu Onsen
I woke up at 4.30 am to catch the morning sun and while waiting for the sun to rise, I hiked this trail alone to look for the source to this popular Iwaobestu Onsen in Shiretoko. This is an outdoor onsen facing the jungle and the source is the waterfall from one of the active volcanic mountains in Shiretoko Peninsula. I ventured into the jungle and was stopped by a landslide warning sign before turning back.
Caption : This trail should lead me to the source in the mountain
Shiretoko, with its volcanic mountain ranges (Mt Shiretoko, Mt Unabetsu, Mt Io and Mt Rausu) and the sea (Sea of Okhotsk) is the home to the alpine trees like acorn,conifers and broadleaf. Wild animals like Red foxes, Sika deer and Ussuri brown bears. During the winter, whales and dolphins can be spoted in the sea too. This is simply nature at its best!
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The fox is soooooooooooooo cute~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
The fox is soooooooooooooo cute~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are associated with rabies and other sickness here. Many shops here sells bear paws, fox skins and other animals hide. I'm against it and will never buy them. 
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
They are associated with rabies and other sickness here. Many shops here sells bear paws, fox skins and other animals hide. I'm against it and will never buy them. 
Look at them~ so cute~ I'm totally against selling of fur,paws,meat of cute animals... I dunno though... Braised bear paws sounds delicious...
I dun mind rearing a fox at home as long as it dun eat me...
but fox in japanese folklore arent exactly good and only 1 in soooo many stories actually repaid kindness -
Caption : 1st Lake - Shiretoko Peninsula
Other than the sight-seeing cruise at Uttaro (we forgo this cruise to save more than $300) is this 2 hours trek to the famous 5 lakes of Shiretoko Peninsula.
Caption : 2nd Lake
The morning silence was broken by the singing birds as we make our way around the lakes. The only other music that synchronised with the chirping birds was the "long long" sound from the bear bell around Lady SevenEleven neck.
Caption: The most beautiful of them, the 3rd Lake
Fishes can be seen swimming in the lakes. As winter draws near, it is also the season where salmons makes their way upstream spawning. So will be the bears, hunting for salmons before hibernating for winter.
Caption : The Green 4th Lake
This 4th lake, at 229m above sea level with depth up to 3m deep. The area of this lake is around 21 hactare and the colour of the lake is green, probably due to the green water grasses growing in them.
Caption : The 5th Lake with the reflection of Mt Shiretoko in it.
Animals make their way to the lake for a drink. You will have to be alert and watchful if you want to see them as they blended into the jungle with their camouflage. With the "long long" bell ringing, the possibility of meeting a bear diminishes although we did see Sika deers around. I must be mad to think that these are going to be huggable teddy bears if I get to meet them but the desire was there.
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
Look at them~ so cute~ I'm totally against selling of fur,paws,meat of cute animals... I dunno though... Braised bear paws sounds delicious...
I dun mind rearing a fox at home as long as it dun eat me...
but fox in japanese folklore arent exactly
good and only 1 in soooo many stories actually repaid kindness
Vixen! I want
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in the land of the rising sun, the age of consent is 13 years old
i am planning a trip there myself in Dec
i will avenge the rape of Nanking by performing the rape of tokyo
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
Vixen! I want
Wha liew...I say fox, u say fox-lady...
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Caption : The easier way to see the 5 lakes
At the end of the trek, I broke the news to them that there was an easier way to see the 5 lakes, the touristy way. These newly constructed wooden walkways allow the tourists to see the lakes without walking the jungle path.
Caption : A view of the 1st lake from the walkway
But I didn't want them to miss out on the beauty of nature, the natural way.
Caption: A hollow tree trunk
Caption : omg!!! Is that a bear?
Caption : Nature's lesson :- You can survive a storm if know how to be humble like the grass
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Caption : Shiretoko Pass (çŸ¥åº„å³ ) at 738m above sea level
Shiretoko Pass at 738m is the highest point in the Shiretoko Peninsula if you can't cimb to the summit of Mt Rausu. The pass crosses the peninsula to Rausu and offers a paranomic view from Mt Rausu to the distant Kunashiri Island in the south.
Caption : Mt Rausu, the highest mountain in the Shiretoko Peninsula
Although the pass is inaccessable to vehicles for most half of the year because of the snow, it is said that the best period to drive pass is late spring when the road cleared and snow is still abundance and in autumn when the leaves changed into its colourful clothing.
Caption : Mt Rausu and the distant Kunashiri Island
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Caption: Skeleton of a killer whale - Rausu Visitor Centre - Rausu (和罗臼)
Rausu Visitor Centre is a very helpful facility for the tourists providing information to the furtherest land to the East in Japan. In here, you get to watch a beautiful documentary on the four seasons of this "no man lands".
Caption : Fishermen returning from the sea - Rausu fishing port
Rausu is a small town along the stretch of costal area on the southern side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. This is the place where there are abundant seafood all year round because of the rich fishery from the Sea of Okhotsk. This is also an ideal location for whale watching by the sea.
Caption : The secret to Seseki Hot Spring (瀬石温泉) exposed.
There are several hot spring in Rausu but this one is worth mentioning. Seseki Hot Spring (瀬石温泉) originates beneath the rock reef facing the sea. This open air onsen was discovered in 1899 and is known as the "secret onsen" to the local, because it disappeared into the sea when the tide rises. It was also the location used in the famous Japanese TV drama Kita no Kuni Kara: 2002 Yuigon (From the Northern Country: Last Word 2002).
Caption :
It's the end of the world - Aidomari (相泊)Driving eastward from Rausu, we crossed the Aidomari bridge coming to the "end of the world", the furtherest by road in Shiretoko Peninsula. From here onward, you can reach the forest reserve on foot if you are not caught by the forest reserve rangers.
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Caption : Lake Kussharo (屈é’路湖)- Akan National Park (阿寒国立公å›)
Lake Kussharo is a beautiful caldera lake located in Akan National Park. With a circumference of 57 kilometers (maximum depth of 118 meters), it is the 5th largest lake in Japan. Boat, canoes and kayaks can be rented, and are popular in the summer.
Caption : Wakoto Onsen behind the bush
The Wakoto Peninsula (和��岛) in Lake Kussharo is one of the nicest place around the lake, with one onsen that is absolutely FREE! No Charges!. This Wakoto Onsen is a open air mixed onsen. I tried my luck gate crashing the onsen but only saw some men in them.
Caption : Island in Lake Kussharo from Bihoro Pass (ç¾Žå¹Œå³ )
Bihoro Pass sole fame is for it scenic view of Lake Kussharo. This pass was also canonized into a Japanese folk song which was played over and over again at the stone plague on the viewing platform.