Land of the Rising Sun - 东京/北海é“
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Caption : Iozan (硫黄山) - Akan National Park (阿寒国立公å›)
Tamago! Tamago! (Eggs for sale!) When you hear these shouts, you know you are at this famous Iozan, the sulphur mountain.These yellow sulphurous vents can be viewed at close proximity if you can stand the heat and the choking smoke ozzing out from the vents.
Caption : Water hot enough to cook hard boiled eggs
At $1.60 each, these hard boiled eggs are pretty expensive but we bought 2 of these eggs from the old ladies. Although these brownish green sickly looking hard boiled egg yolk vowed to be different from the rest, they really tasted the same to me.
Caption : Eggs cooked in sulphur
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Caption : Lake Mashu (摩周湖) - Akan National Park
Lake Mashu is a caldera lake with no inlet and outlet. It is one of the clearest lake in the world and the deepest in Japan. Lake Mashu was originally named as Mashin-ko (Lake of Devils) by the Ainu because in summer, the surface of the lake is obscured by fog giving it a mysterious reputation.
Caption : Japanese loch-ness ?
Local believed that if you can see the surface of the lake, you will have bad luck so instead they have linked it to Mount Mashu known as mountain of gods and Lake Mashu, the lake of gods.
Caption : Mt Mashu
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Caption : Mount O-Akan - O-Akan-dake (雄阿寒岳)
O-Akan-dake, a 1,370m high mountain
Caption : Lake Penketo
Akan-ko is famous for its marimo (Caldophora aegagropila), a round ball of algae which is both biologically interesting and very very kawaii (cute). It can take as long as 200 years for them to grow as big as a baseball. Our visit to Lake Akan was because of the fuzzy ball Lady SevenEleven was interested in.
Caption : Lake Akan in the morning
Only growing in a few place in the world, marimo became endangered. After being designated a national treasure, everyone in Japan wanted one. The building of power plant did not help the plight of these green fuzzballs.
Caption : Jetty - Lake Akan
Finally the Ainu came to its rescue by starting the Marimo Matsuri festival, the return of the marimo to Lake Akan in mid October. Although Lady SevenEleven would wanted one, I did not encourage her to buy one.
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Caption : Totem pole -Ainu Kotan
The Owl Story:
The Ainu look upon the little horned owl as a demon who really desires to harm mankind, and they naturally consider him to be a bird of evil omen. He is also said to be able to tell a good man from a bad one at sight. When caught, the people say that he will not look at a person if that person be of a bad disposition, but will keep his eyes merely closed, just peering through the slits between the lids. This act is called ainu eshpa, i.e., "man-ignoring." If the person before whom the bird is brought be of a good character, he will stare at him open-eyed. This act is called ainu oro wande, i.e., "searching out the man".......so beware
Caption : A gigantic owl craving
This beautiful life like owl craving sits on top of the gate welcoming me (the good people) to the Ainu village in Lake Akan. How do I know? It's staring at me with an opened eye.
Caption : Picture on the road
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Caption : Kushiro Shitsugen the largest wetland in Japan - Kushiro (釧路)
Kushiro is the paradise for bird watching, the famous Tancho or the Japanese Red crowned crane during the winter. Unfortunately there was to be no sight of these crane dancing on the snow covered land for us. Nevertheless, "Kiroy was here!"
Caption : Lakes on the marsh land
During our drive here, for the first time the GPS didn't seems to "work". It directed us to drive into the forest for a good 25 minutes where the roads were forest path, up the mountain and loose rocks. For that 25 minutes, wild thought when through us. (but we didn't mentioned to each other). If the vehicle were to break down, we will be right in the middle of the forest. I could sense that uneasiness in Mrs SevenEleven but I decided to give the GPS the trust. I only got lectured when we came out of the forest.
Caption : Benolevence Guan Yin
While driving to Kushiro Royal Inn, we saw from a distance a gigantic statue of Guan Yin. We decided to go there for a look but didn't know which road to turn. So we stopped at a convenience store to ask for direction. The staff seems surprised but did gave us the direction. I was surprised by their reaction until I got to the destination. We have drove into a very quite and serene cemetry.
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Caption : Cosplay - Tokyo - Harajuku (原宿)
Since it was a Sunday, we decided to visit Harajuku where all the cosplay-zoku (cosplay gang) hang out. These cosplay-zoku are mostly teenage girls who assemble at Jingu-bashi decked in gothic style or dressed as manga characters away from their normal life into their temporary identities.
Caption : Meiji Shrine - Meiji Jingu (明治神宮)
Meji Shrine is a shinto shrine delicated to the Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken. Perhap most news would be the protest worldwide whenever each of the Prime Minister goes for an offering to the war "heros". What is more interesting here are the beautiful and big cedar trees in the garden.
Caption : Shopping street - Takeshita-dori
This is where all the teenagers gather to buy their clothing and accessories. I was made to walk this long stretch of road but only interested in these crepes stall.
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Caption : Fulfilling a childhood dream!
I lived in the era where parents would shout at their kids; "stop watching Bee Kee Mao on TV" and Mickey was but a matchstick ink blot black and white cartoon character. Disneyland was every childhood dreams but a very distant dream to many. So, in the name of fulfilling Lady SevenEleven's dream, I too get to fulfil mine today
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Caption : Who's afraid to the big bad wolf? ..the big bad wolf...the big bad wolf
Disney Tokyo is now divided into Disneyland and Disneysea . Disneysea was catered to the grownup and Disneyland was catered to children, but Lady SevenEleven chose to go to Disneyland instead. We soon got bored within a hour but the ticket ($80 each) simply does not allowed me to just go off like that.
Caption : Minnie Mouse on parade
Soon the queue for each "kiddie rides" got longer and even more boring. Surprisingly, the visitors tend to be more grown-up than kids. It was only the floral floats and musical parade that finally washed away our blues.
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you really have the patience to jot down the place u went..
i have forgotten the places that i have visited...
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Actually I think its a good habit.....
Right now my wife complaining we don't have any photos except the rare one or 2..... then later in life want to relive memories nothing :(
Im getting a canon powershot s95 soon better start take photos lol
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Caption: Mt Fiji can be seen from Tokyo on a clear day - (富士山)
We took a bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchi station, the pit stop to Mt. Fuji. According to those who have visited Mt. Fuji, the best place in Mt Fuji is not on the top of Mt. Fuji herself. One of the recommended ways of seeing Mt. Fuji is from the 5 lakes beside the mountain.
Caption: Lake Kawaguchi - Mt. Fuji
There is this "one day" iternary to Mt Fuji circulating around. Don't believe them unless you mean a touch and go type. We spent 1/2 a day walking round only 1/2 of Lake Kawaguchi until Lady SevenEleven complained about all the walking. Although relaxing, there was simply too big an area to cover. So we decided to rent a car to go round the next day.
Caption : Lake Kawaguchi among the mountain ranges
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Caption : Asama Jinja - Asama Shrine - (浅間神社)
How can I not go up Mt. Fuji? My ego won't let me off. So we decided to drive up to Mt. Fuji 5th station, the starting point of a climb up Mt. Fuji for many. Like all other typical Japanese going up the sacred Fuji-san, we decided to pay homage at the Asama shinto shrine before going up too. Asama Shrine centered around the worship of volcanos, in particular to Mt. Fuji.
Caption : Looking up from the 6th station, the camera shy Mt Fuji summit seems determine to evade me
The cloud simply won't go away, so we could neither see Mt. Fuji clearly from afar nor could we see the summit of Mt. Fuji so near it. Leaving Mrs SevenEleven and Lady SevenEleven shopping at the 5th station, I attempt to climb abit higher. I could only attempt to the 6th station and more but with them waiting down at the 5th station, I could not go far but to turn back.
Caption : Looking down from 2,390 metres at the 6th station
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Caption: Aokigahara (�木ヶ原) the forest of suicide
We have spend too much time on Mt Fuji, there was not much time for the rest of the place but these are some of the interesting site we did not missed. Aokigahara, the sea of trees, was recommended by Lady SevenEleven for some very interesting facts.
Caption : After listening to the stories, I seems to notice that even birds seems to be missing here
Aokigahara is considered the most haunted location in all of Japan, a purgatory for Yurei, the unsettled ghosts of Japan who have been torn unnaturally soon from their lives and who howl their suffering on the winds. Spiritualists say that the trees themselves are filled with a malevolent energy, accumulated from centuries of suicides. They don't want you to go back out.
Caption : Lucky for us, there was no surprise to be seen in the forest
"The perfect place to die." That's how Aokigahara was described in Wataru Tsurumui's bestselling book The Complete Manual of Suicide. A dense, dark forest bordering Mt. Fuji, Aokigahara is infamous throughout Japan as a popular spot for those taking their final journey.In 2002, 78 bodies were found within it, replacing the previous record of 73 in 1998. By May of 2006, at least 16 new suicides had already been found. More than a few of them were even carrying copies of Tsurumui's book. No one knows how many bodies go undiscovered.Here's what I found on the internet. "NOT FOR THE WEAK HEARTED!!!"
http://funzu.com/index.php/crazy-pics/aokigahara-forest-of-suicides-29102009.html
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Finally!!! I got leaves for 2 days to myself. Instead of spending time shopping in Tokyo, I took my backpack and went off to Hakone alone. Hakone is a mountainous area to the west of Tokyo and is reputated for a 1 day tour for the busy. I chose to do that in 2 days. ALONE!!! Not that they are a baggage but I often like to spend time alone.Hakone boasted for its 7 different mode of transport, the red colour leaves in autumn and an opportunity to see Mt Fuji yet again.
Caption: Owakudani Great Boiling Valley (大涌谷) - Hakone (ç®±æ ¹)
Owakudani is a crater created by a volcanic explosion some 3000 years ago. This crater still discharge posion gases of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide content. This area is prone to erosion and landslide. In 1910, there was a landslide caused by heavy rainfall taking many casulties.
Caption : Sight-seeing curise on Lake Ashinoko - Hakone
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Originally posted by LOTUSfairy:
you really have the patience to jot down the place u went..
i have forgotten the places that i have visited...
i'm just too bo liao -
Caption : The near perfect picture
One of the most popular poster of Mt Fuji should be this Torri in Lake Ashino with the snow capped Mt Fuji in its background. Unfortunately after 4 days, the evasive Mt Fuji still refuse to show herself. The famous Mt. Fuji's reflection on its waters is well-known as "Sakasa Fuji (upside-down Fuji)" which continues to mesmerize a countless number of tourists and photographers never materlise for me.
Caption : Cedar Aveune - Hakone
Cedar Avenue used to be part of a major path used to go from Kyoto to Edo (now call Tokyo) hundreds of years ago. These cedar trees are some 30 metres tall in a neat row.
Caption : Pampas Grass Plain
These huge pampas grasses covered the whole of the mountain can only be visible in the month of August to October. There are trails in between these pampas that leads to the mountain and you will pratically be walking under these long grasses hidden from sight.
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Caption : Japanese Garden with Jizo Bodhisattva
I was introduced to this little temple near our hostel by the lady in-charged of the hostel if I was looking for peace and quiteness. So I headed straight for this temple first thing in the morning. There was this beautiful garden with water features and a hill with lot of these stone Jizo.
Caption : Jizo Bodhisattva
Jizo Bodhisattva is a much beloved figure in Japan, Korea, and China, who is just becoming increasingly well known. Jizo is a special protector of children, travelers, and women. Jizo is also known to help those who are working with a life problem or physical affliction, these bodhisattva who plunges fearlessly into any place or situation to help those in need. For anyone who has lost a child, Jizo is a powerful image of hope and solace. Jizo's qualities include unflagging optimism, fearlessness, and gentleness.
Others believed that these Jizo are those unborn child that had passed on without a name to them, thus without a tomb. I had realised by now that beside almost every Buddhist temple is a cemetry. These Jizo with the overgrown grasses beside the cemetry and sometime with knitted hat can also look spooky too.
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Caption : Cape Manazuru (真鶴岬) - Hakone
Cape Manazuru was formed on the edge of the Manazuru-hanto Peninsula when lava from the Hakone Volcano plunged into Sagami Bay and solidified. There are three peculiar-looking rocks projecting out of the sea by the edge of Cape Manazuru. They are called "Mitsuishi," or three rocks, and are the symbolic features of Cape Manazuru.
Caption : Waves battering the rocks creating the splash
The Manazuru-hanto Peninsula is situated in the southwest of Kanagawa. The peninsula protrudes into Sagami Bay, and its distinctive shape resembles a crane with open wings. This is a very popular peninsula for water sports such as fishing and diving.
Caption : Trees hanging out of the cliff creating a beautiful scenary
The primeval forest that occupies the southern part of the peninsula adds a splendid scenic view.
Caption : At the top of Cape Manazuru
On top of the "Cape Manazuru," from which you can have superb panoramic views, including Oshima Island and Hatsu-shima Island, on a clear day. It is also a popular spot for viewing the first sunrise on New Year's Day.
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Caption : A shinto shrine (daytime) right outside the Ohiradai station of the Hakone Tozan Line
This particular station caught my attention when I took the train and passed by it when the sky turned dark and the lanterns were lit. I brought memories of one Japanese animated fanatsy adventure flim Spirited Away (å�ƒã�¨å�ƒå°‹ã�®ç¥žéš ã�— Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, literally, Sen and Chihiro's Spiriting Away).
Caption : A shinto shrine (night) right outside the Ohiradai station of the Hakone Tozan Line
This shrine is a little spooky when the sky turned dark. Furthermore, this station becomes very quiet in the night when there is no passenger at the station. I decided to stop at this station at night because I wanted to show Lady SevenEleven the picture of this station at night.
Caption : picture without the flash
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Caption : Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto Shrine - Kamakura
The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron god of the Minamoto family and of the samurai in general. The deified spirits of the ancient Emperor Ojin who has been identified with Hachiman, Hime-gami and Empress Jingu are enshrined at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
Caption : Kenchoji Temple - The No.1 and the oldest Zen Temple in Kamakura
I have always being interested in the Japanese Zen school of meditation, the ZaZen thus the trip here, the No. 1 Zen temple. Once you step into the Kenchoji Temple, the immediate difference between here and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto Shrine, is the serene and peaceful surrounding. It is less crowded (maybe because of the enterance fee
) and the garden are very neat and orderly. This temple is a protected site because the whole temple are constructed from timberwood.
Caption : Hojo - Kenchoji main hall
A little history of this Kenchoji Temple. Kenchoji is the number one of Kamakura's five great Zen temples. The oldest Zen temple in Kamakura, Kenchoji was founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokiyori in the year 1253 during the Kencho Era after which it was named. Its first head priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen priest from China. Although considerably smaller than during its heydays, Kenchoji still consists of a large number of temple buildings and subtemples, and stretches from the entrance gate at the bottom of the valley far into the forested hills behind.
Caption : A Zen garden designed by Zen Master Muso Kokushi
One of the outstanding theme of a Zen temple would be its garden. These garden gardens can be extremely abstract and represent (miniature) landscapes also called "mind-scapes". This Buddhist preferred way to express cosmic beauty in worldly environments is inextricable from Zen Buddhism.
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