Blogs from Yamanashi, Japan, Asia

Early start to catch the Fuji Excursion train to Kawaghchiko. We managed to get our 3 days supplies into my big bag and 3 back-packs, after forwarding our other two bags to Kyoto. We left the hotel at 7:20 and reached Platform 9 at Shinjuku for the Fuji Excursion train with 30 minutes to spare. We departed on schedule at 8:30. The train is very comfortable, and the seats are7 wide enough, with the arm-rest up, for Oscar to sit between Krissy and Daisy. Oscar is young enough for a free ride, but no seat. You can take this train without a reserved seat but there is a risk you have to stand for the entire journey. About 45 minutes out, the terrain gets hilly and bushy and it feels like you've left Tokyo. We arrived ... read more

Mount Fuji! From our first glimpse out the train window it was with us all day. Gorgeous, majestic, atmospheric. Admiration for the mountain appears in Japan's earliest recorded literature, and it's easy to see why. I recommend staying overnight at Lake Kawaguchiko if possible, so you can view Mount Fuji both early and late. Our first stop was the hike to Chureito Pagoda, most beautiful in the spring over top the cherry blossoms or in the autumn for the foliage. The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine and was built as a peace memorial in 1963, so it's not quite historical but does provide beautiful photographs (if you can find space for yourself among the crowds). After this little hike we grabbed a tempura lunch in town at Idaten - recommended - and made ... read more

Geo: 35.4893, 138.688There may not be a more prime example of the Japanese proclivity for converting the simple into the complex than sake production, the art of turning rice into rice wine. As far as staples go, it doesn't get any simpler than rice, which comprises the bulk of the diets of nearly 50% of the world's population. It's a simple carbohydrate with a simple and plain taste - it's rarely the star of the show, but more a supporting character that accentuates what might be served along with it. But look at what the Japanese can do with the stuff - I'll take a bowl of sticky Japanese rice over all others, any day. And sushi? In Japan, they say that the taste is 80% the rice, and only 20% the fish, which is contrary ... read more

Geo: 35.4893, 138.688On our day of departure, we had to leave the flat by 9am. After that I waved goodbye to the other 3 and left on my own. I took the train to the Five Lakes district and stopped at Kawaguchi station. For the return journey, I took the bus which turned out to be cheaper and as fast. For my first night, I stayed in a fancy hotel. I was in a three-person dorm, nothing too fancy there but the hotel had its own onsen. After dropping my bags, I went for a walk around the lake Kawaguchi. From the side opposite to my hotel, there is a very good view of Mt Fuji. Except that this afternoon the clouds were masking the top of the mountain. I had an early diner in order ... read more

Earlier this year Sue and I had holidayed on the Isle of Skye and whilst dining at the renowned Three Chimneys restaurant, we tried a Japanese white wine. Whilst expensive at £12 per glass it was by far the best wine of 4 tasted during our meal. We gathered details from the sommelier and vowed to seek it out whilst in Japan. We were told the wine came from Yamanashi which we thought was a town but in fact turns out to be a prefecture similar in size to Lincolnshire. Fortunately our trip coincided with the Yamanashi wine festival and we took the train for the 100 mile journey north west of Tokyo. We met up with a lot of Barney's friends from university and former work places as this festival attracts wine buffs and people ... read more