Jacqueline Smith

Jacjac

Jacqueline Smith

Traveller around South East Asia and Japan



Asia » Japan September 25th 2009

Sapporo Due to the long national holiday in Japan at this time, I was unable to find accommodation in Hakodate for that night, so I decided to spend a night in Sapporo instead. As it turned out this was a great plan as I had a fantastic day. I arrived in Sapporo at around midday, and as the hotels in Japan generally only allow check-in after 3pm, I stored my backpack in a locker at the station, acquired some maps and local knowledge from the tourist centre, and ventured out to discover Sapporo. My first stop was the Sapporo JR tower, a 38 story building which offers amazing 360 degree views of the vast city. After checking out the views I ventured out to the Sapporo Autumn festival after receiving a tip from a local. It ... read more
Sapporo Autumn Festival
A menu board at the festival
Footlong doughnut thing

Asia » Japan September 23rd 2009

Furano The most Northern area of Japan, Hokkaido is considered to be untouched Japan, with beautiful nature, some of the best skiing in the world, the freshest and tastiest seafood you can buy, and very friendly people. I arrived in the capital Sapporo eager with anticipation, as this area of Japan was the original inspiration for my travels to the land of the rising sun. More specifically the town of Hakodate, the southern most point of Hokkaido island. I had scheduled my visit to Hakodate to be the last destination on my Japan visit, and so first the nature of Central Hokkaido beckoned. Originally I had intended to stay high up in the mountains in the Daisetzusan National Park, with a hope of maybe catching a glimpse of snow. However the day following my arrival in ... read more
My bike and the Hokkaido man, in Furano
Locally made Grape and Cheese flavoured "milk-ice"
Some local Furano flowers

Asia » Japan September 23rd 2009

Kurobe Tateyama Alpine Pass After saying goodbye to the family early in the morning, Makiko's father dropped me off at Ougizawa station where I was to embark on my journey for the day - the Kurobe Tateyama Alpine Pass finishing up in the Toyama. The Alpine Pass is a combination of electric trolley buses, walking, cable cars and trains to travel through a mount range and over the highest Mt Tateyama, and then down over the other side. Its a unique way to see areas of the Japanese Alps that are not accessible via any other means. The first stop is reached via electric trolley bus that cuts through the middle of a mountain and ends at Kurobe Dam, an absolutely massive dam 1470 metres above sea level that took years to build and apparently resulted ... read more
The area around Kurobe Dam
Going up in the cable car past Kurobe Dam
From the local train on the way to Toyama

Asia » Japan September 17th 2009

Hakuba Hakuba is a beautiful village beneath the Hakuba mountain ranges, and is an all-year round place for trekking, skiing and climbing the numerous 9,500 foot mountains. It reminds me of a little European ski village. There is no snow at this time of year, but its a great time to explore the area because the tourists are few and the scenery is great. I stayed in a small family-run pension close to one of the main ski lifts of the village. It is run by the parents of a lovely Japanese lady, Makiko, who stays there with her 3 year old son Uto (quite possibly the cutest little Japanese boy ever). I was the only guest at the time so it really felt like I was just staying with a friendly family, rather than in ... read more
Going up to the trekking start line on Happone
The downhill start at the 1998 Winter Olympics
A map of the moutain ranges after an hour of trekking Happone

Asia » Japan September 13th 2009

Matsumoto I caught the morning Shinkansen to Nagoya, and changed to the express train from Nagoya to Matsumoto (282km northwest of Tokyo). Matsumoto lies in the central alpine region of Japan, and is accordingly higher, cooler and surrounded by mountains. I met up with my couchsurfing buddy Takao at the station, and as it was a very wet and grey day (the first rain they had experienced in quiet a while) we went back to his place and chatted. Takao is a neurosurgeon who has just finished his residency and is now working at the Matsumoto University Hospital. His professor is a world renowned neurosurgeon who spent many years working and researching in the US, and Takao hopes to follow in his footsteps. To make this dream a reality, he is required to pass a very ... read more
Thomas, Taka, me and Takao
Thomas and Taka in an Izakaya
Takao outside Matsumoto castle

Asia » Japan September 10th 2009

Kyoto Kyoto was Japan's capital for more than 1000 years, and was the centre for only politics, but also religion, philosophy, art, culture and cuisine. My challenge in Kyoto was to see some of these amazing historical sites whilst also avoiding the throngs of sheep-like tourists that tended to plague most areas around central Kyoto. My first step to achieving this goal was to hire a motorbike, allowing me some freedom in the sites and areas i wanted to visit. Hiring a motorbike in Japan is not an easy feat, however armed with my international motorbike license and a bit of research, I eventually found a place near Kyoto station that hired bikes to foreigners. There were bikes of all sizes there, however as the bike I really wanted to hire would have cost around AUD$160 ... read more
Traditional Japanese Guesthouse
Communication via the Internet
Near Mt Sajikigatake

Asia » Japan » Tokyo September 7th 2009

Kamakura and Yokohama Many of Japan's cities offer a Free Guide service, an opportunity for visitors to be shown around the various points of intersetin the city, and in return an opportunity for the guides to perhaps practice their English and learn about different cultures. It was through such a service, the Tokyo Free Guide, that I met Nori and Maria. Nori is a Japanese man who has been volunteering as a guide for several years. He lives in Yokohama, not far out of Tokyo, and through his guide work his guidework his English is quite good. Maria, his girlfriend, is a Bolivian of Japanese descent who came to Japan last year to learn more about her culture. She is learning Japanese whilst here, but is fluent in English and of course Spanish. We arranged to ... read more
Kamakura shrine with typical Japanese schoolgirls in front
The bride and groom
Man in wedding party playing instrument

Asia » Japan » Tokyo September 7th 2009

Jac in Japan I arrived in Tokyo at around 8am, and from the airport caught the a few subway trains to the area why the hostel I booked was in. I was feeling pretty chuffed with myself for successfully navigating the complexities of the Tokyo rail system, until I got lost on foot trying to find the hostel from the train station. After a bit of backtracking and studying of the map (something I should have done before I started walking, I now realise) I stumbled into the hostel lobby with much relief. The hostel was very simple and clean, but nice because it was in Japanese style. Tatami mats on the floor, and rolled up futon in the corner which you roll out when its time to sleep. After I dumped my bags, I went ... read more
Tokyo International Forum
Food at the Ginza Food Garden
Australian Jazz Festival at Tokyo International Forum




Tot: 0.171s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 4; qc: 72; dbt: 0.0888s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb