The seed has been sown and all going well it will be happening this September 2009. Will be routing via Seoul each way hopefully, and on trip with Intrepid for half of it. Watch this space!... ... read more

Abashiri certainly turned the weather on the following day. After my body demanding a lie in, I just made it to the Okhotsk sea to the east of town, before having to head to back and be ready for a 10.01am train to Kushiro. The city of Abashiri was not the bustling metropolis of Wakkanai (!!), but the weather similar and fresh in a northerly/ southerly climate kind of way. The morning walk took in the pier, ther river, the rubbish truck playing, of all things, 'chopsticks', and some smelly seaside fishermen working on a retaining wall for the Okhotsk sea. At least my musically uncultured brain thought that was what I heard, I can't think what else it could be here! It does get a little trying at times hearing happy birthday, or similar nursery ... read more

The Naniwa hotel was a comfy nights rest, and the hosts as helpful as ever, despite their limited english and yesterdays misunderstanding! I am certainly glad I speak some lingo - several people I have met have had no or limited ability, and even in the major cities like Tokyo, have struggled to get their needs met or point across. A bit of charades always comes in handy, but anything slightly complicated can get mixed up, even if you do speak Japanese!! A gorgeous, clear warm mornning dawned, and I decided after my early waking habit to get the earlier train just before 9am. The Akita shinkansen, originating and terminating at Akita (Tokyo bound/ from) means the trip to Tazawako and nearby Kakunodate is quick and painless, but reservations are a must. Being a monday morning, ... read more

Not only is there piped music in the lobby of my smokey business hotel for the night, but to be heard at Kenrokuen park was the most serene and beautiful music befitting of the location.....a japanese harp player. My arrival in Kanazawa by train, 2 changes via naoetsu and nagano, was earlier than usual, and a great chance to see the city before bedding down in a smokey business hotel..........my reservation at the Garden hotel opposite the station was not on file, despite an internet reservation done 2 months earlier (I will be watching my credit card account closely as they have my details!) So a blessing it turned out to be as the extremely helpful tourist info people in the station, open until 7pm, found me a close hotel called the 'Econo' hotel, for only ... read more

The last I left it it 'twas a grey but dry morning in Mt Fuji area, called Fuji go ko, or lake district. Ks house in Kawaguchiko was a cheap but styley bed for the night, tatami matted dorm rooms, and at this time of year very quiet! It all happens in July and August evidently, and every place is booked out and overrun with weekender holiday makers in the limited Japanese holiday periods! They never seem to break from toiling the fields, the hotel front desks, the cleaning of the ryokans.....indeed a strong work ethic they have! So after getting some glimpses of Fuji at the tourism centre, about 30 mins walk from the hostel (my first mistake for the day in choosing to beat the bus to the Sengen shrine, for an earlier finish....), ... read more