1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #526 - Harajuku, Tokyo

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #526

- Harajuku, Tokyo

 

 

(Our final stop here in Tokyo before heading to the Haneda airport, is Harajuku. Scene of Japan's street fashion, Harajuku is very much targeted at the young folks in Tokyo. On Friday and Saturday nights, the famed Harajuku girls with their fancy hairdo show up in droves. But not tonight, being a Tuesday. We did spot a well-known food joint - Wolfgang Puck Express. We had to try it, especially after having a sumptuous dinner at his MBS outlet some time back. We were indeed not disappointed - their pizza and carbonara were nicely done, and their striploin steak was nearly perfect - a steal at these prices)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #525 - Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #525

- Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

 

 

(The Tsukiji Fish Marker here in Tokyo is definitely one of a kind. The variety of fish and ocean catches here is amazing. Even without the auctioning off of giant tunas here, the market is buzzing. We had to try the freshly made tuna roll, dripping with tuna strips on both ends. It was deliciously fresh. We also couldn't pass up on taking our final bowl of ramen here, right along the busy road. For 700yen, it was heavenly!)

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #524 - Kawazu cherry blossoms, Izu Peninsula

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #524

- Kawazu cherry blossom trees, Izu Peninisula, Japan

 

 

(The Kawazu town is famous for its cherry blossom trees that lined the river here. But it seems like we have arrived a little early, perhaps by 2 weeks. But still the sakuras here were blooming on some trees, making the area a pleasant walk. The stalls here were selling many local products, including raw wasabi, but the best buy was their sweet potato strips, grilled to perfection. If we had walked a little further, according to the local signage near the bridge, we would have reached "nirvana". I wonder how that would have felt like..)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #523 - Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma prefecture

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #523

- Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma prefecture, Japan

 

 

(Kusatsu Onsen is one of the top 3 onsens in Japan. It boast the highest volume of hot flowing spring water running through it, with a high sulpgur content, thus its health value. On this cold morning at -2C, the steam created a beautiful mist around the town area, and with thick snow still covering the rooftops, it makes for a lovely feeling all around it. A local theatre here put up a short musical show to tell the story of how the hot water is cooled down to useable temperature by striking it with wooden planks - nicely performed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #522 - Lake Ashi, Hakone

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #522

- Lake Ashi, Hakone, Japan

 

 

(The Ashi Lake in this Hakone area is surprisingly big, and on this sunny afternoon, the town was busy with many tourists. Some are here to see the Hakone Shrine. But most are drawn to the most famous red tori gate here by the lake - to take their Instagram shot. We were there, saw the long queue and decided to stand not on the short pier right below the tori but beside it. Our tour guide was rounding up her charges, so we had to hurry. Well, another day perhaps, we will queue for that perfect shot too)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #521- Mishima Skywalk, Japan

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #521

- Mishima Skywalk, Japan

 

 

(This Mishima Skywalk is Japan's longest pedestrian suspension bridge at 400m ..but the real start is actually Mt Fuji. We were given another clear day and with it, a new Mt Fuji compared to yesterday. 2 days in a row of seeing this sacred mountain - we were in luck. The Sky Garden right beside it was quite appealing too, with colours of the rainbow represented in all the flowers blooming here)

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #520 - Lovers Cape, Izu Peninsula, Japan

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #520

- Lovers Cape, Izu Peninsula, Japan

 

 

(The Lovers Cape or Koibito-Misaki here at the Izu Peninsula is aptly named for its picturesque view of Mt Fuji from this part of the peninsula, with its rugged coastline. Ringing the bell here 3 times will signal to the world your renewed vow to love for couples who come here. So, the 15 walk down to and climb up the cape do have meaningful returns. The star of this cool and serene area has to be Mt Fuji in the background. We are so fortunate to see it from so many angles during this tour - the guide says Mt Fuji can only be seen clearly 35 days out of the 365days of the year)