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)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #519 - Suruga Bay Ferry and Toi Goldmine, Shizuoka, Japan

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #519

- Suruga Bay Ferry and Toi Goldmine, Shizuoka, Japan

 

 

(We took the Suruga Bay Ferry, which connects the Shimizu Port to the town of Toi on the Izu Peninsula in an hour. On a picture perfect day, the shy Mt Fuji opened up for us, and from the deck of the ferry, it is as beautiful as those printed on magazines. Our time at this quirky Toi Goldmine was spent walking through their goldmine, ending with lunch that included gold-leaf tips as dressing for our dishes. The 250kg gold bar here, if touched, will give the person a load of fortune - which means, my new year will be filled with lots of dollars)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #518 - Hamamatsu Fruits Park, Miyakoda-cho

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #518

- Hamamatsu Fruits Park, Miyakoda-cho, Japan

 

 

(With over 4000 trees and 15 different fruits, the Hamamatsu Fruits Park gave us a proper treat we had never had before - the largest and sweetest strawberries ever! And straight from the strawberry plants to the mouth - no washing required. We felt like kids in a candy store, easily popping 50 large strawberries between us. The park ladies gave us a strange dip for these strawberries - condense milk. Why? They are already so sweet as they are. What a vitamin, fibre and antioxidant overload for us - love it!)

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #517 - Daoigo-ji Shrine, Kyoto

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #517

- Daigo-ji Shrine, Kyoto, Japan

 

 

(Another shrine in Kyoto that brings out the best of Japan. Daigo-ji Shrine is nestled below a hill and is a prime spot for cherry blossoms here. We came a little too early for that but the red bridge of the Bentendo Hall here is striking, especially with its reflection from the small lake here. The Golden Hall was busy on this day, as monks marched in on this early morning for their prayers. The 5-storey pagoda here, built in 951, is the oldest building in Kyoto)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #516 - Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kyoto, Japan

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #516

- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kyoto, Japan

 

 

(Kyoto opened up to us on this CNY trip of ours through these bright red torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. We didn't get to see it in previous trips here - the Kiyomizu Shrine always taking centre-stage then. But these more than 10,000 red tori gates make for mesmerising photos opportunities. These gates were donated by businesses, for making wishes come true, since the 1400s, thus the huge numbers here. The shrine is below Mt Inari, with treks up this 250m high mountain that will take 2 hours to complete. We stopped after 40minutes, with the tour manager calling us back)