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Trips To Seasides In Summer (Pt 1)
24 November 2007 |
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Travel to Fukushima's Urabandai from Tokyo on the Banetsusai Line. Urabandai is famous for it's water quality, as well as it's beautiful ponds and lakes. Head down to a famous hot spring there known as the 'Beautiful Women's' hot springs. Also, visit "Hana no Yu" which means "Water of Flowers" surrounded by lush nature and a clear stream. The 'Beautiful Women's' hot springs is well known for it's excellent baths, with their foot bath looking over beautifully kept Japanese gardens.
Try out all the 30 different hot baths in the hotel and have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant which features a special dish of Egoma pork which is a very rare and unusual meat. The pigs are fed perilla and their meat becomes very tender. This makes the texture and flavour of the Egoma pork very different compared to other types of pork.
Head to your next stop via train and bus and be greeted by the sight of an 800 metre high plateau spread out on north Mt. Bandai. After the eruption of Meiji 21, over 300 lakes and ponds were formed. This area is a clear water region and represents Fukushima perfecture. Among them all, Goshiki Pond, which means Pond of Five Colours, is the most beautiful.
Visit Urabandai Produce Building next, which stands at the west entrance of the trails, to find local products and specialities here. After that, proceed to Lake Suhara and pay a visit to a water shield farm which is rarely seen nowadays. Do remember to try the fusion dishes at a local hotel, where the chef will mix Japanese and Western styles.
The next day, visit a hidden campsite which can only be reached by boat on Lake Hibara. Remember to try out the canoe and BBQ package which is one of the many packages offered at the campsite. Later on, pay a visit to the breathtakingly beautiful Onogawa Fudo Falls. It is a mystical fall used by mountain priests for meditation with a drop of 20 metres.
Next up, head to the port town of Misaki on the tip of the Miura peninsula. Take a water tour of Kamakura's old temples and a Tokyo Bay cruise. Misaki is famous for it's Misaki Tuna. With 10,000 tons of tuna, it is known as one of the biggest tuna towns. Visit the "Urari" wholesale market to shop for various types of tuna in the 12 shops available.
Hop on the sightseeing boat after that and you'll be able to see all the fish upclose and personal. Hungry after all the excitement? No worries. "Kurobatei", an eatery which specialises in tuna and local fish is located just 5 minutes from the market and that will be just the place to satisfy your hunger pangs. It serves over 200 different types of tuna dishes, and all of them are original recipes created by the chef who is in love with tuna.
After lunch, take the Keikyu bus to Hayama, a well known high-end resort in Shonan with holiday homes on the hills by the sea. Their spas are a hit with the ladies as they can enjoy a massage overlooking the sea.
Next, check out Kamakura City which was once the centre of the Kamakura government. This is a city full of culture with numerous temples, shrines and statues. It is famous for "Jussei Gomeisu" which is translated as "10 wells and 5 springs". Don't forget to visit all the various water spots whilst in Kamakura City. One of them is Jomyo Temple and it is a popular spot as one of the five mountains in Kamakura. Head to Kisenan, a tea house restored to Ashikaga Era style which stands in the temple. Later on, go on an evening cruise tour around the bay.
Head north on the Heizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station near Kamogawa and visit Kibune, Kyoto's inner parlour. Arrive in Kibune, and you will hear the sound of water welcoming you. Kifune Shrine celebrates the God of water. In the Heian Era, the people of Kibune often prayed for rain and even now, people in water-related industries continue to go to Kifune Shrine to pray. |
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A bath at the women's hot springs usually costs 1,500 yen (S$ 18.90) but with a package, it costs only 1,000 yen (S$ 12.60). |
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The famous water spots in Kamakura City are a definite must-see. |
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Visit the Zeniarai Benten water spot to "wash your money". |
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Go on the panoramic train "Kirara" to experience wonderful views of Japan. |
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