By Jib-kun

The Finest Service. Tokyo has all sorts of fine service, but what kind of service can truly be called the finest?

By Jib-kun

Transform in Tokyo.
We'll show you the hottest spots in Tokyo to sport a transformed look.

By Jib-kun

Kujukurihama is a long, sandy beach that runs for over 66 kilometers along the Boso Peninsula, to the east of Tokyo. After the summer swimming season is over, the beach returns to its natural state, quiet and unspoiled. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Gow meets some of the people who love living here, close to the ocean.


The local specialty: sardine cuisine
At Katakai fishing port, one of the main catches throughout the year is sardines. Because the fish are so fresh, they are often served as sashimi, a delicacy that you can usually find only close to fishing ports.

There are many seafood restaurants at Kujukurihama. Gow tries sardines prepared in various different ways, such as grilled mezashi (lightly-dried sardines), and pickled sardines with sesame. She also discovers a special hand-made fish sauce known as "Anchovy Kusare", which makes a tasty souvenir. 

The home page of the restaurant where Gow eats sardine cuisine can be accessed here:
http://maru2-99.com/shokuji-maruni/index.html (in Japanese only) 

For more details about "Anchovy Kusare," visit its Web site here:
http://www.geocities.jp/anchovydressing/ (in Japanese only) 

By Jib-kun


The Kandagawa is a river in the heart of Tokyo.
Over two programs, we explore the Kandagawa from sea to source.

By Jib-kun

Hakone is a resort area with majestic views of sacred Mount Fuji.
Hakone, with its rugged mountains, is the perfect day tripping　destination from Tokyo. 　

There are many routes to reach the Hakone area, making it very accessible.
It's about an hour and a half from Shinjuku by a limited express to the edge of Hakone.
From Hakone-Yumoto station you can transfer to the Hakone Tozan railway, cable car, and ropeway to reach Lake Ashinoko where you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji.

Hakone Town Tourist Association

256 YUMOTO, HAKONE TOWN, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE 250-0398
TEL: 0460-85-7410 / FAX: 0460-85-6815
HP (English): www.hakone.or.jp/english/index.html

Owakudani
A path leads to close-up views of the volcano's fumes. The terrain was once called Jigokudani or "valley of hell."Now, it's one of the most popular tourist spots in Hakone.

HP (English): www.hakone.or.jp/english/midokoro/keikan.html#02

Lake Ashinoko
Three thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption caused the mountain to collapse, damming up the water to form Lake Ashinoko. The lake is situated 700 meters above sea level. It's popular for its sightseeing boats and fishing.

HP (English): www.hakone.or.jp/english/midokoro/keikan.html#03

HAKONE Outdoor Services  ASHINOKO CLUB

Boat charter fee: 15,000 Yen per hour
TEL: 0460-83-7707 / FAX: 0660-83-7706
HP (japanese): http://ashinokoclub.com/

Sekisho
This is a restored Edo-era checkpoint.
In the Edo period, if you were a traveler who wished to go to Edo, or present-day Tokyo, you needed to pass through its gates.

Admission: 500 Yen for adults, 250 Yen for children
HP (English): www.hakonesekisyo.jp/english/index.html

Electric bicycle rentals

500 Yen per hour / 1,200 Yen for three hours or more (April 1- November 30)
HP(japanese): www.hakone-smile.com/01-cycle/c01.html

Tokaido (Edo highway)
The road is lined with more than 400 cedar trees, soaring more than 30-meters high.

HP (Japanese): www.hakone.or.jp/shop/suginamiki/index.html

Wooden Craft Hall (Hatajuku Yosegi Kaikan)

HP (English): www.hakone.or.jp/english/midokoro/bussankan.html

Hot spring for day trippers
Hakone has long been famous for its onsen hot springs. Many are open to the public.

Day trip bathing - Charge: Adult 1,600 Yen / Schoolchild 700 Yen
HP (Japanese): www.hgp.co.jp/inf/Z11/hgp/spa.html

Sengokuhara
Sengokuhara is popular in autumn with its fields of susuki grass.

HP (English): www.hakone.or.jp/english/midokoro/keikan.html#02

View Larger Map
- There are several routes to reach Hakone-Yumoto from Tokyo.
- In the Hakone area, there are railways, ropeways, sightseeing boats, and buses connecting the major tourist sites. It is easy to get around.

By Jib-kun

The Kandagawa is a river in the heart of Tokyo.
Over two programs, we explore the Kandagawa from sea to source.

By Jib-kun

This week, we visit the old port town, Nagasaki. The city has been Japan's window on the world since olden days. Our reporter Gow explores the vibrant and colorful city with a rich cultural heritage ranging from Dutch, British and Chinese influences. 　

Dejima - Site of the Former Dutch Trading House
Discover the life of 17th century Dutch traders in Japan                

Open: 8:00 am ~ 6:00 pm                            
TEL: 095-821-7200
http://www1.city.nagasaki.nagasaki.jp/dejima/en/index.html (English site)

Glover Garden
Explore the mansions of 19th century British merchants               

Open: 8:00 am ~ 6:00 pm
TEL: 095-822-8223
http://www.glover-garden.jp/foreign/english.html (English site)

Streetcar
Many attractions lie close to streetcar lines

120 yen flat fare      

Shinchi Chinatown
Japan's oldest Chinatown is known for its restaurants serving Champon.

Take the streetcar to Tsukimachi Station.
It's a five minute walk from there.

Shikairo Restaurant
Taste Champon at its birthplace              

Open: Lunch 11:30 am ~ 3:00 pm 
Dinner 5:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm
TEL: 095-822-1296
http://www.shikairou.com/ (Japanese site only)

Mt. Inasa Lookout and Park
Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Nagasaki and its harbor. The night view is also spectacular.

Take a bus to Mt. Inasa from Nagasaki station. Then take a cable car to the top of the mountain.

Traveler: Gow


[Access]

View Larger Map
The flight from Tokyo to Nagasaki takes one hour and fifty minutes. It's a forty-minute bus or taxi from the airport to the city.

By Jib-kun

Asakusabashi. A long-established wholesale district featuring dolls and variety goods.
These days, anyone can shop in this fascinating part of Tokyo.

By Jib-kun

Hiraizumi lies 450 kms north of Tokyo, in Iwate Prefecture. Because its ancient sites have unique religious significance, they were recognized in 2011 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.  

During its heyday in the 12th century, Hiraizumi was the only place in Japan comparable with the imperial capital, Heiankyo (modern-day Kyoto). The rulers of Hiraizumi built temples and palaces and laid out formal gardens to create as an earthly representation of the Buddhist ideas of the Pure Land paradise, reflecting the religious beliefs that developed as the teachings of Buddhism introduced from China melded with the ancient indigenous traditions of nature worship.  

The one building that, above all others, symbolizes Hiraizumi's ancient heritage is the golden worship hall of Konjikido. The entire structure, apart from the roof, is covered with gold leaf inside and out and the interior is elaborately decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay and makie lacquerwork. A masterpiece of 12th century architecture, the Konjikido represents the Pure Land paradise, which a Buddhist sutra describes as gleaming brilliantly like gold.
 
The garden of Motsuji Temple also reflects the religious beliefs of the time. The pond represents the sea, jutting rock formations simulate rugged coastlines, and round pebbles evoke a sandy beach. This style of garden had a significant impact on Japanese landscape gardening. 

The temple of Muryoko-in was built so that its central axis ran east-west, directly toward the peak of Kinkeisan, a mountain due west of the city. This also symbolized the Pure Land, which was thought to lie in the far west, the direction of the setting sun.

The Hiraizumi area is also home to various arts and crafts, such as handmade washi paper and lacquerware which carries on a tradition dating back to the 12th century.


Traveler: Julian Carl Crocker (English language instructor)

View Larger Map
Hiraizumi lies about 450 kilometers north of Tokyo.  From Tokyo, it takes 2 hours 20 minutes by Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train to Hachinohe and then by local train.

By Jib-kun

Futako-tamagawa. Right by one of Tokyo's major rivers, sophisticated Futako-tamagawa is evolving fast with new shopping malls and high-rise apartments.