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Mithun Divakaran

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Japan: Getting to Narita Airport, final thoughts, and flying an Airbus A380 for the first time

By Mithun Divakaran
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Sep 19, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: April 1, 2015

Sigh. Time to say goodbye to Japan. On a cold early morning, I got out of my bunk bed, freshened up, used the wonder that are Japanese toilets for the last time.

I brought down my luggage, had a light breakfast and left Space Hostel. It was a bit of a struggle lifting my stuffed suitcase across steps and onto the subway platform but I figured the trains would be the quickest way to Ueno park. I planned to take the Keisei Airport Express Skyliner train to Narita Airport. It would the quickest and the most convenient option for me — even though it costs more than taking a bus to Narita.

Keisei Skyliner airport express price — A one way ticket costs ¥2470 but if you book it online, you will save some ¥200

Keisei Skyliner train seats Japan — The trains weren’t packed and the seat next to me was empty so I had lots of space

The Keisei Airport Express is not a ‘bullet train’ but it will get you from Ueno to Narita Airport — 71 kms away — in 40 minutes.

Building en route to Narita — Time to say goodbye to Tokyo’s city skyline

As the train whizzed past big city Tokyo, I was getting that feeling. It always creeps in at the end of a journey. The feeling of “Man, I’m gonna miss this place and I can’t wait to visit again!”. Continue reading “Japan: Getting to Narita Airport, final thoughts, and flying an Airbus A380 for the first time” »

Japan: Ōwakudani sulphur springs, views of Mt. Fuji — and last night in Tokyo

By Mithun Divakaran
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Aug 11, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 31 March 2015

After a very relaxing bath at the Hotel Green Plaza onsen, I moved on to my next stop — the host springs of Ōwakudani. But these hot springs are not safe to soak yourself in due to high sulphur content.

Lake Ashi from Hakone ropeway — Lake Ashi, from the ropeway

Hakone ropeway Owakudani station — Ōwakudani station was the very next stop

Owakudani mountain Hakone Japan — This was the view from the ropeway station

Owakudani sulfur wells Hakone — There is a lot of volcanic activity deep underground

Steam production well Owakudani Hakone — But they are making the most of it

Owakudani trekking trail Hakone — This was a hiking trail

Owakudani hiking trail Hakone mountain — But I did not venture far as I saw no one trekking… plus I had no time for trekking

Owakudani natural hot springs Hakone — So I walked towards the hot springs

Qwakudani mountain height Hakone — 1050 metres above sea level

Owakudani sulphur warnings Hakone — The sulfur content is too high so there were signs asking people not to touch the water

Owakudani hot springs Hakone — Before walking towards the sulphur springs, I went inside the building housing the restaurants and souvenir shops

Black egg Owakudani Hakone Japan — I was curious to find out the significance of this black egg was

Black eggs Owakudani Hakone — Inside, you can buy eggs. You take the egg and boil it in the sulphur-rich water and the shell turns black it seems.

Owakudani sulphur hot springs Hakone — You could feel the heat as you got near to the sulphur pools… and you could smell it too!

Mount Fuji viewing point Japan — The other reason why Owakudani is a popular draw is for the viewpoint

Mount Fuji from Owakudani Japan — A view of Mount Fuji being the main draw, of course

Planes flying over Mount Fuji peak Japan — I swapped lenses to catch these two airplanes flying over Mt. Fuji

Man photographing Mt. Fuji Japan — Unfortunately, from this distance, you can’t really get a good photo of yourself with Fuji-yama in the background especially with clouds in the way

One thing I have experienced time and time again on my travels is that, when fellow tourists see me with a DSLR, they assume that I’m better at them at photography and ask me to take their photos using their cameras. I oblige sometimes but the problem is, when one reacts positively and compliments me for taking a good photo, then other tourists hear that and approach me with the same request. This went on for a while here. Continue reading “Japan: Ōwakudani sulphur springs, views of Mt. Fuji — and last night in Tokyo” »

Japan: Hakone ropeway; onsen at Hotel Green Plaza

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jul 21, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 31 March 2015

After the cruise across Lake Ashi on a pirate-themed ship, next I was going to take the Hakone Ropeway (cable car) to get to Ubako Station.

Hakone Ropeway Togendaiko station Japan — The ropeway is one of Hakone’s main attractions

Hakone Ropeway queue Japan — The Hakone Pass I was holding covered the ticket fares for the ropeway

If you would like to know how much the one-way and round trip fares for Hakone Ropeway are, click here.

Cable car Hakone ropeway Japan — This would be be my 3rd cable car experience, after Langkawi and Hong Kong

Inside cable car Hakone Ropeway Japan — It’s definitely not as impressive an experience as the one in Langkawi or Lantau Island (Hong Kong), but I guess maybe it’s because the ‘wow factor’ has been lessened after being on other cable car rides now

Hakone ropeway cable car Japan — The views are alright

Views from Hakone ropeway Japan — You get decent views of Mount Fuji along the way up

Hakone machi ropeway tower station — My stop was the very next one

Green Plaza Hotel Fuji view Japan — I walked to Hotel Green Plaza which is very close to Ubako Station

The lady who sold me her half-used Hakone pass recommended the onsen at Hotel Green Plaza, for its splendid views of Mount Fuji as you bathe in the hot springs. Continue reading “Japan: Hakone ropeway; onsen at Hotel Green Plaza” »