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tokyo

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: Rikugien garden’s weeping cherry blossom tree

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jun 22, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 30th March 2015

The last time I tried to visit Rikugien garden, I was too late. They weren’t allowing anymore people to queue up. This time I arrived earlier, got off at Komagome Station and rushed towards the entrance. Luckily, the lines were still open.

Line to get inside Rikugien Tokyo — But the line was long — both in front of me and behind me

Sakura tree at night Tokyo city — In the mean time, I had a sakura tree across the road to look at

It took me nearly 20 minutes to get inside. There was an entry fee of 300 yen but I was happy to finally get in this time.

Rikugien garden sakura Tokyo — These are the dates for the special viewing of the famous ‘Weeping Sakura Tree’

Inside Rikugien garden at night Tokyo — It was pitch dark with only a few lights illuminating a few trees

Trees at night Rikugien Tokyo — I had my tripod with me

Rikugi-en means “Garden of the Six Principles of Poetry” — which comes from the idea of the six elements in waka poetry, while ‘en’ (as in gyuen) means garden. Continue reading “Japan: Rikugien garden’s weeping cherry blossom tree” »

Japan: Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Ueno Park

By Mithun Divakaran
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Jun 17, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 30th March 2015

After I visited Akihabara for the second time, I then decided to head to Ueno Park. I had been there a few days ago, but I was disappointed to see that the cherry blossom trees weren’t fully in bloom. I worried I wouldn’t see it fully bloomed before leaving Japan.

Ueno park pathway Japan — At first glance, I assumed things hadn’t improved

Sakura trees Ueno park Tokyo — But as I walked closer, I could see some trees certainly had more flowers this time around

Ueno park shrine evening sun Tokyo — The evening sunlight was quite nice so I went up to the shrine to take some photos

Funny tree shape Ueno park — I wonder if they wrapped this tree’s trunks so that it stays in this shape

Ueno park in the evening — I love the sunlight between 4PM-6 PM, it’s great for photography

Sakura in full bloom Ueno park — As I walked further, the trees here were much bigger and thicker in cherry blossom flowers

Continue reading “Japan: Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Ueno Park” »