Saturday, November 24, 2018

Japan Autumn Nov 2017 一人で日本の旅 - Bitchu Takahashi JR Station 備中高梁駅, Takahashi City Library 高梁市図書館


Bitchu Takahashi JR Station 備中高梁駅, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a train station on Hakubi line (伯備線). The most symbolic landmark of Takahashi city is undoubtedly Bicchu Matsuyama Castle 備中松山城, one of the rare mountain castles in Japan. Having said that, the initial pulling factor for me to visit this city located northwest of Okayama city, was not the historic castle but its train station!


Limited express trains serving this train station include:
(1) Ltd Exp Yakumo やくも, commutes along Hakubin line and San'in main line, between Okayama and Izumo. The train ride takes slightly over 30 minutes from Okayama to Bitchu Takahashi.
(2) Ltd Exp Sunrise Izumo サンライズ出雲, an overnight sleeper train which commutes between Tokyo and Izumo.


What's nearby?

(1) Takahashi City Library 高梁市図書館, located within the train station.
Opening hrs: 0900 - 2100 hrs

Objective achieved! The library building was the aim of my visit to Takahashi city. Caught sight of this modern looking building which stood out in the suburb while I was on board Limited Express Yakumo. Started to research on the name of this train station and eventually made up my mind to pay this place a visit just before heading back to Singapore. The library spans over three storey and is connected seamlessly to the train station. Upon entering the library, you will first see the tourist information center on the left and Starbucks on the right. Love the overall outlook of the library - the spacious concept creates a conducive environment for spending an entire day here reading a favourite book. For those who have been to Takeo City Library 武雄市図書館 in Saga Prefecture, this place will breed familiarity. In fact, Takahashi City Library was a collaboration between Takahashi City and Culture Convenience Club Company (known as CCC in short), the same company behind the successful revamp of Takeo City Library.
https://takahashi.city-library.jp/library/



(2) Tsutaya 蔦屋 and Starbucks スターバックス, located within the train station.
A section of the library is dedicated to Tsutaya, a local bookstore chain managed by CCC, and Starbucks. What I like most about the overall design of the library, bookstore, cafe and tourist information center is its open concept in which the various sections are not separated by dividers/walls, therefore promoting collaboration. One of the most appealing design which has become the center of attraction in this building is the towering wall bookshelves in the dining area - you cannot help but want to take a photo of this spot before heading further into the library!
https://www.starbucks.co.jp/store/search/detail.php?id=2086





(3) Tourist Information Center 高梁市観光案内所, located within the train station.
https://takahashi.city-library.jp/library/access#kanko_annai
Opening hrs: 0900 - 1700 hrs

Group taxi. There is an affordable and convenient group taxi service which tourists can make use to visit Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. For a one way fee of 500 yen, the taxi departs from the train station to Fuigo toge ふいご峠 and it takes another 25 minutes walk to reach the Tenshukaku (keep tower) of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. However, a prior reservation via phone call is required/recommended to secure this service. I tried my luck to make a reservation on the spot and fortunately was able to get the earliest 0950 hrs slot. Similarly, I utilised the same taxi service which departed at 1140 hrs from Fuigotoke to return to the train station.
  • Bitchu Takahashi JR Station > Fuigo toge: 0950, 1120, 1250, 1420 hrs
  • Fuigo toge > Bitchu Takahashi JR Station: 1140, 1310, 1440, 1610 hrs
Another popular activity here is Unkai 雲海 (or sea of clouds) viewing of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. A similar group taxi service is available between October and March to ferry visitors from the train station to Unkai Observatory 雲海展望台. Cost 1,500 yen for a round trip, there are two available timing per day (0730 and 0800 hrs) during its operational period and prior reservation is also required to utilise this service.

(4) Raikyuji 頼久寺, about 15 mins walk from the train station.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Day 6 Yamanaka-ko 山中湖

Day 6: 17.10.2018 (Wed)
Day 2/2 Fujisan, Fujigoko Passport

Breakfast: Fujisan Station Hotel 富士山ステーションホテル

Fujisan Ekimae Bus Stop 3 富士山駅前 (0753 hrs) > Sun Park Fuji mae サンパークふじ前 (0808 hrs)
🚍 by Fujikko go Bus ふじっこ号バス.


Visited Kaneyama no taki 鐘山の滝.

Sun Park Fuji mae サンパークふじ前 (0908 hrs) > Hana no miyako Koen 花の都公園 (0922 hrs)
🚍 by Fujikko go Bus ふじっこ号バス.


Visited Hana no miyako Koen 花の都公園. [300 yen]
http://www.hananomiyakokouen.jp/

Hana no miyako Koen 花の都公園 (1122 hrs) > Hirano 平野 (1156 hrs)
🚍 by Fujikko go Bus ふじっこ号バス.


Lunch: Nikomi Stew no mise Casserole 煮込みStewの店 Casserole
http://www.casserole-stew.com/


Dessert: Paper Moon ぺーパームーン
http://www.papermoon-yamanakako.jp/index.html

Kozanso-mae 湖山荘前 (1440 hrs) > Fujisan Ekimae 富士山駅前 (1549 hrs)
🚍 by Fujikko go Bus ふじっこ号バス.

Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (1633 hrs) > Otsuki Station 大月駅 (1720 hrs)
🚆 by local train via Fujikyuko line 富士急行線.

Otsuki JR 大月駅 (1733 hrs) > Kofu JR 甲府駅 (1809 hrs)
🚆 by Ltd Exp Kaiji かいじ 119. [1,310 yen]

🏨 Checked in: Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2
https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/search/detail/00132/


Dinner: Aoba Ramen 青葉ラーメン, Kofu JR Station
http://kofu-aoba.com/

- End of Day 6 -

Monday, November 5, 2018

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Day 5 Arakuyama Sengen Koen 新倉山浅間公園, Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海

Day 5: 16.10.2018 (Tue)
Day 1/2 Fujisan, Fujigoko Passport


Breakfast: Morning Box モーニングBOX, Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士


Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士 > Kawaguchi-ko Station 河口湖駅
by taxi. [3,160 yen]

Purchased 2 Days Fujisan, Fujigoko Passport 富士山、富士五湖パスポート (inclusive of Fujikyuko trains). [3,550 yen]

Kawaguchi-ko Station 河口湖駅 (1037 hrs) > Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (1045 hrs)
🚆 by Fujikyuko local train 富士急行線.

🏨 Checked in: Fujisan Station Hotel 富士山ステーションホテル

Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (1117 hrs) > Shimoyoshida Station 下吉田駅 (1124 hrs)
🚆 by Thomas Land-go train トーマスランド号.


Visited Arakuyama Sengen Koen 新倉山浅間公園.
https://www.arakurayama-sakura.com/

Shimo Yoshida Station 下吉田駅 (1313 hrs) > Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (1320 hrs)
🚆 by Fujikyuko local train 富士急行線.

Fujisan Ekimae Bus Stop 3 富士山駅前 (1353 hrs) > Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海 (1414 hrs)
by Fujikko go Bus ふじっこ号バス.
http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/rosen/shuyufujikkogo


Visited Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海.
http://www.vill.oshino.yamanashi.jp/8lake.html

Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海 (1627 hrs) > Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (1647 hrs)
by Fujikko go Bus ふじっこ号バス.

Shopping at Q-STA キュースター.
http://www.q-sta.jp/

Dinner: MOS Burger モースバーガー, Q-STA キュースター

- End of Day 5 -

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Day 4 Kawaguchi-ko 河口湖

Day 4: 15.10.2018 (Mon)


Joined Jukai Nature Tour 樹海ネイチャーツアー, organised by Hoshinoya Fuji.
https://hoshinoya.com/fuji/experience/nature-tour/


Breakfast: Grill Morning グリルモーニング, Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士

Kawaguchi-ko Shizen Seikatsu Kan / Natural Living Center 河口湖自然生活館 > Kawaguchi-ko Herb Hall 河口湖ハープ館
🚍 by Kawaguchi-ko Sightseeing Bus Red Line. [410 yen]


Visited Kawaguchi-ko Herb Hall 河口湖ハープ館.
http://www.fkchannel.jp/herbkan/


Visited Kitahara Museum Happy Days 北原ミュージアム. [700 yen] *100 yen discount inclusive
http://www.kitahara-museum.jp/


Lunch: Happy Days Cafe
http://www.kitahara-museum.jp/cafe.html

Kawaguchi-ko Herb Hall 河口湖ハープ館 > Konohana Art Musuem 木の花美術館
🚍 by Kawaguchi-ko Sightseeing Bus Red Line. [310 yen]


Visited Konohana Art Musuem 木の花美術館. [500 yen]
http://www.konohana-muse.com/

Konohana Art Musuem > Kawaguchi-ko Shizen Seikatsu Kan / Natural Living Center 河口湖自然生活館
🚍 by Kawaguchi-ko Sightseeing Bus Red Line. [250 yen]

Back to Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士.


Dinner: Dutch Oven Dinner ダッチオーブンティナー, Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士

- End of Day 4 -

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Day 3 Fujikyu Highland 富士急ハイランド, Kawaguchi-ko 河口湖

Day 3: 14.10.2018 (Sun)
* Day 3/3 Tokyo Wide Pass

Breakfast: Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2

Kofu JR 甲府駅 (0812 hrs) > Otsuki JR 大月駅 (0848 hrs)
🚆 by Ltd Exp Kaiji かいじ 104.


Otsuki 大月駅 (0902 hrs) > Fujikyu Highland 富士急ハイランド駅 (1003 hrs)
🚆 by Fujikyuko local train 富士急行線.


Visited Fujikyu Highland 富士急ハイランド駅 - Lisa and Gaspard Town リサとガスパールタウン.
https://www.fujiq.jp/


Break: Cafe Brioche カフェブリオッシュ, Lisa and Gaspard Town リサとガスパールタウン

Fujikyu Highland 富士急ハイランド駅 (1240 hrs) > Kawaguchi-ko 河口湖駅 (1243 hrs)
🚆 by Fujikyuko local train 富士急行線.


Kawaguchi-ko Ekimae Bus Stop 河口湖駅前 (1315 hrs) > Kawaguchi-ko Shizen Seikatsu Kan / Natural Living Center 河口湖自然生活館 (1342 hrs)
🚍 by Kawaguchi-ko Sightseeing Bus Red Line. [480 yen]


Visited Kawaguchi-ko Shizen Seikatsu Kan / Natural Living Center 河口湖自然生活館 .
http://www.fkchannel.jp/naturelivingcenter/oishipark/


Break: Lake Bake レイクベイク


Checked in: Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士
https://hoshinoya.com/fuji/en/

Dinner: Grill Dinner, Hoshinoya Fuji 星のや富士

- End of Day 3 -

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Day 2 Shosenkyo 昇仙峡, Kofu-shi 甲府市

Day 2: 13.10.2018 (Sat)
* Day 2/3 Tokyo Wide Pass

Breakfast: Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2


Visited Maizuru Jo Koen 舞鶴城公園.

Kofu Eki Minami Guchi / South Exit Bus Stop 4 甲府駅南口 (0730 hrs) > Shosenkyo Guchi 昇仙峡口 (0759 hrs)
by Yamanashi Kotsu Bus 山梨交通バス. [590 yen]


Visited Shosenkyo 昇仙峡.
http://www.shosenkyo-kankoukyokai.com/

Lunch: Bashi Honya 橋本屋

Shosenkyo Taki ue 昇仙峡滝上 (1332 hrs) > Kofu Eki Minami Guchi / South Exit 甲府駅南口 (1421 hrs)
🚍 by Yamanashi Kotsu Bus 山梨交通バス. [900 yen]

Kofu Eki Kita Guchi Bus Stop 2 甲府駅北口 (1500 hrs) > Takeda Jinja 武田神社 (1508 hrs)
🚍 by Yamanashi Kotsu Bus 山梨交通バス. [170 yen]


Visited Takeda Jinja 武田神社.
http://www.takedajinja.or.jp/

Takeda Jinja 武田神社 (1600 hrs) > Kofu Eki Kita Guchi / North Exit 甲府駅北口 (1608 hrs)
🚍 by Yamanashi Kotsu Bus 山梨交通バス. [170 yen]

Kofu Eki Minami Guchi / South Exit Bus Stop 2 甲府駅南口 (1615 hrs) > Aeon Mall Kofu Showa イオンモール甲府昭和 (1645 hrs)
🚍 by Shuttle Bus シャトルバス. [210 yen]

Visited Aeon Mall Kofu Showa イオンモール甲府昭和.
http://kofushowa-aeonmall.com/

Dinner: Aeon Mall Kofu Showa イオンモール甲府昭和

Aeon Mall Kofu Showa イオンモール甲府昭和 (1930 hrs) > Kofu Eki Minami Guchi / South Exit 甲府駅南口 (2000 hrs)
🚍 by Shuttle Bus シャトルバス. [210 yen]

- End of Day 2 -

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Day 1 Kofu-shi 甲府市

Prelude: 

This is my 13th visit to Japan and I decided to explore Yamanashi Prefecture, which is just adjacent to Tokyo. This was a trip dedicated to Fuji-san, a symbol analogous to Japan. Fuji-san spans across two prefectures - Yamanashi on the northern side and Shizuoka on the southern side. In Nov 2017, the images of Fuji-san captured during my expedition in Shizuoka Prefecture already blew me away. At that point of time, I made a mental note to visit the areas around Fuji-san on subsequent trip to Japan, to witness this breathtaking view all over again. Though weather was not at its best during my one week long stay in Yamanashi - cloudy and intermittent rain, there were a few precious moments when the majestic mountain stood out valiantly amongst the dispersing clouds.

Kofu-shi (甲府市), the capital city of Yamanashi Prefecture, was the focal point of my entire trip.
For the first half of my trip, we travelled westwards from Kofu to Fuji Yoshida-shi (富士吉田市) and Kawaguchiko-cho (河口湖町) where the famous Fuji five lakes, such as Kawaguchi-ko (河口湖) and Yamanaka-ko (山中湖), are located in.
In the second half, we made a stop in Koshu-shi (甲州市) to savour the best grapes in Katsunuma (勝沼) and commuted eastwards to Kiyosato highlands (清里高原) in Hokuto-shi (北杜市). Here, a completely different view awaits as the magnificent Yatsugatake mountain range (八ヶ岳連峰) can be seen clearly.

======

Day 1: 12.10.2018 (Fri)
* Day 1/3 Tokyo Wide Pass

SGP T2 (0035 hrs) > NRT T1 成田空港 (0845 hrs)
by NH 804.

Purchased Tokyo Wide Pass. [10,000 yen]
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/

NRT (0945 hrs) > Shinjuku JR 新宿駅 (1110 hrs)
🚆 by Narita Express 成田エクスプレス 10.
* Train delayed, reached Shinjuku at 1130 hrs


Shinjuku JR 新宿駅 (1110 hrs) > Kofu JR 甲府駅 (1328 hrs)
🚆 by Azusa あずさ 15 via JR Chuo line 中央線.

🏨 Check in: Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2
https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/search/detail/00132/

Kofu JR 甲府駅 > Sakaori JR 酒折駅
🚆 by local train.


Visited Kai Zenkoji 甲斐善光寺.
http://www.kai-zenkoji.or.jp/

Sakaori JR 酒折駅 > Kofu JR 甲府駅
🚆 by local train.


Break: D&Department Yamanashi
https://www.d-department.com/ext/shop/yamanashi.html


Visited Koshu Yume Koji 甲州夢小路.
http://koshuyumekouji.com/en/about/


Dinner: Hoto ほうとう at Kosaku Kofu Ekimae 小作甲府駅前店
http://www.kosaku.co.jp/tenpo-kofuekimae.html

- End of Day 1 -