Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Day 6 越乃 Shu Kura, Echigo Tsumari Art Field 越後妻有大地の芸術祭の里, Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢

Day 6: 21.10.2016 (Fri)
* Day 2 / 5 JR East Pass usage

Breakfast: Toyoko Inn Nagano eki Zenkoji guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口

Nagano JR 長野駅 (0932 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko JR 上越妙高駅 (0954 hrs)
by Hakutaka 553.

Joetsu Myoko JR 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1232 hrs)
by Koshino Shu*Kura 越乃 Shu*Kura.
http://www.jrniigata.co.jp/koshinoshukura/index.html

Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1259 hrs) > Matsudai まつだい駅 (1308 hrs)
by local train via Hokuhoku line ほくほく線.

http://www.hokuhoku.co.jp/

Lunch: Satoyama Shokudo 里山食堂

Visited Nobutai 農舞台. [600 yen]

http://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/artwork?musium=2/#!/

Matsudai まつだい駅 (1645 hrs) > Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 (1726 hrs)
by local train via Hokuhoku line ほくほく線.

Checked in: Hatago Isen 井仙

http://hatago-isen.jp/

Dinner: Hatago Isen 井仙

- End of Day 6 -

Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Day 5 Azumino 安曇野, Matsumoto-shi 松本市

Day 5: 20.10.2016 (Thu)

Breakfast: Sansuikan Yuwasou 山水観湯川荘

Shirahone Onsen 白骨温泉 (0920 hrs) > Sawando Shakomae さわんど車庫前 (0931 hrs)
Sawando Shakomae さわんど車庫前 (0953 hrs) > Shin Shimashima 新島々 (1053 hrs)
by bus. [1,250 yen]

Shin Shimashima 新島々駅 (1053 hrs) > Matsumoto 松本駅 (1122 hrs)
by Matsumoto Dentetsu 松本電鉄, via Kamikochi line. [700 yen]

Matsumoto JR 松本駅 (1211 hrs) > Hotaka JR 穂高駅 (1236 hrs)
by local train. [320 yen]

Lunch: Soup Curry Hanjiro スープカレーハンジロー
* Took taxi from Hotaka. [700 yen]
http://hanjiro.jp/

Visited Daio Wasabi Farm 大王わさび.
* Took taxi from Soup Curry Hanjiro. [1,400 yen]

http://www.daiowasabi.co.jp/

Daio Wasabi Farm 大王わさび > Hotaka JR 穂高駅
by taxi. [1,200 yen]

Hotaka JR 穂高駅 (1559 hrs) > Matsumoto JR 松本駅 (1626 hrs)
by local train. [320 yen]

Matsumoto Ekimae 松本駅前 (1640 hrs) > Kuranomachi Nakamachi 蔵のまち中町 (1643 hrs)
by bus. [200 yen]

Visited Nakamachi dori 中町通り and Nawate dori 縄手通り.
http://nakamachi-street.com/

Break: Okinado おきな堂
http://www.okinado1933.com/

Matsumoto JR 松本駅 (1947 hrs) > Nagano JR 長野駅 (2039 hrs)
by Ltd Express Shinano 21. [2,320 yen]

Checked in: Toyoko Inn Nagano eki Zenkoji guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口

- End of Day 5 -

Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Day 4 Matsumoto-shi 松本市, Kamikochi 上高地, Shirahone Onsen 白骨温泉

Day 4: 19.10.2016 (Wed)

Breakfast: Super Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae スーパーホテル松本駅前

Purchased 2 Day Free Passport ２デーフリーパスポート at Matsumoto Bus Terminal. [6,000 yen]

Matsumoto Bus Terminal 松本バスターミナル (0800 hrs) > Matsumoto Castle, Shiyakusho mae 松本城，市役所前
by bus. [200 yen]

Visited Matsumoto Castle 松本城. [610 yen 550 yen] *

http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/

Matsumoto Castle 松本城 > Kokubucho 国分町
by bus. [200 yen]

Visited Matsumoto City Art Museum 松本市美術館. [410 yen 310 yen] *

http://matsumoto-artmuse.jp/

Break: Cen time, Matsumoto City Art Museum

Matsumoto City Art Museum 松本市美術館 > Matsumoto Ekimae 松本駅前
by bus. [200 yen]

Matsumoto 松本駅 (1209 hrs) > Shinshimashima 新島々駅 (1239 hrs)
by Matsumoto Dentetsu 松本電鉄 via Kamikochi line. [700 yen]

Shinshimashima 新島々 (1250 hrs) > Kamikochi 上高地 (1355 hrs)
by Alpico bus, Shinshimashima ~ Kamikochi route (新島々～上高地). [1,950 yen]

http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/kamikochi/shinshimashima/

Visited Kamikochi 上高地.

Kamikochi (1545 hrs) > Shirahone Onsen (1621 hrs)
by Alpico bus, direct bus from Kamikochi to Shirahone Onsen. [1,500 yen]

http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/kamikochi/norikurakogenkamikochi/

Checked in: Sansuikan Yuwasou 山水観湯川荘

http://www.sansuikan-yu.com/

Dinner: Sansuikan Yuwasou 山水観湯川荘

- End of Day 4 -

* Discount with Kamikochi/Norikura 2 Days Free Pass

Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Day 3 Azumino 安曇野, Hakuba 白馬, Happo 八方池

Day 3: 18.10.2016 (Tue)

Breakfast spread served at Kai Matsumoto.

Breakfast: Kai Matsumoto 界松本

Asama Onsen Hot Plaza 浅間温泉ホットプラザ (0818 hrs) > Matsumoto Ekimae 松本駅前 (0843 hrs)
by bus. [360 yen]

Super Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae.

Checked in: Super Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae スーパーホテル松本駅前
http://www.superhotel.co.jp/s_hotels/matumoto/matumoto.html

Matsumoto JR 松本駅 (0922 hrs) > Hotaka JR 穂高駅 (0952 hrs)
by local train. [320 yen]

Hotaka Shrine.

Visited Hotaka Shrine 穂高神社.
http://www.hotakajinja.com/

Hotaka JR 穂高駅 (1045 hrs) > Hakuba JR 白馬駅 (1128 hrs)
by Ltd Exp Azusa 3. [1,590 yen]

Hakuba Ekimae 白馬駅前 > Happo Eki八方駅
by taxi. [1,200 yen]

On board Gondola Lift to Usagidaira.

Purchased Happo Alpen Line Round Trip Ticket. [2,900 yen]
Happo Eki 八方駅 > Usagidaira 兎平 by Gondola Lift "Adam".
Usagidaira 兎平 > Kurobishidaira 黒菱平 by Alpen Quad Lift.
Kurobishidaira 黒菱平 > Happo ike Sansou 八方池山荘 by Grat Quad Lift.

Happo ike.

Visited Happo ike八方池.
Walk from Happo ike Sansou to Happo ike took about 90 mins. 

http://www.hakuba-happo.or.jp/

Happo ike Sansou 八方池山荘 > Kurobishidaira 黒菱平 > Usagidaira 兎平 > Happo Eki 八方駅

Happo Eki 八方駅 > Hakuba Ekimae 白馬駅前
by taxi. [1,200 yen]

Hakuba JR 白馬駅 (1639 hrs) > Shinano Omachi JR 信濃大町駅 > Matsumoto JR 松本駅 (1811 hrs)
by local train. [1,140 yen]

Affordable grilled pork rice bowl (たっぷりネギ塩丼) at Matsuya.

Dinner: Matsuya 松屋

Shopping at Ario アリオ. [17.05.2020 Update: Replaced by Alpico Plaza]

- End of Day 3 -

Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Day 2 Snow Monkey Park 地獄谷野猿公苑, Obuse 小布施, Asama Onsen 浅間温泉

Day 2: 17.10.2016 (Mon)

Breakfast: Toyoko Inn Nagano eki Zenkoji guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口

Purchased Nagaden 1 Day Free Pass at Nagaden Nagano Station. [1,860 yen]

Nagano 長野駅 (0751 hrs) > Shinshu Nakano 信州中野駅 (0842 hrs)
Shinshu Nakano 信州中野駅 (0850 hrs) > Yudanaka 湯田中駅 (0905 hrs)
by Nagaden 長野電鉄.

Yudanaka Ekimae 湯田中駅前 (0936 hrs) > Kanbayashi Onsen 上林温泉 (0951 hrs)
by Nagaden bus 長電バス. [310 yen]

Visited Snow Monkey Park / Jigokudani Yaen Koen 地獄谷野猿公苑. [500 yen]
Walk from the bus stop to Snow Monkey Park took about 40 mins.

http://jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/

Kanbayashi Onsen 上林温泉 (1216 hrs) > Yudanaka Ekimae 湯田中駅前 (1231 hrs)
by Nagaden bus 長電バス. [310 yen]

Yudanaka 湯田中駅 > Obuse 小布施駅
by Nagaden 長野電鉄 [Topped up 100 yen to take express/rapid service]

Lunch: Yoritsuki Ryori Kurabu 寄り付き料理 蔵部
https://www.obusekurabu.com/

Had chestnut flavoured ice-cream from Obusedo 小布施堂.

Obusedo 小布施駅 (1551 hrs) > Nagano 長野駅 (1616 hrs)
by Nagaden 長野電鉄. [Topped up 100 yen to take express/rapid service]

Nagano JR 長野駅 (1700 hrs) > Matsumoto JR 松本駅 (1750 hrs)
by Ltd Express Shinano 22. [2,320 yen]

Matsumoto Ekimae 松本駅前 > Kai Matsumoto 界松本
by taxi. [2,200 yen]

Checked in: Kai Matsumoto 界松本

http://kai-ryokan.jp/matsumoto/?_ga=1.1761010.233909324.1471775905

Dinner: Kai Matsumoto 界松本

- End of Day 2 -

Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Day 1 Zenkoji 善光寺, Nagano-shi 長野市

Day 1: 16.10.2016 (Sun)
* Day 1 / 5 JR East Pass usage

SIN T1 (0150 hrs) > HND Int (0950 hrs)
by JL038.

Exchanged JR EAST Pass (Nagano, Niigata area) at JR counter in Haneda International Airport.
Purchased pass prior to this trip. [17,000 yen]

HND Int > Hamamatsucho JR 浜松町駅 > Tokyo JR 東京駅
by Tokyo Monorail and Yamamote line.

Lunch: Bought ekiben at Tokyo JR Station

Tokyo JR 東京駅 (1204 hrs) > Nagano JR 長野駅 (1353 hrs)
by Asama 609, via Hokuriku Shinkansen line.

Checked in: Toyoko Inn Nagano eki Zenkoji guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口

Nagano Ekimae 長野駅前 > Zenkoji 善光寺
by bus. [150 yen]

Visited Zenkoji 善光寺. [500 yen for admission to okaidan meguri お戒壇巡り]
http://www.zenkoji.jp/

Dessert: Yawataya Isogorou Honten Yokomachi Cafe 八幡屋礒五郎本店 横町カフェ

http://yawataya.co.jp/yokomachi-cafe/

Dinner: Komatsuya こまつや

http://www.komatu-ya.com/index.php

Zenkoji 善光寺 > Nagano Ekimae 長野駅前
by bus. [150 yen]

- End of Day 1 -

Shikoku Autumn 2014 四国秋季之旅 - Kochi Ryoma Airport 高知龍馬空港

Kochi Ryoma Airport (KCZ), is located about 30 minutes away by bus from Kochi JR Station.

There are about 10 round trips per day, operated by ANA and JAL, commuting between Haneda Airport and Kochi Ryoma Airport. Duration of flight is approx 1 hr 20 mins - 1 hr 30 mins. At this point of time, Kochi Ryoma Airport only serves domestic flights from Tokyo, Osaka (Itami Airport 伊丹空港), Fuokuoka and Nagoya. For my trip, I took the evening flight from Kochi Ryoma Airport to Haneda Domestic Airport and transferred to the international route back to Singapore. 

Domestic terminals are typically much smaller in scale, equipped with a handful of restaurants and shops. Arrived at the airport earlier to make last minute purchase of locally made souvenirs (in fact, I bought a box full of goodies!) before checking in. Foreigners are entitled to duty free shopping for total purchase of more than 5,000 yen (before tax is included).

Do you know? Domestic airports are found all over Japan; and some of them have been given another name/re-named to include names of attractions or people that are unique to that particular area which the airport resides in. Just to list a few which I am aware of:

• Kochi Ryoma Airport is named after the legendary figure, Sakamoto Ryoma (坂本龍馬). Born in Kochi in 1836, he made great contributions to the rapid modernisation of Japan which marked the end of 700 years of feudal government.
• Tokushima Awa Odori Airport (徳島阿波おどり空港) is named after the well known traditional dance, Awa Odori, which is celebrated every year in the month of August.
• Kumamoto Airport in Kyushu is also known as Aso Kumamoto Airport (阿蘇くまもと空港). Kumamoto is where Mt Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan, is found. 
• Yonago Kitaro Airport (米子鬼太郎空港) in Chugoku is named after the famous character, Kitaro, from the manga series GeGeGe no Kitaro (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎). This airport is located near to Sakaiminato city, where Mizuki Shigeru, the creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, grew up in. 
• Tottori Airport in Chugoku is also known as Tottori Sakyu Conan Airport (鳥取砂丘コナン空港). Tottori has the largest sand dunes in Japan and is where Gosho Aoyama, the creator of the famous manga series Detective Conan, was born.

How to get there? 

(1) Airport Limousine Bus 空港連絡バス
Bus frequency is excellent with a bus service operated every half hourly interval.
- At Kochi Eki Bus Terminal 高知駅バスターミナル, board the bus at platform 6. Bus also picks up passengers at Hasuike machi dori 蓮池町通 and Harimayabashi はりまや橋. Stayed at 7 Days Hotel during my trip and the nearest bus stop to board the airport limousine bus was at Hasuike machi dori 蓮池町通.
- Takes about 30 minutes by bus from Kochi JR Station and cost 720 yen.

Website (in Japanese): http://www.tosaden.co.jp/bus/airport.php

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Kochi Ryoma Airport 高知龍馬空港
〒783-0096 高知県南国市久枝乙58番地
http://www.kochiap.co.jp/en/

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Commemorative stamps: