Hiking to Yonako great falls in Nagano, Japan

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Catching Thunderbird Express from Kyoto to Kanazawa

The train station at Kanazawa was nice and modern and had recently added a Shinkansen line (Bullet train).

Arriving at the nice modern train station of Kanazawa

Unfortunately it was raining in Kanazawa which limited our opportunities to have a look around.

Exploring Kanazawa in the rain

The hotel was a bit larger and more comfortable than your average business style hotel.

We decided on choosing a Yakiniku restaurant close by because of the weather.

The Yakiniku restaurant offered all you can eat course (tabehoudai). We decided on the 1980 yen course and it was with the price!
Beer was also reasonable price and Nige decided on the trying a dai nama for his second beer and showed the difference in size between a chou nama (medium beer) and dai nama (large beer).

Having all you can eat barbecue (tabehoudai) and drinking chu & dai nama. (medium & large beer)

Small streets in Kanazawa were are authentic Edo style and are very beautiful to walk around.

We made a note to visit Kanazawa again to spend more time to proper explore and experience what Kanazawa has to offer.

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Superb view from the Rainbow Bridge

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Starting the walking tour on the Rainbow Bridge. You can take Yurikakome line from Shiodome station near Shimbashi station.

Getting off the ‘Shibaura-Futo’ (Shibaura peer) Station on Yurikamome line, a map was there
 

Normally people catch train to cross over the rainbow bridge though we took the opportunity to walk across the bridge. It takes about 30-40 mins to walk. You can see great views of Tokyo metro and Tokyo bay, as well as good excuse to get some excercise
 

Looking up the Rainbow Bridge
 

Tokyo Bay view from the Rainbow Bridge
 

Took the photo of ourselves in the centre point of the bridge
 

View of the bridge and the Tokyo town
 

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We went out to a Karaoke party with her sisters colleagues and friends. There was a Karaoke room in Izakaya they also went to another Karaoke room which serves wide range of drinks and food.

The last time they went to Karaoke was a few years ago in Japan, it had been a long time.

Everyone had a great time singing, eating and drinking.

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High levels of radiation is still being detected though the government keeps repeating that it’s safe.

June as a Japanese, she can’t tolerate the government treatment for the victims. She expressed the anger by attending the parade. Nige beging June’s husband was obligated to attend the March with June.

The Kawagoe parade was not that big but in Tokyo hundred thousands of people have been attending.

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We then went back to Kawagoe Saitama prefecture where we were staying at June’s sister’s home.

On this particular day, it was June’s nieces birthday so everyone went to a local yakiniku char grilled barbecue restaurant. This Yakiniku restaurant uses charcoal and you can enjoy table cooking char-grilled BBQ. The meat is of a high quality and we all enjoyed the food and ambience.

Nige took some ukon just to ensure he did not wake up with a hangover.

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We walked around a town in Kawagoe city in Saitama prefecture. The street has a view of old warehouse like as in the Edo period (1800s Tokyo). It was fun to see the old town with the ancient atmosphere. We then had Japanese green tea mochi (rice cake) desert and green tea soft ice cream, it was yummy!

It’s worth a visit Kawagoe, if you have longer holiday in Tokyo. It’s about 1 hour away from metro Tokyo. Walkable from JR Kawagoe station.

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We walked around Oisezuka park in Kawagoe, Saitama prefecture. Cherry blossom trees made a tunnel along the street. It was very beautiful.

Then we went to Yakitori (char-grill chicken skewers) Bar. They have reasonably priced food and it was nice to soak in the atmosphere in a local Japanese Yakitori bar.

We had a great day with the Hanami & Yakitori.

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We went to Ikebukuro station to buy JR pass which we had prebooked in Perth Australia. We gave the staff exchange order with some documents and was successful.

Then we had cheap Tonkotsu ramen and went to Ueno park for Hanami. We did not do proper Hanami (have any drink under the trees) but were walking under the cherry blossom and it was so beautiful.

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They visit the castle and lakes of Matsumoto Shirakabako Suwako. Matsumoto is a famous castle in the Nagano region and the lakes of Shirakaba and Suwa ice over during winter.

We passed around Shirakaba-ko or Shirakaba lake, which is still frozen and white. It was very beautiful.

Then we went near Suwa-ko or Suwa lake. We could see Suwa lake from higher point of express way. Also we could see ‘Yatsugatake’, 8 mountains in a row.

Then we went to today’s main landmark, Matsumoto castle. Matsumoto castle is one of the three Japanese treasure castle (Other two are Hikone & Himeji castle).

View of Matsumoto castle was magnificent!

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