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The Windchimes at Kawagoe Hikawa ShrineWithin 15 minutes walk from the Kawagoe warehouse district/shopping street "Ichibangai", the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is located by the Shingashi River (another spot famous for their cherry blossoms during Spring).
It is said that the origin of the temple was established approximately 1,500 years ago, and has been a guardian shrine of the Kawagoe Castle since its construction in 1457.
The gods at the shrine help people to establish/maintain good relationships.,The shrine is famous for its arcade of all the Ema they have and, especially during summer, for their display of windchimes. There are over 2,000 windchimes displayed during the season (Jul 6 - Sep 8 for 2019)., この投稿をInstagramで見る ·˖✶ *⑅୨୧┈┈┈┈୨୧⑅* . . こんにちは😊 . . 縁結びの神様 人気の川越氷川神社へ お盆休みに行ってきました⛩ 縁結び風鈴の期間中 素敵な御朱印も頂けて よかったです🎐 . . 日々素晴らしい縁に 結ばれますように🙏 . . お盆が終わると 夏も終わりかなと感じますね。 皆様、今年の夏は 楽しめたでしょうか？ . . 残りの8月 楽しい夏を満喫して 下さいね*⋆ฺ࿐♡ . . ᴸᴼᶜᴬᵀᴵᴼᴺ : ᴷᴬᵂᴬᴳᴼᴱ ᴴᴵᴷᴬᵂᴬ ˢᴴᴿᴵᴺᴱ 🎐 ✎︎＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ . . #川越氷川神社 #縁結び風鈴 #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #ファインダー越しの私の世界 #IG_PHOS #team_jp_ #japan_of_insta #art_of_japan_ #love_bestjapan #pt_life_ #IGersJP #whim_life #tokyocameraclub #visitjapanjp #hubsplanet #japan_vacations #nipponpic #photo_travelers #ap_japan_ #wu_japan #bestphoto_japan #special_spot_legend #jalan_travel #jalan_natsu2019 #japan_daytime_view #kpc_2019_夏 #team_jp_夏色2019 #reco_ig #otonatabi_japan #土曜日の小旅行 ℕ𝕠𝕖𝕝 🥀 ⋆*さん(@lovelynoel283)がシェアした投稿 - 2019年 8月月18日午後8時05分PDT , この投稿をInstagramで見る 𓏸𓈒𓂂𓆸 . おはようございます。 . 今週はスッキリしない天気が続きそうですね(._.) 夏ももうそろそろ終わりなのかな😞 . 今週も1週間がんばりましょ〜🌱 . . location：川越氷川神社 . #art_of_japan_ #nature_special_ #photo_jpn #nikond750 #team_jp_ #pt_life_ #instapic #instalike #instagood #lovers_nippon #photography #bestphoto_japan #whim_life #photography #tokyocameraculb #photo_shorttrip #japan_of_insta #japan_photo_now #ファインダー越しの私の世界 #写真で伝えたい私の世界 #カメラ好きな人と繋がりたい #写真撮ってる人と繋がりたい #写真部 #キリトリセカイ #ボケフォトファン #オールドレンズ #お写んぽ #風景 #夏の思い出 #縁結び風鈴 #川越氷川神社 mei*さん(@mei38_photo)がシェアした投稿 - 2019年 8月月18日午後4時13分PDT , この投稿をInstagramで見る 20時現在、川越は24℃。風もあり半袖だと肌寒さを感じます。次の週末までには梅雨も明け、夏らしくなるのでしょうか。 #川越氷川神社 #縁むすび風鈴 #護国神社 #竹鞠風鈴 #川越 #kawagoe #kawagoehikawashrine #shrine #nightphotography 写真奉納 @mewphotograph 様 川越氷川神社さん(@kawagoe_hikawa)がシェアした投稿 - 2019年 7月月21日午前4時13分PDT , この投稿をInstagramで見る 20時現在、川越は24℃。風もあり半袖だと肌寒さを感じます。次の週末までには梅雨も明け、夏らしくなるのでしょうか。 #川越氷川神社 #縁むすび風鈴 #護国神社 #竹鞠風鈴 #川越 #kawagoe #kawagoehikawashrine #shrine #nightphotography 写真奉納 @mewphotograph 様 川越氷川神社さん(@kawagoe_hikawa)がシェアした投稿 - 2019年 7月月21日午前4時13分PDT ,The shrine lights up for a romantic, dream-like atmosphere.
, この投稿をInstagramで見る 氷川の杜から 想いをはこぶ、鈴の音 お盆休みに花火大会、神社はたいへんな賑わいでした。今日からは少しゆっくりと、風鈴の清らかな音を楽しむことができるかもしれません。 #川越氷川神社 #縁むすび風鈴 #江戸風鈴 #光る川 #川越 #小江戸川越 #kawagoe 川越氷川神社さん(@kawagoe_hikawa)がシェアした投稿 - 2019年 8月月18日午後8時10分PDT ,Feel the summer at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and prayer for a good relationship with your loved ones.
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Take a look at what other people saw at this shrine.#kanto#tour#kawagoe - N
Saitama's Magnificent Menuma Shodenzan Kangiin Temple (妻沼聖天山歓喜院)The Menuma Shodenzan Kangiin Temple is an official national treasure of Japan, thanks to the glorious carvings and lacquer gracing its walls, and you'll find it just a short distance from the Rugby World Cup's Kumagaya Stadium.#kanto#tour#temple 
Another Japanese tradition: KonyokuKonyoku【混浴：こんよく】 is another weird Japanese culture. The meaning is to bathe without separating male and female baths. Of course, some places allow you to wear towels or swimmers depending on where you go.
We will take you through this Konyoku culture.,Well, we've been through a few Konyoku onsens, did you find one that you like?
Interested in other onsens as well? Check out our other articles related to onsens and public baths.
Sento vs Onsen: the different types of baths in Japan
Dogo Onsen, one of the oldest baths, also known in Spirited Away, in Ehime prefecture.
Hope you liked this article. Share your thoughts and stories with us.
Stay tuned for new original articles every day at JAPAN KURU.
Feel free to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram for more Japanese stories!
Also, we have a channel for the behind the scene videos at JKURU STUDIOS!#chubu#tour#onsen
Five Things You Can Do Indoors in TokyoAn escape game located in Shinjuku, only a few minutes away from that famous robot restaurant (just a little note, you still can use the coupon in the link, so don't forget to use it if you are going).
This escape game gives you that feeling that you are in a live-action film. Not like the other ones where you sit in a room, you actually get to move around solving different missions.
It's also nice that they offer English as well.
Here's a coupon that you can use for InSPYre as well.,In this game, "Black Max" are the villains and you are the spy sneaking into their base. You will have 10 minutes to complete the mission and to escape from their base. You will be using your brain as well as testing your physical abilities!
At some point, you will have to go through lines of lasers like you see in the movies.,If you purchase their night pass, you will be able to play from 11:30pm until 4:30am. Just keep in mind that under 18 won't be able to enter during this time period.
They also have food court on-site in case you get hungry in between your games.
Enjoy being a spy in the middle of Tokyo!,This maid cafe, Akiba Zettai Ryoiki will not disappoint you with four differently themed cafes all across Akihabara.
Their kind of Kawaii is not only for guys, their cafes are open to anyone who likes maids and Kawaii.,Maid cafes are definitely unique to Japan and interesting.,Try the menu options that are marked "LIVE", for live performance when you order your food.
Ever been to a maid cafe? we definitely recommend this cafe in Akihabara.
Become a Goshujinsama in Akihabara's maid Cafe,This natural hot spring is located right next to the Toshimaen theme park.,In general, the male and female baths are separated, but there is an area called the "Bade Zone", which meets right in between the male and female baths. In this area, swimmers are to be worn while bathing.
There are also outdoor spas to enjoy.,They also have restaurants within, and they also have draft beer as well.
How nice is that!?
Highly recommend this place.
A Japanese Onsen within Tokyo,The hottest place to go in Tokyo with never-ending digital art.
Located in Odaiba palette town, this teamLab borderless, using 520 computers and 470 projectors within the 10,000 square meters of land.,It's most likely that you will be lining up for the tickets to buy on the day, we recommend you to purchase them through their official website prior to your arrival.
They've got paid storage space for your belongings so you can go in light.,With visuals and audio constantly changing, even a room will keep you entertained for a while.
Experience it for yourself!,The Pokemon Centre! If you are a fan of Pokemon, this should be on your must-go checklist.
Yes, there is a Pokemon Centre in Ikebukuro and near the Skytree, however, this is the oldest Pokemon Centre and has a cafe right next to it.,Yes, they do have a lot of Pokemon character related souvenirs.
Seems like there's a lot of Eevee and Pikachu goods more than anything!,Feeling tired and hungry from all the shopping?
Try the Pikachu carbonara. It's just so~ cute!
Look at the design of the dish!,↓↓Keep up to date with our Instagram account↓↓, この投稿をInstagramで見る I'm already ready for tomorrow's breakfast.⠀ ‾_(ツ)_/‾⠀ •⠀ #japankuru #ishikawa #japanesefood #bento #이시가와 #일본조식 #일식 #일본아침식사 #日式料理 #早餐 #日本 #美食 #japantrip #japanlife #explorejapan #visitjapanjp #travelislife #roamtheplanet #Japan #日本 #Japon #일본 #япония #Japón #Japão #ญี่ปุ่น Japanese Stories🇯🇵さん(@japankuru)がシェアした投稿 - 2019年 5月月26日午前8時02分PDT ,Hope you like this article. Share your thoughts and stories with us.
Stay tuned for new original articles every day at JAPAN KURU.
Feel free to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram for more Japanese stories!
Also, we have a channel for the behind the scene videos at JKURU STUDIOS!#tokyo#tour#maid cafe
Tips and Tricks for Driving Around Japan: Everything You Need to Know to Explore the RoadsEver wanted to explore northern Japan? Been looking to get yourself a little pleasantly lost, and just enjoy all the small towns scattered around the Japanese countryside? If you're traveling all the way to Japan, getting stuck in just one or two cities is a shame. That's why renting a car has become an increasingly popular way to get around the country. The freedom it brings is great for everyone from large families with lots of bags, to solo travelers mulling over their options thinking "maybe tomorrow I'll head to Iwate..."
But setting out onto the highways of a new country can be a little intimidating. You're not exactly familiar with this new network of roads, and you have to navigate the tolls. That's why we like to take advantage of a handy little website called DoRaPuRa (Drive Plaza). It has all the information you need, all in English. So let us show you all the tools available to make your trip through Japan super easy, and some of the nicest places to drive!,When you start exploring a new system of highways, you're bound to be a little unsure about routes and tolls. But it's all pretty easy if you just figure it out a little in advance, which is why we recommend checking DoRaPuRa beforehand.
Type in your destination, and the DoRaPuRa route and toll search will give you the details you need to know, all in seconds. You'll be ready to go in no time.,The fees you pay normally just to get on Japan's expressways can be a little crazy. If you're going to dish out 12,970 yen just to go from Tokyo to Kanazawa (564 km, 350 miles), after traveling the country it adds up to more than the price of plane tickets. Don't let that get in the way of your road trip, though! The solution to this problem is to take advantage of the JEP, or Japan Expressway Pass.,It's a must-have for your drive through the islands of Japan, so take a second to check out the official details. All the rules and regulations, plus the benefits and usage options, are laid out in clear English.
,How to Get Yourself a JEP
① Check in with car rental companies that handle the JEP; there's a list on the official webpage. You can't always return your JEP-system rental car to every single location, so a quick double-check beforehand is a good idea.
② Reserve your car and ETC card (electronic toll collection card). Ask the rental car dealer for information on all the rentals available! (The JEP can only be used with "ordinary vehicles," though, so only regular-sized passenger vehicles.) The ETC cards are simple and easy to use, as you can see here.
③ Simply complete your JEP application the day you rent the car! The whole system and agreement is easily explained at the same time as you get your new rental vehicle. You can also pay in advance, making the whole process a breeze.
④ Pick up your car and ETC card.
⑤ ... and go! Enjoy Japan, and all it has to offer! Feel the freedom of the open roads!
⑥ When you're all done, return your car and ETC card. If you did decide to take one of the handful of roads that aren't covered by the pass, this is when you pay any additional toll fees, making it a smooth process.
,In Japan they tend to use a couple different borrowed English terms to describe rest stops, namely PA (parking areas) and SA (service areas, where you can fill up your tank as well). Both areas share some of the qualities you'd expect from a rest stop anywhere else: places to park, get out of the car, take a break. But they're also much nicer than you might expect from a roadside "parking area," with pretty good restaurants, interesting shops, and fun local souvenirs for sale. Some of them are just on another level, becoming attractions in and of themselves.
In fact, these PAs and SAs can be so impressive, there are even drivers who plan their trips around the rest areas themselves. With all the fun attractions, shops, and tasty treats, the variety of stops around Japan make for an interesting tour. DoRaPuRa has a search function that lets you find rest stops on every expressway in Japan, so you can see if there are any must-see PA/SA attractions on your route, or just check for convenient places to take a break.,Starting from the Tokyo airports, it's easy to hop in a rental car and get yourself anywhere in Japan. Find a region that sparks your interest, and you're ready to go! This time around, we're going to recommend you drive through central Japan, and make your way towards Tohoku, just a few hours away from Tokyo.
The Tohoku region is an area in the northern part of Japan, made up of six prefectures (Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata). Most of northern Japan tends to be a little more rural than, say, the Tokyo area. This means there's lots of really beautiful scenic areas, making it great to relax and recharge your batteries. While you drive along the expressways and towards this northern region, get ready to admire coastal views and rivers, Japan's ubiquitous mountains, and pastoral scenes of farms and rice paddies. If you want to really feel any fatigue or built-up stress float away, stop in at one of the many natural hot springs you'll find scattered across the area, and let the onsen water soak away your aches and pains. On top of all that, with easy access to so many natural resources in the countryside on the way north, and in Tohoku itself, the food is always fresh and delicious; try some of the local seafood!
It's such a lovely area, we've written about Tohoku plenty of times before.
If you want some quick ideas to get you started planning your expressway road trip, we've collected a few of our favorite destinations to stop in at. Our itinerary includes five of the Tohoku prefectures, plus a few surrounding regions (Nagano & Yamanashi) you might find yourself in as you ride the highways. See which places interest you, and customize your own fabulous trip! Then grab your rental car, your ETC card, your Japan Expressway Pass, and let's get going!,We've talked about Tochigi's 16 most entertaining destinations before; it's an area of Japan that just doesn't get enough attention! Most travelers leave it off their itinerary, in favor of a few extra days in Tokyo, but we don't think that's fair. People are missing out! So it's a perfect place to stop in when you've got a convenient car to take you right over.,Tohoku offers travelers great opportunities to see the four seasons that Japan is so proud of. Drive to Fukushima to see some of Japan's top-ranking views of autumn foliage and winter wonderlands, and a glimpse of the Tadami Line train winding its way through the scenery.
There's even a local Tadami natural mineral water well for you to fill up your bottles with the highest quality mineral water. Slowly sip and savor the flavor as you roll through the mountains.,Miyagi Prefecture has one of Japan's top mountains, Mt. Zao. One of the reasons for its popularity is the impressive lake formed from a volcanic crater, "Okama" (御釜, literally just a word for volcanic crater). The lake's water reflects different colors depending on the angle of the sun, making it a beautiful and unique experience whatever time of year or day you arrive.,For the dramatic view you see below, look no further than Tendo in Yamagata Prefecture. Towards the end of October, the leaves start to turn red, and sometimes frost over, making them glitter in the sunlight. If you're traveling with a romantic partner, make sure to stop in at Wakamatsu-ji Temple. The nearby temple is known for blessing visitors with good luck in their romantic ventures, making it an ideal visit for couples.,Akita's Lake Tazawa is a popular destination if you're looking for a lake resort, with the area surrounded by both hot springs and ski runs. Rising from the lake itself, though, is the Tatsuko Statue, which glitters in the light reflecting up from the water. Take a boat out to see this mythical beauty up close: Tatsuko apparently asked the gods to keep her beautiful forever, and she was instead cursed to be a dragon in Lake Tazawa. Perhaps she's still in there... and pretty annoyed about the statue mocking her from above.,Once you've had enough of the lake's fresh water, turn yourself towards the coast!
The disciples of Shakyamuni are carved into the rocks along the seashore, as the Jurokurakaniwa (十六羅漢岩). They're named quite literally, as the 16 rocks of enlightened disciples.
Let the peaceful Buddhist figures lend you some of their wisdom, and enjoy the uniquely Japanese atmosphere.,Koiwai Farm in Iwate is a really great destination for family trips. The private farm has cattle and sheep, in addition to horses for you to ride. If your little ones have never been on a horse before, introduce them to a new experience they'll love! Plus, the farm has some other cool activities available: you can give milking a cow a try, or butter-making with all the fresh milk.
If you're more of a gourmet, enjoy a sweet treat while you're there. The farm makes super-fresh and deliciously sweet desserts from all the dairy they produce.,As the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, you know Nagano has to be an excellent destination for winter travelers in Japan. The many snow-laced mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for Hakuba's many high-quality ski runs, and with snow on the mountains 365 days a year, lots of ski-enthusiasts end up staying for over a week. It also means that you can admire the beautiful snowy view even when the weather starts to warm up.,Driving into Yamanashi Prefecture, it's hard to miss Mt. Fuji, towering above everything. But miss the chance to check it out and you'll regret it! If you want to actually climb to the top, you can do it from June to September every year.
If you make it to the area from mid-April to the end of May, though, don't miss the Fuji Shibasakura Festival! These pink "sakura" blooms spread across the festival grounds, a wide garden in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, in numbers reaching 80,000 every year.,Are you ready to hit the road? If you're going on a road trip up to northern Japan, these are the places we recommend, but the great thing about using a rental car with an expressway pass is that it gives you the freedom to go wherever you want!
We've already seen how Japan's expressway tolls can add up if you don't prepare in advance, but also how easy it is to get ready for your trip and avoid all the pitfalls of driving in Japan. You don't have to struggle through confusing pages in Japanese or badly computer-translated English to find your way around! Before you start your engine, take a quick moment to plan your trip using everything DoRaPuRa has to offer, and you'll be ready to go in no time.
Some more road trip itineraries for your consideration:
- Kyushu! Sightsee in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto.
- Explore some of the lesser-known attractions of Kansai.
- Enjoy the natural beauty and excellent udon of Shikoku.
Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!
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#tohoku#tour#fuji
Shinjuku Travel Guide: places to eat, shop, sleep, and have fun!Away from the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku, the calm atmosphere and Japanese-style interiors found in this upper-floor restaurant are a refreshing change. Sit down, relax, and try some fresh seafood, prepared in a variety of Japanese styles. The crab-meat hot pot and the sushi are some of the most widely recommended items on the menu. Kani Doraku's popularity has helped it spread to locations across the country, but the fantastic interior design of the main Shinjuku location makes it a great place to check out the hype.,
A nice shirt might not seem like an obvious souvenir from Japan, but that’s what makes it a fun choice. Think about it, most of the workforce of Tokyo still wear suits and dress shirts to work every day, so it’s just the place to class up your wardrobe. Thanks to the formal office dress codes, companies like Tokyo Shirts have tackled all kinds of common issues, and nice shirts have basically evolved to a higher level in Japan. They’ve come up with some pretty ingenious methods to keep the garments comfortable to wear in all kinds of weather, and then created them in simple and uniquely Japanese designs, some of which you’re unlikely to see in the West. Really, when you think about what your mom or dad (or aunt, uncle, best friend) might want you to bring back for them from Japan, is it a sack of green tea kit-kats, or a classy shirt they can wear around town and brag to their friends about? We think the shirts at Brick House in Shinjuku are a pretty good choice, since they’re a Japanese brand with the same high quality you’d find at a department store, but at a reasonable price of about 4,900 yen each for premium cotton varieties. With 300 different designs in the store at any time, you’re bound to find a few you want to take home.,Looking for some colorful, vibrant fun? Well Shinjuku’s fairly renowned Robot Restaurant has you covered. Heard of the place, but not quite sure what to expect? It might be called a restaurant, but it’s really more of a wild show. Let us give you a taste of the experience.,If you want to see what it's like to stay in one of the most popular parts of Tokyo, we'd recommend the Daiwa Roynet Hotel, which only opened in early 2019. Between the prime location and brand new facilities, it's a pretty nice place to stay.,After reading up on Shinjuku, do you feel a little more prepared to get going? There's lots to do in the area, including plenty more places to eat and drink and take in the sights. As such a busy part of a busy city, you might never run out of things to do in Shinjuku, but we hope this article gave you a few good ideas to start with!
Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!
Or add us on Instagram and Facebook to share your pictures of Japan. 🗾#tokyo#tour#shinjuku
This Destination Comes Highly Recommended: Toyama’s Kurobe Gorge, Full of Picturesque...Kurobe City (黒部市) has found a little fame from the high walls of snow popular with visitors looking for some good instagram shots, but travelers who admire the snow and then get out of town don't even know what they're missing.
Toyama is in the Chubu Region of Japan, in the central part of Japan's main island of Honshu, with the western border taken up by the coast of the Sea of Japan. We can thank the sea, and especially Toyama Bay, for the abundant fresh seafood found around the prefecture! But the Unazuki Onsen area also provides Kurobe with gloriously steamy hot springs, bursting forth from the mountain crags. All this geological variation makes for deep ravines, and the rivers running through those are a great place to try canyoning. Take the Kurobe Gorge Railway's Torokko Train around the area to explore, and we're pretty sure you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much fun this unassuming region can be.
,The easiest way to get to Kurobe is probably via shinkansen (a.k.a. bullet train). If you're already at the Toyama airport, or somewhere else nearby, you can look into local trains and buses, but using the Hokuriku Shinkansen line most of the way will get you there in no time.,Taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
To:
Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station (黒部宇奈月温泉駅)
From:
Tokyo Station (東京駅) – 2 hours 20 minutes, 11,860 yen
Kanazawa Station (金沢駅) – 35 minutes, 4,020 yen
Toyama Station (富山駅) – 12 minutes, 2,940 yen
From the shinkansen station you have to take one more train ride to get to Unazuki Onsen proper. Cross the street to get to Shin-Kurobe Station on the Toyama Chihou Railway line, and take that for another 30 minutes or so (round trip discount ticket: 1,100 yen). The way over is quite picturesque, including the retro train itself, so enjoy the ride! You’ll eventually want to get off at Unazukionsen Station.
(Note: it’s a bit confusing, but the shinkansen station where you transfer is “Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station”, and your final destination is just “Unazukionsen Station”.),From Toyama International Airport, the easiest route is just to take the airport bus to Toyama Station, and then go the shinkansen route from there. The whole trip should cost you about 3,370 yen, although all of these prices are subject to change.,When you're spending time in a little Japanese town like this, it's the perfect opportunity to stay at a local ryokan-style traditional hotel. Ryokan are set up to help you make the most of the nearby hot springs, local gourmet specialties, and beautiful views!
Unazuki Onsen Togen Ryokan,During our visit, we lived it up by staying the night at Togen Ryokan, a ryokan set up for convenient access when touring Unazuki Onsen. Not wanting to waste any chances to enjoy Kurobe to the fullest, we took advantage of the private open-air baths available for rent, and the premium kaiseki ryori multi-course meals on offer. It was lots of fun getting to try all the local specialties in Toyama; we whole-heartedly recommend it.
If you'd like to see for yourself what Togen Ryokan is like, they have a variety of rooms available. Some come with standard beds, and others are like this Japanese-style tatami room, made for families or groups, with lots of places to sit and a great view of the river. If you're still doubting the comfort of these rooms, just know that most have fragrant tatami floors, 70% of them come equipped with state-of-the-art massage chairs, and all of them have yukata available in a few different sizes, for relaxing in around the hotel. We were certainly pretty comfortable!
Unazuki Onsen Togen Ryokan
Address: 22-1 Unazuki Onsen, Kurobe City, Toyama
Phone: 81-765-62-1131
Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
Official Website (en),Why a Ryokan? Reason #1:
Enjoy your own private hot spring bath!,Ryokans often offer what are called “kashikiri onsen” (貸切温泉), literally hot springs for rent, where you can lounge in the luxurious hot water away from the rest of the guests. If bathing with strangers still makes you nervous (although you really shouldn't worry about it in Japan), or you just want to spend some nice one-on-one time with a special someone, make sure you reserve your time slot for the kashikiri onsen as soon as possible. They're also a good option for those of us with very obvious and hard-to-conceal tattoos, since tattoos are often frowned upon (or even banned) at Japanese onsen.
Togen Ryokan has three of these private baths available to rent, all for no additional charge. The water here is mildly alkaline, which they say makes for beautiful skin post-bath! Just call the front desk to check availability, then pick up the keys and enjoy your soak.
(Available 15:00 - 22:00/7:00 - 10:00, 40 minutes at a time.),Why a Ryokan? Reason #2:
Enjoy... the public bath!,Why a Ryokan? Reason #3:
Indulge in a kaiseki multi-course meal.,Rich in clear water, fresh mountain air, and all the scenic geography to go with them, what’s the best way to explore all that Kurobe has to offer? Let us fill you in on how to check it all out.,Blessed with deep canyons and hearty rivers, Kurobe has the perfect conditions for pushing yourself to the limits. Our recommendation? Canyoning. It's an exhilarating way to explore the natural landscape.,Canyoning is something of an extreme sport, so you have to be accompanied by an expert. Canyoning tours are offered locally by J-WET Adventures, where the pros will coach you through the experience and make sure everyone has a good time. When you're not entirely confident in your abilities, they'll lend a helping hand and keep you safe! Read on to find out how to go canyoning yourself.
(Available from early June through to the end of October.),
1. Choose a tour course. (Find your options here.)
- 3 Hour Course: 13+ y.o., 10,000 yen per person.
- 6 Hour Course: 20+ y.o., 15,000 yen per person.
2. Book your tour online, or over the phone.
- From the homepage, email them with your details.
- Make phone reservations in English or Japanese.
3. Confirm your reservation completion by e-mail.
4. Meet your J-WET Adventures guides at Nakajima Ski Center.
- If you’re staying within a five or ten minute drive, they offer a shuttle service. Just ask!
5. Pay for your tour, get ready to go canyoning, and then go for it!
- Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit or clothes you don’t mind soaking through, along with a towel, and anything else they recommend.
- If you use contacts, make sure to bring a pair of goggles.
,With so much water rushing along the Kurobe River, the dam was built as a hydroelectric power plant, to take advantage of the river’s energy. Unazuki Dam took years to build, and after a while the construction workers started to settle down nearby, breathing life into the Unazuki Onsen area. You could say that the town is now there thanks to the dam!,When admiring the scenic views of Kurobe, you can't miss the local Torokko Train. It gives you access to all the spots in Kurobe that you can't even drive to, letting you see the hidden gems of the area.,1. Unazuki Station (宇奈月駅)
Before you even get on the train, there are some cool spots around Unazuki Station!
Just five minutes walk from the station is the Yamabiko Observation Deck, where you can see the orange train and red bridge gleam in the sunlight, as the train passes through some lovely natural scenery.
(If you're carrying around any suitcases or heavy luggage, there are some lockers at the train station that we recommend you use to stash your bags first thing.),2. Kuronagi Station (黒薙駅)
As we mentioned above, the Unazuki Onsen area is of course known for its onsen, or hot springs. Water reaching temperatures above 90°C (194°F) gush forth from crevices in the ground. Near Kuronagi Station, you’ll find "Kuronagi Onsen" where you can soak in the steaming water while watching the river cut its way through the natural scenery. (Near Kuronagi Station you'll also find Atobiki Bridge, which crosses Kurobe Gorge at its deepest and steepest point.),3. Kanetsuri Station (鐘釣駅)
Near Kanetsuri Station you'll find a river beach where you can dip into the running water and hang out on the sand, so it's especially worth a stop in the summer. Along the river's edge there are even spots where onsen water bubbles up, meaning you can surround one with some rocks and make yourself your own little private hot spring! (This area is just for local lodgers after 16:00.)
This station is also where you'll find the Kurobe Mannen Yuki (万年雪), or “perpetual snow" bank.,4. Keyakidaira Station (欅平駅)
Keyakidaira Station is the biggest of the stations inside the gorge, and inside the station building you can grab a bite to eat while you admire the view, and buy some souvenirs. All around the area are a number of spots with interesting views, and interesting names, making it a good place to take some fun pictures to remember the day by!,While riding the Torokko Train, you'll probably notice a little tunnel following along the tracks. The train has long been used to get places that normal vehicles can't, but that means that when winter rolls around and the train stops running, there's no form of transportation in the area at all. Unfortunately for the maintenance workers doing their jobs at the gorge's dams, that also cuts off standard deliveries of food supplies and newspapers.
During that part of the year, the delivery of necessary goods becomes the job of workers called "forwarders" (逓送さん). Even during the most relentless parts of winter, these forwarders hike through the tunnels all the way to their colleagues doing maintenance at the dams, carrying backpacks full of food and other supplies all the way there. Just one way, the trek takes about two hours! To this day, when winter comes, forwarders bring necessities on their own backs, hiking four hours round-trip. We have to say, thank you forwarders!
(The Torokko Train runs from April to November every year.),When you visit Kurobe, don't miss out on the seafood! The Kurobe region is right near Toyama Bay, where plankton is so abundant, you'll find about 500 different kinds of fish in the area! There are also some varieties of seafood you'll only find here, so you should definitely give them a taste.,⇩ How to enjoy firefly squid shabu-shabu. ⇩,Also known as "Japan’s Northern Alps", only in Toyama Prefecture will you find the Torokko Train, where you can tour the beautiful natural scenery of the gorge. It’s a place fun to travel with friends or family, a place where you’ll find views so beautiful that you never get tired of looking, delicious food made from local agricultural specialties, and dynamic activities.
If all this made you think you'd also like to enjoy Toyama to the fullest, why not try a trip to Kurobe's Unazuki Onsen?,Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!
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