Onsen, Sumo, Golf and too much Tokyo

[Noel Mugavin]

Recently returned for 2 weeks in Japan. Trip was booked and most planning done around May/June. Than a hiccup when due to new and unsociable neighbours moving in, sold up and moved after about 23 years in my humble abode. Fairly stressful time, even more so with very few housing options around, however all worked out in the end. Needless to say, very much looking forward to getting away.
Departure was just after midnight Sunday morning, Cathay Pacific, up the front.
Saturday was the dog's birthday, turned 10. She got pretty spoiled, couple of runs/walks, new toys, sausages from Bunnings and a visit to my old man.


Not so happy a little later on in the night


Flight took off on time, I slept a god 4 or 5 hours before arriving in Hong Kong.


Breakfast prior to arrival,

After arrival a visit to the Bridge for a shower and a coffee, then a wander.






Time to board and unfortunately was a regional configuration.


Lunch and the starter was amazing. Eel, octopus, fish cake and Japanese jellies. I'm not a big seafood eater, but would happily eat this any time.


Mains was a beef that was cooked medium rare.



Arrived into Narita, quickly through immigration and customs. Downstairs to the trains however is an absolute cough show. Little while to get the JR Pass, then a longer line up and wait to get the Skyliner ticket and a train that wasn't full. Haneda is so much calmer.
Into Ueno about 6.30pm, freezing cold and a 10 minute trek to the APA. Got rid of the shorts, thermals and long pants on and off I went looking for something to eat.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Was in the mood for a deep, rich, black Go go curry, Unfortunately, my sim card kept dropping out, so unable to locate a store. Eventually found a hole in the wall place, did the job.

Skyliner station, across the road from Ueno Station





Stopped at a 711 on the way back to the hotel to stock up on some hand warmers in preparation for the next days journey into Yamagata.
To the hotel and pretty much nodded off straight away.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early start, down to the front desk to get my bags forwarded to Wednesday' hotel. Breakfast included, so a quick bite before heading off to Ueno Station

Crisp, but clear morning

My favourite convenience store coffee, non-sweet latte from New Days, then into the station proper


Down into the basement floors for the shinkansen platforms

The 8.13 Tsubasa for me. Detaches from the Yamabiko at Fukushima which then heads off to Sendai, while the Tsubasa will continue on to Yamagata.



Fujisan showing itself


Eventually arrived at Yamagata Station




Only about 20 minutes here, enough time to grab a zunda shake and a quick walk around

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back inside the station and down to the shikansen platform


A quick 10 - 15 minute ride to Tendo












A small town in rural Yamagata, I had pre-conceived ideas that the station would be an old wooden shack. Very wrong.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

A new town, so off for a walk to explore and find something for lunch



Found a Gusto, healthy enough for about 800yen

Re-charged, out for an explore proper








It was around here I came across an elderly lady walking a border collie. Obviously I had to stop her and pat the dog and show her photos of mine. We had a good 10 minute broken Japanese/English discussion about dogs, Tendo weather compared to Perth weather and life in general.
Moved on

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Scoped out where the hotel was, still about 2 o'clock so an hour before check in. Was getting quite leg sore by now, so just looking for somewhere to sit and take the load off.




No coffee shops around so just went back to Gusto and pretended to look at the menu for 20 or so minutes. Eventually felt guilty and went to hang out at the hotel.
Arrived at about 2.35 and lo and behold was able to check in and get up to my room prior to the 3.00pm check in.
View from the window


Didn't stay long as had a 4.00pm meeting time for my ride to Ginzan Onsen, the reason I was in Tendo


Ginzan Onsen Tourist Authority now limits day visitors to the town, company I was with guarantees (weather dependent) entry, as well as no need to change buses. Not a fan of group visits/tours, however given my failure to make it to Ginzan Onsen the previous year due to the weather, I was keen to knock the visit off my want list. So the Tendo Days Magical Night Tour it was
Met up in the Tendo Onden Travelers Lounge, signed in, waited while group in front went through their presentation, then sat for the English version. About 12 people in the group.
Presentation went for about 20 minutes then on to the bus. Bit of a get to know, where are you from sort of thing, then we were left to sit and relax for the hour or so drive.
On the way informed it was a clear night, snow had fell or was falling and should be an optimum night for photography.
5 minutes or so short of the town, the bus was stopped, and guide informed us driver had been informed he had to put chains on the tyres. 10 minutes to do that, then on our way and soon enough, we had arrived.
Our 2 buses, and the normal bus arrived pretty much the same time, so a mass of people walking down the street toward the town. All was good, until an icy patch on a downhill I didn't see got me. Lost my feet, got some air, and an extremely hard landing on the top of my back. Fortunately didn't put my arms out to break the fall, would have broken something, and more fortunately didn't hit my head - could've been all over. Played a lot of Aussie Rules and taken a lot of hits, but never felt contact like this.
About 20 people stopped around me waiting for me to get up, I said the only thing I could - started with F, ended with K, got up and told everyone I was all right. I was really far from all right.
Group leader gathered everyone at the head of the town for last minute reminders about return times, I sort of slunk to the side and tried to take some deep breaths and take stock. Eventually able to move ahead, but o be honest, it wasn't pleasant 45 mins or so at the town. Very small and timid steps were taken, and I really didn't appreciate the town as I should have.
Despite this, got what I thought were some decent photos, and after downloading from camera and phone realized my iphone takes much better photos than my newly purchased Canon compact.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

 

[Noel Mugavin]

And some much better picture quality from my phone








We had an hour, I and everyone else it turned out returned to the bus 15 minutes early, so off we went.
Bus drops off in 2 spots, none where we left from, however the first drop off was around the corner form the hotel.
It was about 7.30 and I had the thought o walk up to Gusto and get some dinner, however I was a bit sick and sorry so gave that a miss. Hotel had an onsen, so went and had a soak trying to give myself a bit of relief.
Worked okay and able to get off to bed and fall asleep fairly quickly.