Episode 35 - Japan / Onomichi, Hiroshima & Yudanaka
JAPAN: ONOMICHI, HIROSHIMA & NAGANO
Our last days in Japan! After a few more visits to the Kyoto temples close to the train station, we left Kyoto for Onomichi by train. Daniel had read a lot of nice things about this town located 280km on the Japanese sea coast. A lot of small islands are connected by bridges and ferries to the main island and bicycle ways have been specifically set for cyclists to ride from one island to the other. And those who know Daniel, will now understand why we decided to stop in Onomichi! Eiji who had never done this part of Japan, joined us in Onomichi by car.
We met in the afternoon at the guest house and went for a walk before sunset. We climbed the numerous stairs of this sloppy city before heading to an excellent sushi & sashimi restaurant in the centre of town.
Early morning we left for the harbour to rent our bicycle and start our tour. Daniel and Eiji went for regular ones but Magali wanted to try an e-bike. Unfortunately larger bicycles equipped with electric assistance were all booked so she ended up with one with small wheels, never mind she took it. We then embarked for a quick sea crossing on one of the ferries to reach the first island. The weather was rather cloudy and windy but cycling between the mandarins fields and the Japanese sea was very interesting and nice.
We stopped many times on our way to take pictures and shot the scenery. We bought mandarins directly from the farmer! After crossing 3 bridges and a stop in a very local restaurant to have sashimi octopus which comes directly from the area, we took a boat to come back to our initial starting point. It was an excellent day and we finished it beautifully going to a public bath a few km away, to relax and have dinner on-site.
The next day we left for Hiroshima in the morning and met our host at 88hiroshima guest house. After check-in we left to visit the city centre and the monuments dedicated to the Bomb-A events. It was very informative and also very sad to understand all the suffering the people from Hiroshima endured in 1945 and many years later with the side effects of the radiations. A lot of survivors can be found in the Memorial Park and around the Museum to give their testimony.
We chose to come to Hiroshima to also visit the Miyajima island and its famous Torii. You probably already seen a view of this majestic red door and its picture reflecting in the water. We were actually impressed to find out that there is a lot to do and to see on this island. It is full of temples and pagodas and has of course a main shrine but it is also a good hiking location. We didn’t hike to the top but did take the ropeway all the way up and came down by foot (about 1,5h). The view from the very top of Mt. Misen is very rewarding with a 360 degrees view of the sea, the forests and the sacred sites. We must say we loved Miyajima a lot!
WE SPECIFICALLY ENJOY
The sushis! We became sushi and sashimi addicts to the max! We of course had them before in Switzerland and other places but sushi and sashimi in Japan is a totally different story. Our preferences went to the local salmon, the squid, the octopus and the red snapper. Nigiri sushi were also excellent with a specific note to the Japanese macquerel!
Our brief visit to the Snow Monkey Park in Jigokudani, 45min. North of Nagano. These little creatures are so cute in their hot spring, we think the images speak for themselves!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hiroshima: we loved staying at the 88 Hiroshima guest house, a traditional Japanese home with a few rooms, a great living room and a kitchen to share with other guests. The place is spotless, peaceful and zen. It is located only 20min. ride by bus from the city centre (nr 29). There is a lot of information on what to do and what to see at the guest house. Kengo, the owner was a backpacker once and he knows the exact the travellers needs. We had a very good rest at your home, thank you again for your warm welcome, we wish you all the best and hope to meet you again in a near future!
Yudanaka/Yamanouchi: Zen Hostel, a lovely renovated old ryokan very close to the train station. Tatami rooms and dormitories are available as well as a nice cafe/lounge.
RESTAURANTS
Onomichi: Hanaakari, one of the best sashimi we ever tried.
Onomichi: SpA 尾道平原温泉 ぽっぽの湯, the restaurant is part of a private SpA with a lot of facilities. The SpA is very popular and it is nice to have dinner in a typical Japanese uniform/suit right after a relaxed bath. The food was excellent and reasonably price. We could taste the Yamakake Donburi once again (dish of red tuna and sticky mountain yam that we firstly discovered in one of the Onsen during our first days in Japan).
Music by Joakim Karud
Yudanaka Seifu-so Hotel Nagano - Nagano - Japan
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The Yudanaka Seifu-so Hotel Nagano is situated in close proximity of the city center for guests who choose to visit the many local sightseeing attractions and entertainment points of Nagano. The home of the famous snow monkeys is a popular visitation spot for guests. Local transportation options near the Yudanaka Seifu-so Hotel Nagano include the Yudanaka Station and Dentetsu Line, accessible in a 2 minute walk.
The rooms of the Yudanaka Seifu-so Hotel Nagano are also designed in Japanese d�cor. Rooms have tatami mats and the overall furnishings of the room are from Japanese style, both ancient and modern. Rooms are equipped with a refrigerator and air conditioning. A heated kotatsu table is provided during the cold winter months.
The design of the Yudanaka Seifu-so Hotel Nagano is set in traditional Japanese Ryokan stlye. The hotel combines the amenities of modern day with the accessories provided by Mother Nature. The bathrooms including the outdoor ones use natural hot spring water for all their services. Guests may choose to make use of the private spa bathrooms for free during the visit. The hotel is surrounded by ponds stocked with koi fish and a tranquil courtyard.
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