Japan – Our travels

By Roger on Japan, trains, Travel - Leave a comment

WL Japan Train Experience 2020

Late January and early February I was in Japan. Here are the trains I took.

1st Night:

Narita Airport to Tokyo station (Narita Express)
Tokyo station to Kanda station (Chuo line)
Kanda station to Asakusa station (Ginza line) (and reverse)

2nd Day

Kanda station to Tokyo station (Keihin-Tohoku line)
Yurakucho station to Tokyo station (Yamanote line)
Tokyo station to Oyama station (Shinkansen)
Oyama station to Sano station (Ryomo line)

4th day

Sano station to Oyama (Ryomo line)
Oyama station to Tokyo station (Shinkansen)
Tokyo station to Kanda station (Chuo line)
Kanda station to Shinagawa station (Yamanote line)
Shinagawa station to Yokohama station (Ueno-Tokyo line)
Yokohama station to Bandobashi station (Blue line)

Bandobashi station to Shin Yokohama (Blue line)
Shin Yokohama to Shinagawa station (Shinkansen)
Shinagawa station to Ikebukuro station (Yamanote line)
Ikebukuro station to Kawagoe station (Tobu Tojo line)
Kawagoe station to Musashi Takahagi station (Kawagoe line)
*reverse Musashi Takahagi to Shin Yokohama station.
Shin Yokohama station to Higashi Kanagawa station (Yokohama line)
Higashi Kanagawa station to Yokohama station (Keihin Tohoku line)
Yokohama station to Bandobashi station (Blue line)

Bandobashi to Shin Yokohama station (Blue line)
Shin Yokohama station to Nagoya station (Shinkansen)
Nagoya station to Marunochi station (Sakuradori line)
Marunouchi station to Shondaidori station (Tsurumai line)
Nagoya station to Tajimi station (Chuo line)
Tajimi station to Nagoya station (Shinano)

Nagoya to Shin Osaka station (Shinkansen)
Shin Osaka station to Namba station (Midosuji line) and reverse
Shin Osaka station to Kyoto station (Shinkansen)
Kyoto station to Saga Arashiyama station (San In line) and reverse
Kyoto station to Shin Osaka station (Shinkansen)
Shin Osaka station to Namba station (Midosuji line)

Namba station to Shin Osaka station (Midosuji line)
Shin Osaka to Okayama station (Shinkansen)
Okayama station to Takamatsu station ( Seto-Ohashi Line Rapid Rapid Marine Liner )
Reverse
Okayama station to Hakata station (Shinkansen)

Hakata station to Ohori Park (Kuko line)
Ropponmatsu station to Hakata station (Nanakuma line)

Hakata station to Minami Fukuoka station (Kagoshima line) (reverse)
Hakata station to Fukko Daime station (Kagoshima line) (reverse)
Hakata station to Chikuzen Maebaru station (Kuko line)
Chikuzen Maebaru station to Shikaka station (Chikuhi line)

Sasebo station to Hakata station (Midori Express)
Hakata station to Kyoto station (Shinkansen)
Kyoto station to Tokyo station (Shinkansen)
Tokyo station to Shinjuku station (Chuo line)
Shinjuku station to Nakano station (Chuo rapid line) (reverse)
Shinjuku station to Narita Airport (Narita Express)

By Roger on Japan tagged edo culture center, kanda shrine- Leave a comment

Visit to Edo Culture Complex and Kanda Shrine 2020

An few blocks away from Akihabara is the Kanda Shrine and Edo Culture Complex. Beautiful design and like many of these sacred grounds, additional things to see and do.

Kanda Shrine is a Shinto shrine and has enshrined these kami: Daikokuten, Ebisu (part of the 7 gods) and Taira No Masakado (a samurai who fought Heian government).

The Edo Culture Center had some cool items for sale (which is everywhere in Japan). But understanding some of the Edo Period’s history is always cool.

2 Jul

By Roger on Japan tagged hozomon gate, japan, senso ji, temple, tokyo- Leave a comment

Senso-Ji (Asakusa Kannon) Temple and Hozomon Gate at night 2020

Even though I arrived late into Tokyo, I still wanted to see something. Typically many places in Japan have beautiful night displays and I couldn’t pass the chance of going to Senso-Ji Temple. Going at night is less crowds, but also less access (depending on the area).

I check in the hostel I am staying at and even though it was late, I decided to check out Hozomon Gate and Senso-Ji temple right off Asakusa station.

After getting off at Asakusa station, the exit had some pretty cool stuff!

As I started walking towards the Temple area and it was gorgeous! It’s actually pretty calm at night. I was taking pictures of the structures, signs, figures, art, and building designs as many looked old world vs modern.

The Temple area was surreal. I loved it. It was actually a chill evening.

The history of this temple is for the Goddess of Mercy.

Official website.

http://www.senso-ji.jp/

By Roger on Japan tagged dejimamachi, nagasaki- Leave a comment

Nagasaki Nights

After that all day driving that Noguchi-san did, I still wanted to explore Nagasaki.

I did want to explore a bit. Again, Wandering Leopard trips are about experiencing things.

So I wanted to check out their tram system!

I took the tram down the street and walked towards the shopping are near the water.

This is the Dejimamachi area

I did some shopping and exploring.. but it was gorgeous!!!

By Roger on Japan, nagasaki tagged japan, sasebo, travel- Leave a comment

WL Day 9 – The drive through Nagasaki and Sasebo

The drive to “stage 2” was going to be 2 hours long. It was in the mountains and a nice drive.

We didn’t stop anywhere because Noguchi-san had to get some work done in the evening.

While we couldn’t stop, I did love taking pictures while he was driving, the weather and landscape was gorgeous!

By Roger on Japan, Travel - Leave a comment

WL Day 9 pt 1 – Nagasaki arrival

In 2018, I met with Noguchi-san and he said the Red Kaido Leopard was 2 hours away. I didn’t have that much time, so we didn’t go to see it.

This time, I wanted to see it and also Nagasaki, so we planned to go this time.

I left Hakata station via Kamome Express line to Nagasaki.

Soon, Noguchi-san picked me up and he said he would take me to Secret base.

By Roger on Japan, Travel tagged fukuoka- Leave a comment

Fukuoka Nights

After I left Takamatsu, I headed straight to Fukuoka. I was excited as I was hoping to meet with my friends from last time.

Unfortunately, everyone was busy. Even my friends in Kumamoto were busy (one of them was in the hospital for being sick).

Even though I was crushed, I took the time to explore Fukuoka on foot. I walked to Canal City and checked out Kawabata Shopping arcade.

I walked a few blocks to JR Hakata station. In all honesty, I was blown away how huge Hakata station. I’ve only seen it from the inside mainly, but coming from the outside.. how it is huge. I was talking with Mitch (Showa Elite) and I trying to see if we can schedule something with Misaki-san and others… but it didn’t work out.

So I continued exploring.

Having missed a religious site in Kyoto, I did visit a Shinto Shrine here in Fukuoka.

Reisen Crane Shrine and Kushida Shrine Shinmon

It was night time, but it was a Friday night, people were out having a good time and the food stalls were packed!

I walked around til about 230am. I really loved exploring Fukuoka. I just love this place!

By Roger on Japan, trains, Travel tagged hiace, sunport, takamatsu, vankulture- Leave a comment

Takamatsu Nights and VANKulture.

The last couple of times I came to Takamatsu, they were in the evening because I would arrive late.

This time, it was late, but I had just gotten done spending time with my brothers.

I decided to go walk around Takamatsu Sunport.

I started walking towards the Sunport area. It was a good night, not windy or cold. It was perfect. I remember one of the spots I wanted to go to was the Red lighthouse.

I cut through Takamatsu station.

I went across the street where Sunport Hall Takamatsu was located.

Cut through headed to the port.

Now at the “pier” section.

As I was walking back to my rental, I saw a couple of cars drive by. I was kinda excited as taking some car pictures is a good night cap.

Once I saw it was an older Toyota Hiace van and Toyota Crown, I had to ask if I could take pictures! I love these older cars.

I talked to the owner and showed them Vankulture. They were not on any SNS (Social network service aka social media). After showing them, he jumped on Instagram.

The older Hiace vans with that VIP style… that is the style I fell in love with in 2002.