Travelling around Japan

on the train

Hiroshima to Beppu to Mt.Fuji and back

Puchasing the Japan Rail pass before coming to Japan we felt we had to get our moneys worth and see as much as possible, so after spending a few days in Hiroshima which is near the bottom half of the main island of Japan , we journied to Kyushu, the most southern island. It is a spa town surrounded by mountains right near the ocean. Yes it was on the ocean front however the ocean front was surrounded by heavy industry which was a major eye sore, one can't even imagine going in the water or near it for that matter.

Mark was bitten on the foot by something, a bug of some sort. The pharmacist said it was a "small mosquitos like insect" which I later looked up to find that it was a "knat". So his foot was red and swollen and he couldn't walk very fast. So the kids and I went for a walk the first day to explore the ocean front. There were these huge ugly looking cockroach like things crawling around the mounds of hidden garbage (I say hidden because there is a large cement wall along the ocean front and you can only see the garbage if you look over). Artemis screamed her head off and refused to go near the area. End of walk.

So where is the spa part of this equation? After having explored a bit the first day in the blistering high humidity, and it was only minimal exploration as everyone was knocked out by the heat and the travelling to the location and the fact Mark could not walk and generally we were all feeling a bit under the weather (talk about this later), the next day we woke with much renewed energy. Although everyone else slept like a bunch of logs on a beach, I was awoken several times by the incredible show of heavy torential rains, ongoing thunder storm battles and vibriant lightening displays. Needless to say when we all get up the next morning, the air was fresh and cool and we were ready to explore the area.

Artemis was keen on seeing the monkey habitat close to the town, famous in the area. I was reluctant as I dislike zoos of any sort but we found out that the monkeys were from the the area and that they were not caged in any way. So off we went. All of us were very pleasantly surprised as we walked amongst thousands of Japan Macaque Macaca Fuscata. Babies, teenagers, parents, elderly monkeys all roaming freely on their habitat of Mt.Takasaki, now a protected area and a huge tourist attraction. Of course a major high way runs along the bottom of the mountain so monkeys do not travel to the water often anymore. They are residents of the mountain coming and going in a park like area where tourists can ohh and ahh about how cute and intellegent and human like they are.


Posing with the Boss


Next off to find the hot springs in the mountains above the town. We choose a one location which had multiply experiences, starting with a hot sand spa. Its like being on a hot beach and burying oneself in sand, very relaxing. Boys and Girls were split for the bathing area where one could walk around in their birthday suite exploring differnt hot pools indoors and outdoors. After an hour or so we all met in the common area completely renewed and relaxed. Even Caleb enjoyed the pampering.

Took a day to get back to Kisarazu where we are staying with my girlfriend Satomi. She wanted to spend a few days away with us so the next day we hopped into her car to drive to Mt.Fuji. Satomi has had some problems with her eyes, operation that did not work so having to do it again next month, which gives her problem seeing while driving so Mark took the wheel. He did a fantastic job making his way around the crazy streets of Japan and driving on the opposite side. We were very spoiled at Mt.Fuji staying at a lovely hotel which to Artemisis delight supplies Japanese bathrobe, slippers, towels and all other toiletries your would possibly need. The dinner was really the high light for everyone. Very Japanese style, dressed in our bathrobes


Mt.Fuji feast - delicious.


Japanese bathrobes


Turning Japanese

The beginning of October brings us back to Satomis for more visiting of old friends. I will not be able to see everyone while we are here, just too many people. It is also tiring for the rest while I reminisce with friends in Japanese. Oh well, they are learning some language, culture, eating lots of great food and really becoming comfortable in Japan. Kids will write soon about their impressions.