Wonderful Tokyo Life

In Tokyo, if train is delayed more than 5 mins, certificate of train delay will be handed to people who commute to thier company. This is the certificate for the company worker.

http://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/delay_certificate/

I have never seen this in other countires.
It is quite often that commute train delays in London for example, but nothing was given even it was delayed 20 mins in the morning!! What we need to do is 'call the company', so almost everyone was on mobile to explain why he/she is late...
But thing is 'how can you prove?'

Gora Onsen is sulfuric onsen, which has white coloured water.
You have to be careful to take off all silver accessories when you get into this type of onsen.

Hotel Kasansui is very reasonable small hotel. It has 10 western rooms and it is from 9800 yen including dinner and breakfast.
http://kasansui.com/
Standard room has two single bed, and it is small room but you don't feel it since it has big windows.



Dinner is Japanese.


You can choose Japanese or western for breakfast.
Japanese breakfast is


Western breakfast is


It is very popular hotel, so need to make reservation as early as you can.

Hakone is good place for Onsen and Hiking.
We went to Hakone using Hakone Pass.(5000 yen from Shinjuku valid for 2 days). If you want to take Romance car (Express), need to pay 870 yen extra on top of pass price (one way).
http://www.hakonenavi.jp/english/index.html

Now Hakone is good place to see 'Koyo'(leaves turn to yellow).

There is a bus going to 'Hatajuku' from Hakone Yumoto station.
We hiked from 'Hatajuku' to use old path to the Lake. It was about 4.5km and 2hours walk.

You follow the old stone path and can enjoy the feeling of old days.



It is good for a day trip, but if you have time, I recommend to stay at Gora Onsen, which has White Onsen. Your skin will be smooth after Onsen.

Staying at Japanese Onsen Inn is quite relaxing.
You can enjoy Onsen, taking your time, and food as well.

Ushiko is old restaurant for Beef dish.
Dinner time is quite expensive (but still okish price) but
you can eat cheaply at lunch. Since so, lunch time is very popular and you must be ready to queue.

Their popular lunch is 'Hamburg Teppan'(meat buns), which is 1050 yen for 150g. This incluses Miso soup, salad, pickles, rice and main hamburg and dessert.


You need to get there around 11:00 (Before restaurant opens for lunch time which is 11:30) to get this hamberg lunch. It will be sold out as soon as it opens.

The restaurent locates near shop channel.
Tel is 03-3551-8980
http://www.ushikou-honten.co.jp/
Lunch time is from 11:30 to 14:30.
Close on Sat, Sun and holiday.

Shinbashi is called 'Ojisan area'. There are many tired salaried men afterwork. Since their money is controlled by their wife, they don't have much budget for themselves. So, they go to Shinbashi, reasonable area.
One of the most popular Izakaya is Uokin.
The main is fish and it is very fresh and cheap.
We ordered 'Sashimi 6 mori' which was under 2000 yen , but we were full when we finished eating this sashimi only.

There are Uokin and Shin Uokin and Italian Uokin as well. Go to any Uokin if you can get seats.Since it is popular, it is hard to get seats. Shin Uokin accepts reservation.

Umaya is Japanese restaurant, located in Akasaka.
It is produced by Kabuki actor and the setting is great. You would not feel it's in Akasaka.
Budget per person is around 8000 yen. You need reservation since the place is popular.
http://www.jrfs.co.jp/umayahome/akasaka/index.html

Fly to Naha from Tokyo!!
If you take package tour, probably it is cheaper than organizing everything by yourself. It takes about 2.5 HR to get to Naha.
It is convenient if you rent a car in Okinawa, since it is very hot to walk and train is not going to everywhere.



Seaview cafe in south area is quite nice.

Eisa Dance is Okinawa's traditional dance and you might see it while your stay.


If you want to snorkel or dive with whalesherk, it is possible at Zama.



Okinawa has different food from Main island.
Popular okinawa food is 'Goya chanpul'.


Goya is bitter but good for you.

Aguni Island...tiny island which is 2 hours away from Naha.
This island is famous for Jack Fish diving during early summer.







Diving is better in islands rather than Okinawa main island.
Try small islands if the season is right.

http://orenohamburg-yamamoto.com/


Very popular dish in Japan called 'Hamburg' is actually minced meat bum.
Very popular restaurant in Ebisu, called 'Oreno Hamburg' serves several kinds of hamburg.
Original hamburg is called 'Oreno Hamburg' and it is 1600Yen with salad and rice.
It is a bit expensive as hamburg, but try this popular menu.
The restaurant is in Zagatte, and quite convenient to know since it is open on Sunday until 23:00.

Where to go in June?
Kamakura is place to go, since it is famous for hydrangea!!
My favorite temple is 'myogetsuin' at Kitakamakura.
If you take Yokosuka line from Tokyo, it will take you to Kitakamakura straight away.



[Seijyuin] at Gokurakuji station is also good. You can see the beach together with hydrangea.


Hydrangea is so beautiful and typical colour is blue/purple here in Japan.

Hydrangea will be cut in the beginning of July, so better to go there during June.