Kon'nichiwa my friends!
I'm grateful to have you join in my Japanese adventures for the past week! I'll blame my busy schedule visiting different destinations for my tardiness in posting this week's blog. Thank you for your patience, your interest and your time to read about this week! 🙏
How are you? How was your week? What random act of kindness and/or thoughtfulness did you offer in the universe last week? Sharing is caring! What are you most grateful for? How did you share your gratitude?
The weather continues to be varied throughout the day/week with a smattering of showers/rain. The temperature has ranged in the mid to high 20C's so walking about has been comfortable.
I remind myself daily about how fragile the circumstances around my life (your life) are. The reality is the path we are on, on any day, can change in a heartbeat (for better or for worse). I think about earthquakes and tsunamis as I travel in Japan, especially when I'm walking on a walkway built on the side of a dam. I've checked with this website which tracks earthquake stats for a sense of the potential risk. The site captures any earthquake with a magnitude of 4 or above is counted, as long as the epicenter is within 300 kilometers of the country. Japan ranks #4 (650) this year. Indonesia is #1 (1282), followed by Mexico (1013) and the Philippines (763).
I continue my love/hate relationship with Google. I feel vulnerable with the amount I rely on Google every day. Google Maps is a great example. I have difficulty imagining how I would travel without having the Google map feature handy. In the 'old days' I would be going to the Canadian Motor Association to get paper maps for my travel destinations. Rand McNally maps used to be a trusty companion in my Toronto and area based travels. I've resorted to shutting of the Google Maps location indicator and use the map features to figure out my travel plans. I know my location can still be tracked as long as I am connected to the network. The Matrix is alive and well, me thinks!
May the universe bring endless blessings and moments of magic 🦄 to you and your loved ones in the week ahead. 🙏
Travel Administration
Oh, the wheels on the suitcase go round and round. Not! I thought purchasing a new suitcase, made by TravelPro (a top suitcase company) would alleviate the suitcase woes (damaged wheel) I previously had. How wrong I was! The idea of traveling further with two bent suitcase wheels is horrifying. I found a highly rated (Google Reviews) suitcase repair company within an easy commute so it's in the shop for repairs. Fingers crossed my repaired suitcase is ready next Tuesday as promised. Google Reviews/Maps to the rescue one more time!
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| Wheel 1 - Bent axle and bent base |
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| Wheel 2 - Bent axle and bent base |
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| Front wheels were ok |
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Maybe the front wheels should have
been installed in the back - under the
handle. They appear sturdy! |
Travel Update
I'm continuing to ponder my Kyrgyzstan itinerary. Jane, who I was to meet in Bishkek, is now flying directly to Osh which is more convenient for her upcoming ascent of Lenin Peak. I'll see what makes travel sense once she confirms her Osh arrival. BTW - Kyrgyzstan looks like an amazing country to visit. Lots of mountains, lakes and welcoming people. Getting around promises to add texture to my adventure. Stay tuned!
Travel Maps
I made a six+ hour train ride (connection in Nagoya) to Shinano-Omachi on Sunday. Exploring the Alpine Route was my big adventure during my visit. On Thursday, I traveled to Nagoya to set up my base camp (well, stay in a hotel) for the next five nights. I was off to Nachikatsuura on Saturday to visit Nachi Falls and sample local tuna.
Japan: June 2 to June 28, 2026
Shinano-Omachi
Beautiful small city near the Japanese Alps where I had an unexpected surprise. It's the first Japanese city I've visited that is in need of tender loving care (TLC) in the public spaces and along the city streets. The grass along the city streets and in the center median is begging to be cut. The other item of note is the downtown area is noticeably in decline with many businesses shuttered. What makes this lack of maintenance more surprising is the city's prominence as a starting point for the Alpine Trail. An overall observation from my travels is many Japanese communities I've been to are experiencing the same hardship.
Welcome to my journey to a museum that was closed on this particular Monday. I'm still somewhat confused by the notice posted explaining why the museum was closed. Beautiful walk and views was my consolation prize!
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| Mountain range in view |
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| Must be important |
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| Hiking trails in the area |
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| Museum entrance |
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| Almost made the museum visit |
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I think public phones have disappeared
in Canada. Unsure about the USA?? |
Birthday Celebration
Monday, June 15th is/was my birthday. I was unable to find a slice of birthday cake so I settled on an alternative sweet plus coffee to celebrate birthday #68. I'll be having my 'official' birthday cake (poppy seed chiffon without icing, please), my go-to birthday cake, when I return to Canada in mid-September (est.). In my humble opinion, I think you should celebrate your birthday every day of the year. Curious who is the person responsible for limiting birthday celebrations to one day. Totally unreasonable!
Ohana Bakery's Kitchen
How fortunate to have a bakery near where I was wandering about in search of birthday cake. While I was disappointed with the bakery's lack of cake, I nonetheless found a sweet to for my birthday celebration. My newest friend, barista Yusuke, transformed the making of a pour over coffee into a true work of passion. He was so deliberate and intentional as he poured the water over the freshly ground beans. After completing the pouring he did something I had never seen before. He sampled the coffee to ensure its quality before he handed my cup of coffee. Magnificent experience to start my new year!
I happened to re-enter the bakery looking for another sweet, with cinnamon and raisin this time. As I entered the bakery, the baker and a second employee started clapping and wished me a happy birthday. I had mentioned my pursuit of birthday cake with the cashier which she had subsequently shared with her colleagues. While the cinnamon/raisin combination was elusive, I happily settled for a sweet with cinnamon.
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| Omachi Bakery |
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| Outside seating where I enjoyed my birthday! |
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| Coffee/Beer counter |
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| Yusuke creating the perfect pour over coffee! |
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| Happy Birthday to me! |
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| Here's what birthday happiness looks like! |
Hotel Staff Birthday Card & Gifts
My hotel reception desk friends delivered the birthday card (photo below) and treats to my room on Monday afternoon. I also received the two boxes of treats on Wednesday afternoon as a birthday gift and thanks for the donuts I had given the reception staff on Monday afternoon (see below).
Heartfelt thanks to the universe for the continued blessings I have in my life - each and every day! 🙏
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Happy Birthday/Thank you from the hotel
reception team |
Gifts for Hotel Reception Team
My curiosity, stoked by Google Maps, led me to this delightful donut shop on a less traveled side street. I simply like buying sweets; for myself and for others. The owner/baker's warmth and friendliness was shone through any language barrier. There was an assortment of flavored donuts that I was seeing for the first time. I purchased six donuts, including her last matcha flavored donut, for the hotel reception team.
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| My happy baker! |
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| Divine donuts looking for a new home! |
'This world-class mountain sightseeing route traverses the Northern Japan Alps, where peaks soaring over 3,000 meters rise in succession. Spanning 37.2 km with a maximum elevation difference of 1,975 meters, nearly the entire route is located within Chubu Sangaku National Park.'
My 'in the moment' research after arriving in Japan revealed this famous alpine route. My original intention was to travel the route starting from Toyama, however I was dissuaded by the poor weather forecast when I planned to visit. I traveled to Shinano-Omachi, using my five day rail pass, to visit the route from the opposite end. One person's advice at the Kanazawa Tourist Info Centre was to travel the route from the Toyama direction. Hey ho! Perhaps next time!
Much to my welcome surprise, my hotel was the last stop before reaching the Ogisawa Train Station stop where you boarded a bus to start the route's mountainous section. The weather forecast continued to be unsettled for the week. Nothing like low level cloud to spoil the mountain views. Most peaks in this area are about 3,000m (~9,850 ft).
My day trip involved reaching Murodo, the summit, then returning from whence I came. The balance of the trip towards Tateyama includes an hour bus ride to an upper plateau wetland, then an eight minute cable car ride to Tateyama Station. I decided to forgo the complete round trip as the only reason I'd be doing so was for the bragging rights.
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| Alpine Route Map |
Ogisawa Station
The big adventure starts at the Ogisawa Station where you board an electric bus to travel about eight minutes through a tunnel to reach the Kurobe Dam. My lucky day with warm temperatures, sunny skies and very few fellow tourists!
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Bus stop outside my hotel
15 minutes away |
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Memory pic opportunity at station - even has
the current date! |
Kurobe Dam
Welcome to Japan's Hoover Dam equivalent! Mother Nature at its finest! Notice the clear skies! Thank you to the universe!
Also note how low the reservoir water level is (see exposed area just below the tree line around the reservoir). Apparently, Japan's reservoir system is about 30% less than normal at this time of year. Blame the lack of snow over the past winter and lack of spring precipitation. The lack of water meant one of the dam's big attractions, the gushing water from the dam's spillway (rainbows and all), was missing in action during my visit!
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| Morning view |
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| Kurobe Dam - walkway/road across the top |
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| Yes, that mountain in background has a name. |
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| Walkway/Road |
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| These clouds appeared in early afternoon |
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| Afternoon clouds |
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| Here's where the names are found. |
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| Walkway overlooking dam |
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| Walkway opposite dam |
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| Half way across |
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| River (if there was water) below dam |
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| Concrete below scenic walkway |
Kurobedaira
The route's second stop was reached by a brief (and steep) cable car ride from the dam which is reached by walking across the top of the dam. The station stop had a lovely little garden and rooftop terrace to enjoy the warm sun and take more photos. I resisted the temptation to buy the black soft ice cream cone. It was only 9:30 am, too early for ice cream on this day!
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| Tunnel leading to cable car |
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| Cable car tracks |
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Up we go. Fingers crossed that
regular safety checks are done! |
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| Garden area at upper cable car terminal |
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| Confirming our location |
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| Mountains getting a little closer |
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| Daikanbo, the destination reached by ropeway |
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| Nothing but clear skies all around! |
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| Breathe in that clean mountain air! |
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| Cable car - going down |
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| Downward view |
Daikanbo
This stop, reached by ropeway, had a viewing platform for taking even more photos of the surrounding mountains. After your brief stop, you're off to catch another electric bus to reach Murodo, the route's summit.
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| Looking down towards Kurobedaira |
Murodo
We've now reached the route's scenic summit - elevation 2,450m (~8,038 ft)! Yes, I've traveled this distance from snowy Canada to be in a snowy part of Japan. The irony of it all. A major attraction at Murodo is the Snow Wall which can reach up to 25m (82 ft) at its peak. The Wall was only about 9m (~30 ft) high during my visit. There are hiking trails to explore in the area. I set off on the Mikurigaike Pond hike (~ 1.7 km/1 mi). I ate my lunch while enjoying the beautiful mountain views and warm weather before starting my return journey.
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| I've arrived! |
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| So much lovely snow! |
Snow Wall
The Snow Wall is created by clearing the highway leading to Murodo. The Wall is a short walk down the roped off area on the highway to get a close up look see.
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| Down the highway I go |
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| Rock ptarmigans adorning pole |
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| Wall's current condition |
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| Imagine this wall being 3x higher during winter! |
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| Impressive amount of snow! |
Mikurigaike Pond
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| Finding my bearings! |
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| Trudging through the snow |
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| Midorigaike Pond |
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| Winter wonderland! |
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| Midorigaike Pond |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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Mikurigaike Pond - trying to capture the amazing
shades of blue water |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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| Japanese 'Sherpa' carrying trash up |
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Japanese 'Sherpa' returning with
new supplies |
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| Hot springs complete with sulfur smell |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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| Mikurigaike Pond - the water color is breathtaking! |
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| Mikurigaike Pond |
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| Afternoon clouds moving in |
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| Clouds moving in |
Nagoya
I was originally interested in exploring the city of Ise on the Kii Peninsula where my friend Samuel had lived while he was in Japan. I definitely stumbled into a destination (
Kii Peninsula) that had far greater significance as the description from the Japan Experience website reveals. People visit this area to walk/explore the
Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails - a network of routes which stretches across the mountainous Kii Peninsula. Welcome to David's fortuitous adventures!
I camped out for five nights in a hotel located in Chiryu, about a 30 minute train ride from Nagoya Station. Lower accommodation costs along with being outside the busy downtown area were my location selection criteria. The hotel was a convenient five minute walk from the train station. I bought a rail pass that unlimited travel throughout the Peninsula's major rail lines.
'Nestled in the heart of Japan's Kansai region, the Kii Peninsula stands as a testament to the country's rich spiritual heritage and natural beauty. This expansive landmass, the largest peninsula on Honshu island, encompasses parts of Wakayama, Nara, and Mie prefectures. For over a millennium, the Kii Peninsula has been revered as a sacred dwelling place of the gods, attracting pilgrims, nature enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike. With its dense forests, rugged mountains, and pristine coastlines, the peninsula offers a unique blend of spiritual significance and breathtaking landscapes. From ancient pilgrimage routes to world-renowned shrines and temples, the Kii Peninsula invites visitors to embark on a journey through Japan's cultural and natural wonders.'
This small city is about a four hour train ride from Nagoya. This area is known for the sacred, mountaintop sanctuary of Nachisan that access to Nachi Falls, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seiganto-ji Temple. This port city is also known for its tuna delicacies!
Walkabout
This is another Japanese city where the downtown area, near the train station and port, has seen much busier and better days.
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| Welcome sign |
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| Entrance to covered outdoor shopping area |
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| Looking towards the poet |
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| Port area |
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| Fish market |
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| Unbeknownst to me - my lunch awaits me |
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| Grilling tuna jawbone |
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| My grilled lunch |
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Fellow tourists who recommended trying
the grilled tuna. |
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| Inside fish market |
The sacred area is conveniently accessed by bus departing from outside the train station. The tourist information centre is conveniently located adjacent to the train station. Remember to stop by the centre to ask for the staff's recommendations and local insights for your travel plans. The support and warmth you'll receive is worth the visit. Every centre I've visited in Japan has thanked me for visiting their community. How special is that???
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| Sacred Area map |
Nachi Falls
A grand set of stone steps leads you downhill to the falls viewing area.
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| Looking up from the falls |
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| Looking up to steps entrance |
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| Nachi Falls |
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| Falls plus offering area |
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| It's a spiritual experience! |
Three Storied Pagoda
This pagoda is promoted as Instagram moment you need to visit. The best photos have the pagoda and falls in just the right position. I did my best!
Shrines & Temples
Heads up! You do need to climb up a series of steps to reach the shrines and temples.
Worshippers
Seeing these deer in a religious area reminded me of the multitude of deer you encounter around Nara's religious areas. I also ran into a fellow tourist who I had exchanged greetings with twice previously since arriving in the area. He stood out because he was carrying a fishing rod and reel which he used to fish in the harbour. When I met him this third time, I asked if he had caught any fish. He shared, using my Google Translate (Mandarin to English), that the fish failed to bite his hook.
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| Reaching for a snack! |
Afternoon Tea
Remember how I mentioned the downtown area appeared in decline, well this bakery seemed to be unaware of this downward trend. This beautiful little bakery also had a small area for enjoying their sweets along with your choice of refreshment.
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| Simply magical! 🦄 |
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| Time for a break! |
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Cream puff on steroids
Note the grapefruit! |
Friends
I'm blessed every week with interesting conversations with complete strangers (locals and tourists) and receiving thoughtful assistance wherever I go. Somehow we are all able to overcome any potential language challenges to be kind and thoughtful.
Kothari Family
I was blessed on Sunday morning to meet this family of four, who are from Jaipur, India, traveling in Japan. We were waiting for the gate to open to board our train to Nagoya when we struck up a conversation. Vatsala, and her sister Arhata, were traveling with their parents. This was Vatsala's second trip to Japan so she was providing tour guide support to her family. The family was intrigued (and, as I later discovered inspired) by my lifestyle. Vatsala graciously invited me to visit her and her family if my travels brought me to their city. Her father, NK Kothari, shared his business card with contact information so we can stay in touch (and, of course, I could share the link to my blog!)
Our conversation has motivated me to start planning a month long return trip to India in January 2027. I have four destinations in mind to visit with friends - Diphu (Assam), Kolkata (see next friend), Chennai and now Jaipur.
Sreshtha
I introduced Sreshtha and her husband in a post last year. We were staying at a hotel near Kaziranga National Park where we both planned to go on a jeep safari. I met my new two friends just after they had emerged from a horrific accident in which their car left the road in the middle of the night. They walked away from the accident unscathed physically. I remember how instrumental the hotel owner was in traveling to the accident site to pick them up and helping them navigate the legal encounters that ensued.
All this to say, I've stayed in contact with Sreshtha as she graciously encouraged me to visit with her in her home city of Kolkata (Calcutta in the old days). In our most recent text exchange she shared photos of her new gorgeous/spacious Airbnb accommodation (below) where I would stay when I visit. She also generously offered to leave all the sight seeing arrangements with her. All I need to do is show up. Thank you to the universe for its continuing benevolence. 🙏
Next Week
I scuttled my original itinerary to travel to the Mt. Fuji area based on the forecast for zero to poor visibility of Mt. Fuji. The compounding fact of being immersed with loads of fellow tourists also factored in my decision. On Sunday, I'm going to Ise, about a two hour train ride, to visit the city that Samuel live in. There are a couple local tourist sights that interest me. On Tuesday I travel by bus to Toyama for four nights with plans to explore the Kurobe River Gorge. I had learned about the Gorge from a local resident who I chatted with while waiting for my train from Kanazawa to Nagoya last week. He mentioned how foreign tourists overlooked the gorge's beauty in favor the the Alpine Route. I travel to the Narita International Airport area on Saturday for my last night in Japan before flying to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital, on Sunday afternoon.
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