Mount Hakodate Ropeway and Night View

Mount Hakodate, Mount Hakodate ropeway, Mount Hakodate hokkaido, Mount Hakodate japan, Mount Hakodate city, Mount Hakodate view, Mount Hakodate fare, Mount Hakodate access, Mount Hakodate restaurant, Mount Hakodate nightview, Mount Hakodate bus, Mount Hakodate cost,

Mount Hakodate (函館山) is a mountain in Hakodate, Hokkaido famous for the specatular views from the mountain. Mount Hakodate is a 334 meter high, wooded mountain with a nine kilometer circumference at the southern end of the peninsula on which much of central Hakodate is located. Its location allows an unobstructed view of both the city and the Tsugaru Strait.

Using Mt Hakodate Ropeway (a kind of Gondola) with 125 persons, passenger can view a beautiful Hakodate port and the city streets of Hakodate to Tsugaru Strait an Shimokita Peninsula. When the weather is fine, you can see the Onuma Park and Mt. Komagatake, as well as the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture in the distance.

The night view from the peak is said to be one of the three best in the world with Naples and Hong Kong, and the summer Hakodate Port Festival fireworks, the winter bay area Christmas illumination, and other events provide a beautiful scene of the city being gradually lit up, and it is truly a “million-dollar night view.”

Mount Hakodate nighlife view is also among the best night views in Japan, together with Nagasaki's Mount Inasa and Kobe's Mount Rokko.

Since 1964, Mount Hakodate has been assigned National Reservation for Birds and Animals; there are about 600 species of plants, and about 150 species of animals reside in Mount Hakodate. Also there are the memorial monuments of a zoologist Thomas W. Blakiston, who discovered a distribution limit of Japanese animals in Tsugaru Strait, and a topologist Tadataka Inoh, who published the first surveyed map of Japan. There are souvenir shops, a restaurant with the finest view, and an events hall where 12 monitors produce a multi-vision presentation that introduces the four seasons of Hakodate.

The ropeway to the peak of the mountain departs from the Motomachi District, a 5 minute tram ride from JR Hakodate Station. Alternatively there is a direct bus from the station to the peak during the warm seasons of the year. There is also a hiking course to the top that takes about an hour. The cable car station is about ten minutes walk from "Jujigai" streetcar stop. The Mt. Hakodate Ropeway station is situated near the top of the Nanbuzaka-slope; the Nanbuzaka-slope lies next to the city hall branch office of Suehiro-cho (old Marui-Imai department store). The cable car, which rides 125 people, departs every five minutes in rush time.


Mt Hakodate Ropeway

ACCESS TO MT. HAKODATE
By ropeway
The Hakodateyama Ropeway departs from the Motomachi District. The ropeway's lower station can be reached in a 10 minute walk from the "Jujigai" tram stop (3rd station, 5 minutes, 200 Yen from Hakodate Station) or by direct Hakodate Bus from Hakodate Station (10 minutes, 230 Yen, every 30 minutes in the evening only).

The cost for a ropeway ticket is 1160 Yen for a round trip and 640 Yen for a one way trip. The ropeway operates from 10am to 10pm (until 9pm during winter, from 9am during the Golden Week and summer holidays).

By Bus
From late April to mid November, direct buses by Hakodate Bus operate between Hakodate Station and the summit of Mount Hakodate every evening, taking 30 minutes and costing 360 Yen for the one way journey. Day passes are valid on this bus. There are departures every 20 minutes. Fewer departures in autumn.

By Car
There is a toll free road to the summit of Mount Hakodate. However, the road gets closed to individual car traffic in the evenings between 17:00 and 22:00 from late April to mid October.


Mt. Hakodate Ropeway Fares

Adult : 640yen (One Way), 1,160yen (Round Trip)
Child : 320yen (One Way), 590yen (Round Trip)


Mt. Hakodate Photos :


Mt Hakodate at Day


Mt Hakodate at Night


Mt Hakodate Ropeway


Mt Hakodate Ropeway


Mt Hakodate Ropeway


Mt Hakodate Souvenir Shop


Mt Hakodate Restaurant Genova
From the top of Mt Hakodate you can see a dreamlike world unlike any other place in the world. The views are spectacular and it is the most comfortable observatory restaurant you'll find at the 2nd floor of the building named "Genova".

Watch Cable car ride up to Mt Hakodate Video here

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Shopping at Gotemba Premium Factory Outlet

Visiting Tokyo (or Japan) will not complete without doing some shopping. Tokyo is the world fashion place, and there are also a lot of department stores and shopping centres. Although shopping in Tokyo will damage you a lot of money, but Tokyo is still world well known shopping paradise for its Shibuya, Ginza, Shinjuku, Daikanyama, Harajuku.

If you want to try something different shopping place and at a cheaper price, then you can visit Gotemba Premium Factory Outlet.

Gotemba Premium Outlet (御殿場プレミアムアトレット)



Gotemba Premium Outlet actually is the most famous popular outlet mall, located in Gotemba City near the foot of Mount Fuji. However, it is quite far from Tokyo central and will take more than 2 hours by train and bus.

Gotemba Premium Outlet is the biggest factory outlet stores in Japan with total area of 350 thousands meter squares, with about 200 outlets stores ranging from international top designer brands to local famous brands.

The goods here are 30%-40% off the normal retail price, if it is during sale seasons, the pricing will fall even to 70% off! By the way, it is very near to Hakone, so you can stop by here after your Hakone trip on the way back to Shinjuku.

Gotemba factory outlet is an upscale outlet mall which housed many international top designer brands like Armani, Balenciaga, Banana Republic, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and many more. But the real good bargains from sportswear brands Nike, Adidas and Puma that will make your trip worthwhile!

Introducing some famous outlet stores in Gotemba Premium Outlets here:

1. Beams Outlet

If you are the Beams fans, you must not miss out the outlet shop here as it is the largest Beams outlet in Japan, it has all brands in Beams Group, the goods sale here are so many and you need to search it slowly, you will definitely get what you want with a very value bargain price.

2. Nike Outlet

The biggest Nike Outlet and has everything about Nike. So you will not miss out any cool gears and clothing if you are Nike fans!

3. Vivienne Westwood

It is not usual to see Vivienne Westwood setup outlet to sell the products, but you will find it here in Gotemba Premium Outlets. It has promotion and discount for old season fashion goods and apply some new arrival promotions for latest season fashions.


How to get Gotemba Factory Outlet

The Gotemba Premium Outlets are located on the outskirts of Gotemba City not far from Hakone. A free shuttle bus operates every 20 minutes between the mall and JR Gotemba Station, stopping at the Tomei-Gotemba IC (interchange or expressway exit) along the way.

There is a free shuttle bus service which operates from 9.30am to 10.40pm at 20 minutes interval. It picks up passengers from JR Gotemba Station (Otome Exit) via Tomei Gotemba Interchange to Gotemba Premium Outlets.

1.From Shinjuku Station
By Bus: At Shinjuku Station West Exit, board the Odakyu Hakone Express Bus to Gotemba Premium Outlets (approx. 100 minutes). Return ticket price: $2800 yen (adult), $2000 yen (kid)
By Bus: At Shinjuku Station’s New South Exit, board Gotemba Premium Outlets Liner (approx. 95 minutes)
By Train: At Shinjuku Station, board the Odakyu Line “Romance Car” Express Train Asagiri (approximately 95 minutes) to reach.

2. From Tokyo Station
By Bus: Tokyo Station’s Yaesu South Exit, board the Gotemba Premium Outlets Liner (approx. 85 min.)
By Bus: Tokyo Station’s Yaesu South Exit (Bus Stop No.1) board the Tomei Highway Bus (approx. 100 min.).

3. From Hakone
At Gora Station board the bus to Hakone Sengokubara (approx. 30 min.). At ?board Hakone Sengokubara to Gotemba Premium Outlet.

4. From Yokohama
At Yokohama Station’s Yokomana, East exit, board the Fujikyoko where you can get Gotemba Premium Outlets Yokohama Shopping Bus Tour. (approx. 90mins)


Gotemba Premium Factory Outlet


















Watch Shopping at Gotemba Premium Factory Outlet Video here

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8.8 Earthquake and Tsunami hits Sendai and Tokyo

A big earthquake followed with deadly Tsunami has just rock Japan, especially at Sendai, Honshu Island on March 11th 2011. The biggest earthquake, 8.9 magnitude, to hit Japan in 140 years struck Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that pounded the country’s east coast and prompted advisories along Canada’s West Coast.

A 10-meter tsunami was observed at Sendai airport in Miyagi prefecture, which has been flooded, with waves sweeping along cars and buildings as they traveled inland.

Bullet train services to northern Japan were halted, rapid transit services in Tokyo were suspended and some nuclear power plants automatically shut themselves down.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan believed that there had been no radiation leaks to the best of his knowledge and in a televised address, he extended his sympathy to the victims of the disaster and said an emergency response headquarters had been set up.

Tsunami warning soon be released to more than 20 countries including Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Don't play and estimate the Tsunami hits. Still fresh in our mind a massive Tsunami crashed Aceh, Indonesia last 2004 and killed more than 100.000 peoples.

How many victims in Sendai Tsunami ?

Hundreds were believed to be dead following the disaster, and the extent of the destruction along a lengthy stretch of Japan’s coastline suggested the toll could rise significantly.

The Red Cross in Geneva said the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and a tsunami warning was issued for almost the entire Pacific basin.

Another unnerving report was that the Japanese government had ordered the evacuation affecting 2,000 residents near a nuclear plant in Fukushima.

Earlier the government declared an atomic power emergency but said no radiation leaks were detected among its reactors. The plant had shut down but a reactor cooling system failure had led to the evacuation order.

The quake was the biggest since records began 140 years ago, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It surpasses the Great Kanto quake of Sept. 1, 1923, which had a magnitude of 7.9 and killed more than 140,000 people in the Tokyo area.

The 1995 Kobe quake caused $100 billion in damage and was the most expensive natural disaster in history. Economic damage from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was estimated at about $10 billion.


Sendai and Tokyo Tsunami and Earthquake














Watch Japan Sendai Tsunami and Earthquake at (March 11, 2011) Video here

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Kabuchiko Tokyo Red Light District at Shinjuku

Everyone who goes to Tokyo must not miss Shinjuku. As well as Shibuya, Shinjuku is very identic with Tokyo, famous for its skycrapers and high building. Shinjuku is a paradise for shoppers. It has more department stores than anywhere else in Japan. The most famous are Takashimaya-Times Square, Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Marui, My City and Odakyū.

The Shinjuku station is one of the most important junctions in the whole transport system: it is estimated more than 2 millions people travel by the three underground lines, the two private urban railways and the JR railways each day.



Big electronics shops are only more numerous in Akihabara. But Shinjuku boasts the biggest of them, such as Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera.

Music lovers will find their happiness at Tower Records. Note that the Shinjuku branch of HMV closed in January 2010.

Shinjuku Red light District Kabukichō 歌舞伎町



Kabukichō (歌舞伎町?) is an entertainment and red-light district in north east Shinjuku beyond Yasukuni-dōri Avenue. For those who want to seek a night life pleasure or just to have a drinking establishments, then Kabukicho is a must.

Kabukichō is the location of many hostess bars, host bars, love hotels, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, and is often called the "Sleepless Town" (眠らない街). The district's name comes from late-1940s plans to build a kabuki theater: although the theater was never built, the name stuck.


It is Shinjuku's entertainment district par excellence and one of the hottest places in Tokyo, with hostess bars, adult video shops, soap lands (massage parlours), strip bars and love hotels.

Kabukicho is very famous for its hostess bars, make it Tokyo most famous bars besides at Ginza, Roppongi, and Akasaka.

Kabukicho Photos :


Kabukicho Bar


Kabukicho DVD Shop


Hostess Club


Kabukicho Red Light District


Kabukicho Street



Watch Kabuchiko Red Light District at Tokyo, Japan Video here

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Miyazaki famous beach and resort at Kyushu

Miyazaki (宮崎市) is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture, located on Kyushu Island. Different with another regions in Japan, Miyazaki has a good climate. With one of the warmest climates on the main islands of Japan combined with attractions such as resorts, beaches and sports facilities.

Tourism has been focused on in Miyazaki City, utilizing its southern-island atmosphere, centered on the Phoenix Seagaia Resort: a total activity facility housing hotels, golf courses, and hot springs.

Miyazaki City is also near attractions such as Takachiho to the north and Kirishima to the southwest, which are both important sites of Japanese mythology and beautiful places to enjoy nature.


Miyazaki Downtown

Visiting Miyazaki means visiting its beach. Miyazaki has so many beautiful beaches, some of them are Aoshima Beach, Sun Beach Hitotsuba, Shirahama Beach, Urashiro Beach, Kumanoe Beach, Sumie Beach, Odotsu Beach, Isegahama Beach.

Miyazaki Attractions and things to do

1. Miyazaki Shrine & Environs

The most important shrine in town is Miyazaki Shrine (Miyazaki Jingu), 2-4-1 Jingu (tel. 0985/27-4004), located about a 10-minute walk west of JR Miyazaki Jingu Station. It's dedicated to the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, a somewhat mythical figure who established the Yamato Court in 660 B.C. and is believed to be the ancestor of every reigning emperor since.


2. Heiwadai Park

About a 15-minute walk northwest of Miyazaki Shrine is Heiwadai Park, where you'll find the Peace Tower, built in 1940 in celebration of the 2,600th anniversary of the mythological foundation of Japan; it purportedly contains artifacts that once belonged to the first emperor.

3 Haniwa Garden


At the far end of Heiwadai park is the Haniwa Garden, a collection of over 400 replica haniwa (burial statues) depicting animals, warriors, dancers, boats and houses arranged along a walking path through the trees. During the Kofun Period these clay statues were placed around burial mounds in tribute to the deceased.


4. Aoshima Island

Aoshima Island is a small, beautiful island just off of the coast of the resort beaches south of Miyazaki City. Aoshima is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is ringed by white beaches surrounding a subtropical jungle at the island's center.


5. Seagaia Resort




The Phoenix Seagaia Resort is the World's Largest Indoor Water Park. It is a massive ocean side resort spanning nearly 10 kilometers of coastline just north of central Miyazaki City. More than just a collection of hotels, Seagaia is a symbol of Miyazaki's resort heritage and offers its guests a wealth of things to do.


6. Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History (Miyazaki-ken Sogo Hakubutsukan)
7. Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum (Miyazaki-kenritsu Bijutsukan)


Miyazaki Photos :


Miyazaki Shrine. This shrine is located in a cave on a cliff next to the ocean. People come here to pray for long and happy marriages, easy childbirth, healthy children, and safety at sea.


Miyazaki Map


Watch Aoshima Island (青島) at Miyazaki, Kyushu Island, Japan Video here


Aoshima Island is located in the south east of Kyūshū and is well known for it's natural coastline (devil's washboard) and it's Shrine, hidden in the jungle.

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Kirishima Volcanic Mountain Park at Kyushu

Kirishima, Kirishima national park, mt kirishima, mt takachiho, mt shinmoi, mt karakuni, kirishima yaku national park, ebino kogen, kirishima onsen, kirishima shrine, Kirishima open air museum, Kirishima kyushu, Kirishima travel, Kirishima japan

Kirishima (霧島市) is a city in Kogashima, Japan, famous for its volcano mountain range between Miyazaki and Kagoshim Prefectures. Kirishima is located on the main island of Kyushu.

Kirishima is famous for its National Park (Kirishima-Yaku National Park), and volcano hiking. So many mountains found at Kirishima especially Mt. Takachiho, the best mount to hike. Other mounts are Mt. Shinmoi, Mt. Karakuni.


Kirishima-Yaku National Park


Kirishima National Park

Kirishima-Yaku National Park (霧島屋久国立公園) composed of two parts : Kirishima and Yakushima.

Located in the southern part of Kyushu, this park embraces Kirishima volcanic range, Kagoshima Bay with active volcano of Sakurajima, and Yakushima Island.

Kirishima Range consists of some 23 volcanic cones with 15 craters in complete shape, 10 of which are filled with water. They present a mysterious sight as if we are visiting the surface of the moon. There are many hot springs at the foot of the mountains where holidaymakers enjoy excursions throughout the year. Hiking and camping are popular in summer, and skating in winter.


Mt. Kirishima


Mt. Kirishima

Mt. Kirishima (Kirishima Volcano) is a Quaternary composite volcano located in southern Kyushu, Japan. It is situated on the southern rims of the Kakuto and Kobayashi calderas. This volcano contains more than 20 small volcanoes which have been repeatedly active from Pleistocene to Recent. Kirishima Volcano is d ivided into two groups, i. e., the Older Kirishima Volcano and the Younger Kir ishima Volcano.

The Older Kirishima Volcano products are now only exposed in t he western foot of the Kirishima Volcano, however, these volcanics predominant ly underlie the present Kirishima Volcano. The activity of the Younger Kirishi ma Volcano began at about 300,000 years ago and continued until the present. M any small stratovolcanoes, polygenetic pyroclastic cones and monogenetic maars and lava flows were formed by the activity. Most of the rocks of Kirishima Vo lcano are composed of augite - hypersthene andesite, with or without olivine p henocrysts. More than 10 eruptive episodes have been recorded　in ancient lite rature since A.D.742. Most of documented activities were weak eruptions, howev er, activities in 788, 1235 and 1716-17 were large eruptions and caused great disasters.


Kirishima Main attractions

1. Hiking the volcano


Kirishima Hiking Mount Takachiho no mine

There are a variety of hikes that you can do, but one of the best places to hike in Kirishima is Mt. Takachiho, 1574m, because of its magnificent scenery and views - Sakurajima is visible on a clear day. In order to reach the top of Takachicho, you must climb to the top of Mt. Ochahi and hike around the crater lake, which is 2-3 meters deep and has a stunning color.

2. Ebino Kogen
Ebino Kogen is a small town in the mountains of Kirishima just inside Miyazaki Prefecture's borders. Ebino Kogen means "shrimp highlands" and is so named because in late summer the pampas grass that blankets the ground takes on a pinkish hue from iron in the soil, making the area appear to be covered in fields of shrimp.


3. Kirishima Onsen


Kirishima Onsen

Kirishima Onsen lies on the lower slopes of the Kirishima Mountains with a distant view over Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima below. The area is made up of over a dozen hot springs, of which the largest and best know is Maruo Onsen. With its high concentration of hotels and central location, Maruo Onsen is the representative resort town of the entire Kirishima Onsen area.

The hot spring towns around Kirishima Onsen are dotted with ryokan and hotels of various sizes. Their many hot spring sources appear at every turn, each billowing clouds of steam from what look like large smoke stacks.


4. Kirishima Shrine


Kirishima Shrine

The mountains of Kirishima are an important site in the creation mythology of Japan. It was in this area that the god Ninigi no Mikoto, grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, is said to have descended from heaven to rule over the earth.

There are plenty of nice shrines to see in Kirishima, but the most beautiful and most significant is Kirishima-jingu. In 1989, this shrine was deemed a cultural asset to the nation. Not only is it a large, beautiful shrine, but it also has a rich history. According to ancient texts, the first shrine was built in 1460, between Mt. Takachiho and Mt. Ohara, but was destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

5. Kirishima Open Air Museum


Kirishima Open Air Museum

The museum is a large-scale, open-air museum, which utilizes landscapes and forest space in its outdoor sculpture exhibitions. It is a modern art museum that displays all original pieces from Japanese and foreign artists who visited the space and created works with cultural and/or historical significance.

6. Shinwa-no-Sato Park


Kirishima Shinwa no Sato Park

This park is a great place to go with a family, as it has a wide array of activities for people of all ages. You can partake in grass skiing, which costs 1000 yen/hour for adults and 6000 yen/hour for students, or take a lift to the top of the hill and take a ride down the massive slides. The Super Slider costs 400 yen/slide (including lift fee) and the Fancy Slider (40m) is also 400 yen/slide. There is also an 18-hole miniature golf course (800 yen/ a round) and a Children's Play Area.


How to get Kirishima

Kirishima is approximately 1–2 hours drive from Kagoshima city, 45 minute drive from Kagoshima Airport

Access to the trailheads at Ebino Kogen (えびの高原) is harder, and your own car will come in handy. Bus schedules change rapidly, but as of 2009, the two options are:

- From Kirishima Jingu, there are two buses on Sat/Sun only (and daily in May) to Ebino Kogen, taking about 1 hour (¥740). Departures are at 8 and 10:20 AM, returning at 1 and 3:30 PM; check with the Kirishima Tourism Office (tel. 0995-57-1588) [2] for updates.
- From Miyazaki's Miyakoh City bus terminal (宮交シティ), Miyazaki Kotsu [3] operates one bus on Sat/Sun (dep 8:41) plus one on Sun only (dep 10:21) that goes directly to Ebino Kogen via Kobayashi. 2.5 hours, ¥2800, April-late Nov only.



Kirishima Royal Hotel


Kirishima Takachiho


Watch Ebino Kogen small towns in Kirishima Video here

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Rusutsu Ski Resort at Hokkaido

Rusutsu (留寿都村) is just a small village located in Abuta District, Shiribeshi, Hokkaido. What make Rusutsu popular is for its Ski Resort. As another places in Hokkaido who has a beautiful scenery, Rusutsu ski resort is located 90 minutes by road from Sapporo's International Airport and one hour from Niseko.

Rusutsu Ski Resort is Hokkaido's largest Ski area in the winter. The area also has an amusement park or golf field to play golf during the summer.

From the top of Mt Isola you can see Lake Toya with the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Rusutsu is a family-friendly resort offering superb ski terrain and excellent facilities.

A large hotel complex sits at the center of the resort, consisting of the highrise Rusutsu Tower, the North and South Wings, the Highland Lodge and several trailside log cabins. A monorail connects the buildings with each other. A few independently run pensions can also be found in the nearby town center of Rusutsu.

Besides skiing, Rusutsu Resort offers numerous other attractions, including restaurants and shops, pool facilities and hot spring baths, as well as places catering to foreigners such as the Cricket Pub sports bar. Summer activities include golf and an amusement park with over 60 attractions and 8 roller coasters.

Rusutsu has 3 main mountains - East, West and Mt Isola. They offer amazing variety and some awesome natural terrain features not found in other resorts. The backcountry is superb, with just a 20 minute hike you can access long steep chutes or a myriad of tree runs. There's also night skiing till 8pm. Add to this one of the best half-pipes and snow-parks in the area and you have a resort which offers everything that the other resorts offer without having to share.

The famous hotel is Rusutsu Resort Hotel. The Hotel offers 761 rooms and resort-scale facilities on top, including dozens of shops and restaurants. Alternatively, you have the option of staying in log cabins, imported from Canada, using timber first imported from Finland.

Rusutsu Ski Resort Photos :


Rusutsu


Rusutsu Map



Rusutsu is located close to Lake Toya (Toyako) and is just on the other side of Mount Yotei from Niseko.



Rusutsu Resort hotel. Located at the base of the West Mountain the Rusutsu Resort Hotel offers ski in/ski out luxury accommodation.



Rusutsu Tower





Rusutsu West Mountain seen from East Mountain



Rusutsu Ski


Watch Rusutsu Resort Hotel Video here

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