" Onsen " 温泉 or Hot Spring in Japanese has a variety. Bath tub maybe Huge or Small, Very hot or warm (even cold water !), Public or Private, Sulfer or Simple etc, etc. The same Onsen bath can be called " Kazoku-buro or Kashikiri-buro " when it's time-reserved by a party. This " Kashikiri-buro" is what Pai-chan likes most. "Kashikiri-buro" means "reserved-bath" and " Kazoku-buro " is " F a m i l y -bath " both are in a sence similar while you can monopolize the bathing facility by a private party, be it, f a m i l y or… Read more

Mout Fuji is snow-capped as of 9am Japan Time October 27, 2017 ( 00:00 UTC Oct.27 ) Again !! Another typhoon is approaching Japan from the south ... unusually late for the season ... So, going to be a rainy night in Georgia, no in most Japan .... however, this is THE Autumn ... No problem for wet Pai-chan. But to tell you the truth, Pai-chan prefers " Blue Sky" better. https://blog-imgs-99.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjs… Read more

People in Japan like beautiful Autumn season and often talk each other if they have already gone out for " Momiji-gari ". "Momiji" is perhaps you have heard, means Japanese "maple" and "gari" or "kari" stands for "hunting". "Momijigari" does not mean "harvesting or cropping maple" but simply viewing or going out to enjoy Autumn colored maple leaves. And if you ever happen to come upon a Japanese mini-skirt Pai-chan also enjoying o… Read more

"Mitake Shōsenkyō" (御嶽昇仙峡), commonly called just "Shosenkyo" is one of Japan's most beautiful gorges, located 100km west of Tokyo, or about 2hrs train or highway bus ride in Kofu City(甲府市), Yamanashi-ken(山梨県).　 Shōsenkyō is a part of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, which covers more than1,250 square kilometers of forested mountains, valleys and some rural towns in Yamanashi, Saitama, Nagano-ken and Tokyo. A hiking road leads for about four kilometers along the Arakawa River from the Nagatoro… Read more

Myōshin-ji = 妙心寺, the largest Zen temple in Japan On the western outskirts of Kyoto, not far from the mountains ringing the ancient capital, lies a gently rising plain blessed with fresh air and clear water. From ancient times the court nobility kept villas there surrounded by large landscape gardens (nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Sites), bright with flowering plants throughout the four seasons. In time the area came to be known as Hanazono=花園, meaning “flower garden.” ht… Read more

Toyama Prefecture is home to some of the most stunning attractions in the country. Mountains make up more than half of the prefecture and are even visible from the capital city of Toyama. The other half of the prefecture borders the Sea of Japan, and needless to say, boasts coastal views. With an amazing location offering both mountain and sea, it is a bit of a shame that many visitors often pass through heading to the other well known cities like Kanazawa in the west or Takayama in the south. (Above : Pedestria… Read more

During the peak of the autumn season in Japan, the leaves of the maple trees turn red in concert presenting you with beautiful scenery at every turn. Unusually big typhoon at this time of the year hit Japan 22nd/23rd but Pai-chan was able to enjoy wonderful Autumn Hike already last week. In contrast with cherry blossoms, autumn colors start from the north. They can be seen first at the beginning of September in Daisetsuzan, a picturesque spot for the viewing of colorful autumn foliage in Hokkaido, and then t… Read more

Keiunkan ; the world's oldest hotel Nestled among a number of picturesque hot springs in the mountains, the traditionally-styled Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in the Yamanashi Prefecture is recognized as the world's oldest hotel, inn, and possibly even business in general, catering to everyone from ancient samurai to modern tourists for over 1,310 years. Originally established in 705, a year… Read more

At some higher elevations of Tohoku and Kanto regions, this year's Autumn colors have reached their peaks. (Above : Nikko Lake Chuzenji October 17, 2017) (Above : Lake Akimoto from the Azuma-Bandai Lake Line, Bandai October 17, 2017) (Above : Nasu, Tochigi-ken, Tohoku region October 17, 2017) https://blog-imgs-99.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/171018_fu… Read more

Japan's largest Kon-yoku-buro, Cho-raku-en, Tamatsukuri Onsen, Shimane-ken Many people have asked questions about Japanese mixed-sex hot springs, called Kon-yoku-buro (混浴風呂) or Kon-yoku-onsen : What exactly does Kon-yoku-buro mean? Is it embarrassing? Where does it happen? Why would men and women who are strangers bathe together? Is it sexual? Are people completely naked? (The above pic… Read more

Pai-chan will not be available until 20th. Sorry but my blogs are not updated and unable to reply to your messages during that period. May I recommend you to browse through my videos/pix/blogs once again ? Thank you as always.… Read more

The Takayama Festival, which is cited as one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan, consists of two festivals: the Spring Takayama Festival or Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine, and the Autumn Takayama Festival or Hachiman Matsuri at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. The Autumn Hachiman Matsuri, which is held annually on October 9th and 10th prompts the local inhabitants to start their winter preparations. The greatest attractions are the eleven yatai floats which are designated as significant intangible folk cultu… Read more

"Bunkasai" (文化祭) is an annual Cultural Festival event held by most schools in Japan usually on/around November 03 ("Culture Day", a public holiday). It is also a fun event for schools while some foods are served and sold, and also provides a good opportunity each year for students to see what life is like in other schools. It is also intended to enrich people's lives by increasing social interaction and fostering community ties. High School and Junior High School Students prepare to displa… Read more

Port of Nagasaki The Nagasaki Kunchi is the festival of Suwa Shrine, held annually in Nagasaki on October 7-9. The festival has been celebrated for about 400 years and incorporates different aspects of Chinese and Dutch cultures, which have played a role in the city's history. The festival's name is believed to come from ku-nichi ("9th day"), the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar. http://blog-imgs-89.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/0-nagasaki128784913641616223560_kunchi-03.jpg[/ima… Read more

Ōtsu Matsuri is an annual festival of thirteen ornate floats (called hikiyama) held in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture on October 07th and 08th this year. It is a festival of Tenson Shrine in Ōtsu-city, Shiga-ken. The floats were built in 17th and 18th centuries. Each one belongs to a different neighborhood in central Ōtsu. The floats are wooden, about 6 to 7… Read more

Tennis anyone ? Penis anyone ? http://blog-imgs… Read more

Daisetsuzan Asahidake of Hokkaido has already reached its peak of Autumn. (Above : Daisetsuzan Asahidake last week) (Above : Daisetsuzan Ginsendai) Ginsendai is one of several entrance points into the Daisetsuzan Mountains and the trailhead for the hike to Mount Akadake. In Autumn, it is best known for a wide mo… Read more

Kakunodate (角館) is a quiet town with a small population of 14,000 in the eastern region of Senboku-city, Akita. It is enclosed on three sides by mountains and Hinokinai-gawa River that runs to the south. The town has been developed into a castle town after the original township arrangement in the early 17th century. The town has a refined (雅“miyabi”) and elegant (粋“iki”) atmosphere, as is known as the ”Little Kyoto of Michinoku (Tohoku)". The town remains remarkably unchanged since its founding at the present loca… Read more

Pai-chan made an Autumn trip to Nikko on September 29, 2017 Senjo-ga-hara, the vast unspoiled marsh just started changing colors From Lake Chuzenji flows the famous Kegon-Falls with 97m drop Ryuzu-waterfalls is rather flat but wide with plenty of dynamic flow The mountain slopes are… Read more

Pai-chan made an Autumn trip to Nikko on September 29, 2017 Senjo-ga-hara, the vast unspoiled marsh just started changing colors <a href="http://skbjkjsk.blog.fc2.com/img/DSC_0031_Fotor.jpg/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blog-imgs-99.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/DSC_0031_Fotor.jpg" alt="Senjo-ga-hara" border="0" width="800" height="450" /></a> From Lake Chuzenji flows the famous Kegon-Falls with 97m drop <a href="http://skbjkjsk.blog.… Read more