A Travel Blog
Today’s plans, devised by Rie with particular input from 6-year-old Tsubasa, took us, mostly, to more rural areas southwest of Niigata City. As we’ve said before, there’s something lovely about having locals take you away from the tried and true. It all started with our being picked up at 10.30am … Sake, or lmaya Tsukasa … Read more
We woke up this morning to rain on the ground, though fortunately the rain itself had stopped, so we had a dry walk to the station. However, we also had an email from our Niigata friend, changing our pick-up point from outside the railway station to inside because a typhoon was heading right for Niigata! … Read more
Tomioka Silk Factory Our main reason for coming to Takasaki was to visit the Tomioka Silk Factory. It was Japan’s first modern silk factory, established in 1872; it operated until 1987; and in 2014 it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first Japanese factory, we believe, to be so designated. Getting to Tomioka … Read more
Remember last night’s friendly izakaya? Well, this morning on our walk (aka, trundle) to the station, we took the route that passed this izakaya so I could get a daytime shot. I did that and we trundled off. A few minutes – and a few blocks – later, we heard a noise, and there, running … Read more
The day began … with a delicious Japanese breakfast buffet to fortify us for our busy day. We then handed in our “Eco plan” sheet to reception. This meant no change of towels or sheets, but gave us in return, two coffee vouchers at the hotel’s cafe. The Japanese, we are learning, are very literal. … Read more