May trip 2026

Left home heading north to the first stop, Suwako. The first stop was Takashima Castle. The original castle and keep was constructed in 1598 but like most the original buildings were destroyed during the Meiji Restoration. The current keep was reconstructed in May of 1970. After the castle we proceeded to Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya to read more visit https://shimosuwaonsen.jp/en/feature/266/. After the shrines we walked to the Honjin Iwanami house, here we talked to the current owner. The house was once setup for traveling VIPs and has been under the same families control for 28 generations. Well with a visit if in the area. After this we traveled to the camping site for the night, Takasome Campground.

Up early the next morning to drive to Kamikochi for a day of walking and enjoying nature. As usual Kamikochi did not fail to impress, snow capped mountains, crystal clear river and baby Japanese Macaques (snow monkeys). After 14.5 KM of walking we decided to head to the campsite for the night, Okuhidaonsengo Auto Camping Ground, for a well deserved night of rest.

The third day was the first of two days of rain so our plans changed. Instead of river gorges and waterfalls we settled on Toyama Glass Art Museum. Then we drove local roads to Kanagawa where we decided to get a hotel room for two nights.

Woke up early on day four to rain so we cancelled to plan visit to Kenroku-en and waited for the rain to let up. Once that happened we walked the grounds of Kanagawa Castle and Oyama Shrine where we had to wait out another bout of heavy rain. Once that ended we proceeded to the Nagamachi District which is know for its Samurai houses and again we were dodging the rain. After this we called it a day and heading back to the hotel to get rested up for the 4AM wakeup to go to Kenroku-en and then the 8 hour drive back home in Yokosuka.

We woke at 0400 and got moving about an hour later arriving at Kenroku-en at 0530. Upon arrival we found out that the garden is open from 0400 to 0645 with no entrance fee. The garden was very quite with very few people. This being our second trip to the garden navigation was pretty easy but I will say the Autumn is much prettier then late spring. Still the garden was very enjoyable. We left the garden at 0630 and started the 8 hour drive home to Yokosuka.

This trip to Matsumoto was an overnight trip to just view and record the annual illumination of the Tenshu (keep). That video is available in the Photos section. The audio is not the best but the video turned out pretty good.

October trip 2025

Although the trip to Hokkaido was planned it was based on the Autumn color schedule posted by Japan Travel. I guess nature does not check the Japan Travel website as we missed the full color by about 7 to 10 days.

The trip started with driving from our home in Yokosuka in Kanagawa to Aomori to catch the ferry. As there is no bridge or tunnel to Hokkaido one of the ferries is the only option for those driving. The ferry took us to Muroran where our short visit to Hokkaido starts.

Day 1 had us going to Shin-Noboribetsu Bridge but alas the autumn leaves were past their prime so no real photo opportunity. Then to Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley for the volcanic vents and hot springs. This also included Oyunuma Pond and Lake Kuttara. This was followed by a couple of site stops that sounded better then they turned out to be. That night we stayed at the best RV park that we have been to so far, RV Park Flower Road Eniwa.

Day 2 has us heading to Sandan no taki, Rarumanai taki and Haku Sen no taki (waterfalls) then on to Sapporo. The first stop in Sapporo was Nakajima Koen (park) which turned out to be awesome as it was the only place still in full autumn colors. The last stop of the day was Heiwa no taki then to the RV park.

Day 3 is the first day of rain. This caused us to modify our plans as walking in cold rain is not a top item on my to do list. We still managed to find a couple of things to do - Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery and Yoichi Smoked Foods Shop. Because of the weather the big item for the day got skipped, Shimamui Coast and its nature trails. so off to the first night in a hotel.

Day 4 we wake to rain so we decide to just head straight to Hokodate. The rain stops in time for us to stop at Lake Konuma for a nice stroll. Then on to one of the main attractions of the trip, Goryokaku which is the European style fortification in Hakodate.

Day 4 and it is raining again so we took the ferry back to Aomori to start the journey home. A trip to Aomori without visiting Oirase gorge would be incomplete. Autumn colors were, once again, already past but was still worth the trip.

Days 5 and 6 were the trip home with small uneventful stops along the way.