Myojinike Pond
Kappa-bashi
Myojinike Pond
Kappa-bashi
I got a chance to do just that recently, visiting Excel Air Service, which offers helicopter cruises over Tokyo and Yokohama. Operating out of Urayasu directly next to Tokyo Disney Resort(R), the helicopter cruises of Excel Air take guests high above Tokyo's streets for an unforgettable view that shows an entirely new side of the city.
Excel's free shuttle service runs from Maihama Station, and quickly takes passengers to the Urayasu heliport. Arriving 30 minutes prior to my scheduled cruise, the waiting room was decked out in holiday decorations during my visit. The room had a warm atmosphere with plenty of young couples relaxing on the comfortable couches, chatting while enjoying the view of nearby Tokyo DisneySea(R). Checking in was painless, and after a brief wait it was our turn to take off.
Seats were assigned after a safety lecture, and my group proceeded to the helipad. Onboard, at least one person from every couple gets a window seat, making a great excuse to slide close to your partner at the window. I'd never ridden in a helicopter before, but taking off was surprisingly smooth as we quickly climbed above the Tokyo Bay. Flying out over Tokyo Disney Resort on the Diamond Course offered by Excel Air, the theme park lights immediately made for a dazzling view.
Settling in to our cruising altitude of 700 meters, the lights of Tokyo continued to spread out far into the distance. Landmarks like the Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Roppongi Hills, normally divided by multiple train transfers, were all visible in one sweeping view. It really was a completely different way to see Tokyo. On foot, the skyscrapers and department store advertisements tower above train station exits at Ikebukuro and Shibuya. From the air, not only could we see the entire area around these city centers, but also how they connect to one another.
After 20 minutes, our nighttime cruise came to an end and we touched down back at the Urayasu Heliport. My first thoughts upon exiting the helicopter were, "I bet the daytime cruise is just as impressive." Excel Air's Diamond Course was a wonderful, romantic experience that literally let me see Tokyo on an entirely different level.
If you would like to learn more, visit Excel Air's homepage
Reservation terms and conditions are at the link
Or, contact Excel Air directly:
Excel Air Service, Inc.
TEL: +81-47-380-5555 (outside Japan)
047-380-5555 (within Japan)
Open: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekends and holidays
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. weekdays
We are very pleased to offer in partnership with Excel Air a chance for one lucky JAPANiCAN.com reader to win a pair of tickets for a Diamond Course nighttime helicopter cruise! Read on for details.
Prize: 1 pair of Diamond Course tickets (approximate flight time 20 minutes)
Entry Method: follow @jtbjapanican on Twitter and use Twitter's retweet function to share the contest post. You will need to create a Twitter account if you have not done so already.
Contest Deadline: February 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC +9)
Prize Claiming: On February 15, one winner will be randomly chosen and notified through Twitter's messaging feature. The person chosen will have three days to respond to the message to claim their prize. If no response is received in three days, a new winner will be chosen. Once a response is received, the contest winner will need to provide us with their desired day to take their helicopter cruise, their desired flight time (from nightfall to 9:00 p.m.) and the full names of the two passengers that will use the ticket. A flight reservation confirmation e-mail will be sent to the contest winner.
Notes: A free shuttle bus is available from Maihama Station to the Urayasu Heliport. Winner will be responsible for transportation to and from Maihama Station on their own.
Notes on Twitter: To enter, contestants must follow @jtbjapanican and retweet the contest post.
Only one entry per person is allowed. Anyone found to be using multiple accounts to enter this contest will be disqualified.
Do you know what to do if a natural disaster occurs during your trip in Japan?
Due to its geographical and meteorological characteristics, Japan sometimes experiences severe weather and natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. Local governments throughout the country organize extensive emergency drills to make sure the local population is ready should such disasters take place.
Every year in January, Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward conducts such emergency drills. This year, the event will also feature English-language instructions for the benefit of visitors to Japan and foreign residents. Chiyoda Ward would like to invite all to come and take part in this event and help learn the proper procedure to take should a natural disaster occur in Japan.
Emergency Drill Event Details
Date & Schedule
Friday, 15 January 2010 9:45 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Event Site
JR Akihabara Station area
Drill Contents
Earthquake experience
Message service for disasters
Conveying messages with gestures and pictures
Escaping a disaster in a train station
Schedule
9:45 a.m. - Meeting at Akihabara UDX 2F Akiba Square「Tagengo Shien Center」
10:00 a.m. - Details
10:30 a.m. - Earth Level 7 Experience in Belsare Akihabara
11:00 a.m. - Escaping a disaster in a train station
11:20 a.m. - Wrap-up
Entry Fee: Free (Transportation fees to be borne by participants.)
Event Organizer:
Chiyoda Ward Disaster Prevention Division (External site, Japanese text only)
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Myohonji Temple
Photos taken on November 30, 2009
at Kamakura, Kanagawa
Tokyo Hotel and Ryokan Reservations
Photos taken on October 31, 2009
at Lake Shirakaba, Nagano
Photos taken on November 22, 2009
at Nanzenji Temple, Kyoto
Photos taken on November 22, 2009
at Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto
Former Hokkaido Government Building
Photos taken on November 2, 2009
at Sapporo, Hokkaido
Photos taken on October 31, 2009
at Fukuroda no Taki Waterfall, Ibaraki
I went hiking in Kirifuri-kogen Heights. Around the station the weather was clear, but by the time I got up into the mountains there was a lot of fog...Despite this, the trees up there had already started changing colors, and at least I could see that.
Photos taken on October 12, 2009
at Nikko, Tochigi
Photos taken on September 26, 2009
at Tsugaike National Park, Otari-mura, Nagano
Otari-mura/Tsugaike Kogen Hotel and Ryokan Reservations
Hakuba/Happo Hotel and Ryokan Reservations
Related article:
Summer Trekking in the Floral Paradise of Hakuba, Nagano
This year the Koyasan Cafe will return to Cafe Hy's in Aoyama, Tokyo, bringing with it a special chance to experience the spirituality of Mt. Koya, a World Heritage Site in Wakayama, Japan. For a limited time from 1-6 September, monks from the sacred buddhist site will visit Tokyo to help spread the teachings and culture of their mountaintop temples. This special event combines Zen spirituality with gourmet treats and a chic atmosphere, letting guests get a taste of Koyasan without leaving Tokyo.
During the event visitors can experience hand-copying sutras (Buddhist scriptures) to calm the mind, sample unique vegan dishes based on the strict diet of the Koyasan monks, and view a replica mandala and photographs from Mt. Koya.
[Location]
Cafe Hy's Map
(External link. Japanese only.)
5-51-1 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
[Access]
From Omotesando Station: a 3-minute walk from Exit B2 of Omotesando Station on the Ginza Line or Hanzomon Line
*Walk in the direction of Shibuya and turn right at the Muji store. You will see the orange-colored Cafe Hy's on the left hand side.
From Shibuya Station: a 15 minute-walk from JR Shibuya Station.
[Hours]
-Gallery
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Weekdays)
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Saturday)
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Sunday)
-Experience
2:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Weekdays)
11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Saturday)
11:30 a.m. - 5:00 (Sunday)
-Lunch
Starts at 12:00 noon each day
The charms of Mt. Koya (located in Wakayama Prefecture) are introduced through three different zones.
1. The Gallery Zone
-A mandala replica exhibition
-A tatami space, scented with incense
-An exhibition of photographs of Mt. Koya
2. The Experience Zone
-Meditation and the hand-copying of sutras can actually be tried out under the guidance of monks from Mt. Koya's temples.
-Live Buddhist music performances
-Cooking the vegan dishes.
* Schedule
Click here for the menu schedule. (External link. Japanese only)
3. The Cafe Zone
Items available include:
-Mt. Koya-style vegan lunch (JPY 1,260) and sweets (JPY 420) made of sesame bean curd.
-An original cocktail, "Evening glow of Mt. Koya," which uses sake (rice wine) from Mt. Koya.
[Information about Mt. Koya]
*Access to Mt. Koya (External link)
[Temple Stays in Mt.Koya (Koyasan)]
Of course, to get the true experience, the best option is to travel to Koyasan yourself, and spend a night in a shukubo, or traditional buddhist temple lodgings.
JAPANiCAN.com's Top 3 Shukubo Temple Lodgings
1. Koyasan Onsen Fukuchiin Koyasan, Wakayama
Guestrooms are surrounded by a large garden that was designed by a famous landscape artist. The hot spring (onsen) bath is open 24 hours a day.
From JPY 9,975
2. Hongakuin Koyasan, Wakayama
Hogakuin is surrounded by five unique gardens in the center of a quiet wooded area. The food here is especially famous.
From JPY 13,650
3. Henjoko-in Koyasan, Wakayama
This temple used to be the imperial chamber for Emperor Shirakawa. Here, visitors can see many items on display that have been designated as important national treasures. Visitors can also enjoy rooms facing a bright new garden, each with fusuma (Japanese-style sliding doors) covered with gold dust.
From JPY 10,500
*See all Koyasan temple lodgings
While passing by Kamuiwakka Falls, I spotted a mother bear out for a walk with her two cubs!
If you download and print out the PDF below, you can get 10% off of the same cruise, operated by Gojira Iwa Tourism! Just take it to the ticket window at Gojira Iwa Tourism and you're ready to go!
Here's a video I took during the cruise!
Fukushima-san, who was born and raised in Hakuba and now works at the Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, acted as my guide.
The Happo-One Nature Study Trail trekking course offers a stunning view over the Hakuba mountain range of Japan's Northern Alps. This whole area is part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park area, and has been designated as a natural monument.
From Happo Station, you can take the gondola and then the chairlifts of the Happo Alpen Line that take you all the way up to Happouikesansou, 1,830 meters above sea level. The Happo-One Nature Study Trail is a treasure-trove of alpine plants, and guides to the mountain flowers' names, as well as to the mountain views, are on sale at the chair lift station. From here it is a 2.5 km walk to Happo-ike Pond.
The trekking course was for the most part made up of wooden planks and stairs, but the first rocky part to the trail took some effort to climb up! Aiming for the cairn made of piled up rocks, we made our way towards Happo-ike Pond.
After 1 hour and a half, we reached Happo-ike Pond. Despite it being the end of June, there was still snow covering some of the pond and its surroundings. The Happo-ike Pond was naturally formed by the piling up of earth and sand by the mountain snow. The surface of the water reflects the surrounding mountains like a mirror, giving the place a mysterious feel. The day I visited was very windy, meaning that I had to wait for the wind to die down before I could take a photo showing the reflection in the pond. I remember thinking at the time that I'd like to come back on a fine summer's day...
From Happo-ike Pond continues a mountain-climbing course leading up to the summit of Mt. Karamatsu, at 2,696 meters above sea-level. I felt that was a bit much for a beginner like me, so I headed back down the mountain along the staired route admiring the pretty alpine plants.
[Access] From JR Hakuba Station, Happo-One Gondola Lift Happo Station is about 10 minutes on foot or about 5 minutes by bus (look for buses headed in the direction of Happo).
On my second day I headed to Tsugaike National Park, with its four moors. While walking along the planked walkways, visitors can enjoy the spacious wetlands, the vegetation, and the lovely alpine plants. This also makes up part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park.
From Tsugaike Station, you can take the gondola and then ropeway of the Tsugaike Panorama Way that take you all the way up to the entrance of the Tsugaike National Park, 1,900 meters above sea level. At the top, you are greeted by fresh and pleasantly cool mountain air.
When I visited, Mizubasho flowers were in season.
Crossing through wetlands and streams still covered in snow...
...we finally made it to the park's innermost Tenbo Shitsugen viewing platform, which commands a superb view of the mountains of the Northern Alps and the Hakuba Daisekkei Gorge. An incredible view not to be missed!
Actually, during July and August you can go trekking among the remaining snow in the Hakuba Daisekkei Gorge; something I'd like to try myself next time I get the chance.
On returning to the entrance to the national park, We ate a wild strawberry soft ice cream and an apple soft ice cream from the kiosk. After a long trek, the sweet ice cream really tasted wonderful. A taste not to be missed either!
[Access] From JR Minamiotari Station it is about 20 minutes to Tsugaike Kougen Station by bus. Take the bus headed for Tsugaike Kougen and get off at the last stop.
* Click here for photos of the flowers I saw on my Hakuba trek! *
In early October, the mountains in Hakuba are beautifully covered with brightly colored trees.
Tsugaike National Park
The Happo-ike Pond
Above 2 photos from Tokyu Hakuba corporation & SnowNavi Site, taken on October 8-10, 2008
On this trip I stayed at Hakuba's famous high-class Hakuba Tokyu Hotel. The view from the balcony of the Northern Alps' deep green verdure really cleanses the soul...
Here you can eat your breakfast in a sophisticated atmosphere on the terrace, feeling the morning breeze. After breakfast, why not take a walk in the hotel gardens?
*You can purchase discounted tickets for the Happo Alpen Line and the Tsugaike Panorama Way from the hotel.
Happo Alpen Line: Adult ticket 2,600 yen to 2,340 yen
Tsugaike Panorama Way: Adult ticket 3,300 yen to 2,950 yen
（300 yen Tsugaike National Park entry fee included）
Outside Sendai Station stand rows of shopping streets, with six covered arcades in this fun shopping city. The shopping in Sendai has been getting better and better, especially since the opening of the Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets in the outskirts of the city -- about 30 minutes by car from Sendai Station area -- in autumn 2008.
The Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets are located in the lush green surroundings of elegant Izumi Park Town, about 40 minutes from Sendai Station by bus. Here, you can find all your favorite shops in surroundings reminiscent of a pleasant New England townscape.
With 80 stores selling everything from everyday household goods to premium Japanese and international fashion, both adults and children can find everything they desire. During your shopping, if you'd like to take a rest, try the adjacent Izumi Park Town Tapio shopping center, which houses approximately 20 cafes and restaurants serving a range of Japanese and Western food options. If you decide to stay at the Sendai Royal Park Hotel, located just south of the mall, you can use your whole day to shop to your heart's content!
This store takes pride in the quality and taste of its products, even growing its own grapes to make wine and using delicious fruit to make jam, dressings, pasta sauce, and spices for flavoring the original food products on sale. In-store, try finding your favorite flavor by tasting a number of the jams, or pick up one of the light meals also on sale.
The store's Wild Blueberry Compote comes highly recommended, having won first prize at the Mondo Selection in April 2009. The jam is best eaten with St. Cousair original crackers, which can be sampled in-store.
Come and enjoy the atmosphere of a typical Japanese shopping mall, where you can find everything from a supermarket to interior design and hobby stores. There is even a shop full of colorfully designed homewares where everything is JPY 315. Finally, the mall's food court offers visitors a wide selection of cuisine, ensuring that everyone finds just what they want to eat, no problem!
This stylish city hotel has a resort feel, and was designed based on a lush Western-style garden. The hotel offers the best features of the Tohoku region of Japan as well as European styling, relaxing rooms, and Japanese, Chinese and Western restaurants.
Visitors can also make use of conveniently placed Internet computer terminals and Seven Bank ATMs, which accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, JCB and Ginren Cards.
[Information]
Sendai-Izumi Premium OutletsSendai-Izumi Premium Outlets Official Site
6-1-1, Teraoka, Izumi-Ku, Sendai-Shi, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Tel: 022-355-5310
Click here to view & print a coupon for 10% off select items at the Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlet! (Please present coupon to the Information Center located on the first floor. Some stores not included in offer.)
Opening hours:
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(Cafes: 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Opening hours vary by season and by establishment.
Access:
Train/Bus - From JR Sendai Station take the underground train headed for Izumi Chuo. After 15 minutes get off at Izumi Chuo Station. From there, take the Miyakoh Bus headed for Izumi Park Town via Teraoka Murosakiyama. After 20 minutes, get off at the Teraoka 1-chome Kita/Izumi Outlet bus stop. The shopping center is 3 minutes away on foot.
Discounted round-trip tickets can be purchased for JPY 1,000 from the Miyagi Transport Information Desk at the Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal.
Go down staircase 1, and tickets can be purchased at the back of the building.
When you get on the bus, please make sure that you take one of the numbered tickets from the machine at the entrance of the bus (pictured). If you tell the bus driver that you are headed to the "Outlet", they will tell you where to get off.
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