Hi everyone. Sorry it's been so long. I don't think I'll be blogging as much this time - there aren't as many pretty or interesting places around here, at least that I can get to...
But I did go away for a three day weekend (it was Ocean Day).
The first day I went to a place in Mie Prefecture that's called Akame 48 Waterfalls. It took over three hours by train and car to get there.
A sample of the vending machines at a small station I stopped at. There are drink vending machines EVERYWHERE in Japan in addition to the ever present convenience stores.
Ice cream vending machines are scattered here and there, often at tourist sites. And those convenience stores have GREAT selections of ice cream (and other desserts) often changing with the season, as they do with other snacks like potato chips and rice crackers (ie honey chips in the summer, citron flavor rice cakes in winter, pear or sweet potato ice pops in the fall). This is a very dangerous place to live calorie wise - so many interesting snacks, drinks and foods to try. And even the fried chicken at convenience stores is delicious!
This is something I haven't seen in person before although I've them on tv. This particular station didn't seem to have eateries or convenience stores nearby so that's probably why they have have this machine.
The foods below are just of the few of the choices we found at a roadside rest area. A little different from Burger King eh?! I had the ginger pork below.
The rest stop was in ninja country and this little pink ninja was pointing the way to the toilets!
If you haven't heard, it is HOT over here!!! It's been in the high 90s - low 100's for the last 3 weeks or so (with humidity) so I have given in to something you see often here in the summer - people wearing towels around theire neck. It really helps by 1) keeping the sweat from dripping from your hairline down your neck and back forming big sweat spots on your shirt; 2) You don't have to carry a separate towel to wipe the sweat from your face and to dry your glasses which get so slippery with sweat and sunscreen! 3). You can also wet it if you're lucky enough to find cold water and pat your face/neck with a somewhat cool(er) wet towel. Although the heat and humidity here are always hard to take, as any of you who know me know, I do much better in the heat than in the cold, so I had a good time despite the temp.
To get to the walk along the river one must go through the giant salamander museum. Evidently there aren't many places on earth you can see a giant salamander but they are still living in this river.
These are maps of the trails with the names of the bigger waterfalls.
We walked about half way. You are required to start back from the halfway point around 4pm because even in the summer it gets dark early and quickly since you are in the woods. We just made it to that point at 4 so it worked out perfectly.
I think that when counting the '48' falls these little ones were counted.
Which is fine, they were often nicer than the bigger falls. And quieter!
There were many spots - most of the river really - that if this were in the U.S. or Europe would have been filled with people. But here, there are 'no swimming' signs and unbelievably nobody swims! Too bad.
This whole area reminded me of Ithaca, NY. Particularly Treman Park (where you can walk up (in) the whole river!!!!) and Buttermilk Falls.
So many trees just clinging to life on the rocks.
Time out for a quick visit to a little shrine in the mountainside.
Some very impressive boulders.
This rock looks like a hedgehog or badger to me, looking into the water. Possibly with a fish (rock) next to it on the right.
Not too many people around (probably too hot) so there were some nice serene places)
On the way back the sunlight was streaming through the trees.
Cute little rest hut.
We stayed at a ryokan (a Japanese style hotel). I don't think there are western style hotels in the area. Most of the time a ryokan comes with dinner and breakfast. As this one did. So after a dip in the onsen (hot springs bath) people don yukatas (summer kimonos) and go down to dinner (some places serve at the table in your room.) While you are dining, someone goes to your room and sets out your futon (mattress) on the floor.
This was a delicious sukiyaki dinner. A HUGE plate of vegetables and tofu and a giant plate of meat. You cook it. We managed to finish the meat but hardly made a dent in the veggies... There was also an assortment of little appetizers and dessert.
I had to try some of the local sake. It was really good!
Some shogun and ninja artifacts that were on display.
Still pretty satisfied from dinner the night before we were served this delicious breakfast!
And then we drove to Ise Jingu (Shrine). See the next blog for that.
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