Chelsea's blog: 10 DAYS NAGANO JAPAN 24.12.2018 TO 03.01.2019

3 Trips to Japan: Nagano in winter (24.12.2018 to 03.01.2019)
Our journey: reach Tokyo Haneda at 10.30pm

Day 1: 24.12.2018 reach Tokyo overnight Tokyo
Day 2: 25.12.2018 Ueda
Day 3: 26.12.2018 Ueda
Day 4: 27.12.2018 Ueda
Day 5: 28.12.2018 Matsumoto
Day 6: 29.12.2018 Day trip to Takayama Shirakawago
Day 7: 30.12.2018 Matsumoto
Day 8: 31.12.2018 Yokohama
Day 9: 01.01.2019 Yokohama
Day 10: 02.01.2019 Yokohama
Day 11: 03.01.2019 Reach Kuala Lumpur, fly back to Penang.

Total Expenses:
AirAsia PG-KL, KL-PG : RM302.38
AirAsia Japan: RM2100.00
Accomodation for 9 days:
Bay Hotel capsule: RM122.00
Ueda 3 nights: RM473.00
Matsumoto 3 nights: RM380.00
Yokohama 2 nights: RM180.00
Pool money for 10 days: RM2200
Personal Expenses: RM2000

23rd Dec 2018 To Kuala Lumpur - Tea break before flying

Dinner at Kuala Lumpur Yakotori - by our dear Risa n Wadasan

24th Dec 2018 Early breakfast before heading to KLIA for Haneda

Fish Bee Hoon Soup

Reach Haneda Airport 10.35pm

Reach Bay Hotel Capsule at Ginza almost 12am

check in midnight

Personal shoe locker

My first experience capsule

Late dinner almost 1am

Sake to go

25th Dec 2018 Check out to Ueda

JR Bullet train to Ueda

Reach Ueda Station - change train to Bessho Onsen Station

Bessho Onsen Station - Bessho Onsen is the oldest recorded hot spring in the region. Its sulfurous waters have been regarded for their healing properties. There are three small traditional public bath houses found around town that offer visitors a chance to experience the atmosphere of a small neighborhood hot spring bath.

Check in Anzuan Nishida Guesthouse - 25/12 to 27/12/2018

That's is Mr Anzuan the House owner

The owner always provide us with tea coffee breads n fruits

After check in, went to some temples

Jorakuji Temple - Jorakuji is related to the Kitamuki Kannon Temple. It has a thatched roof, which is unusual for a temple.

Kitamuki Kannon Temple - Main object of worship is a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy.

Treat our self with gelato

Enjoy and relaxing at foot bath with gelato - feeling good

Walk around and this is the only ramen restaurant we can find

feeling hungry - not yummy too bad

supper to go with plum wine

26th Dec 2018 - Owner serve us with coffee oranges and bread , plus our ramen for breakfast

Bought 2 day pass for 1888 yen - going to Karuizawa

Which mountain is this ?

Karuizawa Station

1st stop to Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza - is the area main shopping street that is lined with many shops offering local products and souvenirs. There are also variety of dining options at the eateries and restaurant nearby.

Some photo shot

Can't resist the baked potato 410yen

Their famous jam

Reach Kyu-Karuizawa

Crepe Crepe

2nd stop plan to go to Shiiraito Fall Karuizawa, by bus 30 minutes (being waiting very long for the us), destination change to Kumobaike Pond cause the day will get dark early during winter

It's about a 20 minute walk from Karuizawa Station to Kumoba Pond.

The scenery is beautifully reflected on the pond surface. The environment there was so peaceful.

We walk up to the end of the lake and return.....

3rd stop Komoro - not much we can do here getting dark

Some snack while waiting for train - coconut biscuit is nice

Went to Harunire Terrace to enjoy shopping, coffee and nice photo shot located next to a river - unfortunately the daylight went off so early during winter. Can't get nice view of Harunire Terrace.

Back to our home stay - feeling warm

Daily vitamin and sake

27 Dec 2018 - coffee and bread by the owner - feeling thankful

Went to Jigokudani Yaen Koen - known as the Snow Monkey Park. to see the Snow Monkey soaked in natural hot spring.

Reached - have to hike for about 25 minutes

1.6km to hike gambate - too bad not much snow : were hoping for more snow

Up the stairs

Not up to our expectation - were hoping to see more snow and monkey soaking

Order some snack on the way down - feeling hungry

The fries and fried chic is so delicious

Back to the main point - it's snow so heavily while we wait for the bus

Next stop went to Nagano Zenkoji Temple - is one of the most important and popular temples in Japan and attracts many visitors from throughout the nation and around the world.

The Niomon Gate consists of two guardian statues facing each other

Passing through the Niomon Gate leads to the temple's shopping street ( Nakamise Dori ).

Enmei Jizo Son located on the left hand side, about half-way through the Nakamise Dori Shopping street.

Chozusha ( purification Basin)

The Sanmon Gate is Zenkoji Temple's main gate. It is believed that wafting smoke from the great incense burner over the body will bestow good health and ward away illness.

We did that.

Did not enter the temple - it closed at 4pm

Tried this soy sauce ice cream

Puff stuff with apple custard and coffee

Another ice cream to go - Miso ice cream is a must to try
tasted a bit weird but still ok

Bought some apple home

Forgotten this shopping district name- any how is all closed, seem to closed early every where

Stop at Midori station for dinner

Apples for supper - yummy

28 Dec 2018 - check out Anzuan Guesthouse to Matsumoto

According to the Japanese we are very lucky that deer appear in front of us and we got 2 deers

Waiting for train to Ueda Station

It start to snow on the day we are leaving Bessho Onsen - sad

Train is here

Waiting for train to Matsumoto

On the way to Matsumoto - snow snow snow

Beautiful trees fill with snow

Here we are - Ryokan Matsukaze

Check in here for 3 nights 28/12 - 30/12/2018

Room is big but too many furniture

River opposite Ryokan Matsukaze

Went for lunch at Coco's Restaurant

yummy fries

Went to Matsumoto City Museum of Art - YAYOI KUSAMA

Continue to Matsumoto Castle - is very cold at Matsumoto -3 celcius

Here we are

Matsumoto Castle is one of the oldest castles in Japan. You can see the reflection of the castle in the clear water, The building is also known as the " Crow Castle" due to it's black exterior.
The red bridge gives it more color.

The garden where you can relax

Is so beautiful with the red color bridge

Omg - can't imagine we broke 2 selfie stick at the same time here

After a tired day back to Ryokan early - need to wake up 5am next morning for our day trip to Takayama Shirakawago
our dinner

29 Dec 2018 - To Takayama and Shirakawago, my dream place...

Wake up 5am, leave Ryokan at 6am to Matsumoto Bus Terminal to catch the earliest bus to Takayama at 7.15 am : well done we make it ...hahaha

On the way to Takayama Bus Station

Half way it seem snowing none stop till Takayama - feeling excited and very happy

Bus stop for 5 minutes rest - it's still sowing - yessss

Bought ticket from Takayama to Shirakawago - another 1 hour to go

Wow a lot of people waiting for the buses

OMG.....snow getting heavier, me getting more excited,

We are hoping for a white white white Shirakawago

Hoohoohooo finally we are here - Dream come true

White White White Shirakawago

It's snowing very heavily and windy none stop

Look at the trees

Unbelievable beautiful

Up hill to the deck for nice photo shot
opssss....snow falling down from the trees

The deck - very blur due to heavy snow and wind

Going down hill

We don't have much time here as only day trip, and have to catch our last bus at Takayama at 4.30pm

We left around 2pm to Takayama

Went to Sanmachi Suji Takayama (Old Town) - it's a group of three main street at the heart of Takayama. It's also known as Little Kyoto

And what's more - is still snowing....

They only serve beef pau - not for us too bad

Go for mochi

Some pancake

After whole day at Takayama and Shirakawago, we reach Ryokan very late

Still we went to onsen to relax our tired body

Our dinner ramen again - too tired to go out

30 Dec 2018 - Celebrating our dear friend Birthday at Abe Cafe

One of the earlier opening restaurant in the city, open at 7 am. The cafe is very traditional and near to Matsumoto Station.

Cheese cake for birthday girl

Nawate Dori or Frog Street. If you like frog this is the place....haha

Nakamachi Street located just across the river from Nawate Street.

Not much to do here - just walk around

Ended up at Aeon Mall for late lunch

Went back to Ryokan rest for awhile - planing to go to Matsumoto Castle again for night view

Today marks the coolest day in Matsumoto -7....freezing at night

There you go night view of Matsumoto - luckily we did it

It's so beautiful at night - seems like 2 different Castle day and night

As you can see the reflection in the water

Almost frozen the water

The main entrance

Late dinner at 7 eleven - super like the fried food...so yummy

Some dessert from the staff

31 Dec 2018 - Check out Ryokan Matsukaze Matsumoto to Yokohama

Check Yokohama for 2 nights

Book 2 rooms - did not aspect the room too be so small - but still we have fun

1 room for our luggage

Location very near to Sakuragicho Station

After check in, went to Minato Mirai also known as MM ( central business district of Yokohama )

Walk pass Chinatown Yokohama

End of Autumn ??? We got to enjoy 2 seasons.....

Wanted to have fun at Cupnoodles Museum - is closed for 2 days 31/12 and 01/01/2019

Quickly move to Tokyu Square for late lunch again

Saw Snoopy Town Shop on the way out

Can't resist, get a few stuff here

Yokohama Cosmo World- amusement park. The park offers Ferris Wheel Clock, roller coaster, haunted house and many others.

Pass thru this stall inside the amusement park

can't resist again 550yen

Building on the left

The landmark Tower - 4th tallest structure in Japan 70 floors 296.3 m.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a complex building from old warehouse located by the bay.

The building consists of shop, restaurant and cafes.

Look like people waiting to celebrate new year

Red Brick Warehouse at night

Went to Peanut Diner Yokohama

Ferris Wheel at night beautiful

Landmark Tower

Went to Chinatown Yokohama

Every body seems to eat pau

emmm i am not a fan of pork pau

Some celebration here

Lion dance

Milk tea

Siu Long Pau again not my type

01 JAN 2019 - Happy New Year

Our top thing to do today is to shopping - unfortunately we selected the wrong day as today marks Japanese New Year, most of the places and shop all closed.