Tottori Sand dunes, the Sushi edition.

So we woke up around 7.30-ish a.m. to eat breakfast before going to the Tottori sand dunes that we had no time for yesterday.
Yesterdays Karaoke was super fun though, and the best part was that they even have English songs, bands by the bundle so that even a foreigner can sing there. And these are not some old moldy songs that they have. No they had recent stuff as well so we sang yesterday a lot, or at least I did.

Yu's mother drove us around and we stooped first at some cool spots with a great view. 

We even climbed down to one of the rocky beaches and I collected some seashells there. It is so weird that the seashells that the have here are so hard. Almost as hard as rock and almost impossible to break by hand. I'll probably use them for decorating later when I get home.

We then drove to the sand dunes and let me tell you, they are well worth their reputation ! 

The sand dunes

I mean, they were just HUGE! and they stretched on pretty far. The air was hot and humid and the walk was a bit hard but the cool breeze that now and then gently blew helped a little. It would have been great to visit when there would have been no rain before arriving to the dunes.
If you are in Tottori I highly recommend visiting the sand dunes and the sand museum with some cool sand sculptures on display.

Camel rides are popular 

SO while at the sand dunes I noticed that I could not find my camera anywhere so we had to find it. So clumsiness strikes again. We asked around the dunes but it was not there so we decided it had to have fallen somewhere in the rocky beach where we were visiting before.

It was so ironic, while driving towards the beach the radio played a song that was about lost things and finding them. "What is it that you are searching for" "is it hard to find" etc. I'll put the link down below for the song.

So luckily we found it at the exact same spot. There were some people there but no one had even touched it! This is what I love about Japan, the people are extraordinarily kind and law-biding.

So as we were getting hungry we drove to town to get some SUSHI!
We tried to get in a couple of places but they were full so we ended up with the Hamazushi kaiten zushi restaurant in Tottori.
It was my first time visiting a sushi-go-around but it was totally worth it. It was so amazing and exiting!

Kaiten Zushi

It was so delicious and the thing I loved about the sushi-go-around was the simplicity. I had never tried most of the things they had there before so I could just pick anything up that looked delicious.
I could also order via a touch screen some "special orders". It is a good place to visit if you never ever had sushi and you want to try but don't know what to order.
I had eaten sushi before but my god it was so much better here! And as if that would not be enough, they say  that these kinds of places sell mediocre sushi and that the best ones are sold in real sushi shops were they make them in front of you. So if this was mediocre, then the "real" sushi must be out of this world!

As a side note, I posted some footage of the kaitenzushi in my "daily video" of today, so be sure to check out my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelersPOV/videos

So as a tip for the sushi lovers who visit Tottori, I snooped around and found out that the best Conveyor belt sushi restaurant [also known as a sushi-go-around, in Japanese kaiten zushi, 回転寿司] in Tottori is the "Hokkaido" kaiten zushi.

So after eating we had to hurry to get me and my stuff to the train station so that I could board my train on time. I was leaving for Takamatsu in Shikoku, Kagawa- prefecture.
The train ride was only 3 hours long and went by in a jiffy.

I went immediately to my hotel to do the sign in so that I could leave my stuff there and to go out to stroll in the town.

I chose Takamatsu only as a hub so that I could travel from here to Naruto and to Matsuyama later on but since my plans have changed I will only have time for Naruto.
I will maybe be coming back in August to visit Matsuyama but for now it's still uncertain.

Yes so I strolled around the port, visited the ruins of Takamatsu castle and finished my evening with some Sanuki-Udon which is of course the DELICIOUS local cuisine here.

Sanuki Udon

Tomorrow of to Naruto! 

Thanks for reading! Be sure to share this with your friends if you liked it.
Cheers
Robert

Link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49rkfzBbxIE&feature=share

The hours of agony, towards Tottori; Karaoke time people!

Hakuba

So today I woke up pretty early since I had to pack my stuff and leave Hakuba with a heavy heart. I had so much fun there with the host family and their friends that I wish I had staid for longer. But the road takes me onward.

So after waking up I took a shower and packed and ate some breakfast before my host came to pick me up to take me to the Hakuba station from where I was supposed to take the train towards Matsumoto.

In the train again

I got to Matsumoto in the nick of time to get to my next train towards Nagoya station where I was to make a  change to the Shinkansen Hikari.
I had a little time to spend in Nagoya station and somehow managed to buy myself a delicious Miso Katsu bento (miso sauce topped fried pork cutlet boxed lunch). Miso katsu is one of the local Nagoya cuisines and I ate it also when I visited Nagoya a couple of weeks ago.

Needles to say it was delicious ! And it was about time I had something to eat since it was already 2 p.m. when I got to eat and I had eaten previously t 8 a.m. so it was a life saver.
So my tip for those who travel by train in Japan : Get yourself a Bento for the train ride. It is completely normal here to eat while riding the train. And the food is good so why complain !?

I arrived to the Shin-Osaka station too late for my change. I had to take the later train towards Tottori so I arrived finally there at 19.17.

Yu, my friend who I met through CS (Couch surfing) in Finland was going to be my host and was at the station with his parents to meet me.

We went to eat at a Family Restuarant in Tottori. The chain was called COCO. I was allready so hungry by then.
The food tasted great and of course hunger is one of the best spices ever!

We then returned to their house to leave my luggage there and then me and Yu were of to sing some Karaoke !

I was skeptic at first but as we started I got really in to it. We sang for 2 hours and I had a Pitcher of beer to drink.

So that was my day in short, not much happened during the day but the evening was amazing and fun! Thanks Yu!

Karaoke ! 

Tomorrow I'll  visit the desert here in Tottori and then later I'll be of towards Kagawa.

Today's video will be short but be sure to check out my channel for other fun videos. Remember also that I accept request and ideas for my videos so be sure to send me those!

Cheers
Robert

Rain clouds over Hakuba, time for Matsumoto !

Beautiful view in Hakuba 

So today I woke up and had some breakfast with my host early in the morning.
It was really pouring outside and I had not yet decided where I wanted to go today, though I had many ideas.
We brainstormed for a while and could not come to a conclusion before my host had to leave for work so I was left alone with my thoughts.
As I drank my coffee and browsed the internet I decided that it was going to be Matsumoto.
Matsumoto is known for it's castle and since I had not much time to spend today, that was enough for me.

The trains operate so seldom and take a long time from Hakuba to Matsumoto so I could only stay there for two and a half hours before I had to leave so that I could still make it for the dinner we were all supposed to have at my hosts house.

As I arrived to the station it was already 2 p.m. and I was hungry like crazy!

The amazing Matsumoto castle 

So I went to the upper floor of the stations own shopping mall and ate some delicious Curry katsu udon. Truly tasteful and filling.
From there I continued by foot towards the castle so that I could take in the surroundings in peace.

The castle was truly amazing and the surroundings were really peaceful and beautiful. I only wish that I had had more time to spend in Matsumoto since there were a couple of places and museums I would have loved to go and see.

I then walked through the Nawate street on my way back towards the station. Nawate street is a little street with a long history in Matsumoto. Stone paved and full of tiny shops selling various goods the Nawate street is just a wonderful place to stroll through.

I soon returned to the station and was on my way with the trains towards Hakuba.
It takes approximately 2 hours and a bit more to get there so I took a little nap on the way.
I had checked the times earlier so I just set the timer in my mobile so that I would not oversleep. This is why I like the Japanese trains, they are almost always on time!

When I arrived I just took it easy. Soon after my host had came back home we started the food preparations since her friends were coming over.

The evenings special guest

We had so much fun and ate tons of good food.
We ate some Soumen (chilled very thin Japanese wheat noodles) and some meats and vegetables coocked over a heated stone in the living room. It was great!
We talked a lot and everybody really enjoyed the evening,

So tomorrow I'm of to Tottori to see the dunes and meet my friend who I met in Finland (Yu). The train ride is going to be 7 HOURS!!!! long but it does not matter much to me since I can sleep.

So thanks again for reading and a big thank you for the people of AMERICA and JAPAN and of course FINLAND who have been reading my blog.
I would like to ask you to comment on my posts and leave suggestions and of course, to share it with other people.

Cheers
Robert

Greetings from Nagano!

Yesterday had stretched out a little to far maybe, but it was so fun !
I went to bed after 2 a.m. and woke up at 6.45. I think I might have misspoken in my video of today that I only slept 2 hours but of course anyone can count how much I slept. 

View from the JR Nagano Station

I got a lift to the Toyama station from Yuko. I was still feeling pretty tired and a bit fuzzy because we drank yesterday. 

Well I got the tickets and waited patiently on the train and ate some breakfast at the station bakery.
I had to take the limited express train and change once. I bought a bento to myself at the change station so that I would not starve.

When I arrived in Nagano station it was burning hot outside in the sun. The feeling was awful since I had actually felt a bit cold in the well air conditioned train and then I had to step out to a hot and humid platform. 

I then went to the stations coin lockers and left my stuff there, got myself a map of the city and I was set to go. 

I took the wrong exit at first but soon I noticed that and headed towards the right direction.

I walked 1.7 km to get to the Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. There is a bus that goes there as well but I like to walk and watch the scenery from near. There were many beautiful things to see along the main road leading to the temple. 

It was so damn hot outside! I enjoy the sun though but still, when walking I was constantly grabbing my bag for my water bottle. 

I soon had walked the whole way up to the temple and I have to say that I guarantee it is much more fun to walk the trip than take the buss.

Found the Finnish flag while walking ariound

The temple gates were amazing and beautiful like the temple and it's other buildings and gardens alike.  

Zenkoji

I spent a good while there to really absorb the scenery. I also heard and saw when they had their prayer time and saw also a mourning family that came there to pay respect to the just departed.
They brought the picture and (what I think was) the urn with them to the temple. 

After I had finished strolling around there I stared to return towards the station but before that I had to of course buy myself some typical Nagano treats. I bought myself a banana-chocolate SOBA crepe. [Soba= buckwheat used to make the soba noodles.] It was delicious! 

Nagano is known as the inventor of the soba noodles. 

Then I also had one of the most weirdest soft ice creams ever. I had the local MISO ice cream! It tasted weird only at the first taste but it actually tasted good. [Miso=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso]

Soba-Crêpe 

I then walked around and went into the shopping arcade that I found while walking on the street.
I was getting so tired since I had walked so much and slept so little the past night. 

I took and sat down and pondered on where I should go next.
I just ended up going to the Internet cafe for 50 minutes before I had to go and take the train for Hakuba where I am currently staying in at my Couch Surfing host. 

I ate a bento in the train since the train ride was going to take quite a long time and it had many changes. 

I was a bit nervous if I would be able to get to the right platform in time since the time between the changes were only 4 minutes long. 

Well I got to the Hakuba station safely so all is well right now.
My host here is very kind and generous! (like every Japanese, right ;) ) 

Thanks for reading !
Robert 

Back to Kanazawa and Takaoka!

Today I had a early wake up! I woke up at 6.45 to take a shower and then to leave Osaka for Kanazawa.

I got on the train early and had time to go and shop some breakfast and some Jasmine earl grey tea for the train ride. 

Kanazawa station

I arrived early to Kanazawa, somewhere around 11 o'clock and went to find a coin locker for my stuff which seemed impossible at first since every big locker was already taken inside the station so I had to leave my luggage at the nearby mall. 

I then walked around to a shopping arcade to kill some time before my friend would come to Kanazawa.
It was fun since the market was full of people and different foods. 

I then went to a near by shopping mall before returning to Kanazawa station to meet Yuko. 

A house covered with gold leaf paper

We then went together to Higashi chayagai to look at the old houses, gold leaf craft works and to just generally enjoy the scenery. It was amazing and I would recommend it to everyone that visit Kanazawa or is in the near vicinity!

We spent a lot of time there before going to "Ninja dera" or "ninja temple" as it has been named by the locals. It's actual name is Myoryuji and has nothing to do with ninjas but since it has a lot of secret doors and traps it got that nickname.
The traps and hidden doors were installed because the current shogunate at that time had forbidden any building to be more than two stories high but since it was in fact four stories high but made to look as it was two, they had to make sure that the shoguns spies would not be able to enter. 

It was so cool! I seriously recommend it to anyone that has time to visit.

We spent a good while there so then we walked towards Kanazawa station. It took quite long but it was a good walk and we saw a lot of stuff while we walked. 

Well my host in Kanazawa had not yet answered me so I had to take the matters to my own hands and I asked my previous host if she could host me in Takaoka (Kubo-san) and she said it was ok !
I was so glad!!

So Yuko drove us there with her car and from there we went to a Izakaya (Japanese Pub) to eat and drink a bit. 

Then we went to the convenience store to by some drinks and went to her place and that is where I currently am ! 

Tomorrow I am of to Nagano !

Cheers
Robert 

Cat cafes and octopus-balls and much more! Osaka day 2.

So today was a fun day but I didn't really do as much as I wanted.

I woke up at 8 a.m. to take a shower. Somehow I managed to spend 3 hours at the hostel before leaving since I took my sweet time drinking my coffee and shaving.

A hotel in Namba

I said my goodbyes to the two American guys who I had met the evening before since they were leaving before me. They were going to Seoul in South Korea! Really awesome, I bet they are gonna have an awesome time there.

Once I had dropped my luggage of at the Osaka station I headed towards Namba and Dotonboori again.
I ate at Yoshinoyas before going anywhere. Yoshinoya sells these really amazing and cheap rice bowls with beef on top and they are a chain restaurant so they are almost everywhere. BUDGET TIP! If your cash is running low and you don't want to constantly eat cup noodles go to them or the other similar chain restaurant like Matsya, Sukiya etc. since they are really cheap, really good and filling! The food costs around 350-600 yen usually.

Kuromon market

So anyhow, I continued where I stopped yesterday and after a couple of turns here and there I decided to go to the famous Kuromon market street.
It was full of different kinds of foods, both fresh and packed. They sold daily necessities and kitchen utensils etc.

I was getting a bit tired of walking so I decided to go to a cat cafe that they had recommended in the tourist map. For those who do not know what a cat cafe is, let me explain. Basically it is a store with a lot of cats that you can pet and sit with while having something to drink, no food is served there.

At the cat cafe! 

It was called Ragdoll and I highly recommend a visit there since it is a very relaxing and the cats there are so cute.
It costed ONLY a 1000 yen for 1 H and it included a free drink (coffee or tea) and some treats for the cats.
The time just flew by since A, I was tired and B, the atmosphere was so relaxed.

The Tsutenkaku

I then headed out to the Shinsekai district in Osaka to look around there. It's pretty famous and is really close to Osakas Den Den town (electric town) Which is similar to Akihabara. I didn't visit since I had already visited Akihabara of course.

I stayed there for a while and walked around the shopping streets and markets and even bought myself some Takoyaki (Octopus-balls) which tasted GREAT!

I took the free shuttle bus back to Namba (the same that I had came with to Shinsekai) and then went to eat and to go to the internet cafe before meeting my host in Honmachi stn.

So tonight I'm staying at her place and tomorrow I am of towards Ishikawa.

Cheers
Robert

Yes sir, how would you like your Okonomiyaki made? The Osaka Tragicomedy.

So how to start describing today? 

view from the shinkansen

I woke up full of energy at 8.00 a.m. and found that the friendly French guest that stayed at the same dormitory room as me had already woken up before me! I had not heard any noise so unlike the people of yesterday, you guys were awesome! 

After a quick shower I went downstairs to see how my video was doing. I had left my laptop to the employer side to upload the video. I noticed that it had again failed to load so I thought that fine, I'll just upload it now when I am watching it. It took a lot of time and I did a lot in between like reading and eating ramen (since it was already 11.30). Well what do you know, 2% left and it fails yet again!
I just closed my computer and left towards the Tokyo station disappointed. 

I then reserved some seats for myself on board the Shinkansen bluet train bound for Shin-Osaka.

I just love how quick the Shinkansen are, it took only around 3 hours to Shin-Osaka station and from there further 4 minutes to Osaka station by local train. YES! 

I then soon dropped of my luggage at the stations coin locker to go sight seeing in Nambas famous dotonboori street. I thought that that was the best choice since I was supposed to meet my Couch surfing host  later on in the evening at 9 p.m. 

Osaka style Okonomiyaki

I was feeling hungry so I was having trouble on deciding what to eat until I saw a restaurant guide "store" where the person helped me to decide and to find a good restaurant! 

I chose Okonomiyaki!!! 

The place I went to was pretty famous for their Okonomiyaki and you were supposed to make it your self at your own table at your own hot griddle ! It was 

so much fun and tasted delicious. 

(go check YouTube for the vid -> TravelersPOV)

at Dotonboori

When I left I still wandered around the Dotonboori and went to a internet cafe to check my mails. Later on I found it to be a godsend since my host had gotten some urgent last minute hinders from her work place and could not host me for today so I just calmly booked a hostel and went there. I booked the J-Hoppers Osaka hostel which is a really good chain of hostel's in Japan located in 5 cities across japan.

I met two American fellows there and we got along fine and went to eat and drink a bit this evening since I needed a mood lifter!

Tomorrow is still a mystery to me as well so be sure to follow my toils and as always

thanks for reading

cheers!

Robert