Boat Cruises, Dinosaurs and More: Enjoy Central Japan like a Local with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass! [Part 2]

The soothing one-hour cruise alongside the Shogawa gorge gives various however equally breathtaking views all all year long. In winter, you possibly can see the mountain coated in snow whereas flowers in full bloom adorn them in spring. The summer season season highlights the mountains’ lush greenery and in autumn, you get one of the best seat in having fun with Japan’s autumn leaves.

Zuiryuji Temple 

After the boat trip, you possibly can go to the Zuiryuji Temple in Takaoka metropolis and have lunch. The Zuiryuji Temple has been designated as a Nationwide Treasure and is a must-see attraction. The primary gate, foremost corridor, and Dharma corridor stand in a line, and the temple buildings are laid out symmetrically left and proper, interconnected by roofed passageways in a wonderful and highly effective sight to behold. 

Lunch could be at Yasuragi-an the place seasonal dishes are served. The dishes for February use recent greens and seafood.

Doraemon Postbox ドラえもん郵便ボックス / Takaoka Station

After seeing the Temple, take a bus again to Takaoka Station to go to our subsequent vacation spot. On the  first ground of the station, you’ll be welcomed by a well-known cat. This big copper Doraemon postbox is taken into account one of many icons of Takaoka Metropolis, which occurs to be the birthplace of the manga artist that introduced Doraemon to life. Situated on the primary ground of the Takaoka Station constructing, letters and postcards dropped on this postbox are stamped with a commemorative Doraemon postmark. Why not ship your self and your pals a postcard to commemorate your go to to Doraemon’s delivery city?

Handcraft Expertise at Nousaku Manufacturing unit, Takaoka Metropolis 能作本社で手芸体験、高岡市

From Takaoka Station, we went again to the lodge to take our baggage after which took a taxi to Nousaku Manufacturing unit for slightly cultural immersion. Takaoka Metropolis is traditionally referred to as a middle of metallic casting, and this trade nonetheless thrives within the metropolis as we speak. Check out their cute Doraemon collections! Strive making your very personal tiny tin merchandise by becoming a member of a workshop on the Nousaku Lab. 

Kanazawa Station, Tsuzumi Gate 

After visiting Nousaku Manufacturing unit, go to Shin Takaoka station to catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen in the direction of Kanazawa Metropolis. That is additionally included within the JR Go.

Have a look at the large Tsuzumi Gate, designed to represent the drums performed in Noh Theater, welcoming us on the station right here. It's mentioned to be an unofficial image of Kanazawa and well-known for being a mixture of conventional picket design and up to date type.

Kagaya 

At Kagaya, we had Ozen set with dishes made with seasonal elements distinctive to the native space. A tray with sushi, miso soup, and another conventional dishes was served.

Resort Wing Worldwide Premium Kanazawa Ekimae

We stayed on the Resort Wing Worldwide Premium close to Kanazawa Ekimae. It's a pretty new lodge with a classy design.

DAY 4

Kanazawa Metropolis 

The fourth day is a day for Kanazawa once we can leisurely take pleasure in the entire metropolis. Kanazawa is an outdated fortress city, well-known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, artwork museums, magnificent backyard, and regional handicrafts. 

Kenrokuen Backyard 

From our lodge, take  a neighborhood bus to Kenrokuen Backyard,  certainly one of Japan’s three Nice Gardens. The spacious grounds was once the outer backyard of Kanazawa Fort and have a wide range of flowering bushes of seasonal pure magnificence, together with the snow-covered panorama with yukitsuri (snow hanging), a way of defending the branches of the pine bushes within the backyard to forestall them from breaking resulting from heavy snow.

Kanazawa Fort, Nezumitamon Gate and Nezumitamon Bridge 

Kanazawa Fort was once the seat of the Maeda Clan, a feudal area rating second solely to the Tokugawa possessions by way of dimension and wealth, from 1583 till the tip of the Edo Interval. Since then, the fortress has been extensively rebuilt and renovated resulting from quite a few hearth incidents. In July 2020, restorations of Nezumitamon Gate and Nezumitamon Bridge on the west aspect of Kanazawa Fort have been accomplished. 

Gyokusen’an Relaxation Home 

Situated within the space of Kanazawa Fort Park, it is a tea home with a view of the Gyokusen’inmaru Backyard. Sit down and have a cup of tea with wagashi (conventional Japanese sweets).

Omicho Market 

For lunch, we had a ten-minute stroll to achieve Omicho Market, certainly one of Kanazawa’s well-known recent meals markets. This market gives native specialties akin to snow crab and candy shrimps in the course of the winter season, so we simply needed to strive it! Just like Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, lots of of stalls and eating places promoting recent seafood are lined up so you possibly can select which of them you need to strive! 

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Higashi Chaya District 

Our final spot in Kanazawa metropolis is little question the Higashi Chaya District, mentioned to be certainly one of Kanazawa’s largest geisha districts. Stroll across the outdated Chaya (tea home) in a Kimono and take a photoshoot to your social media. 

*Notice: Depart your baggage on the lodge and get again for them at finish of the day. Then, take the Thunderbird restricted categorical prepare heading to Awara Onsen in Fukui Prefecture.

Get pleasure from gold leaf ice-cream right here too!

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Keep at Awara Onsen Matsuya Sensen 

Take a lodge shuttle bus from JR Awara Onsen Station to the ryokan. 

Awara Sizzling Spring Footbath 

After checking in, we went exploring and checked the FREE public foot tub close by. Seek for “Ashiyu” on Google Maps for this place, positioned simply in entrance of Awara Yunomachi station. This respectable facility gives a number of foot baths which come in several shapes and temperatures. 

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DAY 5

Fukui Station 

For the final day, we hopped on the shuttle bus and prepare on Hokuriku Line to return to Fukui Station.

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Do you know that Katsuyama Metropolis in Fukui Prefecture is Japan’s most outstanding dinosaur fossil discovery web site? In Fukui Station’s West Exit, you possibly can see a 10-meter mannequin of Fukuititan, one of many dinosaurs present in Fukui. A mannequin of the opposite dinosaur fossils found in Fukui, Fukuiraptor, and Fukuisaurus, may also be present in Fukui Station.

Yokokan Backyard 

It is a Japanese backyard positioned close to Fukui Station. Have a stroll right here for a brief stress-free time.

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

To study in regards to the Fukui dinosaurs, head to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, positioned about an hour away from Fukui Station. This museum positioned in Katsuyama Metropolis is acknowledged as one of many high dinosaur museums on the planet and is the biggest of its variety in Japan. 

Notice that at the moment, resulting from COVID-19.security measures, solely guests who've reserved a ticket are allowed in.

DINOCAFE 

The restaurant contained in the museum gives western-style meals and Dino characters desserts. 

About Takayama-Hokuriku Space Vacationer Go

In the event you’re planning to discover Japan’s Central area, this PASS is a must have merchandise. Apart from being handy, it's going to additionally assist you to save on transportation prices. Plan your journey properly and benefit from it for five consecutive days. 

Ideas:

• Buying the move earlier than departing will prevent some cash (cheaper in Singapore than Japan)
• Discover extra particulars in regards to the Takayama-Hokuriku Space Vacationer Go right here.
• Keep at a lodge close to the stations so you possibly can depart your baggage there to go sightseeing. Or else, there are numerous coin lockers accessible at stations and common vacationer spots (i.e. Shirakawago).
• Reserve your seats on buses to and from Shirakawago because the place is exceedingly common with vacationers and locals. Buses are all the time full.
• As soon as arrived at Nagoya Station, you possibly can change your Takayama-Hokuriku Space Vacationer Go on the JR counter. Additionally, Vacationer Go holders will have the ability to go move the automated gate from March 2021.
• Vacationer Go holders can reserve seats on Restricted Categorical trains however want to make use of the non-reserve seats on Shinkansen trains.
• All vacationer services in Japan have strict Covid-19 security measures, so you possibly can journey safely when border reopens.