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[Backerther]

I enjoyed a driving tour to the west of Japan by my car cruising about 1,825 miles in 13 days including ferry boat voyage of 2 days
on return to Tokyo, that was carried out from May 5 through 17.
My wife does not have a driver's license so that I couldn't help driving only by myself in the journey.
Number of pics taken reached close to 450. Fuel consumption was about 41 imperial gallons. Toll seems to have reached 265 USD or more.
Living cost including parking fee, entrance fee to the sightseeing places and the like, and souvenir fee have been calculated by my wife with lots of bills....But she said to me confidently that all the expense might possibly have cleared the budget though the minor portion of calculation has not fully done....  


Pics attached are typical/ traditional countryside scenes of Japan in May. The site was filled with huge amount of sightseers even after so-called "Golden week" of Japan. Many foreigners could be seen in such a countryside...Amazing!  I wonder it's so interesting for foreigners....   The place is located 465 miles west of Tokyo.

[tica]

Thank you for sharing you trip 
I really need to visit Japan again, it's a very beautiful country and I love the food 
BTW: I just made the base for a Curry Ramen this morning, can't wait for dinner time 

[swiftdoc]

Thanks for sharing, Kiyo! I will show the photos to my daughter who will visit Japan again next November.

[Backerther]

Hi gents,
We had around 36 millions of foreign sightseers in the last year here in Japan and even not so famous places for the Japanese
seemed to have possibly been introduced in some guidebooks for foreigners...
I was really surprised to see many foreigners with guidebooks in their hands walking in such places as in the pics above..
 Amazing !!

tica; I also do like to eat various foods concerned with curry. I like a curry udon especially.

Arno; I intend to post more pics from today of what I have visited in my driving journey in the west of Japan such as Izumo district, Shimonoseki district and all- around Kyushu which is one of the major 4 islands of Japan.


The place of the pics is Miyama kayabukinosato village in the Kyoto prefecture.

[Backerther]

On the second day of the cruise,6th May, I visited the 1st ranked magnificent garden of Japan in the several contests in the past
,namely the Adachi museum of art in Shimane prefecture.
However, I wonder how the Europeans might understand very typical Japanese taste or liking of the garden in the pics below, most of which are monotonous and boring as well as not so attractive...

[ChrisF]

HI Kiyo - you certainly have a beautiful country and you had a wonderful trip. Both our son's have visited but after our second visit to New Zealand last year I'm not keen on long distance travel now, but we shall see.

Chris 

[Backerther]

Hi Chris,
So glad to have your usual kind comment.   And a bit sorrowful to know that you are not keen on a long trip...
This cruising trip by my car I have made is the second longest one and will be the last for such a long as over 1,000 miles.
Because I have already finished to run across roughly all over Japan which length is about 1380 miles (only in 4 major islands and except Okinawa, and the northern 4 islands currently illegally occupied by the Russians for 80 years ).

Therefore, from next year I intend to make a middle-sized distance journey by my car less than,1,000 miles to enjoy more detailed sightseeing purpose in a comparatively small region, not like a cruising trip.

I am still before 80, young enough to enjoy such driving tour for about a week or so which kind of driving tour has been comparatively popular for the retired old here in Japan, using their cars as sleeping beds for some days or whole at night.     I am one of those.!   How about you to try once, Chris?

Pics below show the place we stayed overnight in my car, paying some money to the lodge seen in the background for admission to take hot spring bathing. My car is about 15.5 feet long and luggage space will be available for 6.4 feet long flat  bed base with second seats folded down for me 5.7feet tall.  Just a nice in-car bedroom, isn't it?? not to say, sufficient.!!  


Kiyo

[ChrisF]

Hi Kiyo

I found the amount of flying too much last time, though it would help if we broke up the journey as we did the first time. I enjoy driving, even on our crowded island, and had planned to do a European trip to Italy's lakes once I'd retired and had bought a sports car as part of the reason for doing that. Unfortunately soon after retiring the Covid pandemic arrived which stopped us doing much for nearly three years at a critical age for us. We travelled quite a lot before Covid but not so much after, apart from NZ, prompted by a wedding (good excuse!). My wife is no longer keen on sitting in the car for many hours either so Italy etc. is out now.

It's been a long time since I've slept in a car and I was much younger then. Your car looks pretty good for that though.

We did manage one good trip in the car before Covid, which was a tour of Scotland over about the same distance as your trip. It was in September taking in my wife's birthday, which was a risky time of year to go due to rain, but we were very lucky and had the car roof down every day, though sometimes it was late morning due to early light rain or mist and low temperatures. I still have the car and it's used for days out and holidays. Prior to that we did trips on my motorbike but no chance of that now!

Chris

[JimG]

Some good sights there Kiyo, Japan is just too far away for me with a much too long flight time. I have done a couple of longer trips in Europe in 2022 and 2023 with the second over 3 weeks and near 4000 miles. Travelled through France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and finally Holland before travelling back to the UK. I had to stay in Hotels and holiday apartments though as I ride a trike so no chance of sleeping in it. Much of the trip was to ride many of the big Alpine passes but did have a few days in one place in Switzerland giving me a chance to visit some amazing places. one being the Jungfraujoch, europes highest railway station in the hollow between the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. Decided though to have a totally diferent trip this year, off to Norway and the coastal voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen, 11 nights through the islands and Fjords.
Jim

[swiftdoc]

Many thanks for your photos, Kiyo, and sorry for not writing earlier. We were busy preparing the wedding of my daughter, who has already booked the flight to Tokyo for November. The Japanese gardens are amazing, well wort a visit.


I have slept in my car only once, many years ago, during a visit to the Nürburgring. As I was and am driving Alfa Romeo sports sedan cars, space is limited and cold and uncomfortable at night. A lot of people have bought campers during Covid in Germany, but that also would not be my kind of thing.


This time my daughter will not visit so many places as last year in Japan, she will prefer staying in one region and explore that without rushing from one place to another. Her husband says that their trip to Japan was the best vacation he had so far!

[Colin Bishop]

Our road trips have not been quite so ambitious but still very enjoyable.

For many years we have explored most of Greece which has scenery to match pretty much most parts of the world with the added bonus of amazing historical archeological sites to give depth of interest. 26 visits so far!

On long haul we have visited both islands of New Zealand, the Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia, Upper New England and Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Diego where we arrived at the same time as 9/11. Highway 1 is now closed indefinitely due to landslides.

All done post retirement and wonderful memories. Can't do it now due to eye problems which restrict driving options.

[Backerther]

Hi Colin,
A great thanks for your interesting and pitiful comment in its last.
You seem to have enjoyed so much your travels far and wide across the world energetically when you were younger to which
I do envy you very much.!!
I wish to visit more and more the Europe where many historical sites and natural scenery are waiting for the sightseers.
I used to learn the world history so hard for an entrance exam.for university as one of the subjects through which I came to know
how the Europe played an important role in the world history associated with the Christianity and the old Roman empire.

As for overseas travel concerned with Europe, it's only twice, namely Germany ,France and Italy due to the travel cost and time.   To make the matter worse, English language was not so prevailing in those days than I had imagined in the continent...especially in Italy.   According to my life plan I made just after retirement, it was the last year to visit foreign countries in vain as a result due to tooo low Yen value.   Next schedule to visit foreign countries is in 2027 and I wish I could visit the Europe in the year
when UK will be included in the itinerary.

Take care of your eyes very much. Colin. 　I am happy since I have recovered from my cataract....

Kiyo
 

[Backerther]

Hi Kiyo

I found the amount of flying too much last time, though it would help if we broke up the journey as we did the first time. I enjoy driving, even on our crowded island, and had planned to do a European trip to Italy's lakes once I'd retired and had bought a sports car as part of the reason for doing that. Unfortunately soon after retiring the Covid pandemic arrived which stopped us doing much for nearly three years at a critical age for us. We travelled quite a lot before Covid but not so much after, apart from NZ, prompted by a wedding (good excuse!). My wife is no longer keen on sitting in the car for many hours either so Italy etc. is out now.

It's been a long time since I've slept in a car and I was much younger then. Your car looks pretty good for that though.

We did manage one good trip in the car before Covid, which was a tour of Scotland over about the same distance as your trip. It was in September taking in my wife's birthday, which was a risky time of year to go due to rain, but we were very lucky and had the car roof down every day, though sometimes it was late morning due to early light rain or mist and low temperatures. I still have the car and it's used for days out and holidays. Prior to that we did trips on my motorbike but no chance of that now!

Chris

Yes, indeed, the weather is the very anxious point for driving tour. It's not interesting to drive a car all day long due to the rain that spoils our intention to observe sightseeing spots after getting off the car.
Your car is also nice to drive with your wife.!!


Kiyo

[Backerther]

Some good sights there Kiyo, Japan is just too far away for me with a much too long flight time. I have done a couple of longer trips in Europe in 2022 and 2023 with the second over 3 weeks and near 4000 miles. Travelled through France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and finally Holland before travelling back to the UK. I had to stay in Hotels and holiday apartments though as I ride a trike so no chance of sleeping in it. Much of the trip was to ride many of the big Alpine passes but did have a few days in one place in Switzerland giving me a chance to visit some amazing places. one being the Jungfraujoch, europes highest railway station in the hollow between the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. Decided though to have a totally diferent trip this year, off to Norway and the coastal voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen, 11 nights through the islands and Fjords.
Jim

Well, it's surprising to know by many pics with description that you have beeen such a quite positive(aggressive?) in addition to model boating hobby.
How I envy you since you are able to go many countries in Europe comparatively easy through Euro-tunnel or the Dover channel.
That famous Hawker Hurricane fighter and your vehicle are nice to see, the old and new vehicle, aren't they?


Kiyo

[Backerther]

Many thanks for your photos, Kiyo, and sorry for not writing earlier. We were busy preparing the wedding of my daughter, who has already booked the flight to Tokyo for November. The Japanese gardens are amazing, well wort a visit.


I have slept in my car only once, many years ago, during a visit to the Nürburgring. As I was and am driving Alfa Romeo sports sedan cars, space is limited and cold and uncomfortable at night. A lot of people have bought campers during Covid in Germany, but that also would not be my kind of thing.


This time my daughter will not visit so many places as last year in Japan, she will prefer staying in one region and explore that without rushing from one place to another. Her husband says that their trip to Japan was the best vacation he had so far!

Arno, it's a very good news to know that your daughter is supposed to marry in the very near future.
The trip to Japan is the honey-moon one.?!
Staying one place in a small region is better to enjoy honey moon trip as I did in Hawaii for honey-moon trip with my wife.
I used to talk about the future of our life comfortably through enjoying a sightseeing of natural scenery of Hawaii.


Kiyo

[JimG]

That famous Hawer Hurricane fighter and your vehicle are nice to see, the old and new vehicle, aren't they?


Kiyo

Hi Kiyo, the Hurricane is not actually all that old, it is a full size plastic model on display outside the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. The originals are all kept indoors now.
Jim

[swiftdoc]

Yes Kiyo, their trip to Japan will be their honey moon journey. The wedding was last Saturday, so hopefully I will be able to restart modelling soon

[Backerther]

Hi Kiyo, the Hurricane is not actually all that old, it is a full size plastic model on display outside the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. The originals are all kept indoors now.
Jim

Hi JimG,
Really!!?? 1/1 Full size pla-model Hurricane/ Amazing !!!!!
Once upon a time in WW2, the hurricane used to encounter with our Army fighters Nakajima's "Hayabusa"(Oscar) over Burma in early stage of the war...
Very famous fighters together with Spitfires in Japan.

The pic is a replica of the Hayabusa exhibited at the Chiran memorial museum where is extremely famous among the Japanese
as once the starting air base existed nearby for Kamikaze attacks against the enemy fleets near Okinawa islands.
I visited this time as one of the most important sites to see...

Kiyo

[Backerther]

Today's report on my driving tour is Izumo district in west Japan, where is marked by "2" in a small white square along the Japan sea in the map attached below.


Pics are the Matsuye castle and its part of moat by which this district once was governed by the lord before 1867 when Tokugawa
government surrenderd to anti-Tokugawa forces approved to become a new government by the name of the Emperor.
A man in a pic is so called a normal Samurai warrior with a casual wear receiving me with a cup of tea at his reception room.
I expressed a sincere thanks to his hospitality extended to me as perhaps been seen in those days.

[Backerther]

This area of Izumo district has been so famous among many Japanese for Lafcadio Hearn who was born in Greece in 1850 and spent some years in his teen-age both in England and Ireland before coming to Japan where he published an extremely famous
tales "Kwaidan"(Terrifying tales of Japanese Yokai, Ghost and Demons). See the pic below.
It's very very actually terrifying spiritually for the Japanese.   Therefore, I purchased the book at the museum shop as a good memory, and am reading it currently for my English study.

This content in the book has beeeen extremely famous among most ( not many ) Japanese partly because this was translated into Japanese and dramatized in movies/TVs many times as well as became frequently an English textbook for junior-high school students at their schools across Japan.

Pic1-4;memorial museum of Hearn
     5,6; Hearn's private residence
     7;typical Samurai's private residence...so frugal generally not because he is poor, but because encouraged to keep an austere life as Samurai
     8;Samurais' residences in a row beside the moat.           
                  life
 

[Circlip]

Kiyo, for "plastic" read Glass Fibre. There are many "Gate Guardians" at various active RAF stations around the UK, reflecting original base usage.Sad that wars  necessitate the generation of so many fine designs in aviation.


 Pity too that the Duxford Hurribus looks like it needs a repaint, English weather.


 Regards  Ian.

[Backerther]

Hi Ian,
So glad to have your additional information on the Duxford Hurricane.  
I think "a gate guardian" had better be painted beautiful like a Buckingham Palace guardian than weathered...


Kiyo

[swiftdoc]

Hi Kiyo,
Very many thanks for your additional photos! I did not know about Lafcadio Hearn so far. That must me fascinating tales. I found a German translation with beautiful drawings and will buy that book as a birthday present for my daughter! I am sure she will like that very much.
Kindest regards,
Arno

[Backerther]

Hi Arno,
I'm so glad to know that you have come to be interested in Kwaidan by Hearn which is very very terrifying spiritually to the Japanese in general.
Especially, the story of Mimi-Nashi-Hoich is so horrible and came in the first in the Kwaidan.
Mimi-Nashi-Hoich is literally translated "A man named Hoich with an ear lost"
Hoich is a blind priest famed for his skill in recitation about the ruin of the Heike clan and in playing the Biwa(a kind guitar?).
Finally he was stripped off at his left ear by the Heike clan demon....


This story has something to do with the contest between the
Heike-clan and the Genji-clan which contest actually took place early part of 12th century.
The Heike-clan was finally and fully ruined by the Genji-clan in the sea battle off the Dan-no-ura near the straits of Shimonoseki.


The Heike was sooo pompous in its 20 years of government around Kyoto(capital city) in the background the Emperor and anti-Heike forces was rising up gradually and silently around in Eastern Japan( near present Tokyo)..........


Kiyo

[swiftdoc]

Hi Kiyo, I will definitely read the book as well, you have made me curious about that. It is always nice to broaden one‘s mind. This forum is really a source of knowledge!
Regards
Arno