It's a beautiful day here in Gifu City. We are on our last leg of our Gifu-Nagano Road trip. As usual, I decided to wake up very early to take a dip at our hotel's onsen. By this time, I could proudly say that I have unlocked several achievements... First of all is the "Nude Man Walking" which means I have lost the sense of shame, walking naked around other men, and the "Grandslam Boiled Eggs " which means I have boiled my you-know-what in an onsen for three straight days already.
I almost went inside because this was the men's onsen area last night... thank goodness I saw the "Ladies" in the middle curtain
Breakfast time!
He might be old but his talent in making pancakes is matched only by a few
My daughter enjoying her meal
Achievements aside, after my dip I went to meet my family at the dining area for breakfast. The buffet breakfast was amazing. There were so many dishes to choose from. I particularly enjoyed watching the "pancake master" create artistic pancakes that resemble animals, things, and even cartoon characters.
The mountain-top station reached! Time to walk to the peak!
After the hearty breakfast, Mr. Toshi decided to bring us to Gifu Castle before we check out of Juhachiro (ryokan). Ms. Taeko, on the other hand, decided to stay behind to pack up their stuff. We traveled to the castle grounds on foot since it was just a few minutes away by foot. However, to reach the castle, we needed to ride the Kinkazan Ropeway also known as Mt. Kinka Ropeway as the castle was built on top of Mt. Kinka.
Despite having a ropeway that brought us to the top of the mountain, we still had to trek several meters going to the Gifu Castle. The castle contained artifacts from Japan's feudal period. What's amazing about the castle was the breathtaking view from the keep's top floor. From the viewing areas on the top floor of the castle, one could see the panoramic view of the city and the surrounding hills and mountains.
We didn't stay long though as Ms. Taeko was waiting for us at the ryokan. When we got down from Mt. Kinka via the ropeway, Mr. Toshi asked us if it's ok for us to just wait for him at Gifu Park while he goes back to Juhachiro to fetch Ms. Taeko and also check out. We agreed as Ella was tired from the trek that we had done earlier.
Check out that lady sitting beside the pond at Gifu Park
Ella learned how to use the bow
Thanks for the yummy jelly giveaway!
While waiting for Mr. Toshi, we saw a couple of guys dressed up in feudal era armor who were encouraging passersby to try out the traditional archery for free of course Ella enthusiastically tried it out. To her amazement, she was rewarded with Japanese gelatin for her efforts. I tried too of course and I also got some prizes.
When Mr. Toshi arrived, he asked me if there were other places in Gifu City that I also want to visit. I checked out the Gifu City tourism brochure which I got from the ryokan and asked if it's possible to visit Gifu Kinpouzan Shoubouji (Temple) or simply Shoboji to see one of the largest images of Buddha in Japan. Mr. Toshi agreed and it only took a few minutes away by car to reach it. It was only me and Mr. Toshi who went into the temple. I did not miss the chance to get a goshuin for my collection.
Mr. Toshi offering a prayer to one of Japan's largest Buddha
Inside the Shoboji was a large image of Buddha. However, it was not as big as the Buddha statue we saw in Todaiji years back. Regardless, it was still a sight to behold. While admiring the 13.7-meter tall Buddha, Mr. Toshi told me that this temple belongs to the Obaku school of Buddhism which was his religious affiliation.
Checking out Salamanca Hall
Inside Salamanca Hall
Before we left Gifu City, we stopped by Salamanca Hall to say goodbye to Ms. Kayako (Mr. Toshi's sister) who will be performing with her choir group in the said concert hall. Although Ms. Kayako gave us a free pass to watch her concert, we didn't stay long as we still have around 210 kilometers of road to drive to get home to Osaka.
On our drive back, we had a bit of a side trip to Sunomata Ichiya Castle in Ogaki City which is still in Gifu Prefecture. The castle sits beside the Sai River and houses feudal era artifacts like samurai weapons and armor. The top floor presents a great view of the river and the lands surrounding it.
Start of our long drive from Gifu to Osaka
Stopover at Expasa in Mie Prefecture
Time to choose what to eat for our late lunch
Check out the children's toilet
From the castle, Mr. Toshi drove for about 40 kilometers to Expasa which was a roadside stopover in Mie Prefecture to grab some snacks. From there, I drove the remaining 170 kilometers home marking an end to our Gifu-Nagano road trip and also unlocking my ドライバ (Doraiba) achievementfor driving more than 100 kilometers in Japan.
Here's a perfect sunset view from our room.
Overall, it was a very memorable 4-day adventure which wouldn't be possible if not for our awesome Japanese family. Without them, many of those wonderful destinations that we visited would still remain in our drawing boards and dreams.
That night, I slept peacefully, excited for what the remaining 4 days in Japan has to offer.
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference. Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Located at Barangay Tinago, Camalig in the province of Albay, Quituinan Hills is one of the most beautiful yet least known tourist destinations of the town. Quituinan Hills Quituinan Hills Details For those who have visited Quituinan Hills on a clear day, I bet they'd agree with me when I say that this place is among the top places in the province to view Mayon Volcano. Aside from that, the best way to describe Quituinan Hills is that it has a ranch-like feel. Well, that's probably due to the fact that the developed part of the hill is really a ranch named Quituinan Ranch . Road to Quituinan Hills Welcome to Quituinan Hills This place is a great location for picnics with friends and family. You can either rent a cottage (small P100; big P500) or bring and pitch a tent (P100 space rental) in one of the allowable areas of the hill. Other activities offered here are horseback riding (P60 per 15 minutes) and ATV rental (P200 per 15 minutes). You can also explore
Located in the vicinity of Mt. Nagpatong in Maragondon in the province of Cavite, Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park mark the supposed place where Andres Bonifacio and his brothers Procopio were executed in 1897. Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park History We learned from the previous post about Bonifacio Trial House the story of the trail leading up to the last days of Andres Bonifacio . Since I did not fully elaborate on his death, I think it is very relevant to talk about it now in relation to our featured destination - The Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park . Check out the images on the BAYANI Check out the images on the KKK A perfect angle to see the KKK and Bayani I'm wondering if that face is scared, shocked, or excited... The statue of Andres Bonifacio wearing a very fashionable camisa de chino Our local guide showed us the way to the peak of Mt. Nagpatong After his
Located on the coastal area of the town Barcelona in the province of Sorsogon, Barcelona Ruins Park refers to the park where century-old ruins of Spanish colonial-era buildings are found. Barcelona Ruins Park Barcelona Ruins Park History Speaking of the ruins of Spanish Colonial-era buildings, there are two such ruins in Barcelona Ruins Park . The school building ruins at the southeastern tip of the park and the prominent Presidencia building ruins in the northwestern tip of the park. The ruins of the Presidencia building as seen from across the street A closer look at the Presidencia Building The ruins of the school building at the far end of Barcelona Ruins Park The Presidencia building was once the office of the governadorcillo during the colonial period. If you're wondering why the building seems massive in size, well it's because it doubled as a fortress that guards the town against the pirates and Moro raider that once frequently attacks Spanish-cont
Found off the coast of Anilao in Mabini, in the province of Batangas, Sombrero Island is a small island that is slowly making a name for itself. Sombrero Island Sombrero Island details Sombrero Island got its name from the Filipino word sombrero which means hat. It is quite obvious that the island was named due to its unique shape, which according to locals, looks like a giant hat that sticks out from the sea. Sombrero Island - Mabini, Batangas Sombrero Island as seen from a distance To reach Sombrero Island , it will take you 15 to 20 minutes by boat from the resorts in Anilao. (travel time varies depending on how rough the waves are) We rented a boat to bring us to Sombrero Island . A gentlewoman is always needed in a group. The boat rental usually costs around P2,500. I highly recommend that you bring in your friends when visiting Sombrero Island . A bigger group means a lesser amount of money that you would have to shell out. Aside from the boat r
Located in the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Gifu Castle ( 岐阜城 ) is a mountaintop castle that stands as one of the symbols of the city. Gifu Castle ( 岐阜城 ) Gifu Castle History Built by the Nikaido Clan during the Kamakura Period sometime between 1201 to 1204, Gifu Castle was once called Inabayama Castle by its original owners. It was a formidable castle which overlooks the surrounding countryside of then Mino Province. On September 13, 1567, the castle and its defenders under the leadership of Saito Tatsuoki of the Saito Clan came under siege by the numerically superior army of Oda Nobunaga. Gifu Castle - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Gifu Castle as displayed at Mt. Kinka Ropeway Station Make sure to get some brochures at Kinkazan Ropeway Station We rode the ropeway up Mt. Kinka Despite its strategical and strong position on top of Mt. Inaba, the castle still fell to the hands of Oda Nobunaga due to his cunning strategy of sending in sixteen men to sneak
Thank you for the 365 days that we've shared together. It was really a memorable one. I was quite busy this year due to work-related stuff but I managed to squeeze in several local trips. Regardless, I made sure that I have a grand trip with my family too, hence we had a 22-day vacation in Japan as the highlight of this year's travels. Let's look back and see what milestones we've crossed and achieved this year. 1. This year, there were 76 published articles (fewer than last year 😢). 2. I have reached 1.7 million views. 3. I was invited to promote a beautiful resort in Taal, Batangas. 4. Several articles and photographs were published in several magazines. 5. I got to travel back to Japan with my family and also visit several new destinations in the Philippines this year. Speaking of travels, here are the highlights of my travels for each month last year: January (None) February (None) March Articles published in TravelPlus Mag
Located in the town of Concepcion in the province of Tarlac, Concepcion Church is one of the Spanish-era churches of the province. Concepcion Church - Immaculate Conception Parish Concepcion Church History Concepcion Church is also referred to as the following; Immaculate Conception Parish Church , Santuario de la Immaculada Concepcion , and Shrine of the Immaculate Conception . Concepcion Church - Concepcion, Tarlac Gotta love the brick finished Concepcion Church facade Concepcion Church bell tower Concepcion Church interior Concepcion Church was built in 1880 under the supervision of Father Guillermo Masnou. The original church has a Baroque style of architecture but was then renovated to its present Neo-Romanesque style in 1893 under the supervision of Father Fernando Vasquez. The altar is covered altar during Holy Week The holy water font of Concepcion Church Concepcion Church interior as seen from the altar Concepcion Church facade is obvi
Located within the Outram district in the Central Area of Singapore , Singapore Chinatown is a subzone and ethnic enclave that is also a famous place for tourists to buy souvenirs. Singapore Chinatown Singapore Chinatown details Historically, Singapore Chinatown was the area designated for the Chinese immigrants under the Raffle's Plan during the Colonial Period of Singapore . Like its Indian community counterpart, the area also became overcrowded and the British government did little to solve the problem. It was only in the 1960s when the issue was addressed when the Housing Development Board finally relocated many of the Chinese residents to different parts of the country. Singapore Chinatown You can go on a guided tour or DIY... Feel the "Chinese Atmosphere" starting from the overpass Check out those colorful windows in Singapore Chinatown The place gets very crowded though... ...but it is a good place to buy some Chinese calligraphy souvenirs
Located at 65-110 Daimyo Noda Kumatori-cho, Sennan in Osaka Prefecture, Eiraku Yumenomori Park ( 永楽ゆめの森公園 ) is a newly built park that has become quite popular with the locals living nearby. Eiraku Yumenomori Park ( 永楽ゆめの森公園 ) Eiraku Yumenomori Park History Also called Yongkura Yume no Mori Park , Eiraku Yumenomori Park opened in November 2015. Since that time, it has been a weekend bonding destination for locals especially those with children. The park has a total area of 5 hectares, most of which is hilly and forested. One can explore this part of the park, by following the hiking course around it. It is said that the best time to visit this part of the park is during spring when flowers are in full bloom. Welcome to Eiraku Yumenomori Park There is also this cleared area of Eiraku Yumenomori Park with play equipment like seesaws, obstacle courses, swings, and several slides including the giant slide. Speaking of the giant slide, it seems like it is the most popular amon
this looks incredible and that food looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashli. =) The food was not only good it was amazing.
DeleteSeems like you and your family are having the best time! Thanks for sharing! I'd love to visit this part of Japan soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog Lorita. My family and I really did enjoy our time in Japan. =)
Deletethis makes me want to visit japan ASAP!
ReplyDeleteYou should visit Japan Kat. You'd surely love it. =)
Deletewow that hike to the castle seemed like a tough one!
ReplyDeleteIt is. Thank God there is a ropeway.
Deletewish you a hearty congratulations
ReplyDeleteThank you Ukiyoto. =)
DeleteOh wow what a lovely and beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mehr. =) Gotta love Gifu.
DeleteLol those bathroom symbols.. Enjoyed reading it. The culture is entirely different from so it looks fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThat's the reason why I love traveling. I learn a lot about other people's culture. =)
DeleteThis looks a wonderful place to visit. Your pics are amazing.
ReplyDeleteGifu City is really a wonderful place to visit. You should include this to your travel plans. =)
DeleteI want to eat those pancakes !
ReplyDeleteIt's actually depressing to eat the pancake as it looks more of art than food.
DeleteLooks like you had such a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteMy family and I really had a great time in Gifu.
DeleteLoving the view of castle viewing deck and and the pond of Gifu Park looks perfect for nature I like this kind of travel adventure awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Please do visit Gifu when you go to Japan.
DeleteI feel like i was there w/o you.☺
ReplyDeleteWow that's great. =)
DeleteThat breakfast spread made me hungry..:P
ReplyDeleteI suddenly missed the dishes. Hahaha
DeleteYou always bring as virtually to many parts of Japan! You are doing an awesome job. Seriously, you can be a local guide.
ReplyDeleteThank you Blair. =) Your comment made my day. =)
DeleteThis was a detailed information. Sure it's a fun to hang around here.
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear. Thank you Anagha.
DeleteFun travels.. maybe someday I will have time to travel!
ReplyDeleteHope that comes soon. =P
DeleteThank you so much. Please do include Gifu City to your itinerary when you visit Japan.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and to be able to share with your daughter!
ReplyDeleteThat's true. This adventure is very memorable because my daughter was with me.
DeleteWhat an amazing travel. I'm amazed with the pancake master too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Elizabeth. That guy really does amaze me.
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