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Time to put knobbly tires and start driving through the forests or do a speed boat conversion. Maybe that will make them happy.
I think that Kuro Neko meant that potential Japan tourists had contacted him (KN) for advice in touring non-touristic areas of Japan, not that KN should explore outside cliche Japan. KN postings of travels in rural Tohoku (my favorite region) surely went way beyond cliche tourism. I am hoping for more photos of the outback of Shikoku....
As there's not much on the coast continuing north, we drove inland for our accommodation.
When we would get home, the rice across Kanto had been harvested, but this far north it was still yellowing off.
Super rare kura construction, as depending on the age the red bricks may have been imported from England.
A costly exercise in the 1880s.
Though it might not look like it, this is a regular house for the region, with multiple entrances for guests and those with snowy boots.
While this kura's lower stone has passed the test of time, the shikui (lime render) has suffered a bit.
Local shop, with curious-for-Kanto-resident snow steps for public telephone.
Sub-Post Office window to the right, operating from the same facility.
Simple, straight forward kamon on kura - 'GOOD'.
Whereas some have owners' names, business, or generic motif...
Well-kept, still operational Taisho-era school.
While the windows had all been upgraded, I am sure it was still a cold drafty building under 3m of snow.
We were staying in a converted house, and arrived to unpack just a summer storm came across.
Sitting inside with the rain falling after the day on the road was very nice.
Exploring the local area on foot.
Amazingly sculptured thatch we've not seen before.
Stopping for an early morning coffee in the wide open spaces of Aomori-ken.
Working minka and kura.
Though we saw a few thatched roofs, most have been recovered with metal.
One of our destinations on this day was the Takayama Inari Shrine.
The 1000 tori are spectacular to walk.
Being an inari shrine (to the fox), there are of course many fox statues.
A repeat visitor gleefully told us we should be looking for the cat.
Sure enough, nestled in with the many fox statue, was a lone neko.
We deposited a few yen in thanks accordingly.
Easy to stop on the wide open road, with no other traffic...
You may have explained this in an earlier post, but I don't remember seeing it. What is the origin/purpose of the beverage cans and bibs on the statues?
You may have explained this in an earlier post, but I don't remember seeing it. What is the origin/purpose of the beverage cans and bibs on the statues?
Not mentioned before I think, but as I understand it, red wards off evil, and bibs are an appropriate piece of clothing for foxes and cats (with sweaters and pants being harder to fit).
The beverages are for the same as the living - refreshment for the spirits.
Our destination on this day was Cape Tappi, one of the northern most points of Honshu (and Aomori-ken).
We took the coast road, and stopped at many of the little fishing villages and enjoyed the slightly cooler weather, cool drinks, and the view.
The coast is spectacular, and with close to zero traffic mid-week, you could really enjoy the curves.
That road off into the mountains here, was one of our destinations.
The road to Imabetsu, heading east to our next destination - the northern most point of Honshu.
Many old fishing villages dot the coast on the Hokkaido Straight.
Quite possibly a Meiji-era inn, with eating hall downstairs and rooms upstairs.
Dunno really...
Getting ready to load onto the Mutsu Wan ferry.
A 60 minute journey across the bay.
First ferry on a Monday morning, even in summer, it wasn't very full!
Leaving the harbor, looking back.
On the way yet further north, we stopped at the Hotoke-ga-ura Rock Formations and watched some tourists get back on their boat.
We then had the place to ourselves.
While the formations are fascinating, to me watching the marine life in the crystal clear waters was the best part.
Back on the coast road, through Sai on the way to the cape.
This is where we ate lunch.
While a routine maguro-don lunch set (sashimi tuna on rice, with miso soup and pickles on the side) in Tokyo costs 1000円, here it was 3900円.
Whereas you would typically expect country restaurants to be cheaper than Tokyo, this wasn't the usual maguro-don.
To start, instead of usual quality it was the best of the best export quality.
Then instead of sashimi slices, it was sashimi slabs.
Then, it was the volume.
Normally, when you see thick maguro, you're wary it is stringy and tough, but here the thick cut sashimi cut was softer than usual thin cut stuff in Tokyo.
A lot of talk about food I know, but that is Japan.
Plus, the mama-san in the shop was very nice.
Honshu's northern most establishment.
As on the other side of the road, is the marker for the northern most point of Honshu (mainland Japan).
I must check, as the Cayman must now come close to have driven the full extent of Honshu...
Next: Kuro Neko Drives Hokkaido! Please! What's a little Tsugaru Strait?
Ha!
While the Cayman hasn't been to Hokkaido yet, it is on the plans, notably as the east coast is possibly the largest gap in our circumnavigation to date.
The west coast effort was in a rental GT-86.
We had planned on doing the east coast on this trip, but did not have the time.
Due to the distances, we would need two full weeks, but here's a summary of the gaps to date (we've driven the red bits):
Our next leg, to Towada-ko is nicely summarized here:
You can imagine the Bafuku-kaido on a 30C day, waterfalls, cool forest glades, sparkling water, and the sunlight through the trees.
It was one of the more memorable touge from this trip, not for the fast driving but just for the relaxed experience.
Leaving the coast to drive inland, we stopped to look for the best options to the Bafuku-kaido and Towada-ko.
We didn't top-off here...
The road into the forests was however great, and relatively free from traffic.
Allowing us to stop safely, having to avoid just the occasional tourist bus.
The river views though are tremendous, and a walking trail and boardwalk has been built for many km.
Refilling a couple of water bottles of course.
Entertaining corners and dips if you wanted to get on it a bit.
One of the few Porsche, and the only 987 we saw on the trip - this couple from Sendai similarly enjoying the nice roads.
Stopping here for some workers to clear some recently fallen trees.
With Sendai being a bit closer than Tokyo, we imagined the Boxster had been here a few times before, because they were off quickly into the distance.
It was tempting to keep up, but instead we continued to enjoy the slower option.
Rock tunnel repairs (with 6 seconds to go on the red light clock) on the descent down to Towada-ko later in the day, and our overnight stop...
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09-24-2023, 03:11 PM
