Travel with Blueginger: June 2020

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes memory.”

To continue from where we stopped at my last blog where we spent 3 interesting days in Tokyo where we visit a Shrine for Success during New Year's period, the vintage looking Tokyo station, the forever busy Shibuya and the well loved Doraemon museum.

Now we are on our way to Chiba which is an hour train ride away from my current Iidabashi Station.

Chiba(千葉県) is a busy city, public transport to everywhere is so accessible. This is one of the two entry point and exit point of Japan where Narita International airport is located. The other airport is Haneda International airport which is located in Oita city of Tokyo.

Chiba city is often one of Japan’s underrated cities, passed over in favour of nearby Tokyo and Yokohama. However, this city of near one million residents has many sights and sounds to offer visitors. By the way Disneyland is also located here too.

My general opinion for Chiba is ... it is not as vibrant as Tokyo, the people here are much reserved. English speaking people is lesser than Tokyo. The main street is not as busy as Shinjuku or Shibuya but it has it's own speacial character that I like this place alot actually. I like the mellow, gentle, soft and peace feel the place gaven me. It is a big city with something real differnt than Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo and Hakata. Even Hiroshima and Kagoshima are slightly more vibrant than Chiba. To compare ..... it is Nagoya...Chiba feels like Nagoya to me.... a big city that is busy yet quiet at the same time.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Chiba

Address: 260-8626, Chiba, Chuo-ku Chuo 1-11-1

Just a mere 5 minutes walk from Chiba station.

My view from my room, there is a small ice skating rink. BF is not keen on such size.

Our first dinner here : Osaka Ohsho

Located at the one of the main street near our hotel . We ordered 24 gyoza beside each ordered a main course!
It's cheaper and taste much more better here. The fillings taste so rich here.

Our 10th Day today started at 0430hrs
These are our breakfast as nothing is available for us now. We are going to another town which is 2hr bus ride away.

The bus stop is right infront of the hotel. We already booked our van for the sightseeing at the next town so we cannot afford to take any risk to miss the bus at 0650hrs as the next bus is 1000hrs.

The town for our day trip is Kimitsu city (君津市).

This is our van we booked , driver is earlier than us. Booking this van was a challenge too, it took me quite a bit to get in touch of the local City Hall for this arrangement.

There is no much people on the road, most of the locals we saw are senior citizens and nobody can speak English here even our driver. Lucky we have goggle translator and glad Boss and BF can speaks a little.

Kameyama Lake (亀山湖)

Good place with amazing scenery.

I came across a picture of this place while studying about this city. I just got carried away by that photo, now I am here, totally enchanted by the beauty reflected from my eyes and the peace reflected from my heart.

Kameyama Lake is actually the water dam of Kimitsu city. This lake comes with many other leisure facilities such as boating, fishing, camping and even shrines visit.

The torii gate which is floating on the lake look like the one in Hakone's Lake Ashi. The feel of Miyajima is also here though this is lake instead of sea.

Here at the other side of the lake.

The red bridge and it look so beautiful like to mega torii gate.

No man manage rice vending machine
100yen for near 10kg of rice!! Must be those raw grains.

This is Kameyama Dam - the only dam that connected to Kameyama lake.

We are heading to the fairytale cave which I mentioned earlier - this place is requested by BF : Nomizo Fall (濃溝の滝) & Kameiwa Cave (亀岩の洞窟).

There is a big car park, several cafes, public toilet here.

A short stroll from the car park will lead you to this place. Our driver is very nice and accommodating that he lead us to the cave.

See, this place is so serene.. we are walking into a fairytale.

Barely 150m walk, here we are at the viewing deck. Another few steps if stairs we will reach the final point of the site.

The cave hole you see here is Kameiwa Cave and the water that flows through is Nomizo Fall. Very beautiful place.

Warning notice from local government to ask visitors to avoid going down from this point as water level will rise during rain or monsoon season.

Here we are at the viewing deck for more photos.

This jig jaw pathway will lead you back to the car park.
Surrounded by trees, walking on the wooden planked path. We are inside the fairy tale. It is so amazing.

This is the best photo I got from google when the sun ray from the sun rise passes through the cave during the magic hour. You see the heart shape?

Lunch here at Fureai Park Kimitsu (君津ふるさと物産館)

Address: 1766-3 Sasa, Kimitsu, Chiba 292-0526, Japan

This is actually a rest stop where there is a local product shop and a café.

Nobody can speak English here.

But the curry rice is so delicious that BF even ate my share.

Here is what the local product shop looks like.

Coffee time at Café Furusato (郷里)

Address:101 Mukaigo, Kimitsu, Chiba 292-0434, Japan

This is a vintage private building worth for photos and coffee. Indeed a healing place.

The decor inside is all wood and it feels so country like.

Nobody can speak English here too.

Even the menu look so pretty and yummy after a local guest who able to translate for us. We end up order the main food here rather than just coffee only.

The food taste great and the price is much much cheaper to compare to those similar restaurant we had in town.

The kitty who stayed here likes me a lot, she keeps coming near me to chat with me.

Water Wells

These ordinary looking water wells are very common in this area.

In front of the Kururi station, you can find the public water place with a natural spring well. Many locals come here to draw water from the well. There are many more such wells around the town, easily to find one here. They are all very well maintained by the people in Kururi, thus it was selected as one of the best water 100s in Japan.

It's time to say good bye to this beautiful fairytale countryside that nobody is speaking English.

A photo with our driver is a must! Though we have language barrier but he is really very kind and patience with us.

Kururi station(久留里駅) is very simple station where the nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa's era remains. Although it is very small but it is very well maintained, there is a local pedestrian shopping street just 2 rows away.

Single carriage train run by Diesel.

The interior of the train. There is not a single soul here at all.

Our next stop is to Kisarazu Mitsui Outlet Park-biggest in Tokyo.

We did not take much photos here as we are all too engrossed in shopping.

This is also a very good place for stroll whether it is for family, couple or with your furry friends.

There are many people with their pet dogs here. It is like a dog park.

The main reason for us to come here is for this shop : Mercedes Benz Retail shop.

Such a pity that Boss could not get any nice Polo T-shirt. BF got himself a AMG jacket and I got myself a bear charm.

Our dinner in the food court here. Very special noodle in the special thick sauce.

Our supper along the way back to hotel... Osaka Ohsho

The gyoza is really taste so good. Taste so much better here.

A great start for our 11th day.

The skies is so clear today that we can see Mt Fuji from our hotel's window.

Happen to see this machine at the lift lobby of our room level.

This is where you purchase in house movie in your room. Any movie that is available on the channel.. including adult movies.

Today will be a slow day for us in Chiba.

Near to Chiba station, we had our breakfast in Macdonald located the walking street.

To the industrial area where BF want to go :

Top Secret Car Dealer shop
759-1 Sankakucho, Hanamigawa Ward, Chiba, 262-0011, Japan

Again BF went to greet the staff and seek permission to roam around. This is the Skyline GTR specialist shop but we got more than what we want.

Amazing to see this shop in person. Had a really nice chat with the staff and took some pictures of the legends. Visitors are out of bound to the workshop, must be alot of top secret inside.

The company is mainly known for its body kits and performance engineering. Top Secret is also known for its illegal high speed runs, professional Drifting, Circuit, and Drag Racing.

Our Lunch at nearby Maxvalu Inage-Naganuma

Address: 112-2 Naganumacho, Inage Ward, Chiba, 263-0005, Japan

This Maxvalu supermarket is also another favourite of mine. Glad that I managed to find some good stuffs.

Another 10 minutes walk, there is a big Don Quijote Inage Naganuma shop

Address: 334-2 Naganumacho, Inage Ward, Chiba, 263-0005, Japan

A place that never fails me. Each of the outlet in different town sell different products. Another place that I really grabbed alot of good stuff too.

Back to Chiba town where we had Shabu Shabu for dinner. This is our last dinner here in Japan.

Sushi Shabushabu Sukiyakikoshitsudetabehodaimo TON ! Chibaekimaeten

Address: 260-0015 Chiba, Chuo Ward, Fujimi, 2 Chome−9−2 プライム8 7F, Japan.

Today is our 12th day here in Japan, it is the day to say good bye.

Our last breakfast in Japan today and we had it in the hotel.

Hero wana feel the cold outside wearing only these.. caught the eyes of many locals.

We checked out much much earlier than our evening flight as BF want to visit Aeronautical Museum of Science located in Narita area.

Upon checked out, we borrowed a weighing machine from the hotel and they give me this! Oh my god .. this is so old school and been quite long time since I last seen it.

After all the unpacking and repacking, we are ready to go to Narita Airport which is 20 minutes train ride away to drop our luggage before heading to the museum.

Museum of Aeronautical Sciences (航空科学博物館)

Address:111-3 Iwayama Shibayama-machi, Sanbu-gun 289-1608, Chiba Japan

The Museum of Aeronautical Sciences is an aviation museum located just outside of Narita International Airport, at the southern end of its main runway. The museum is of interest to both plane enthusiasts and non enthusiasts alike with lots of real aircraft on display, as well as simulators and others hands-on activities.

The museum contains some great items and you can learn a lot about Japanese aviation history.

There is an observation lounge located at the 5th floor where you can observed planes flying in and flying out of Tokyo. it is very interesting experience as they literally fly right above you.

First thing that attracts us at the entrance is the open lawn. There are a number of old planes on displays here where you can explore inside and outside of them.

This plane attract BF instantly - this was the plane for the President of North Korea.

NAMC YS-11

Mitsubishi MU-2

Beechcraft Bonanza

FA 300

Mitsubishi MU-2

And some others fun he had with these monsters.

There is even a small shrine for Aeronautical here at the open lawn. Wonder what BF is praying about?

We are ready to enter the museum. Self buy ticketing kiosk at JPY700 per adult.

BF is so excited that he keeps run around to see everything.

While inside an old ANA

This is the notorious Zero Fighter which was used during those days.

BF most loved moments...

Booked his flight timing for Boeing 737 max.

Our Captain is here.

After an hr of waiting time, it is his show time now. Captain Doran on Boeing 737 Max.

Here is his 2nd flying moments with a retired pilot on Boeing 747.

The real 747 cockpit on display.

Our last meal in Japan before boarding.

The sea urchin is so big and so fresh!

Home Sweet Home on JL711

Back home, it is unpacking time ... So what are the things we bought?

Shimekazari

Shimekazari are made of dried rice straw, it is a holy grass that is often used in Shinto religion for rituals. The diameters varies from few centimetres to several metres. Usually there is a ring bounded by the shimenawa which indicate a sacred or pure space like a shrine. Shimekazari are believed to ward against evil spirits and are often set up at ground breaking ceremony before the start of constructions. Always seen on shrines. breweries, torii gates etc. I bought this at mere SGD1.50 and the rat is just nice for 2020. Japanese also have the similar belief as Chinese too.

Omamori

Omamori are pouched charms wrapped in silk that contain little pieces of paper or wood inside the pouch that have prayers written on them. They are sold in all temples and shrines. Omamori come in countless varieties that are lucky for everything from love to safe driving. It is considered unlucky to open them to see what is inside.

Kao Hot Eye Mask - limited edition and new Vanilla flavour

Food Series

1)Hiroshima oyster soya sauce

I bought a bottle when I was in Hiroshima last year and it really taste so good.

This year, never expect to see it at Don Quijote Chiba and I bought 2 as it is really very heavy.

2)Kit Kat - Limited Edition

3)From Yamanashi only

a)Hoto - which is hand made noodles.

I just whatever I can find in the fridge to go with it. The chewy texture just like the "bee hoon kueh". I like it.

b) Special curry from Yamanashi only.

c)Various fruit mochi from Yamanashi only

4) Ichiran Ramen

Other snacks that I bought

Face Wash series

Here are 2 different type of Sakura Face wash.. limited edition.

Fermented Bean face wash, cost about SGD4 each, been using for quite some time.

Naive Face wash / Make up remover - they are so cheap and very effective on removing the make up. I already bought a few last years and glad that I able to bring home some this round. Cost less than SGD4 each.

Cosmetics

Horse Oil Body Cream

There are many different brand of horse oil body cream in Japan. But this particular brand is the best for me.

It is so watery that the skin just absorbed fully without leaving that oil feel layer. This is a must buy for me every time I visit Japan.

This round, I bought 12 back! So most our luggage weight is here.

Mercedes Benz Bear

The retail shop is located at Mitsui Outlet, Boss could get the kind of polo T shirt he wants.

But BF bought an AMG series windbreaker and 2 car models.

For me - I got this cute bear!

Tomica

BF been an avid Tomica collectors for years.

These years, he been adding designs from Japan which are not available in Singapore.

These are his collection from this trip.

And this is his collection!

These 2 medicines are must buy for me in Japan.

This is also very effective for gastric issues.

This is very effective for flu and cold.

Just a dosage, and feels much better.

This stew pot from Don Donki cost less than SGD20!

See, even the interior is so cute.

This design should be available in Singapore by now.

Coach wristlet for my mum, his mum & his sister.

Lastly ... The only bag I bought this round : Crestbridge Blue Labels - it was called Blue Labels which was owned by Burberrys and now Crestbridge bought over.

Finally, we have come to the end of my Yamanashi Spiritual Healing trip. We have been visiting Japan for last few years, and those places on our targeted list are covered except for Tohuku region and Shigoku region which Tokyo and Osaka as my main airport respectively.
We have plan to visit Switzerland in 2020 but it was a bad year to start with til now. The whole world is still badly affected by Covid - 19. Looks like our trip to Switzerland has to be shelf off again. Wondering if there is any possibility to go out this year.

Dear Readers,

Many thanks for your time for visiting. Kindly please like & follow my Facebaook & Instagram page : Followblueginger & Instagram Page followblueginger.

Japan is our most favourite country in the Asia. Whether is the weather, the culture, the people, the food or even the toilets, Japan won us over thoroughly for the past few years, scattering our footprints embalmed with sweet memories. If you are keen to know more about them, you are most welcome to visit further blogs of my travel to the Land of Rising Sun :

1) Kamakura 3D2N @ Our Spiritual Healing Japan Trip :
https://followblueginger.blogspot.com/2020/02/kamakura-3d2n-our-spiritual-healing.html

2) Yamanashi The Mt Fuji 5D4N @ Our Spiritual Healing Japan Trip :

https://followblueginger.blogspot.com/2020/02/yamanashi-mt-fuji-5d4n-our-spiritual_20.html

3) Tokyo 3D2N @ Our Spiritual Healing Japan Trip :

https://followblueginger.blogspot.com/2020/03/tokyo-3d2n-our-spiritual-healing-japan.html

4) Osaka @ Kyushu / Chugoku / Kansai

- https://followblueginger.blogspot.com/2019/03/osaka-5d4n-kyushu-chugoku-kansai.html

5) One Day in Kyoto @ Kyushu / Chugoku / Kansai

- https://followblueginger.blogspot.com/2019/02/one-day-in-kyoto-kyushu-chugoku-kansai.html

6) Kinosaki Onsen @ Kyushu / Chugoku / Kansai

- https://followblueginger.blogspot.com/2019/01/kinosaki-onsen-town-2d1n-kyushu-chugoku.html

7) Hiroshima / Miyajima / Kitakyushu / Onomichi @ Kyushu / Chugoku / Kansai