Sasebo & Nagasaki - let's go! (part 1)

 This time we're going back to Sasebo for some unfinished business and then we're heading to Nagasaki for some new adventures!

We flew into Nagasaki Airport early in the day then we took a train to Arita so we could visit the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. From Arita train station to the museum is only about a 10 minute walk.

For anyone that enjoys ceramic pottery this museum is a must see place.

The museum covers the history of ceramic pottery in Japan and the relationships and influences of  Europe on the manufacturing and exporting of fine Japanese Chinaware to Europe. 

The museum has so many exquisite pieces of Chinaware on exhibition. 

After leaving the museum we took a train to Sasebo where we checked into our hotel and then called it a day.

Day 2: Getting together with our old friend Masako-san and her sister Iku-chan.

In the morning Masako and Iku picked us up at our hotel and drove us to Okawachi-yama where I tried and failed to find a match for an old tea cup of mine. I had bought the cup over 30 years ago and unfortunately the maker of my cup said that they could no longer get the special clay used to make it. Oh well, it was fun visit the shop anyway.

After visiting Okawachi-yama we went to a famous Udon restaurant for lunch. 

It's one of a chain of restaurants that serve delicious handmade udon noodles in Kyushu.

There are many options on the menu. After we placed our order it wasn't long before we were served.

Here comes our lunch!

This is my order. 

Iku-chan on the left and Masako-san on the right. It's time to eat! 

Some of the other customers.

After lunch our next destination was the famous and expensive Gen-emon Kiln. Let's go!  

This is the way to the Gen-emon Kiln display room.

There's no photography inside the display room. We were there just to look, not to buy. By the front entrance they use this beautiful bowl to catch water from a faucet.

After Gen-emon Kiln the sisters took us back to our hotel. It was a wonderful day.

Day 3: early morning breakfast at a Sasebo restaurant near the fish market and then we're off to Nagasaki!

This place is my wife's favorite breakfast restaurant.  It opens early and caters to people that are just getting off work or just getting ready to go to work.

After placing our order Emi goes to the green tea dispenser to get us some tea. 

There were a couple of students just finishing their breakfast in the restaurant. 

Breakfast is served! I had bacon and eggs. 

Emi had TKG with cooked fish!

Emi posing in front of the restaurant with a Gen-emon tea cup that the owner gave her.

After breakfast we checked out of our hotel and caught a local train to Nagasaki. It was a two hour train trip from Sasebo to Nagasaki and it mostly followed the sea coast; it was very scenic! 

After arriving in Nagasaki we went to our hotel, Dormy Inn, and dropped off our luggage with them  and then we were off to explore Nagasaki.

Our hotel was right in front of Chinatown. 

After wondering around a little bit we arrived at Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge). This is a famous tourist destination that I wanted to visit. 

There are several really nice stone bridges over this river.

Yes, it's me! 

Per the "Discover Nagasaki" website:

In 1570, during the period of national isolation when Dejima was established upon the opening of the Port of Nagasaki, the Nakajima River's importance to trade made it the central artery of the city. In 1634, Japan's first Chinese-style stone bridge, the Spectacle Bridge, was constructed by Mokusunyoujo, the second-generation Chinese monk of Kofukuji Temple, Japan's oldest Chinese Temple. The bridge gets its name from its resemblance to a pair of spectacles when the arches of the bridges are reflected as ovals on the surface of the river. This bridge, along with Edo's Nihonbashi Bridge and Iwakuni's Kintaikyou Bridge, are considered the three most famous bridges in Japan. Although it is not well known, Spectacles Bridge was the inspiration for the Double Bridge of the Imperial Palace. By the end of the 17th century, following the construction of the Spectacles Bridge, numerous stone bridges were built for many of the roads that join the Nakashima River. It is said that these stone bridges were only constructed on roads that lead to temples when one stands at Teramachi.

Another reason that I wanted to visit Nagasaki was to ride their street cars. I like street cars!

Now it's time to visit Glover Garden.

Glover Garden is high up on a hill side overlooking Nagasaki Port. First you start walking up the hill. 

Then, after buying a ticket you ride up the hill on moving sidewalks.

The view of Nagasaki port from Glover Garden.

There is so much to say about Glover Garden and Thomas B. Glover so if you are interested please read about it here at Wikipedia

It was a beautiful day for walking around the garden.

In this building they have rental costumes. website for costumes

This is the Thomas B. Glover Residence.

Some girls having a good time walking around in their rental costumes.

There is a lot to see at Glover Gardens. I would say that it's a must see place for anyone visiting Nagasaki. This dragon was on display near the Garden's exit.

Walking back to our hotel we passed through one of the many covered shopping streets.

Coming up next in part 2 we'll be taking a cruise boat to Gunkan-jima Island and much more!

All the best,

Mike

  

Minami Izu - long time no see!

 We wanted to go somewhere nice but not too far from home. So, we decided to go to the southern tip of Izu peninsula and stay at a hotel on the shore of Yumigahama beach. It only takes a few hours by train to get from Yokosuka to Shimoda, and then a short bus ride from Shimoda to Yumiahama beach. 

Once we arrived in Shimoda we decided to do some sightseeing and eat lunch before going to Yumigahama. 

We started our sightseeing at Perry Road. A part of Shimoda named after Commodore Mathew C. Perry.  This is a small ramen shop at the end of Perry Road.

Perry Road follows along a picturesque canal.  

There are a lot of traditional/historical buildings in this area.

Most of the buildings are shops and restaurants.

It's very peaceful here.

Here comes Emi!

The crisscross pattern on the buildings is part of the traditional architecture of this area.

Aloe plants are common in this area of Izu.

The canal is lined with willow trees. The trees will look much nicer in the spring. 

Fish food restaurant.

An old inn that is now a historical sightseeing spot.

Day 2: A day trip to Cape Irozaki

After breakfast we caught a bus to Irozaki. There's plenty of good sightseeing in Irozaki.

Cape Irozaki Lighthouse.

From the lighthouse we walked to the Irojinja Shrine.

The shrine is built into the side of the mountainous bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean. 

Inside the shrine looking out at the ocean.

Inside the shrine. This place must be crowded on the weekend. Today we have it all to ourselves.

From this point on the cape one has a better view of how the shrine is built into the mountain.

Now we're walking to the end of Cape Irozaki.

A tiny shrine on the tip of the cape.

The view from here is incredible.

Time to head back to the main road. Wherever you go in Japan there's always lots of stairs!

When we reached the main road we found it would be a half hour wait for the bus so we decided to walk to the Aloe Center and catch a bus from there.

Plenty to see while walking along the road.

Emi leads the way!

This is the Aloe Center. We went in and I bought some Aloe lotion and soap.

Here comes our bus!

We got off the bus at this intersection so that we could go for a walk along the Aono river.

The walking path along the Aono river is lined with Kawazu cherry blossom trees. 

Walking past a field of mustard plants that are in full bloom.

The Kawazu cherry blossom trees are early-bloomers.

We walked along the Aono river until we arrived at the Shimogama road station where we ate lunch. There were several food trucks to choose from.

We bought our lunch from the fish & chips truck.

After lunch it was time to walk back to our hotel. Yes, it's me!

In another week these cherry trees will be in full bloom.

After about an hour of walking we arrived back at our hotel. The hotel website:

Kyukamura Minami-Izu

I must say that the hotel is outstanding. And, it's less than a one minute walk from the hotel to to Yumigahama beach!

This is Yumigahama beach! 

In the summer time the beach can be quite crowded but in the winter there's almost nobody here.

After walking long the beach we returned to the hotel and went up to the roof top lounge. There are several hammocks on the roof top for people to lay in at night and observe the stars.

Funny thing about hammocks... they're easy to get into and hard to get out of.

Well, we had a wonderful 3 day visit at Minami-Izu but now it's time to take the train home. bye-bye!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike