Exploring the Island of Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest island and is also the largest and northernmost of Japan’s 47 prefectures. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu,although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel. The largest city on Hokkaido is its capital, Sapporo, which is also its only ordinance-designated city.

Landed at the New Chitose Airport

Dinner was a seafood buffet at Nanda. They had ready made dishes as well as items you can cook on your personal grill.

Most of the food was delicious but I did stay away from these.

Jumped on the JR train and ended up in Otaru, a city and port in Shiribeshi, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and has long served as the main port of the bay.

The mountains surrounding the city is still covered in light snow.

Loved checking out all the tiny little alleys and dining places. Most eating establishments could only fit 5-6 people inside.

The great thing is that since the island is still pretty cold, Sakura season hasn’t even started yet. I hope to make it back there to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom!

So nice to be home

Ofuna Kannon in Kamakura Japan

On a recent trip to Haneda Japan, some of my crew members and I decided to expose ourselves to a little Japanese culture and take a trip to Kamakura where the Ofuna Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) is located.

The Ofuna Kannon, is a Buddhist temple that features a 25 meter tall 1,900 ton reinforced concrete statue of Kan’non which is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon or Kuan Yin.

Construction of the Temple began in 1929 by the S?t? (Zen) Buddhist sect. The outline of the statue was complete by 1934 but work was suspended at the outbreak of the Pacific War. The Ofuna Kannon Society continued construction work in 1954 and the Temple was finally completed in 1960. The statue construction is that of sections of poured concrete and was performed entirely by hand. No concrete pump trucks were used. The surface of the statue is oft painted white.

The statue itself contains a small museum and shrine and both are open for viewing.

The Kannon incorporates stones from ground zero of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to commemorate those who died in the explosions of the atomic bombs. A fire originating from the atomic fires of Hiroshima burns in a mushroom-formed statue.

Here I was able to have my fortune read which luckily for me turned out to be very positive. It translate to . . . the gray clouds are clearing and you’re on the track to happiness.

It was a beautiful day filled with friendship, fun and laughter.

A Day in Yokohama Japan

Woke up to a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji

First stop was Cosmo World

Where we rode the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel.
It’s the second tallest Ferris Wheel in the world.
60 passenger cars, 112.5 meters tall. Took 15 minutes to go completely around.

A view from the top.

Shabu Shabu lunch at Syabu-Yo @ World Porters. All-you-can-eat for 1500 jpy.

Time for some sightseeing.
The InterContinental Yokohama Grand on the Yokohama Bay.

Yokohama Landmark Tower

The Nippon Maru served as a training ship for cadets in Japan when it was built in 1930. Powered by the 29 sails, the Nippon Maru logged nearly two million nautical miles around the globe.

The perfect end to a perfect day.

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