Japan – The Country side of Yamagata Prefecture (4)

Last day in Yamagata. Back to Tokyo then to Narita Airport for the night before catching my flight back home.

A shot from the bullet train going at about 250km/hr or was it 300km/hr. Everything seen to zooming by. Can’t believe the ride was so smooth and quiet inside the Shinkansen.

Final stop was at Tokyo station where I only had an hour to spare before I taking my connecting ride to Narita airport. So where can I go within Tokyo and be back at the Tokyo station in an hour’s time?

By foot.. it would be Ginza district. Yup the most uptown district. Streets were full of neon lights and the crowd everywhere especially at the traffic light junction. Guess it was after working hours and people were rushing back or heading for dinner. Human jam!

 

Colourful neon lights.

Lots of cars and people.

Yup… Xmas trees everywhere. Christmas was just round the corner.

I could not see much of Tokyo but at least got a feel of it. Well what can you expect from an hour (or less) by foot. =). Then it was back to the Tokyo station and on my way to Narita Airport to stay at the transit hotel.

My last shot in the next morning of Japan before heading back home.

So where is my next place? Wanna know? Then.. stick with me and you will find out. =)

Japan – The Country side of Yamagata Prefecture (3)

2nd morning in the town of Yamagata. Again, waking up early and quickly taking a walk to other areas of the town which I have not explored. But before that…. this was my breakfast for the day.

The houses here comes in all sorts of types and it really caught my eyes.

Another house with the ‘structure’ protecting their bonsai trees.

Beautiful view of the ending autumn feeling with some golden trees on the side of the road.

… a bare tree waiting for the winter to come.

What a sight outside the office window….

Along the street I was walking and I saw this…..

Follow me on my last part of posting of Japan where I stopped over in Tokyo for an hour before heading to Narita Airport.

Japan – The Country side of Yamagata Prefecture (2)

In the Yamagata town, I walked around the housing area near the hotel which I was staying. I loved their simple wooden houses; clean and simply looking.

This is the hotel which I was staying. I had only like an hour to walk around and also have my breakfast. I had to quickly stroll around and capture as many shots as I can.

I was curious why they had this kind of ‘structure’ covering their bonsai. It was later only that I understood that this was to protect their bonsai trees from the winter snow. it was new thing to me as in Malaysia we never ever have snow or feel the 4 seasons like in Japan. Malaysia was just hot and wet weather all year round.

A back lane (or was it front lane??) where I passed through.

Another typical Japanese house. Wished I could enter and see how it was inside.

My breakfast for the morning in the hotel cafe. A lovely and healthy breakfast ( and not cheap!)

Another shot from my hotel room.

Looks like it was going to rain with the dark clouds overhead

…but eventually it cleared out.

Want more? If yes, follow me on my blog on my next posting. 😊

Japan – The Country side of Yamagata Prefecture (1)

This is my trip to Japan way back in Nov 2005 (8 years already!!. wow!!).

It was one of my business trip and also my first trip into Japan and as usual it was always short and a rush visit. I was heading to Yamagata prefecture; a small country town up in the center of Honshu island.

My flight into Narita Airport was from Hong Kong. Upon arrival, I have to find my way to catch the train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, and then catch my Shinkansen to Yamagata Prefecture. Oh yes.. I bought my Shinkansen ticket way before I landed in Japan. So, good planning was required else I would have missed my ride. The total trip would take me close to 5 hrs just by train.

When I arrived at Tokyo Station, I was surprised to see the sign had English too. It was a relieved as I could not read or speak Japanese. Moving around the Tokyo station and finding the right platform was daunting task especially in the evening when everyone is rushing to go home after work.

One of the Shinkansen arriving at the station ….

A typical kiosk on the platform where the local Japanese will buy thing before boarding for their trip on the Shinkansen.

This Shinkansen look like a duck….. 😄

This is the coach.. a double decker. In fact, it was my first time sitting in a Shinkansen (a few years later, I have also managed to sit in the bullet train in China and also the one in Taiwan)

My dinner on board the Shinkansen which I purchased from the lady goes around from coach to coach selling food and drinks.

This is the view from the hotel in Yamagata over looking the beautiful hills in the foreground.

As usual, I will take the opportunity to walk around the town before heading to the office.

… Very quaint place.

follow me on my next posting in Yamagata, Japan.