The Great Boiling Valley (大涌谷, Ōwakudani?) is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. A popular tourist site for its scenic views, volcanic activity, and especially, Kuro-tamago (黒玉子, Kuro-tamago?) — a local specialty of eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric; consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity.

Access to the Great Boiling Valley is via an aerial tram. There is also a road to a visitor’s center just below the Kuro-tamago hot springs site. Most visitors hike the roughly 1 kilometer trail to the actual site where the eggs are boiled to participate in the ritual egg eating. The aerial tram offers a stunning view of both Mount Fuji (on clear days) and the sulphur vents just below the visitor’s center. Present day activities surrounding sulphur vents are the result of massive land slides in the past, construction of concrete barriers and stabilization of the area have been under way for many decades.

Akasaka Sacas is a new shopping space that is as large as tiny “city” within Tokyo area. It was only opened in March of 2008 so currently the hype is all on the space. Sacas is made up of 5 main buildings, the TBS headquarters is among them as well as a residential block. The center has everything it ever needs, which hails it the name a city within a city.

How to get there?

Take the Marunouchi Subway Line to Kokkaigijido-mae Station (7 minutes) and transfer to the Chiyoda Subway Line for Akasaka (2 minutes). The one way fare is 160 Yen.

From Shinjuku Station

Take the Marunouchi Subway Line to Kokkaigijido-mae Station (12 minutes) and transfer to the Chiyoda Subway Line for Akasaka (2 minutes). The one way fare is 160 Yen.

Japan-Guide

Kappabashi Street is a must go for all kitchen gadget geeks, like me. I like gadgets, but i like kitchen gadgets more. It’s a love-hate affair but more love than hate. When I found out that there is a street in Japan dedicated to kitchenware, I was just ecstatic! Kappabashi, a street in between Ueno and Asakusa, has stores selling everything a restaurant or a specialized cook needs. But they do not sell ingredients thought, it’s just non-perishable wares.

So if you need plastic food for your exterior decor, you know where to go.

A case point of view on traveling to Akihabara district; where you can find all your electrical needs :P

For all you sake fanatic out there in Japan, you’ll be happy to know that there will be a sake fair this coming March on the 15th and 16th. This annual fair includes well over 100 sake brewers from across the Niigata region. As you might have heard, Niigata region is well known for their good quality rice and rice wine.

Like a wine tasting fair, everyone above the age of 20 is welcome to join the sake fair and in tasting the various sakes blends from the Niigata region. Admissions for viewing is free however, if you want to go on a sake tasting spree, you would need to exchange 1000yen for a cup whereby you could go from stand to stand tasting their alcoholic wares. There will be performances scheduled to entertain guests and specialty food from Niigata will also be available.

How to get there come 15th March?

By train from Tokyo

Niigata Station can be reached from Tokyo Station in about two hours by Toki trains along the Joetsu Shinkansen. The one way journey costs around 10,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass.

The JR East “View” travel agency also offers special roundtrip packages for the Sake no jin event from Tokyo. They are available either for a daytrip (only 12,000 yen) or a two-day excursion packaged with hotel accommodation (from 21,500 yen).

By bus from Tokyo

There are hourly highway bus connections and an overnight bus between Tokyo (Ikebukuro Station) and Niigata. The one way trip takes about 5.5 hours and costs 5250 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 9450 yen.

From Niigata Station to Toki Messe

The Toki Messe convention center can be reached from Niigata Station by bus (about 10 minutes, 200 yen), by taxi (about 5 minutes, approx. 700 yen) or on foot (two kilometers, about 30 minutes).

Japan Guide.

This is SO beautiful:

It’s located in Japan but sadly, I cannot really find any information of an address. Maybe it’s a her personal address lol – oh well, check out the video. :)

In this season there is nothing better than savoring the beautiful display of christmas in your city. Big and small glimmering lights, and trees with mock presents and doves. It would make a perfect postcard picture. In Japan, there are spectacular light shows during this time of the year. And the one that is most popular is the Kobe Luminarie. You can check out the Kobe Luminarie at Dec 6-17, 2007. But below is a list of Luminarie spots in Tokyo, taken from Japan-Guide.com:

Shiodome (more details)
“Caretta Ocean Xmas” is one of Tokyo’s most spectacular illuminations this year. 10 minute shows with music are held every 30 minutes (Nov 30 to Dec 25, 2007; from 17:00 to 23:30). Nearby Nihon TV has its own illuminations.

Roppongi Hills (more details)
The illumination at Roppongi Hills is called “Artelligent Christmas 2007″ and is most spectacular along Roppongi Keyakizaka Street (Nov 8 to Dec 25, 2007; from 17:00 to 23:00). Furthermore, a German style Christmas Market is held (Dec 1-25, 2007; 11:00 to 21:00).

Tokyo Midtown (more details)
Opened in spring 2007, Tokyo Midtown celebrates its “First Christmas” this year with various illuminations (Nov 15 to Dec 25, 16:00 to 0:00).

Odaiba (more details)
“Daiba Memorial Tree” is a large illuminated tree in Odaiba Kaihin Park in front of the Decks shopping center (Nov 10 to Dec 25, 2007 and Jan 1-14, 2008; from 17:00 to 0:00). Several other places on Odaiba, such as Venusfort, have illumination events, as well.

Tokyo Dome City (more details)
“Happy Christmas 2007″ is the name of the beautiful illuminations around Tokyo Dome and adjacent amusement park (Nov 8 to Dec 25, 2007; 17:00 to 1:00).

Ginza (more details)
Christmas trees along Chuo Street and illuminations by many individual stores, including the “Mikimoto Jumbo Christmas Tree”, make the popular shopping and entertainment district even more colorful than it is anyway.

Marunouchi (more details)
Marunouchi’s Naka Dori is lit up (Nov 16, 2007 to Feb 17, 2008; 17:30 to 23:00) and several buildings in the district, including the Marubiru, have their own displays.

Yebisu Garden Place (more details)
The central plaza is illuminated and a huge crystal chandelier will be displayed during the “Baccarat Eternal Lights” event (Nov 3, 2007 to Jan 14, 2008; from 16:00 to 23:00)

Shinjuku Southern Terrace (more details)
“Shinjuku Southern Lights” is the illumination display on the Shinjuku Southern Terrace, south of JR Shinjuku Station (Nov 9, 2007 to Feb 14; from 17:00 to 0:00).

I found a website that gives you the COMPLETE guide to shopping in Tokyo. These list of places to visit are essentials in making your shopping experience a completely one. ESSENTIAL is key here..

Mitsukoshi

Established in the 1930’s, the flagship Mitsukoshi store is in Nihombashi (Ginza Subway Line). Two lions (modeled after the lions in Trafalgar’s Square, London) guard the front entrance and once inside, another statue – Magokoro, the Goddess of Sincerity – reaches from floor to ceiling. There’s also a 1930’s Wurlitzer pipe organ and a theatre! For more information see the Mitsukoshi web site.
Odakyu

You’ll find a big branch of Odakyu on the west Side of Shinjuku Station – it’s owned by the Odakyu Railway Company. Prices are mid to high.
Seibu, Tokyu and Keio

These department stores are owned by railway companies. In Shibuya there are two branches of Tokyu, Keio is situated on the west side of Shinjuku Station while Seibu in Ikebukero is one of the largest department stores in the world (telephone 03 3981 0111). Prices are reasonable.
Parco

Parco is a “bazaar style” department store. You’ll find a big branch in Shibuya.
“0I0I” (pronounced “Marui”)

0I0I is in most major districts. As a clothes and accessory shop it has a tendency to be faddish and a little over-priced – some of the smaller shops in Shibuya or Harajuku may have the same things cheaper.

Check out the rest of the list here…

Man, watching this makes me want to take the next flight to Japan. I love those palm trees by the seaside. And the temple, I love how precious looking it is. Someone wanna bring me there? :D