Snow festival in 札幌 (Sapporo, Japan) on 08-10 February 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-02-08_jp-sapporo.htm

I visited 札幌 (Sapporo, Japan) for the first time on 08-10 February 2007 to attend 札幌雪祭 (Sapporo Snow Festival) and to discover 北海道 (Hokkaido). The festival is famous in Japan for its ice and snow statues but there is more to see, and the trip is really worth it. I was lucky with the weather as it snowed every day, sometimes heavily, but with periods that allowed clear photos. I enjoyed the city and the locals, even spontaneously being talked to by customers at a coffee shop, which never happened in 東京 (Tokyo).

Alone, I freely wandered in town the first day, exploring the streets, relaxing with a warm coffee, and watching statues on day time and night time. The following day, I went up the nearby 藻岩山 (Mount Moiwa) to enjoy beautiful but slightly foggy views from its top. There, I stumbled upon a bar completely made of ice and snow by artists: the bar The Ice, where I had a drink and chatted with the staff and fellow tourists. On my last day, I relaxed and enjoyed views away from the city, at 豊平峡温泉 (Hoheikyo hot spring), an open-air hot spring surrounded by snowy foresty mountains that I definitely recommend.

Trip to 伊豆半島 (Izu peninsula, Japan) on 20-21 January 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-01-20_jp-izu.htm

I visited 伊豆半島 (Izu peninsula, Japan) on 20-21 January 2007 with 明日香 (Asuka) to discover a new part of Japan and enjoy an open-air hot spring with an oceanic view. To avoid resorts, we directly reached 下田 (Shimoda), where we strolled a while and visited temples; we particularly appreciated the view over the bay from 寝姿山 (Mount Nesugata). In the evening, we rode a fun train to 蓮台寺 (Rendaiji), and spent the night at 金谷旅館 (Kanaya ryokan), which was expensive but huge, with a gorgeous hot spring. The next day, we enjoyed the landscapes of the peninsula by bus. We stopped at 堂ヶ島 (Dogashima) to bath in the tiny 沢田公園露天風呂 (Sawada-koen open-air hot spring) and to see the coast by boat. We then rode a bus to 修善寺 (Shuzenji city), where we visited 修善寺 (Shuzenji temple), and paddled in a mineral hot spring situated on a rocky promontory in the middle of 桂川 (river Katsura) called 独鈷の湯 (Tokko-no-yu).

Trip to 伊勢 (Ise, Japan) on 03 January 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-01_jp-ise.htm

I traveled to 伊勢志摩 (Ise-shima, Japan) on 03 January 2007 with 明日香 (Asuka) for a New Year visit to one of the most famous Japanese holy places: 伊勢神宮 (Ise-jingu). The city was extremely crowded, which I expected because Japanese from all over the country pray here during the first days of January for a good year. After our pilgrimage, we walked in 二見 (Futami), breathing the invigorating air of the sea, and enjoying 夫婦岩 (Wedded rocks), a famous pair of rocks connected by a holy rope near 與玉神社 (Okitama shrine), which is my preferred local spot.

Trip to 奥多摩 (Okutama, Japan) on 14 November 2006

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2006-11_jp-okutama.htm

I relaxed and enjoyed 紅葉 (autumn colours) in 奥多摩 (Okutama, Japan) on 14 November 2006 with eight Japanese friends. We quietly walked to 武蔵御嶽神社 (Musashi-ontake shrine) then strolled near a lake surrounded by mountains, appreciating the warmth and the calmness of the area.

Trip to 제주도 (Jeju island, South Korea) on 08-12 November 2006

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2006-11_kr-jeju.htm

I visited 제주도 (Jeju island, South Korea) for the first time on 08-12 November 2006 to attend the 2006 International Conference on Hybrid Information Technology (aka ICHIT2006), where I gave a talk. I had a great moment discussing while hiking 한라산 (Hallasan volcano) with Peter, one of the general chairs of the conference, though it was very cold. Besides, I had exceptional views from the plane during my flights between Japan and South Korea.

Trip to 白川郷 (Shirakawa-go, Japan) on 04-06 August 2006

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2006-08_jp-shirakawago.htm

I visited 白川郷 (Shirakawa-go, Japan) for the first time on 04-06 August 2006 in company of 明日香 (Asuka) to discover this UNESCO world heritage famous for its unique houses built in 合掌造り (Gassho-zukuri) style. We relaxed two days in the village, including an excellent dinner and a refreshing night in a traditional house. The weather was extraordinary all along and, far from the big cities, we appreciated the whispers of the wind and the songs of the insects.

Hike at 富士山 (Mount Fuji, Japan) on 01-02 July 2006

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2006-07_jp-fuji.htm

I hiked 富士山 (Mount Fuji, Japan) for the first time on 01-02 July 2006 with twelve friends to enjoy a sunrise from the top of this most famous Japanese mountain. We climbed from 五合目 (the fifth station) until we reached a shelter, where we dined and slept a few hours. When we resumed our hike after midnight, we were subjected to rain, wind and falling rocks. One of us actually got hurt by a fist-size rock a few minutes before reaching the summit; fortunately he just ended up with a big bump on the back of his head. Without surprise, we missed the sunrise and just got wrapped in a brighter and brighter diffuse grey light... In this condition, we all appreciated hot drinks provided at the summit but wondered whether we would try again, maybe in 2007. At least, we enjoyed the scenery on our way down, as well as a luxurious nearby 温泉 (hot spring).

[Update 06-Aug-2007] I enjoyed the sunrise from the top of 富士山 (Mount Fuji) during my second hike there, on 05-06 August 2007 (see Post 06 August 2007).