Here and there but not quite everywhere!
We headed to DC to see the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin this morning as the NPS declared peak bloom yesterday. Although the sky was mostly overcast, it was warm and the flowers were beautiful as usual. And, of course, it was busy!
Continue reading “DC Cherry Blossoms Peak Bloom”
We woke up early for Hatsuhinode, the viewing of the first sunrise of the year, up on Niseko Annupuri. No sun was to be seen. We returned for breakfast at the Hilton and then headed out for our first ski day of the trip. After, we headed to Hirafu for a very late lunch and % ΔRΔBICΔ before returning to Niseko Village.
Continue reading “New Year’s Day at Niseko”
After waking up at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose, we had breakfast and checked out to take a bus from the JR station to the Hilton Niseko Village. Once we arrived, we checked in and did a bit of exploring before our room was ready. After getting our room, we picked up our rental skis and had dinner. In the evening, we saw a taiko performance and fireworks at midnight for the new year.
Continue reading “New Year’s Eve at the Hilton Niseko Village”
After waking up at the Mercure, we visited the nearby Haneda-jinja, popular for aviation safety, before going further away to Gotokuji, a temple with thousands of Maneki-neko. We then came across a fantastic Mount Fuji view, had lunch, and checked out the new Azabudai Hills before dinner nearby. We ended the day by viewing winter illuminations at Roppongi and the Meguro River.
Continue reading “Cats, Planes, and More in Tokyo”
After waking up at the Mercure, we went up to Tokyo Station where we had tsukemen for breakfast at Rokurinsha. We then took the train to Takaosanguchi, a chairlift partway up Mt. Takao, and then walked up to the summit. We enjoyed the view as well as the Takao-san Yakuo-in before returning to Tokyo. We then went to see the winter illuminations at Tokyo Midtown and Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
Continue reading “Mount Takao”