Tour Map
Arrived at Keio Plaza Hotel and ready to start our adventure!
Godzilla Building Shinjuku
Coco our JTB guide
First stop was Guma prefecture where we experienced making Soba and enjoying our Soba for lunch with tempura. Lots of fun, hearing everyone laughing and trying to knead their dough. Trying to cut our Soba took a little skill handling the knife.
Kaneshiro's with grandsons Kaleo and Carsten
Quitazol, Haunani, Francis and daughters Haunani and Lilinoi
Sarah and son Elliot
We then went to make ice cream at Harada Farms. This hands-on activity was another arm buster because we had to scrape our ice cream on a frozen plate.
The weather was partially cloudy on our excursion to Tanigawadaki Ropeway and Lift Weather. The ride up in the lift was a lot of fun and we were surrounded by beautiful flora.
Some of the younger group decided to walk down back to the Ropeway.
There's a nice cool mist in the air.
Haunani and Lilinoe enjoying the props setup.
Earl and Sumie joined in on the photo taking.
Ended our night with a great 8-course dinner at the Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu.
We were so fortunate to have a professional photographer Ayumi take our pictures at Mastumoto Castle. Here is Brenda and son David posing for the photo.
Willolyn
Brenda and Kenneth
Michelle
Kaneshiros
Quitazol Ohana
Eileen & Darrel
Mitsuko & Michael
Lloyd and Colleen
Traveled to Mt. Norikura which is the third highest peak in the Northern Japan Alps. The
spectacular 10 meter tall snow walls near the top are a sight to see!
We arrived in Sado Island via ferry.
After arrival we headed to Hotel Yahatakan. A beautiful place with lots of greenery and trees. Most people went for the onsen to relax before dinner. The kaiseki dinner was so delicious especially with that whole crab to eat.
Here we have our group dressed in their Yukata.
We enjoyed the crab and the kaiseki food was so good.
Enjoyed the authentic Oni-Daiko (Demon Drums) Performance as well.
Willo enjoyed the performance
Kaneshiros
Quitazol, Francis & Anna with Lilinoe and Haunani
We moved on to the Northern Culture Museum one of the wealthiest farming families of Niigata.
Where we experienced mochi pounding.
A few in the group tried their hand at mochi ponding but gave up because it’s hard work!
We enjoyed lunch at the museum where we are eating the mochi they were pounding. It was so good, they put red azuki bean on it!
Lunch at the Northern Culture Museum.
Lunch at the Northern Culture Museum.
Moving along to the fun part for the sake lovers! Mayo-Tsukasa Sake Brewery.
Touring the brewery was very interesting.
This bottle reminded me of a koi fish.
We ended our night having Kaiseki dinner while being entertained by Geiko . Beautiful Geisha girls . What a treat!
After dinner photo