STONE & WATER

<Stroll around Ginza>
Full of history and some of the best shopping experiences in Tokyo, Ginza is a must-see for any tourist interested in experiencing the height of Japanese fashion and retail. Fans of the local cuisine will find a treasure trove of treats waiting for them in the basement of any of the large department stores in the area, which feature a seemingly limitless selection of fruits, meats, salads, desserts and just about any type of Japanese food you can think of, all sourced from only the best providers.

<Stroll around Nihonbashi>
Nihonbashi is a commercial and shopping center in Tokyo that also is home to the starting point of National Route 4, which spans over 700 kilometers and ends at Aomori, our next day's destination.We had a chance to stop by the Nihonbashi Dashi Bar and try some of their "stock," which was delicious.

<Origami>
Experiencing an origami lesson under the tutelage of an Italian instructor at Coredo was enlightening. I had not expected to be able to complete my crane but not only did the teacher prove me wrong, she also encouraged me to continue on to create two samurai helmets as well.

<Lunch: Hounenmanpuku>
Hounenmanpuku, our lunch destination, was a nice place to take a break along the Nihonbashi river. Our "Shoukadou" lunch bento contained four sections, each filled with a different type of delicious seasonal food, including sashimi, tempura, oden, and assorted shellfish.

<Meiji Jingu>
The Meiji Shrine is the top tourist destination in Tokyo and rightfully so, being the site of perhaps the world's largest urban man-made forest.

<NEZU MUSEUM>
The Nezu Museum is a must-stop for any serious fan of Japanese art.We wound up spending our time in the Museum garden, which was a wonderful way to enjoy the brisk Autumn weather.

<Dinner: Teyan-tei>
Swanky neighborhood Nishi-Azabu is where our dinner destination, Teyan-tei, was located. A wonderful opportunity to introduce our tour guide's to the wonders of yakitori shish kebab, the restaurant boasted an impressive collection of chicken and regional varieties of sake.

<HANEDA　EXCEL　HOTEL　TOKYU>
For those who have recently arrived via Haneda Airport or who are about to take a morning flight, the Haneda Excel Tokyu is literally the most convenient hotel you can stay in, given its location some 5 meters from the check-in counter. Make sure you get a room with a view of the runways. It's quite a sight to wake up to!

<Haneda airport, JAL>
As usual Japan Airlines (JAL) was comfortable, had excellent service and was 100% on time. I have never been disappointed with a domestic carrier in this country and was not surprised to be extremely well taken care of. Those flying JAL (or ANA) to Aomori who are interested in bicycling around the area may be interested to know that the airlines will accept bicycles as check-in luggage for no additional charge, provided the front wheel of the bike is removed from the frame and both are contained within an opaque bag.

<WARASSE>
Our first stop in Aomori, Warasse is a building devoted to celebration of the Nebuta Festival, the largest event in Aomori. Taking place every year from August 2-7, the parade of intrically designed illuminated floats attracts over 3 million people annually, which is more than double the population of the entire prefecture! The name of the facility is derived from the exclamation shouted out by those who participate in the parade.

<Lunch: Hakkouda Resort Hotel>
For lunch we had a delicious bento with a view of some of Aomori's ski slopes popular with Australian tourists. Although the November weather wasn't quite cold enough for snow, we did get a chance to see some gorgeous views of the multi-color tree scape.

<About　Sukayu　Onsen>
Having lived in Japan for 10 years, I've experienced my fair share of onsen (hot springs) but nothing like the sulfur infused waters of Sukayu. While a dip in most onsen will be good enough to heat you up for the time being, an hour in sukayu's special blend will make your body feel toasty all the way until the next morning. I don't really understand it (apparently it has something to do with sulfur) but anyone who wants to experience the cold weather without ever actually feeling cold would do well to drop by. The facility also offers an interesting range of accommodation options, including shared kitchens with running mountain water. Also of note is that the Sukayu baths are mixed-gender;, although there are separate sections for men and women, both bathe in the same large tub."

<Hakkoda Hotel>
Hakkoda Hotel, where we stayed for our one night in Aomori, is a spacious hotel with impressive dining and event facilities. The dinner and breakfast we had there were delicious and took place in a dining room with a great view of the surrounding Autumn foliage. The communal bathing facilities, although not as unique as those at Sukayu, were a wonderful place to finish the evening.

<Oirase Keiryu mountain stream>
Our hike along the Oirase River was the highlight of the trip. Far from the crowds of Tokyo and even Aomori City, our hour-long hike through spectacular Fall foliage brought us past a number of beautiful waterfalls that were a sight to behold. Tourists would do well to start their hikes even earlier than we did, at the beginning of the 9-kilometer trail, for the full experience.

<Lunch: Towada-Barayaki>
Our final lunch in Aomori was at Towada-Barayaki, and it was an exciting one since we all had a role to play. Barayaki, or rib meat with green onions and sauce, is a speciality of the prefecture and each of us received a small personal hot plate to cook it on. The restaurant is located a short distance from Otome no Zo, a famous bronze statue that is very popular with domestic tourists. While those travelling abroad may not be excited to see sculptor Kotaru Takamura's final piece of art, the short trip to the statue goes along a very pretty part of Lake Towada.

<Oirase Stream Museum, Moss Ball>
We made the moss ball as an alternative of the Lake Towada excursio on boat.
The Oirase Stream Museum (an odd name given the Oirase River's size) is a great destination for families looking to learn more about the area. Its main draw is the Kokedama (Moss Ball) Making class, led by a former professional wrestler who certainly knows his stuff. Travelers should be advised that moss balls are alive and probably will not clear international customs, but make a great gift for any Japanese friends.

<Dinner: Aomori Hotate Goya>
Hotate Goya offers a dining experience that may very well be unique to Aomori: Customers are given the chance to fish for the very scallops they will be dining upon. For a 500 yen entrance fee, you are given a fishing pole and three minutes to catch all of the scallops you can within the time limit. Anything you catch is then prepared for you as sushi, sashimi or grilled style.
*Prices are for travelers at the time of use.