As promised in my last post I`m delivering some photos of Sapporo‘s Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival). As the 1.9 million inhabited city of Sapporo is comparatively young, constructions of Sapporo village only began in 1866 – whereas settlements in Kyoto or Nara date back to the 6th and 7th century – it can’t attract tourist …
Nov 30 2012
Ad hoc on Hokkaido
“Welcome to Hokkaido” greets me Gaku my host a 21 year young environmental science student. He waited extra for my arrival in the cold to pick me up. It’s a pity I have no time to explore Hakodate as it is a special town regarding history. I don’t even find time to take some photos …
Nov 18 2012
going postal
I go on to Hirosaki, Japan’s apple capital. Already more than three weeks ago my mum sent a package from Germany to my hosts here. Medical supplies, my new credit card, most important however are German sweets/candy which I need urgently. On arriving at my host’s the package still hasn’t arrived. Yet I have three …
Nov 10 2012
gorgeous gorge towards Towadako
Matthew my host from the U.S.A. has just moved from Seattle (Washington) here to Misawa (Aomori). He works on the U.S. Airfoce base at the gates of Misawa. “I’m a submariner”, he surprises me. He has already served on submarines. When they put out to sea they are sometimes more than three months under water. …
Oct 29 2012
Escape Successful
Only one more city until I’m safe, until I will finally leave this region behind me and will be with a host again! I’m not in the mood for anything as I reach Kuji. At least I have no problems finding a hotel today, book a room that’s it! Last day of the Tsunami …
Oct 27 2012
Escape from the tsunami disaster area
Even though my next town Kamaishi has plenty of hotels which have already been restored, I’m still having a hard time finding a room. There is a huge steel plant in Kamaishi which is fully functional again. A major part of the city is located in a long, narrow valley which reaches far into the …
Oct 24 2012
Tsunami disaster area, Ishinomaki – Minamisanriku – Kesennuma
Even though a typhoon is approaching I reach my next host Henry nearby Ishinomaki, mainly dry. When trying to call him from a phone booth I almost splat a small frog sitting on the dial pad. I can’t believe my eyes. He was lucky. I almost dialed M for murder. But I have to admit …
Oct 12 2012
What the Fukushima
From Utsunomiya I’m making my way via Koriyama to the 284.000 inhabitant small city of Fukushima. It’s a bit ironic. Since June I have been cycling through Japan and where do I face the first Godzilla on my journey? Although… it should have come into my mind way earlier why it is that way. Since …
Oct 09 2012
Mamamia Utsunomiya
The leg from Mt. Shirane to Nakanojo (52 km/32 miles) is almost a constant downhill track which is of course a lot of fun. I’m pausing in Utsonomiya for three days as I’d like to see the tomb in Nikko which is about 40 km away from my host in Utsunomiya. There is only one …
Sep 30 2012
Jigokudani Monkey Onsen nearby Nagano and Mt. Shirane
Who resumes a bicycle trip with an 80 km long leg after a one month long lasting recovering break will be punished. Which is the case with me. But it’s my own body which punishes me. From Matsumoto I’m making my way via two smaller mountain pass to Nagano. However with one pass you wouldn’t …
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