Day 7 Miyazaki

Driving from Huis Ten Bosch to Miyazaki and stopping along the way at Kumomoto Castle, would go back to Huis Ten Bosch and maybe spend 3 days there but what I'd like to do most is stay somewhere just before Huis Ten Bosch and charter a fishing boat, the inlet and islands all around look like excellent fishing grounds.
Kumomoto Castle is another to my list of "seen" , this morning found out that it was the hottest place in Japan that day, after leaving we wanted to visit a very unique bridge but sadly I got caught for speeding so with all the time lost we couldn't go.

Entrance to Kumomoto Castle

Kumomoto Castle

Kumomoto Castle

Shokun Hall Kumomoto Castle

Shokun Hall Kumomoto Castle

ANA Holiday Inn Resort Miyazaki

Hotel foyer

O-Hiroma Main Hall Kumomoto Castle

Day 6 Huis Ten Bosch (House Ten Bosch)

Left Nagasaki this morning and enjoyed a great drive north to Huis Ten Bosch, this is a replica of Dutch towns and villages, am told to see all of the Village you would need about 3 days, you can stay here at any of the hotels and it's a great place to bring the family.

Huis Ten Bosch- replica Dutch Town

Huis Ten Bosch

Domotren Tower Huis Ten Bosch

View from Domotren Tower of Huis Ten Bosch

Eateries

Glass Museum

Porcelain Museum

Am staying here tonight Watermark Hotel Huis Ten Bosch

Day 5 Nagasaki

Today visited Oura Catholic Church and Glover Gardens which was worth doing as both are quite close to each other, the gardens was a bit of a climb up stairs but the view and the old buildings that Thomas Blake Glover occupied was quite special. On the way back to the car we visited a fish spa, you put your feet into the water and and you're attacked by tiny carp, it feels like you've got you're feet in bubbles but when you look down you realise you'being eaten, definately the weirdest thing I've done. After the fish spa we went to Dejima is an island which was built to house Portugese Traders and was later used by the Dutch as a Trading Post.

Oura Catholic Church

 

Cute statues

 

A bust of Pope John Paul

 

Gardens around Oura Church

 

View of Nagasaki Harbour

 

Square in front of Statue of Tamaki Miura

 

Former Ringer House

 

Fish spa

 

Fish spa

 

Fish spa brochure

 

Replica of Dejima

 

Rental Toyota Prius 2014

Day 4 Nagasaki

This morning we flew to Nagasaki & hired a 2014 Toyota Prius-only had 
204 km's on the clock, nice to drive. We went to Mt Inasa and was blown away by the view, we then went to the Peace Park near the blast site of the atomic bomb and the Atomic Bomb Museum, sobering thoughts, I'm not blood thirsty but I think everyone should visit places like these in order to see what war does. Finally, we went to Hypocentre where the bomb actually detonated 500 mtrs above the ground, nearly 162,000 people lost their lives.

Mt Inasa of Nagasaki

View from Mt Inasa of Nagasaki

View from Mt Inasa of Nagasaki

Peace Park Nagasaki

Replica of Fatboy Atomic Bomb that was dropped over Nagasaki

Black monolith marks the Hypocentre-500 mtrs above the bomb detonated

Hotel Best Western Premier Nagasaki

Hotel foyer

View from hotel room

Day 3 Japan Gambanyoku

This morning 26 degrees @ 5:15 am, Went to Neyagawa fo Gambanyoku, Gambanyoku is translated to Bedrock Bath, at this centre you can use the public baths that have a sauna and a steam room. You can also pay extra to use the gambanyoku which is where you can lay on a towel in a room that is heated to about 45 degrees, there are 5 rooms each has a unique floor, it's very relaxing and is my favorite place for relaxation.

Neyagawa Ganbanyoku

Ground floor Ganbanyoku

 Food display in Ganbanyoku

Day 2 Japan

Went for a walk this morning & saw these houses, after that was lunch then wash it down with an ice cold Asahi

Average house

Lunch Set

Yesterday arriving in Japan

JAL First Class

First meal in Japan and it's on JAL

Higashi Hanazono my home away from home

$22 for a bottle of Suntory Premium whiskey

Day 1 Japan

First day in Japan, arrived this morning 6:20am, every other time was crap, had a great sleep, stewardesses were fantastic.
It's a bit hazy at Haneda Airport but who cares I'm on 5 weeks leave in my favorite country.
Wonder how I'll  cope 25 degrees today and yesterday 7 in Queenstown.

WiFi on transfer bus from Narita to Haneda

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport

JAL Diamond Lounge Haneda Airport

JAL First Class Check in