RHS'69
Tomodachi Tour IV - 2019
Tomadachi IV - the fourth tour to Japan is two weeks in length. We have three reporters covering the trip: Lani Harrington, Vincent Yim (RHS'69) and Bobby Imoto (Kalani'69).
This is a "rolling blog" so each day's events are posted as they come in. Check back often for the latest.
Leaving Takayama for Lake Kawaguchi with scenic views of Mt. Fuji along the way. Part of what's known as Fuji Five Lakes, it is the second largest in surface area and the most accessable to visit. There's cable cars and bicycles for fun.
Then return to the hotel to dress up in yukata for dinner.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Events added daily through Monday, March 11th
Lake Kawaguchi Weather for today
32 F (Japan 1:00 AM)
Predicted:
11:00 AM 38 F
7:00 PM 36 F
Precipitation 40%
Expected:
2:00 PM 0%
Humidity 70%
Wind 4 mph
Everybody is still in Takayama for a few more hours.
Bobby Imoto, who is an early raiser, got up about 6-ish (Japan time) and looked out the window. We have the first pictures of the day. He says it started snowing lightly last night and got a little heavier in the last couple of hours.
This is a big deal for Hawaii folks.
A few actually got dressed to play a bit.
One advantage of getting up early is you beat everyone to breakfast.
Except for the bus driver and hostess.
It's a long ride to the Lake Kawaguchi area with only so many games you can play on the bus.
So, there's the occasional rest stop and omiyagi shopping.
The gang will have an opportunity to try their hand at making mizuhiki - and if that doesn't turn out so well - they can buy some already made.
After that it's back on the bus to find lunch.
Here it is - The Mizuhiki Crafts Museum. Check the snow on the Japan alps in the background.
This is fasinating stuff. Mizuhiki is a special form of cord made from rice paper that has various usages such as gift wrapping string, and it comes in a variety of colors and shapes that can fit different kinds of gifts.
The Dragon took 2 1/2 years to make.
The Forest Garden - home of fine dining at your neighborhood rest stop.
The final rest stop, and lunch, before getting to the Highland Resort at Lake Kawaguchi for the night.
Vincent and Wendy's hotel room at Lake Kawaguchi.
How about that view?
The Here I Am with Mt. Fuji in the Background pictures
An amusement park near the hotel!
Dinner followed with a visit to the Strawberry Festa
Some of the bus rides are long so there's usually one of four things the folks do during these times:
Sleep
Pass around snacks
Take shaky
pictures through
the window
Watch some strange movie
Everyone's running out of time. Two days left and it's time to get down to the power shopping. Time for Tokyo...
Day 11 goes into the books as a blast. Time to pack up and head out...again.
The long bus rides are now over. At dinner the tour group presented Nancy (the hostess) and Kenny (the bus driver) with mahalo gifts.
Both were caring, professional and fun people and they helped make the tour a great one.
Photos/video by:
Bobby Imoto Kalani'69
Lani Harrington RHS'69
Cheryl Osumi RHS'69
Vincent/Wendy Yim RHS'69