Venus Line
"Venus Line" is a plateau driving course in Nagano Prefecture with a total length of about 76km and an average altitude of 1400m. It is a mountain road that runs through the plateau of Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park.
This place is a biker's paradise! Absolutely perfect for touring!
Hotel Floracion Nasu
A resort hotel nestled in the lush highlands, Hotel Floracion Nasu exudes elegance with its Northern Italian-inspired exterior, a lobby adorned with luxurious chandeliers, and a courtyard fountain that enhances the sophisticated atmosphere.
I stayed here at the end of the year! It was super cold outside, but the rooms were really comfortable, and the buffet-style meals were delicious!!
JR Tadami Line
The JR Tadami Line runs for 135,2km between Aizuwakamatsu Station in Fukushima and Koide Station in Niigata. It runs through the Tadami River valley in the deep mountains, providing beautiful seasonal scenery from the train windows, including cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.
I stopped by Tadami Station during a motorcycle tour. Since there are only a few trains each day, I couldn't see any trains this time, which was a bit disappointing. The Tadami Line runs through some really remote and rugged areas between Fukushima and Niigata—it's impressive they managed to build a railway here!
Michi-no-Eki Irihirose
The Michi-no-Eki Irihirose (Roadside Station Irihirose), situated along National Route 252 between Niigata and Fukushima Prefectures in the former Irihirose district of Uonuma City, also known as the "Mountain Vegetable Republic."
There's a big pond next to this roadside station, making it a relaxing spot. The sasa dango I bought as a souvenir was delicious too! As expected from Uonuma, Niigata, famous for its rice.
TOKYO SKYTREE(R) TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN(R)
Boasting a height of 634 meters, TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing tower which stands in the center of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN surrounded by tourist facilities. The tower has two observation decks, Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.
I took photos of Tokyo Skytree from along the Sumida River during cherry blossom season. The colors change so often that I couldn't stop snapping pictures!
Lake Hibara
Formed by the eruption of Mount Bandai, Lake Hibara is the largest lake in the Urabandai region, with a circumference of about 31 kilometers. A scenic road encircles the lake, making it a popular driving route where visitors can enjoy the area’s changing landscapes throughout the four seasons. Sightseeing boats and motorboats operate on the lake, offering the chance to admire the majestic view of Mount Bandai from the water.
Went on a motorcycle tour around Urabandai during the fresh green season. The beautiful color of Lake Hibara and Mount Bandai in the background made me feel like I was inside a painting!
Nishi Azuma Sky Valley
Located between the northern shore of Lake Hibara in Ura-Bandai, Fukushima Prefecture, and the famous hot springs of Shirabu Onsen in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, this approximately 17.8 km tourist road runs through the mountains of Tohoku, surrounded by lush natural beauty, providing a thrilling and scenic driving experience. The autumn foliage along this road is particularly stunning, with a tapestry of red, yellow, and deep green creating picturesque landscapes that unfold beyond the car windows.
This is a comfortable road that crosses the border between Fukushima and Yamagata. On sunny days, the views are fantastic, and you can see Mt. Bandai and the lakes from near the pass!
Roadside Station Utsunomiya Romantic Village
Roadside stations throughout Japan are popular as places to rest from driving and purchasing local products and souvenirs. Utsunomiya Romantic Village is not only a regular roadside station but also a farm park where you can enjoy a farming experience, playing in the forest, a dog park, a hot spring, a swimming pool, and accommodation facilities!
It's super easy to get here—just a few minutes by car from the Utsunomiya Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway! There are several parking lots, which is really convenient. The grounds are huge and packed with fun things to do. The market has tons of local veggies, fruits, and souvenirs, all looking delicious. Honestly, it's hard not to go overboard shopping here!!
Mount Nantai (Nantaisan)
Rising on the north shore of Lake Chuzenji, Mount Nantai is a 2,486-meter peak selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Since the monk Shodo Shonin first reached the summit in Ten’o 2 (782), it has been worshiped as a sacred mountain representing the Nikko Mountain Range. From the trailhead at an elevation of Approx. 1,200 meters, it takes 3.5-4 hours to reach the summit and 2.5-3 hours to descend, making it a popular day-hike spot.
The view of Mount Nantai across Lake Yunoko from just before Konsei Pass is absolutely stunning!!
Echizen Ono Castle
Echizen Ono Castle rises to the top of Mount Kameyama (249 meters above sea level) in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture. The castle was initially built around 1580 but burned down in 1775. The current castle was reconstructed in 1968.
You can see the castle sitting on top of a small mountain or maybe a hill? I spotted it from the Chubu Jukan Expressway and decided to get closer. I didn't go inside, but it looks like the view from up there would be amazing!
