Saturday 29th April, 2017.

Niigata to Sado Island.

Two and a half hour car ferry trip across the Sea of Japan to Ryotsu port on Sado Island.

                                      Waiting in the back of the Rolls Royce

Sado Island consists of two mountain ranges with flat areas in between. The island was a designated penal colony for political dissidents during the Imperial Court of the Nara Period in the 18th century.

The discovery of gold in the 17th century brought positive socioeconomics from other regions. The combinations of aristrocratic, samurai and commercial exchanges, have fused together to form a unique culture.

On arrival at the port we drove through many villages and the locals were out in force, waving and taking photographs. 

During lunch (at the north end of the island) there was heavy rain and a rush to put hoods and tops on before everything got soaked. There was thunder and lightning so departure to the first Regularity of the day was delayed by 30 minutes. There were supposed to be four regularities today but the second was cancelled due to snow blocking the road.

Regularity Four was on a little used road, covered in a lot of debris such as fallen branches and leaves and one very large pot hole.

Before dinner a group of young school children came and performed a dance to the beating of a large drum.

One of the waitresses at dinner at worked in this hotel for 60 years (she was 75!)

Friday 28th April, 2017

Nikko to Niigata   (289 kms)

Quite cold but sunny at this high altitude. From the log cabin type hotel we descended via 30 hair pin bends. There was hard packed snow by the roadsides, also snow on the surrounding mountains. The landscape was stunted bamboo and bare trees. Reaching 1,400 mts we stopped to admire the view but didn't see any of the wild monkeys which are common around here. Some of the road posts along this route had carved animals on them. 

A lot of timber felling is done around here. What was noticeable were the distinctive coloured roofs in the villages here- red, blue and green.

Two straight forward regularities although there was some controversy about the timing tables on one regularity which was rectified later. A difference of 6 seconds but critical when 14 cars all did the regularity within 10 seconds.

We entered Fukushima Prefecture today, the third largest of 47 Prefectures. A wide area of this Prefecture was not affected by the nuclear contamination, including the areas we visit.

We visited the preserved 17th century village of Ouchi-Juku with thatched roof travellers' accommodation and many small shops.The main/only street was gravel and had stone water gullies.

Lunch was at a cafe next to the Samurai Museum.

This large mansion was a recreation and displayed how the samurai lived. A young couple were having their wedding photos taken.

Another 3 kms further on was Tsunuga Castle rebuilt in the late 19th century.

Our stop for the night was at Niigata, 110kms further on. On the way we saw large tracts of land under rice cultivation.

Before dinner a group of school girls (about Year 9) came to give us a lesson in Japanese calligraphy.
They were delightful and so eager to teach us some Japanese characters.

During dinner there was a sake tasting, Geisha (called Geigi here) dancing and the cracking open of an old barrel of sake.

Most of the hotels give us a "package" on arrival of the things to see in the area and often small gifts.

This hotel left a plate of delicious strawberries in our room. They were especially tasty and were a variety called Echigohime, named after a Princess of Echigo. They were developed in Niigata and so called because they are as sweet and pretty as a princess.

Thursday 27th April, 2017

Tokyo to Nikko  (324 kms)

Headed north out of Tokyo in drizzing rain with all eyes looking for road signs so we didn't accidently take a wrong exit and end up on an Expressway which would take us in the wrong direction.

First stop for the day was the private Wakui Museum, a large collection of Rolls Royce and Bentley cars through the decades (with much of the collection for sale). Coffee, biscuits and chocolates by the locals were welcome.

Walking back to the car two Morgan Club members from our drive to Oiso in March were there to greet us.

With snow on the distant mountains we drove 112 kms to the very modern Hara Museum and Art Gallery set in a large garden with indoor and outdoor exhibits. One spectactular exhibit was the yellow room with black dots where you walk up a few steps, look through a window onto a mirror reflecting hundreds of yellow pumpkins (the same ones as at Naoshima Island but much smaller). Lunch was a Bento box.

Leaving the lunch stop we climbed steadily from 500 to 1,400 mts up the side of an old volcano and descended to the lake which fills the crater. At one point we drove 53 hair pin bends in 10 kms.

Two Regularities were straight forward and we did fairly well on both.

At the end of the first regularity we drove on a "musical road". As you drive along it the changes in the surface played an old Japanese childrens' tune "The Rabbit and the Turtle". 

Our hotel for the night was overlooking Lake Chuzenji - a scenic lake in the mountains above Nikko, at the foot of Mount Nantai.

Wednesday 26th April, 2017

Rest Day, Tokyo

Last night it was announced that we did the fastest circuit time after Marco & Claudia so will pick up a prize once we get to Lake Toya. Everyone is still talking about the smoking tyres!

After a much needed sleep-in, we took a train to the Harajuku area. This is where the fashionistas hang out on weekends. A few fashionistas were out and about with coloured hair and unusual clothes. Takeshita Street was where it was all happening. Lots of shops, many with strange & funny items for sale. Hawkers dressed in all manner of costumes.

Phil found a barber and had a haircut and beard trim.

As we will be back in Tokyo in three weeks we had a relaxing day and organised a place to stay after we drop off the car in Yokohama. 

Tuesday 25th April, 2017

Shizuoka to Tokyo (264 kms)

A bright sunny morning but too much cloud to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji.

We had the opportunity this morning to visit a tea farm but gave it a miss to see more of Mt Fuji.

Much excitement as we drove along and headed towards the snow capped mountain.

We climbed to 1,316 mts and parked where we had a good view of the mountain and took too many photographs! The road to the Fifth Station, another 1,000 mts higher, was still closed and hasn't re-opened since winter. The trees are still bare up here and not much greenery at all.

Lunch was at the Fujinomori Golf Club where there were several local car enthusiasts taking lots of photos of the rally cars. They were very interested in the roadbook as I was marking it up.

After lunch it was a 7km drive to the APG Circuit for a quick run around the track, four laps and finish on the fifth. Gerry, Colin and Marco were ahead of us so it was a very fast run. The bogey time was 3mins 30 secs. We did it in 5mins and 5 secs.

After leaving this circuit we passed by the Fuji Formula 1 Circuit and there was also a Fuji Speedway in this area.

Both regularities were cancelled this afternoon due to problems on the intended roads, roadworks, quarry works.

Then it was a fast run into Tokyo, a lot of it on Expressways. Navigators had to be alert as there are so many exits on these motorways.

We got to the last toll gate and drove to a green light booth. Despite the green light, it was only for vehicles with electronic tags. We couldn't reverse as there was a long line of traffic behind us and there was no attendant. Fortunately we were able to get by/around the barrier as the car is so small. 

Expect we'll see the police sometime soon!

Very nice hotel in the Hibiya area, close to the Imperial Palace.

 Tomorrow is a rest day.

Monday 24th April, 2017

Tsumago to Shizuoka  (245 kms)

Today we drove down from the Kiso valley towards our stop for the night at Shizuoka, on the coast south west of Mount Fuji. 

The only Regularity of the day was quite long, about 20kms with varying speeds from 32kph down to 24kph, narrow roads, some local traffic, heavily treed and lots of corners with mirrors to see oncoming traffic. 

The other two regularities were cancelled, the second due to a blocked road and the third due to it being narrow with roadworks and traffic.

Lunch was a Bento box which was very good.

As we drove along the coast, there were many little shops and stalls selling strawberries. Behind the shops were lots of hothouses where the strawberries were grown. Some of the hothouses were on impossible angles.

Our hotel at Nihondaira has a wonderful panoramic view, looking down over the city and across the bay. On a clear day you can see Mt Fuji, but not today. Mt Fuji is the highest peak in Japan and is a national icon.

Dinner was one of the best to date, or maybe we were all craving some meat and there was roast beef on offer.

Sunday 23rd April, 2017

Hikone to Tsumago (273 kms)

Drove along the shore of the lake and turned east to return to the forested hills.

The first Regularity was cancelled due to a landslide so there was no competition this morning.

Lunch stop was at the Showa village theme park. This park was designed to replicate the atmosphere of a quiet mountainside village of the 1950's. Some of the exhibits were closed but locals with children (& dogs!) seemed to be enjoying it. There was a large patch of colourful tulips in bloom.

First competition after lunch was at the Festika Track, a cart track but wide enough for cars to pass. All the drivers seemed to enjoy four laps of this track, (can't say the navigators did!).

There were two Regularities, short and straight forward.

Due to road closures there was a fair amount of re-routing today to keep navigators on their toes.

Just after 4pm we visited the old Tsumago Village, a well-preserved town with a traditional appearance and ambience. We parked the cars and walked around lokking into the shops and down the lanes.

The hotel tonight has its own micro-brewery and the tasting barrels were popular.

We made up two places today, to 9th overall.

Saturday 22nd April, 2017

Koyasan to Lake Biwa, Nagahama  (244 kms)

Up early to attend morningprayers at 6.30am with the monks.
A lot of chanting by two monks and one monk attended to the fire offering. The room became very smokey.

After a vegan breakfast we drove down the mountain to Shiga Prefecture and Lake Biwa, the largest fresh water lake in Japan.

One of the traditional products of this region is pottery from Shigaraki with the most famous product, and which we have seen everywhere, is the fat bellied "tanuki" (like a racoon) who usually carries a bottle of sake. It is said that in this town the pottery racoons outnumber the humans!

Lunch was a tasty box of bread, pastry and cake at the MIHO Museum which opened in 1997, and is situated deep in a forested hill. A very modern structure of steel, glass and marble.

On the shore of Lake Biwa (biwa is a traditional stringed instrument) Hikone Castle is situated and we had time for a quick walk around before heading for the hotel.

Three Regularities before lunch, reasonably short ones and we did OK on these. The final Regularity of the day was approx. 19kms and we missed a turn and completely got lost, as did others. This caused us to dop five places, down to 11th overall.

At the hotel we were met by costumed "Hideyoshi-kun", the public relations mascot for the Nagahama tourism.

Friday 21st April, 2017

Nara to Koyasan (131 kms)

Dressed warmly as we climb into the mountains today.

First Regularity was 13 kms from the hotel and only a distance of 3 kms and pretty straight forward with little navigation, climbing into the forest and down again. Lots more pollarded pine trees. We surmised that it is necessary to pollard them to keep the branches from the narrow winding roads.

The second Regularity was far more complicated, about 11kms twice around a reservoir, the second round in reverse direction. Navigation was hectic with hair pin bends, right and left turns over narrow bridges and cross roads.

The third Regularity I think we were 15 seconds late. The last turn was difficult to see, the tulip was 10 mts out so we had to reverse. 

Regularity four was cancelled due to too much local traffic.

We drove 60kms to the lunch stop at Koyasan.

Koyasan is a centre for Buddhist study, about 900mts above sea level and the resting place of Kobo Daishi, Shingon Buddhism's founder. It is in a valley surrounded by eight low peaks, said to represent the eight petals of a lotus flower. Koyasan was founded eight centuries ago, the pre-requisite being that it be far from worldly distractions where Buddhist monks could pray for peace and the welfare of the people. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage in 2004.

With so many people on the rally, we have been billeted across five temples tonight. Traditional rooms, tatami mats, shoes off, futons on the floor and communal bathroom. Austere but comfortable. Meals are vegan and supposedly no alcohol. But surprise, alcohol was available. It will be an early night as the monks' prayer service is at 6.30am tomorrow morning and we have been invited to attend.

After checking in we walked around Koyasan which is quite small.

Okunoin cemetery is one of the most sacred places in Japan and Kobo Daishi's mausoleum is here. It is also the largest cemetery in Japan. It is a serene and sacred place covering two kms. The cedar trees are 200-600 years old and all the tombstones have moss growing on them. There is even a pest control company's memorial to the termites that have been killed in their work. Another had a very large teacup as its memorial, probably some high ranking official in a tea company.

We also visited Kongobu-ji a very large bright orange temple.