TOYAMA, JAPAN

We are living in a tropical country which we only have experiencing summer and mostly rainy day seasons through out the year. People who lives in these country such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam including Philippines would definitely dreaming to go to their nearest country which has snowfall. A place that you'd surely love to see especially on the winter time but not all of us are lucky enough to travel in a cold place like Japan and Korea due to financial difficulties. I have spent my 5 days in Tokyo already and my journey would not be complete without seeing the snow. So I decided to take a trip to Toyama which is the nearest place for snow experience.

People may think that travelling alone is the most boring thing that a man could do but I'd certainly disagree though you can experience a moment of loneliness sometimes. But travelling alone is a unique experience, in this way you will be able to meet new friends, a traveller in hostels, in a bar or in any place. You have more space entirely on your own and being a solo traveller can be a great opportunity for reflection as an individual.

How to get there:  (Php1.00 - 0.3682)

Toyama is located in south western part of Japan, a  hundreds of miles away from Tokyo. Riding a bus will take you 9-10 hours while taking shinkansen or the bullet train is the easiest and comfortable way to get there but it is pretty much expensive than the bus for it costs you roughly 11,000 yen for the one way ticket. 

Omiya JR Station, Tokyo

It was my first time riding in a good looking bullet train and it was really huge and very rapid. I was mesmerized of how beautiful the transit was and wishing that the Philippines could somehow bought such high speed train as this.  While on my way to Toyama I was having a hard time reading the map since I took the Japanese one and I was a bit worried to get lost which is really normal for a solo traveller but it was totally different since I was heading up to a far place from the City of Tokyo and it  would costs me more yen if I might step on the wrong place. 

As I was reading the Japanese map, a young man approched and asked me if he could lend his hand for a help  and I said Yes since I can't read the Kanji. Then  we talked a lot of things inside  the moving train. His name is Hiro and he just came from Australia to visit his family in Takaoka. One thing I can't forget about this little guy was he is using a scratched and damaged screen iPhone and I don't know why he still keeps it but all I can say is he's very kind and has sense of humor.😀 

 at the Kanazawa JR Station

I have been dreaming that someday I will spend my white Christmas in a place packed with snow when I was little and yes it was a dream come true.  I couldn't help but to be wowed with these huge glaciers up from the mountains and like crashed ice outside the bullet train, it really looks very fine and so soft to stroke. It's like a dream come true to see this thing and I can't even imagine of how did this happen. 

Around lunch time when I arrived the Province of Toyama, the weather is freezing and my childhood friend together with her family are waiting inside the Train station (they bought a ticket just to get in, how thoughtful they were). We haven't seen for ages and the last time was when we were on our 6th  grade and now she is happily married with her 2 cute kiddos. 

After we had our sumptuous and fresh unlimited sushi's for lunch we headed to the Ski mountains and I was like a kid playing the snow, rolled it like a ping-pong and giant balls. 

This is the skiing field and all I can see was white, from the ground, to the trees, to the mountains, all was filled with snow.

Everyone was playing slides and skiing including me and I wouldn't miss without trying this thing. To tell you it was very difficult and heavy at first but once you get used to it, you'd probably love doing it for hours. I had an exhausting yet lunatic experience with these weighty equipments. I even made a snow man it's not as perfect as others but at least I've tried to build one.

Entrance Fee: Free
Equipment Rental: 1,500 Yen

After an hour or two of playing at the mountains, we went to Tomaya Bay, titled as one of the most beautiful bay in the world and yes it was exceptionally magnificent!

The Kaiwo Maru Ship

The Kaiwo Maru Ship was launched to follow her only one month older sister ship Nippon Maru in Yokohama, both as training facilities for 11 public mercantile marine school in Japan. The ship was given the name Kaiwo which means "King of the Seas" with great expectation for its future success.  

It was a long and a freezing day for all of us, so we went to the public hot spring which a bit near from Mount Tateyama. The tub was surrounded with snow whilst dipping at nearly 45 degree running water and it was perfectly beautiful!

On our way home that night I asked them if they can help me find a hostel but they offered me to stay at their house instead. I couldn't resist but to accept it.

Day 2 TAKAOKA

My friends husband woke up so early to take me to another trip. I have my own itinerary but I didn't pay much attention to it and it will be more expensive if I will follow my route. There are only few public transportation routing in the City and given that they have their own car our trip was very relaxing. This time we're heading to Takaoka City. Takaoka City is just an half hour drive away from Toyama City. One of the main attraction in this place is the huge Buddha and the park. Unfortunately, This is the only photo left which I posted on my Instagram while others were vanished since my phone got busted.

Entrance Fee: Free

ZUIRYUJI TAKAOKA TEMPLE

Zuiryuji was known as the national treasure temple of Japan, designed with massive lead roof is considered as the most calmest temples in Japan.
Entrance Fee: 300Yen

Thank you so much Maniwa family for the warmed welcome and for the goodness you've shared while I was in Toyama. Thank you for the free lodging, for the free drinks at the bar, for the free tour nearby the provinces and for the limitless lavish foods. Arigatou Gozaimasu!



Indeed my snow experience was totally unforgettable and astounding!