Sapporo Heading South - Can't keep the Idiot Out

[Noel Mugavin]

Very basic room at the Royal Hotel


Nice view though


Time for a walk around the lake

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Was having a gander at the menu on the outside of a kebab shop, owner wandered out and somewhat pleaded with me to come in. It was a bir of a Seinfeld Babhu Bhat situation, food wasn;t great, but I felt obliged





Hotel with onsen at the forecourt. Went for a soak, then an early night

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Not before one last shot before the sun went down

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early start as I wanted to get to a photo spot and beat the crowds
This wasn't the spot




This is a much better picture than the Lawsons


As is this

On to the local




Off at Shimoyoshida Station. Was at this stop yesterday that hordes got on the train inbound to Kawaguchiko
Zero getting on trains going wither way at this time of the morning. Apart from me.




Where I was heading


Visuals on the path to make sure you're on the right track

 

[Noel Mugavin]

It's only about a 6 or 7 minute walk from the station to the park


















There was no one else around, so this sign was a little disconcerting. Can't outrun a bear, might be able to outrun another person though

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Quite thew workout ahead of me




After abut 10 minutes or so of stairs, arrived at the pagoda


Then the shot I was after


Spent about 20 minutes here and took a heap of photos. Some of which I'll bore you with now

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Time to head down. Well worth the effort to get here early, about 3 other people around for the time I was here.












Joined at the railway crossing by about 10 Japanese school kids, ranging from about 4 to 11 years old, unsupervised and in a perfectly straight and orderly line patiently waiting for the train to pass.

Still early, so a walk into town and to Honcho Street for the famous Fuji view
A little way to go to the intersection causing a heap of trouble with people getting in the way of traffic

 

[jukebox333]

*snip*

View attachment 436431

I'm curious Noel; just how early did you get there for this shot?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I'm curious Noel; just how early did you get there for this shot?

7.30ish, very early in tour bus time

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I walked up a side street for this one


And then back down the main drag and to the spot that causes a few issues. There is an attendant stationed there moving people on

Ten minute or so walk back to the station, wasn't long before a train came along


Strongly themed




Back to Kawaguchiko


Plenty of day still left, so to the ropeway. No line, straight on and up.

 

[Noel Mugavin]