21 Jan
Central Nippon Expressway Co. says it will offer a fixed-rate toll pass for foreign drivers to promote tourism in central Japan.
The all-you-can-ride pass is good for seven days and will be available between March 21 and June 30.
The pass for the Japan Alps route across Nagano, Aichi and Gifu prefectures will cost ¥7,000, while the pass for taking the Sea of Japan route across Toyama, Fukui, Shiga, Gifu and Aichi prefectures will cost ¥9,000. (Japan Times)
10 Jun
They can't be "seen from space" like the Great Wall of China and they don't embody so much historical importance as the Berlin Wall, but these Great Snow Walls of the Japanese Alps are no doubt way, way cooler!
Measuring up to 20 metres in height, these steep banks of accumulated snow flanking the mountain road at Murodo on Mount Tateyama in the northern part of the Japanese Alps, are part of the many highlights of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.
Starting from the Tateyama railway station in Toyama Prefecture on the west side, the alpine route takes you through the high mountains all the way to the east side of the ranges at Ogizawa bus terminal in Nagano Prefecture.
This exciting route is one case that the phrase "getting there is half the fun" really rings true since to complete it you need to change to different modes of transportation along the way, ranging from cable cars and highland buses to pillar-less ropeways and trolley buses that run through long tunnels. (Bangkok Post)
They can't be "seen from space" like the Great Wall of China and they don't embody so much historical importance as the Berlin Wall, but these Great Snow Walls of the Japanese Alps are no doubt way, way cooler!
Measuring up to 20 metres in height, these steep banks of accumulated snow flanking the mountain road at Murodo on Mount Tateyama in the northern part of the Japanese Alps, are part of the many highlights of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.
Starting from the Tateyama railway station in Toyama Prefecture on the west side, the alpine route takes you through the high mountains all the way to the east side of the ranges at Ogizawa bus terminal in Nagano Prefecture.
This exciting route is one case that the phrase "getting there is half the fun" really rings true since to complete it you need to change to different modes of transportation along the way, ranging from cable cars and highland buses to pillar-less ropeways and trolley buses that run through long tunnels. (Bangkok Post)