Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) Hakone - Japan 25th March 2008

Lake Ashi (Japanese: Ashinoko) was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone.

The best views of the lake in combination with Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from Moto-Hakone, from the Hakone Detached Palace Garden and from the sightseeing boats cruising the lake.

Note however, that clouds and poor visibility often block the view of Mount Fuji, and you have to consider yourself lucky if you get a clear view of the mountain. Visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late evening hours.

Two companies, Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Izuhakone Sightseeing Boats, operate boats between Moto-Hakone and Hakonemachi at the lake's southern shores and Togendai and Kojiri at the northern shores.

A boat cruise from one end of the lake to the other takes roughly 30 minutes and costs 970 Yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on the pirate ship shaped Hakone Sightseeing Boats but not on boats operated by Izuhakone.

how to get there

From Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto

Frequent buses connect Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto with Moto-Hakone and Hakonemachi at the southern end of Lake Ashi. The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1150 Yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 930 Yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on Hakone Tozan buses but not on Izuhakone buses.

There is also a frequently served Hakone Tozan Bus line from Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto to Togendai at the northern end of Lake Ashi (covered by the Hakone Free Pass). The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1200 Yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 1020 Yen.

A slow and scenic way of approaching Lake Ashi from Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto is taking the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, followed by a cablecar and ropeway ride to Togendai at the northern end of of the lake. From Togendai one can continue by sightseeing boat to Moto-Hakone or Hakonemachi. The whole journey is covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Kamakura Japan 24th March 2008

Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa prefecture, less than one hour south of Tokyo.

Kamakura became the political center of Japan, when Minamoto Yoritomo chose the city as the seat of his new military government in 1192. The Kamakura government continued to rule Japan for over a century, first under the Minamoto shogun and then under the Hojo regents.

After the decline of the Kamakura government in the 14th century and the establishment of its successor, the Muromachi or Ashikaga government in Kyoto, Kamakura remained the political center of Eastern Japan for some time before losing its position to other cities.

Today, Kamakura is a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In addition, Kamakura's sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.

The Great Budha of Kamakura, Japan 24th March 2008

The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha that is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan (the largest is located in the Todaiji Temple in Nara).

The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.

How to get there

The Great Buddha is located a 5 minute walk from the Enoden Railway Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura main station. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. Its terminal station in Kamakura is located just west of JR Kamakura Station.

Dinner at Gonpachi Restaurant in Roppongi Tokyo, 23rd March 2008

We closed our one day trip in Tokyo with dinner at Gonpachi Restaurant in Roppongi. Thank you very much family Kaga for everything. Thank you for showing me some interesting places in Tokyo and treat me so well. I feel more than welcome.


GONPACHI (Traditional Japanese Restaurant with Great Atmosphere)

House Specialty is "Soba" – Japanese Noodles served cool, hot, in soup, roasted, you name it and "Yakitori" – Japanese Skewers of everything. Both are available at very moderate prices.

The kitchen is located in the middle of the restaurant with a counter around. The best tables are located at the "Smokers Mezzanine" on the right side. There are nice cubicles for two, three or four persons where you can see the kitchen and the entire restaurant. There' great atmosphere, even if you are a non-smoker, so try it at least once because you won't regret it. Anyway, with the smell of the Yakitori grill and the Soba cooking, you don't smell the cigarettes smoke.

Gonpachi Restaurant is located in Roppongi Street (direction from Shibuya - right side) from the Roppongi Crossing, past the level of the Roppongi Hills Complex after the corner of TV Asahi Street (They have a beer garden at the entrance)

Tel: 03 5771 0170
Ask your hotel for a reservation, the restaurant is normally full.

Omotesando Tokyo, 23rd March 2008

Shopping around Omotesando Tokyo.

Lunch at a Sushi Bar in Tokyo, 23rd March 2008

Having lunch together with Rie-san and her family at a Sushi Bar in Tokyo is one of the wonderful experiences during my stay in Japan. Thank you very much family Kaga for your kindness and hospitality. I feel more than welcome.

The East Gardens of Imperial Palace, Tokyo 23rd March 2008

Today, I have appointment with Rie-san and her family. Rie-san was my colleague when I worked for NEC. They pick me up at 9.20 am and took me to some interesting places in Tokyo. One of them is the East Gardens of Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) are a part of the inner palace area and are open to the public, except on Mondays, Fridays and some special occasions (see links below). Admissions is free of charge.

The East Gardens are the former site of Edo Castle's innermost circles of defense, the honmaru ("main circle") and ninomaru ("secondary circle"). None of the main buildings remain today, but the moats, walls, entrance gates and several guardhouses still exist.

Edo Castle was the residence of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. Emperor Meiji also resided there from 1868 to 1888 before moving to the newly constructed Imperial Palace.

A wide lawn and the remaining foundation of the former castle tower can be found on top of the hill, where the castle's innermost buildings once stood. The castle tower was completed in 1638 as the tallest castle tower in Japan's history. But only a few years later in 1657, it was destroyed by citywide fires and has not been rebuilt ever since.

Meet Okamoto-san & Minowa-san in Tokyo (22nd March 2008)

This my first time to visit Tokyo and even still had jet lag, I had a good time yesterday. We (Okamoto-san, his daughter, Minowa-san and me) went to Imperial Palace, Asakusa Temple, Akihabara and Shibuya. I forgot to bring the SD card for my digital camera and did not make any pictures. All pictures were taken by Okamoto-san. Thank you very much Okamoto-san and Minowa-san for your time, kindness and hospitality. Hope to see you again!

HOTEL ASIA CENTER OF JAPAN

http://www.asiacenter.or.jp/eng/index.html
Asia Center of Japan is ideally located in Akasaka which is not only one of the most prestigious residential areas in central Tokyo, but is also minutes away from the nightlife in Roppongi and the business centers of Aoyama.

Together with our 173 quality guest rooms at affordable rates and 6 meeting rooms of various sizes, we at Asia Center of Japan offer a special brand of hospitality. Whether you are a travel weary businessman or a fun seeking traveler you are sure to find us to be the perfect choice of accommodation during your visit to Tokyo.


Hotel Facilities

Parking lot (B1, 1F)
1,500Yen/per night
Public phone (1F)
available for international and domestic calls
Coin internet computer (1F)
10min./100Yen
Ice dispenser (1F)
free
Washing machine and dryers (3F,5F)
(each 200 Yen)


Coin internet computer (1F)

To the top of this page
Room Facilities

Body soap / Face towel / Night gown(Yukata) / Refrigerator / Shampoo /
Bath room / Writing desk / Tea pack / Bath towel / Airconditioner /
Desk light / Pot / Hand towel / Telephone / Hair-dryer

*There are shaver, comb, tooth brush, shampoo hat, and ladies set (cotton, cotton bud, hair-band) at the front desk(free of charge). *Television (Regular Channels, NHK BS1+2, and BBC are free of charge) -Pay TV channels 1,000 Yen per/night

movie plus


Service

Free Mineral Water (Front/Lobby)

Internet connection
Free
Copy service
20 Yen/per piece
Fax service
160 Yen + fax charge
Home delivery service
only domestic
Massage(Masseur)
5,000 Yen
Laundry service
Laundering/Dry-cleaning

Free high-speed internet connection in every guest room

All the rooms have high-speed internet connections which is free of charge.Please check the Instruction Manual for the connection (Please acknowledge that we will not be able to support your set up or answering technical questions).


Restaurant

Enjoy a moment of relaxation in our homely dining hall and compliment yourself with a refreshing drink and a hot meal, specially prepared by our talented chefs.

Restaurant Fuji

photo
photo
Breakfast Buffet
945 Yen
Bread
Salad
Scrambled Egg
Bacon
Rice
Miso Soup
Laver
Fermented soybeans
Roastfish
Pickles
Fruit Juice
Coffee and Tea

Meeting Rooms

Six meeting rooms are available for all your party, meeting, and seminar needs. We cater for all numbers and purposes.

Reservation
Phone: 81-3-3402-6111
E-mail：reserve@asiacenter.or.jp

JAPAN RAIL PASS

http://www.japanrailpass.net/
JAPAN RAIL PASS... The Key To Convenient Sightseeing In Japan.

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is offered by the six companies that make up
the Japan Railways Group (JR Group).

Who is eligible for a JAPAN RAIL PASS?
1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing,under the entry status of "temporary visitor."

"Temporary Visitor" entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for "sight-seeing, etc." If you apply for a "stay for sight-seeing" when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport as "Temporary Visitor," as shown below. Only persons who have a passport bearing this stamp can use a JAPAN RAIL PASS


Caution:
Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange Order, to be turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS, the exchange cannot be made unless you have "Temporary Visitor" status; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as "Trainee," "Entertainer," or "Reentry Permit," you cannot change the Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, "Temporary Visitor" status differs even from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods.
Examples of the "Temporary Visitor" entry
status stamp

2. You are a Japanese national living in a foreign country,

a.who is qualified to live permanently in that country, or
b. who is married to a non-Japanese residing in a country other than Japan.

Note: Persons meeting conditions a or b above must be required to show proof of same at the point of purchase of an Exchange Order and obtaining a JAPAN RAIL PASS.
Also note: The former condition about a Japanese national "who has been living in a foreign country for ten or more years" is discontinued from 1 April 2004 purchase.

Wild Birthday Bash 2008 at Lexion Westzaan

Start:	May 31, '08 10:00p
End:	Jun 1, '08 06:00a

Wild Birthday Bash 2008



Wild Birthday Bash
31 mei 2008
Dance And Sports Against Violence

United By Sound

Be Yourself - Be Respectful - Be Our Friend - Be There!

Op 31 mei 2008 is het weer zo ver, dan trekken we weer alle registers open voor de Wild Birthday Bash 2008! Het feest zal beginnen om 22u en dit keer doorgaan tot 6u. De dj's voor deze editie, verdeeld over 4 zalen, nemen jullie mee op een reis door de muziek met Club - House - Electro - Minimale Technu - Techhouse - Techno en Trance.



United By Sound Arena Minimal Cave - hosted by NU!
22:00 - 00:00 JeffreyT 00:30 - 05:00 Stephen J. Kroos
00:00 - 01:30 Praveen vs Black 00:30 - 05:00 Neos Deos
01:30 - 03:00 Miss Melody vs Melvin Warning 00:30 - 05:00 Omar Zarrouk
03:00 - 04:00 Melvin Warning 00:30 - 05:00 Mounir Gros
04:00 - 06:00 Miss Wendy
percussionist: Sammiro
mc J

Rainbow House Electro Theatre
00:00 - 05:00 dj Benjamin & friends 00:30 - 02:00 Olivio d'Eclipse
02:00 - 03:30 Le-On
03:30 - 05:00 Le Gidéon


Ook dit keer werken we met verplichte gastenlijst, waarbij de entree vóór middernacht GRATIS is. Daarna vragen we EUR 10,00.

Vergeet niet het feest in je Partyflock agenda of Hyves agenda te zetten!