Image 1/25

@ Kiso Mountains, Nagano, And Gifu, Japan
SnowBelle begins her journey through Honshu!
Kiso Mountains, Nagano, And Gifu, Japan
Clear starry skies and mountains covered in snow make a visually stunning picture. The Kiso mountains are located in the prefectures of Nagano and Gifu. This mountain range is also known as the Central Alps; they meet up with the Hida Mountains and the Akaishi Mountains to form a group collectively known as the Japanese Alps.
Mount Komogatake is the most prominent peek at 2,956 m. The famous summit is named in a song called “The Land of Shinano”, the official song of Nagano.

Image 2/25

@ Japanese Park in Autumn

White Daisy Egg
My pets are in awe of these beautiful eggs—they would love to try to paint their own one year. Easter and spring are times of joy as the earth awakens, plants are pushing forth from the soil, and the days are becoming warmer. Many baby animals are born in the spring, and life is burgeoning. May these eggs bring you joy and be a reminder of the earth renewing itself.

Japanese Park in Autumn
An autumnal scene at the Chubu Sangaku National Park.

Image 3/25

@ Thatched Roofs, Shirakawa-Go
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about Japan," said Choose a name. "I've realised how little I know about it."
SnowBelle thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said.

Image 4/25

@ Rice Terraces Lit at Night
"Japan—the perfect choice for our travels this winter, SnowBelle!" enthused Tiger.
"Yup. Karaoke, kimonos, karate and koi. I can't wait to go shopping"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous architecture. Japan has given the world so much!" said Tiger.
SnowBelle unwrapped a Hello Kitty chocolate for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Tiger. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."

Image 5/25

@ Rustic Snow Houses, Shirakawa-Go
Also known as USJ, the Universal Studios of Japan is found in the Kansai Prefecture. It is located in Konohana-Ku, Osaka. This tourist destination is closely based from its forefather, the Universal Studios of Florida. The main attractions include the Harry Potter themed area and the anime/manga themed areas of the theme park.
Rustic Snow Houses, Shirakawa-Go
Rustic houses in the snow in Shirakawa-Go.

Image 6/25

@ Japan's Alpine Treks
"In Japan there is a custom to forecast the day when cherry blossoms start blooming," remarked Choose a name.
"A bit like Groundhog Day?" asked SnowBelle.
"Perhaps!"
Japan's Alpine Treks
The Yatsugatake mountain range was formed from volcanic eruptions over thousands of years. Legend has it that Mt. Fuji was of inferior height but the goddess of Fuji tore down Yatsugatake leaving Fuji as the higher of the two.

Image 7/25

@ Cloudy Peaks in Honshu
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about Japan," said Violet Flame. "I've realised how little I know about it."
SnowBelle thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said.
Cloudy Peaks in Honshu
A windy, cloudy scene in the peaks at a height of 2600m in the Chubu Sangaku National Park in Nagano, Japan.

Image 8/25

@ Autumnal Japanese Landscape
"Japan—the perfect choice for our travels this winter, SnowBelle!" enthused Fancy.
"Yup. Karaoke, kimonos, karate and koi. I can't wait to go shopping"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous architecture. Japan has given the world so much!" said Fancy.
SnowBelle unwrapped a Hello Kitty chocolate for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Fancy. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."
Autumnal Japanese Landscape
This beautiful misty autumnal scene was photographed in the mountains of the Chubu Sangaku National Park.

Image 9/25

@ Mount Hotaka, Japan
"Hey, did you know there's a Disneyland on Honshu, SnowBelle?" queried Flicka.
"No kidding? Where is it exactly?"
"Tokyo Disneyland is a theme park located in the Kanto region. Despite its name, it is actually located in the Chiba prefecture and not Tokyo. It's very easy to get to from Tokyo."
Mount Hotaka, Japan
In Japan, autumn colours start in September at high mountains in Honshu and northern island, Hokkaido. This shot was taken at the Dakezawa Valley of Mt Hotaka (3,190m).

Image 10/25

@ Japanese Alpine Valley
"In Japan there is a custom to forecast the day when cherry blossoms start blooming," remarked Barnaby.
"A bit like Groundhog Day?" asked SnowBelle.
"Perhaps!"
Japanese Alpine Valley
This stunning view of snow-covered peaks at sunrise is from the Chubu Sangaku National Park in the Northern Japan Alps. Eighty per cent of Japan is mountainous terrain.

Image 11/25

@ Origami Crane
"Our tour guide was explaining in the hotel foyer this morning that rice cookers are more common than an oven in Japan," said Wyatt.
"Well, I'm very fond of rice, but that does surprise me!" responded SnowBelle.

Image 12/25

@ Serene Japanese Garden Bridge
The Shinano River (Shinano-gawa) is the longest and widest river in Japan at 228 miles (367 km). It flows from the Japanese Alps to the Sea of Japan.

Image 13/25

@ Samurai Statuette
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about Japan," said Pink Flame. "I've realised how little I know about it."
SnowBelle thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said.

Image 14/25

@ Sake Barrels
Also known as USJ, the Universal Studios of Japan is found in the Kansai Prefecture. It is located in Konohana-Ku, Osaka. This tourist destination is closely based from its forefather, the Universal Studios of Florida. The main attractions include the Harry Potter themed area and the anime/manga themed areas of the theme park.

Image 15/25

@ Japanese Sika Deer
Oh look ... you won a pet!

Image 16/25

@ Japanese Red Viburnum
"Japan—the perfect choice for our travels this winter, SnowBelle!" enthused Fala.
"Yup. Karaoke, kimonos, karate and koi. I can't wait to go shopping"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous architecture. Japan has given the world so much!" said Fala.
SnowBelle unwrapped a Hello Kitty chocolate for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Fala. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."

Image 17/25

@ Mt Azuma, Tohoku
Also known as USJ, the Universal Studios of Japan is found in the Kansai Prefecture. It is located in Konohana-Ku, Osaka. This tourist destination is closely based from its forefather, the Universal Studios of Florida. The main attractions include the Harry Potter themed area and the anime/manga themed areas of the theme park.

Image 18/25

@ Mount Iide, Tohoku
“Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, SnowBelle?” said Kitty. "It looks fantastic!"
"I'll get my camera ready," said SnowBelle.

Image 19/25

@ Yellow Blossoms, Tohoku
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, SnowBelle!” said Lucy ruefully.
"Never mind," said SnowBelle. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"

Image 20/25

@ Hazy Lake, Akita, Tohoku
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, SnowBelle!” said shakur ruefully.
"Never mind," said SnowBelle. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"

Image 21/25

@ Mountain Flowers, Japan
The Shinano River (Shinano-gawa) is the longest and widest river in Japan at 228 miles (367 km). It flows from the Japanese Alps to the Sea of Japan.
Mountain Flowers, Japan
Snow still lingers on the mountain passes while flowers announce the start of the warmer weather.

Image 22/25

@ Forest Cascade, Tohoku
Nearly half the zippers worldwide are made in Japan. If you check your zipper, chances are, it will say YKK on it, which stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha. Founded in Tokyo in 1934, it is estimated that 7 billion zippers are produced by this manufacturer each year.

Image 23/25

@ Iide Mountains, Tohoku
The Shinano River (Shinano-gawa) is the longest and widest river in Japan at 228 miles (367 km). It flows from the Japanese Alps to the Sea of Japan.

Image 24/25

@ Night Forest, Hachimantai
"More film trivia here, Gray!" remarked SnowBelle. "Can you name a 1985 Japanese film influenced by Shakespeare's King Lear about an ageing warlord who attempts to pass his kingdom to his three sons?"
"No, I'm not familiar with it, SnowBelle!"
"It's called Ran, and it says here it's one of the best films ever made."
"We'll have to make a point of seeing it, then," said Gray.

Image 25/25

@ Mt Mitsuishi, Tohoku
SnowBelle has now completed her journey through Honshu! As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!
Fox, Looking For A Hill To Sled Down
Ah! Wintertime. This Fox is ready to go out and enjoy the snow that fell during the night. I have a brand new sled; you can guess how I acquired it. I put some wax on the runners as I am told this will make it go fast, and I want to feel the wind in my fur. Are we all ready?

Look, I found a hill. It looks a tiny bit steep, but I can do this. Have I been sledding before? Well, no, this is my first time, but how hard can it be? You sit, see here, the green boards–this is where you sit. You hold onto this rope, and you push off with your feet.

Here we go. Oh my, this is quite fast. Oh! Now I am going much faster; the hill must have become steeper. Why can’t I steer this? I forgot there is a tree on the lower part of the hill. If I just put all my weight to one side, I should be able to…fall over into a pile of snow. Well, that was fun. Should I do it again?


SnowBelle has enjoyed her journey through Honshu, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy a journey through Japan!