Golden Week - Ibaraki
Golden Week has come and gone. Being the first long holidays I have in Japan...of course I have to make use of it and tour somewhere out of Tokyo. So being 貧乏、I decided to save money and went to visit Liyan in Ibaraki Prefecture（茨城県）. Pamela also came along for the 3 days 2 nights short trip!
Fujishiro in Ibaraki Prefecture, where Liyan stays.
Ibaraki Prefecture is 9 times the size of Singapore. Yes, 9 times. Singapore IS that SMALL. So touring it isn't easy. The attractions are all scattered around the prefecture, so there is no such thing as being able to finish seeing everything in a short trip. In fact, they are so far apart that we could only see 1 attraction per day.
On the first day, we wanted to see the Hobikisen, but were kinda lost and could not make it in time. So we changed plans, and decided to head to Mount Tsukuba (筑波山). Mt Tsukuba has 2 peaks, namely the Nyotai-san (Female) at 877 m and Nantai-san (Male) at 871 m. I was intending to hike up the mountain while planning for this trip, but since Pamela didnt have proper shoes, we called off the idea. So, Liyan drove, while I directed using the map, and we drove (about 1.5 hrs) till we could park to take the cable car up. Poor Liyan's car. It is not meant to be driven up a mountain. After finding a place to park, we had to walk a distance up, in order to take the cable car.
The cable car is somewhere in a shrine.
Steps, and more steps.
It is SO Japanese to pair things up and call them husband and wife - like these 2 trees. The rope binding them together means that they are 'husband' and 'wife'.
Finally, we managed to get to the cable car station, which actually means monorial in Japan. Ropeway means our version of cable car in Japan.
The cable car made a steep climb up the mountain.
The cable car.
Reaching as high up as we could go using transportation, we were greeted by a sight common during Golden Week. Even up on top of a mountain, there is a bloody long queue! The queue is to go down the mountain. -_-'''
The queue continues all the way to the steps at the back of the picture.
In order to get to the peaks of the mountain, we had to walk/hike up about 15mins (Female peak) and 20mins (Male peak) from the cable car station. As it was already 5 plus pm, there was no way we could get up to both peaks and down before the sky turned dark. So we only went up the male peak.
It started off deceptively simple. Just like a normal walk/hike with steps. Let me describe how we were dressed before we continue. Pamela was in a skirt and slight heels. I was in jeans and flats, but the shoes were definitely not the comfortable kind, nor something that you wear when you go hiking. Liyan was the most properly dressed for the occasion. Jeans and converse shoes.
The steps up the peak.
After walking up flights of steps for some time, we saw the sign and thought, "oh! we must be reaching soon!"
How wrong we were. The next sight that greeted us is below.
Rocks! Boulders! Basically we had to climb up. Looks simple? Oh no... Firstly, we were not properly dressed. Secondly, bad shoes. Thirdly, carrying handbags! Fourthly, slippery rocks/boulders. Fifth, you have to use your hands to help you up. So yes, climbing.Then, we saw another sign! And we thought that we were reaching.
But NO, more rocks, more climbing, till we finally reach the shrine at the male peak.
but with a breathtaking view of course.
Oh, by the way, there were small kids and babies climbing too. And some parents had babies on their backs climbing the mountain too. Like hello?!! But yes, I would love to hike up all the way from the bottom one day. Takes about 3 hrs up and 3 hrs down. Another mountain I would love to attempt is Mt Fuji. By the way, Liyan who has attempted to climb Mt Fuji, says that it is rocks all the way. And Mt Fuji takes like more than 10 hrs from halfway up the mountain (the furthest transportation can go).
But I enjoyed myself. Really. I think my sis would like this too.
The next day, we decided to try to see the Hobikisen again. Hobikisen is a sail-propelled fishing boat. This is at Lake Kasumigaura in Tsuchiura, which is about 2.5hrs drive from Fujishiro.
The dashboard of Liyan's car, which I took while she was driving.
The map on my lap, which I used to give directions. We were lost twice... oops!
We finally got there and it started drizzling. This place is totally 田舎。Really countryside, just plantations and the lake.
Kids fishing by the drain?
Lines casted into the lake by adults
The port, where we can take the motor boat to see the Hobikisen.
Preparing to get into the boat.
The small port.
The motor boat we sat. Ok, stood on.
Leaving the port on the motor boat.
Our captain!
And then, finally the Hobikisen.
The top of the sails have lines attached which are connected to the buoy in the lake.
Diagram of the mechanism of the Hobikisen.
It was freaking cold and wet due to the wind and the rain. But it was fun.
We headed back after the boat ride, as it takes 2.5hrs. Then we headed to Chateau Kamiya in Ushiku. Some of you may find it familiar. Yup, it is the 'school' in the Japanese drama, "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~Ikemen Paradise~". It was the first full-scale winery in Japan back in the 1900s, with fields spanning hectares. The chateau had a fermentation room, a preservation room, a warehouse and factory. Almost everything has disappeared now, but parts have been restored and turned into a museum. Apparently, the Chateau does not produce anymore wines, but while I was there, I saw a small vineyard. Maybe not for commercial purposes? Now, there are many restaurants in Kamiya Chateau, and even a little Chapel. We went there at night, thus most of the places were closed.
Finally on the last day, we did some shopping and then went to this nice little restaurant/cafe near one of the schools Liyan is teaching in.
Fujishiro in Ibaraki Prefecture, where Liyan stays.
The cable car is somewhere in a shrine.
Steps, and more steps.
It is SO Japanese to pair things up and call them husband and wife - like these 2 trees. The rope binding them together means that they are 'husband' and 'wife'.
The cable car made a steep climb up the mountain.
The cable car.
The queue continues all the way to the steps at the back of the picture. 
The steps up the peak.
Rocks! Boulders! Basically we had to climb up. Looks simple? Oh no... Firstly, we were not properly dressed. Secondly, bad shoes. Thirdly, carrying handbags! Fourthly, slippery rocks/boulders. Fifth, you have to use your hands to help you up. So yes, climbing.
But NO, more rocks, more climbing, till we finally reach the shrine at the male peak.
but with a breathtaking view of course.
The dashboard of Liyan's car, which I took while she was driving.
The map on my lap, which I used to give directions. We were lost twice... oops!
Kids fishing by the drain?
Lines casted into the lake by adults
The port, where we can take the motor boat to see the Hobikisen.
Preparing to get into the boat.
The small port.
The motor boat we sat. Ok, stood on.
Leaving the port on the motor boat.
Our captain!
The top of the sails have lines attached which are connected to the buoy in the lake. 
It was freaking cold and wet due to the wind and the rain. But it was fun. 
Appetizer
Liyan's and Pamela's Main course. Fish.
My main course. The bread is free flow and home-baked, with different kinds.
Iced tea
Our desserts
My dessert after playing 'oya-beya-som'. Grapefruit moouse with ice-cream. Fabulous!