japan
Cheese Tonkotsu Ramen at Chonmage Tsukumo Ramen in Iidabashi
Cheese Tonkotsu Ramen, with additional egg. Its special ingredient is grated Golden Gouda cheese from Hokkaido.
Hike to Mount Kumotori
At 2,017m, Mount Kumotori (雲取山) is the highest mountain in Tokyo. The peak actually stands at the boundaries of Tokyo, Yamanashi Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture. I went there on a day-hike a few weeks ago. I basically followed the plan outlined here (with map).
Chiba Port Tower
The Chiba Port Tower is a tower located in Chiba Port Park, Chiba. It is 125m tall and has 4 stories. It was built in 1986.
Abandoned "Tokyo Peace Pagoda" at Mount Odera
A Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa. It is designed to inspire peace and to help unite people of all races and creeds in their search for world peace. Most peace pagodas built since World War II have been built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order. Fujii was greatly inspired by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and decided to devote his life to promoting non-violence. In 1947, he began constructing Peace Pagodas as shrines to World peace.
The Tokyo Peace Pagoda was inaugurated in August 1974 at the summit of Mount Odera (大寺山; 960m) near Lake Okutama. Not sure why or when it was abandoned. I had a first glimpse of the pagoda when I went to Mount Gozen a few weeks ago and I had no idea what it was: It seemed like a large structure (actually 45m in height and 55m of diameter) but there was no mention of it on maps or tourism pamphlets. So I went to see for myself after I got down from Mount Mito. The trail starts between Mito Bridge and Miyama Bridge on Lake Okutama. It takes about 50min to the summit. After getting back to Lake Okutama, I crossed the Miyama Bridge and waited for the bus back to Okutama JR station.
Hike to Mount Mito
A couple of weeks ago, I hiked Mount Mito (三頭山; 1531m). It was my last of the “Three Mountains of Okutama”.
Spicy Miso Ramen at Mensoken Kanade Kurenai in Fuchu
Special Kurenai Ramen, with additional egg. The quantity of ramen and vegetables was massive!