Iwate

We continue our journey. Today was "full-on", as the cool kids from the 90s would call it. We drove total about 5.5 hours.

This was in the Iwate region, east of Akita.

We also got to experience some mountainous driving, which was super fun in our little Toyota Yaris.

Ryusendo Limestone Caves

Today we visit the Ryusendo caves. Its important enough that someone bothered to create a wikipedia page for it.

Ryūsendō Cave, is one of Japan's three largest limestone caverns in Iwate Prefecture. A natural cavity formed primarily by rainwater and snowmelt, Ryūsendō Cave houses a bounty of natural beauty, from the intricate rock formations and shimmering underground lake, to the bats that live here.

The view was more interesting than the Australian outback at least.

Blossoms were still in force here.

We made it to the caves, here in the middle of nowhere!

The caves were very impressive! Didn't see any bats though.

The underground lake gets super deep, around 100m max depth.

Depth map here.

At some point, I think its the lighting that makes the caves look more impressive than they really are. Under normal conditions it would probably just look like this.

Wow!

There were quite a few stairs. Nothing horrific (like some Japanese temples with 1000 steps or whatever), but uncomfortable for Steph as she approaches the third trimester.

As a reward for walking up all those damn stairs, we got to a level above to an observation deck which can look all the way down.

I've finally discovered the final form of Calpis. CALPIS THE RICH. At 120 yen, definitely only for rich people. In case you were wondering it tasted the exact same, which was kinda disappointing.

Outside the caves was a really nice walking trail which Steph appreciated. I only appreciate 1s and 0s so I could not.

It was windy! Pretty cold too.

Then we drive all the way back.

Nitori

We figured we might check out "Nitori", which is like Ikea but only in Japan. Lots of cool stuff but embarassingly we basically spent most of our time in the laundry area ooh-ing and aah-ing over coat hangars.

Hangars with HINGED shoulders, so you can fit it into your shirts! Crazy peg cluster thingies!

Randoseru but with wacky colours! Sadly these aren't cheap, around 5000 yen each at least.

Cute clock designs and fake plants.

Got some KBBQ for dinner then headed to our hotel.

Dormy Inn Hotel

This hotel was surprisingly awesome. Funny thing is that it was cheaper and superior than the ryokan/inn we stayed at over at Ginzan Onsen.

They provide nice instructions on how to take a bath.

Free icecream after your bath!~

Milk and beer also available after your bath!

The public baths themselves were good. Mix of outdoor, indoor, hot, cold and saunas.