26th April '10: Gunma Safari Park, Takasaki byakue dai kannon & Haruna Jinja

[muikabochi 208]

Yesterday we had a lovely day out in Gunma.

 

First up, Gunma Safari Park.

It was fun, though some of the money-grabbing was a bit much. You have to pay 300 yen to 'get in'. All that does really is get you about 400m or so to the main gate where you actually properly pay to get in! They then ask you if you want a radio commentary in English.

'No, thanks, we don't need a commentary at all'.

'But you have got to have it'.

'Oh, ok'.

'That'll be 500 yen!'

If you can't get in without a commentary, why is that not included in the price?!

 

The "amusement park" there is one of these many places here that somehow look like they are stuck back in a bygone era too.

 

Anyway, took a few pics of some good looking beasts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we went back north towards Takasaki city and that big statue I had been eyeing up from the Shinkansen for a while. It's called Takasaki byakue dai kannon and surrounded by good looking gardens. It was very pretty. You can go up her right to near the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[muikabochi 208]

Then it was off to Haruna lake which is nestled up high surrounded by some mountains. Before we got there, noticed a sign for Haruna jinja so we checked that out. I'm glad we did. It was a 15 minute walk from the entrance, and a bit of a climb as well - the jinja is hidden away surrounded by almost cliff-like natural walls. Very interesting location and lots of dudes with very big ears, stomachs and foreheads lining the walk up there. I'm sure there will be some meaning to that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mina2 6]

Nics pics muika.

Good choices with the gardens and Haruna ko.

Thats definitely got some character that place, I really like it up there.

[loaf of bread 0]

Pretty pictures.

That park in Takasaki is a good place.

Doesn't look busy for a Sunday! I would have guess that place would be packed.

[pie-eater 207]

300 yen just to get to the pay booth! Bargain.

 

Good teeth!

 

[JellyBelly 1]

You'd think they might benefit from letting people enter the park area for free rather than scringing 300 yen off them. I presume everything in that amusement area costs extra as well?

[BagOfCrisps 24]

Nice mb

[big-will 7]

Hey but I bet the commentary was really good though.... I can just imagine it - informative information about the animals in a low-key manner.

[RobBright 35]

Not much else to do in Takasaki except that statue and haruna lake.

 

Was up there last September, to visit the in-laws and cousins etc.

[muikabochi 208]

Never been to Takasaki.

 

There's always the Akagi mountain on the other side, I enjoyed that last year.

 

The commentary was what you might expect. High pitched childish-sounding screaming and over-excitement. We turned the volume down as much as we could and put it under some coats so we couldn't hear it at all!

[mina2 6]

Yes I like Akagi too.

[loaf of bread 0]

Originally Posted By: muikabochi

The commentary was what you might expect. High pitched childish-sounding screaming and over-excitement. We turned the volume down as much as we could and put it under some coats so we couldn't hear it at all!

Good idea. I might be tempted to smash the thing up!