Last week, Webmaster visited Shasui Waterfall which is one of Top 100 Waterfalls of Japan. Access: Tokyo (local train 1:10) Kozu (local train 0:25) Yamakita (bus 0:10 or walk 0:25) Hirayama (walk 0:10) @ (You can also use taxi from Yamakita Station.) If the waterfall is your one and only destination, it’s OK you can head for… Read more →
Do you know Bonsai? Bonsai is a miniature potted tree which is grown with special trim and care to have an appearance of natural old trees. Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, as its name shows, is a museum specialized in bonsai collection. Webmaster visited there this week. Omiya Bonsai Art Museum: http://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp/en/ Access: Tokyo (local train 0:32) Omiya (local… Read more →
The definition of “active volcano” has been changed in the history. With the advances of volcanology, it becomes generally accepted internationally to define active volcanos as those which have erupted within the past 10,000 years. (Mt. Hiuchgatake: the latest eruption was in 1544.) Reflecting this recognition in the international society, Coordinating Committee for Prediction of Volcanic Eruption (CCPVE)… Read more →
Peony is in bloom! Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) originally comes from China, and became one of the popular horticulture flowers in Japan. Common peony blooms in spring, but some horticulturists grow peony with special care to bloom in winter. Webmaster visited Peony Garden of Tsurugaoka-hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura last week. Admission:￥500 for adult. (Free admission to the precincts of the… Read more →
Now, Ume (Japanese apricot, Prunus mume) has begun to bloom. As you know, Japan is famous for sakura (cherry) blossom. The message of cherry blossom is “spring has come”. On the other hand, the tacit message of ume (apricot) blossom which blooms earlier than sakura is “spring is approaching” although it’s still cold these days. Webmaster personally… Read more →
Do you know Makuzu Ware and Mr. MIYAGAWA Kozan I (1842 – 1916) who is the founder and ceramist of Makuzu Kiln? MIYAGAWA Kozan I was born in Kyoto as the fourth son of MIYAGAWA Chozo who was also ceramist. Kozan I took over his father’s workshop, but moved to Yokohama later and established Makuzu Kiln in 1871. Makuzu… Read more →
Webmaster visited Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:55) Sakura (courtesy bus 0:20) @ Admission: depending on exhibitions. The collection of the museum varies from Rembrandt, Impressionism, the Ecole de Paris, 20th century European art and 20th century American art to traditional Japanese art. (Sorry but no photos of the inside of the museum.… Read more →
Webmaster visited Kawagoe History Museum (Kawagoe-rekishi-hakubutukan) where real ninja tools are exhibited. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:24) Ikebukuro (local train 0:30) Kawagoe (bus 0:15 or walk 0:20) Kita-in (walk 0:02) @ This is a small private museum which exhibits historical articles handed down in seven old families in Kawagoe which is an old castle town. Admission is ￥500 for… Read more →
Webmaster visited Hakone Beer. http://www.hakone-beer.com/shop/ (Japanese) Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:37 or local train 1:15) Odawara (local train 0:07) Kazamatsuri (walk 0:01) @ You can drop in at the brewpub on your way to/back from Hakone. The building of the Brewery. The brewery doesn’t run factory tours for tourists. Then, we should go to its brewpubs next to… Read more →
The Liquor Tax Law of Japan was revised in April 1994, in which the annual minimum production of each brewery was reduced from 2,000 kilo liters to 60 kilo liters. This was the beginning of the history of Japan’s craft beer, and many microbreweries have been born since then. They say there are more than two hundred micro-breweries… Read more →