Webmaster visited the Japanese garden in Expo’70 Commemorative Park (Banpakukinen-koen nihon-teien) last week. Access: Osaka (local train 0:20) Senri-chuo (monorail 0:06) Banpaku-kinen-koen (walk 0:05) @ Admission:￥250 for adult. This is a stroll type garden for 1,300m long from East to West for 26ha. Although it was rainy day, Webmaster enjoyed strolling in the garden. As it is… Read more →
It’s rainy season now in Japan. The typical flower of the rainy season is hydrangea, which is planted in many parks and gardens all over the country. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is common indigenous shrub in Japan. Now, many horticultural varieties have been developed. … Read more →
It is early summer now in Japan. Rice seedlings are being planted in paddy fields. We shall soon have a rainy season for one month and half. End Read more →
Webmaster visited the insectarium of Tama Zoological Park this week. http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/tama/index.html Access: Tokyo (local train 0:14) Shinjuku (local train 0:39) Tama-dobutsu-koen The entrance of the park with a statue of elephant After five-minute walk from the entrance, you can reach the insectarium which consists of two buildings. Two large grasshoppers welcome you in front of… Read more →
Webmaster visited Mishima-taisha Shrine this week. http://www.mishimataisha.or.jp/ (Japanese) Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:53) Mishima (walk 0:13) @ Webmaster started walking from Mishima Station. The exterior of the station building is associated with a shrine building. Soon after walking for three minutes, Webmaster arrived at Shirataki Park where spring water is welling. It’s quite curious that springs gush… Read more →
Webmaster visited Katsuo-ji Temple in Osaka Prefecture last week. http://www.katsuo-ji-temple.or.jp/katuouji_e/index.html Access: Osaka (walk 0:05) Umeda (local train 0:21) Mino’o (taxi 0:15) @ Admission:￥400 for adult Katsuo-ji Temple has huge precincts among forested hills. The spring new leaves were very beautiful. After the entrance, Webmaster came to Sanmon Gate at first. Its vermilion body was very beautiful… Read more →
Webmaster visited Mino’o Waterfall last week. Access: Osaka (walk 0:05) Umeda (local train 0:21) Mino’o (walk 0:40) @ You can approach the waterfall by taxi, too. It takes about 10 minutes from Mino’o Station to the nearest car parking, but Webmaster recommend walking. A good footpath is provided from Mino’o Station along Mino’o River to the waterfall.… Read more →
Webmaster visited Shomyo-ji Temple this week. It was fine day and new green leaves were very beautiful. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:09) Shinagawa (local train 0:33) Kanazawabunko (walk 0:15) @ Nio-mon Gate of the temple The wooden statues of two Nio (the guardians) are on both sides. The precincts can be seen through the… Read more →
Webmaster visited Museum of Musical Instruments in Hamamatsu City last week. http://www.gakkihaku.jp/en/ Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 1:30) Hamamatsu (walk 0:10) @ The entrance of the museum. As it was a weekday when Webmaster visited, the museum was not crowded. There are four main exhibition rooms. The first room is for Asian and Japanese instruments. There are some 330… Read more →
Webmaster enjoyed cherry blossom at Odawara Castle (Odawara-joshi Park) today. Odawara Castle (Odawara-joshi Park) is selected as “Top 100 Sights of Cherry Blossom”. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:37) Odawara (walk 0:10) @ After only ten minute walk from Odawara Station, you can reach Odawara Castle (Odawara-joshi Park). Cherry trees are planted along the moats and inside the park. … Read more →