The climate of Japan varies from region to region. Normally, it continues fine days in the Pacific Ocean side during winter, but it has heavy snowfall in the Japan Sea side. Webmaster and a friend had a two-day journey to the snow country by train. The first day: Tokyo – (Shinkansen) – Echigo-yuzawa – (JR Joetsu Line) –… Read more →
As you may know, Japan has a fine network of railways. Webmaster had a day trip around Mt. Fuji by train last week. Webmaster started his journey from Matsuda Station. The route was: Matsuda Sta. – (JR Gotenba Line) – Numazu Sta. – (JR Tokaido Line) – Fuji Sta. (JR Minobu Line) – Kofu Sta. – (JR… Read more →
Sometime back, Webmaster visited a sake tasting bar Koshino-muro at Echigo-yuzawa Station of Niigata Prefecture. http://www.ponshukan.com/05_1.htm (Japanese) Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 1:25) Echigo-yuzawa (walk 0:01) @ Niigata Prefecture is known as one of major production area of Sake (Japanese rice wine). Here at Koshino-muro, sake from all 93 breweries of the prefecture are collected and waiting for your tasting.… Read more →
Webmaster visited Aquatotto Gifu in Gifu Prefecture last month. Aquatotto Gifu is an aquarium of freshwater lives. https://aquatotto.com/pdf/en_pamphlet.pdf https://aquatotto.com/ (Japanese) Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 1:45) Nagoya (local train 0:17) Gifu (bus 0:37) Kawashima-kasata (walk 0:15) @ Admission:￥1,500 for adult. The exhibition starts from the reproduction of Nagara-gawa River which is one of the largest rivers of the… Read more →
Do you know an apple crisp? Aomori Prefecture is one of major production areas of apples in Japan. Besides many varieties of apples, it produces many processed products of apples, too. An apple crisp is one of them. The apple crisp is produced by Apple & Snacks Co.,LTD of Aomori Prefecture. http://www.net24.ne.jp/~applesnack/en/ Some different varieties (four or… Read more →
Katsudon is a bowl of rice topped with a pork cutlet, one of popular Japanese food. Normally, the cutlet is wrapped with a beaten egg with soya-based sauce. (“Common” katsudon (Source; Wikipedia)) Webmaster once introduced you sauce-katsudon of Fukui Prefecture which cutlet is simply dipped in Worcester sauce. Now, Webmaster introduce you another demiglace-katsudon (or simply called “demi-katsudon”)… Read more →
Webmaster visited a Japanese garden Okayama Korakuen two weeks ago. It was late autumn already. http://www.okayama-korakuen.jp/english/ Access: Shin-osaka (shinkansen 0:51) Okayama (walk 0:05) Okayama-ekimae (tram 0:05) Shiroshita (walk 0:10) @ Admission:￥400 for adult. Okayama Korakuen is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The construction of the garden started in 1687 by the order of a feudal… Read more →
Webmaster visited Okayama Castle last week. http://www.okayama-kanko.net/ujo/english/index.html Access: Shin-osaka (shinkansen 0:51) Okayama (walk 0:05) Okayama-ekimae (tram 0:05) Shiroshita (walk 0:10) @ Admission:￥300 for adult. The donjon of the Castle. Original donjon which was designated as National Treasure was burnt by bombing in 1945 during World War II. The present donjon which reproduces its original appearance was re-constructed in… Read more →
Webmaster visited Adachi Museum of Art last week. This museum is famous for a fine collection of Japanese-style painting, and also for its excellent gardens. Access: Shin-osaka (shinkansen 0:51) Okayama (express train 2:25) Yasugi (shuttle bus 0:20) @ The entrance of the museum. It was cloudy. It is prohibited to take photos of the art exhibition… Read more →
Tottori Hanakairo is a prefectural flower park opened in 1999. The area is 50ha with a huge greenhouse called Flower Dome. http://www.tottorihanakairou.or.jp/en/ Access: Shin-osaka (shinkansen 0:51) Okayama (express train 2:15) Yonago (shuttle bus 0:25) @ Admission:￥700 – 1,000 for adult depending on seasons. Closed on some Tuesday (be confirmed). Webmaster visited there at night as the park has… Read more →