Webmaster visited Ryuko-ji Temple in which precincts there is a five-story pagoda. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:44) Fujisawa (local train 0:11) Enoshima (walk 0:03) @ This is Niomon Gate, the main entrance to the precincts. A pair of Nio guards the gate. Then, the next Sanmon Gate is on top of stairs. … Read more →
Webmaster visited Hakone-jinja Shrine. The shrine is located at the shore of Lake Ashinoko on Mt. Hakone. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:37) Odawara (bus 1:10) Moto-hakone (walk 0:15) @ Mt. Hakone is an active volcano with huge caldera, and Ashinoko is a caldera lake. This lake has a legend of the dragon with nine heads which had caused… Read more →
Webmaster visited the apricot garden in Fuchu City Kyodonomori Museum (Fuchushi-kyodonomori-hakubutsukan) this week. Tokyo (local train 0:50) Bubaigawara (bus 0:06/walk 0:20) Kyodonomori-seimon-mae @ Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) blooms in February, about one month and half earlier than cherry blossom. Therefore, we Japanese consider apricot blossom a notice of that the arrival of spring is not very far. … Read more →
Webmaster went to ride a steam locomotive (SL) in Yokokawa of Gunma Prefecture last weekend. Tokyo (shinkansen 0:55) Takasaki (local train 0:35) Yokokawa @ The steam locomotive stars from Yokokawa Station, which is a small station located at the Eastern foot of Usui Pass. The railroad extended to the other side of the pass until 1997 when Bullet… Read more →
Webmaster visited Otsuka Museum of Art in Tokushima Prefecture last week. https://www.o-museum.or.jp/ This museum is of fine art ceramic reproductions. The museum houses more than one thousand reproductions of treasured Western artworks in actual size, from ancient frescoes to modern paintings. Although all exhibited are reproductions, but those are reproduced (printed on ceramic boards) very detailedly. Moreover, visitors… Read more →
Webmaster visited Takayama three weeks ago. Takayama is a small city in the central mountainous region, which maintains an atmosphere of old Japanese town. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 1:45) Nagoya (express train 2:25) Takayama @ Sakurayama-hachiman Shrine Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall Miyagawa Morning Market and colored carp in Miyagawa River. Jin’ya Morning Market Historic… Read more →
Webmaster visited Aquarium Sagamihara in Kanagawa Pref. this month. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:55) Sagamihara (bus 0:25) Fureai-kagakukan-mae @ The entrance hall and an approach to the main exhibition room. This aquarium isn’t very big, but has fine exhibition of fresh water life of Sagami River which is the largest river in the prefecture. … Read more →
Webmaster visited Yugyo-ji Temple in Kanagawa Pref. last week. Yugyo-ji Temple is the headquarters of Jishu sect. The temple has the long history since 1325, although the original buildings are not left. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:44) Fujisawa (walk 0:15) @ It needs to walk for 15 minutes from Fujisawa Station. Once passing through the Somon Gate, visitors… Read more →
Webmaster visited Oyama-afuri-jinja Shrine in Kanagawa Pref. last week. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:14) Shinjuku (local train 0:54) Isehara (bus 0:25) Oyama-cable (walk 0:15) Oyama-cable (cable car 0:06) Afuri-jinja (walk 0:05) @ From the bus stop, it needs to walk for 15 minutes to the station of cable car. There are souvenir shops and restaurants along… Read more →
Webmaster visited Choan-ji Temple in Hakone last week. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:37) Odawara (bus 0:50) Sengoku (walk 0:05) @ You can encounter the stone statues of Rakan, there. Rakan are the honorific title of Buddhist disciples who have attained the high status of spirit. Choan-ji temple started to make and set the statues in… Read more →