Webmaster took Hakone-komagatake Ropeway this week. It was a very clear day providing a nice view. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:37) Odawara (bus 1:20) Hakone’en (walk 0:05) @ The bus trip started from Odawara Station. As it was a weekday in winter, not so many people visit to Hakone. In fact I was the only passenger from the… Read more →
Webmaster have a half-day-visit to Kamakura last week. It was a fine day and good to have a walk. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:46) kamakura @ Wintersweet or Japanese allspice (Chimonanthus praecox) flowers in the garden of Hasedera Temple. The yellow flowers match blue winter sky! This is the great Buddha of Kotoku-in Temple known as… Read more →
Webmaster visited Joetsu Aquarium a few weeks ago. This aquarium was renovated and reopened last June. http://www.umigatari.jp/file/guidebook_en2018.pdf Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 2:05) Joetsu-myoko (local train 0:14) Naoetsu (walk 0:15) @ This is the main aquarium in which sea lives of the Sea of Japan are kept. Visitors can observe the sea lives from various directions. A… Read more →
Webmaster visited Fuji Limestone Cave (Fuji-do) last week. A tradition says this cave was found about 1,200 years ago by villagers, and some 400 years ago a Buddhist priest explored the cave and started to use it as the place for religious austerities. Since then, this cave became to be known widely. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:37) Kumagaya (local train… Read more →
Webmaster visited Jigen-in Temple in Takasaki City of Gunma Prefecture this week. Jigen-in Temple is also known as Takasaki Kan’non (or Byakue Kan’non) because of its huge statue of Kan’non deity. Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:55) Takasaki (bus 0:20) Byakuekan’non-mae (walk 0:02) @ When you get off the bus, you can already see the statue over the trees. … Read more →
Webmaster visited NIFREL last week. https://www.nifrel.jp/en/ Access: Osaka (local train 0:20) Senri-chuo (monorail 0:06) Banpaku-kinen-koen (walk 0:02) @ Admission:￥1,900 for adult NIFREL is an “aquazoo”. It is not very large but the way of exhibition is very unique. … Read more →
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 →
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 →