Sawanoi Kushi-kanzashi Museum (Sawanoi Kushi-kanzashi Bijutsukan) is a museum which has comprehensive collection of traditional Japanese hair ornaments. (Introduction of the museum cited from its website) On display at Kushi-kanzashi Museum are what the late Chiyo Okazaki had collected for 40 years. The collection includes about 4,000 pieces of hair accessories as well as clothing, accessories and livingware of… Read more →
Webmaster visited Fuchu Kyodo-no-mori Museum last week. This is a field museum where traditional land scape with old houses is reproduced. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:50) Bubaigawara (bus 0:06) Kyodonomori-seimon-mae @ Admission:￥200 for adult. Closed on Monday and year-end holidays. The main building of the museum The exhibition on the culture and nature of Fuchu City… Read more →
Webmaster visited Nippara Limestone Cave (Nippara-shonyudo) last week. Admission: ￥700 for adult. Open every day except on year-end holidays. The length of the cave is 1,270m among which 800m is open to visitors. Access: Tokyo (local train 1:50) Okutama (bus 0:25) Higashi-nippara (bus 0:05 or walk 0:20) Nippara-shonyudo (walk 0:05) @ (The last stop of the bus… Read more →
Webmaster visited Japan Open-air Folk House Museum (Nihon-minkaen) last week. It takes less than one hour from Tokyo by train. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:14) Shinjuku (local train 0:21) Mukogaoka-yuen (walk 0:13) @ Admission:￥500 for adult. Closed on Monday and year-end holidays. The entrance house of the museum More than twenty old folk houses from various region… Read more →
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 →