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 →
Gyoza dumpling (jiaozi) is originally a dish of Northern China. (Sources: Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaozi After the World War II, Japanese repatriates from China brought its recipe, and Chinese jiaozi was evolved to Japanese gyoza. Utsunomiya of Tochigi Prefecture is known as the town of gyoza because of the high consumption of gyoza by citizens. They say there are… 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 →
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 →