Historic Riverside Town near Narita Airport : SAWARA

If you have half day layover at Narita airport, historic river town, SAWARA is ideal place to visit by local train. Sawara st. is located about 45 min from Narita air port terminal 1 st. In Edo period Sawara flourished as an important transportation point of rivers Tone and Ono crossing. Still now the town is well preserved retaining nostalgic atmosphere and you can travel back in time to Edo era. The district has been added to Japan Heritage site, and also listed in Michelin Green Guide since more and more travelers visit here from overseas. Contents Sawara stationHistory of SawaraStatue of Tadataka InoSuwa ShrineSake Brewery, SawaraTokun Sake BreweryBaba Honten […]

Festivals at Sensoji temple, Asakusa

Sanja Festival is well known as Sensoji temple’s festival. But Sanja Festival is not only. Don’t miss Needle Memorial Service, Flower festival and Hozuki Market. Contents Needle Memorial Service, Awashima HallFlower Festival, KanbutsueHozuki marketSanja Festival, AsakusaOrigin of the Sanja Festival Needle Memorial Service, Awashima Hall Every year on February 8th, the Needle memorial service is held at Awashima hall. Many women visit to bring broken or used needles and place them on Tofu. They pray to the needles to give gratitude and to improve their sewing skills. They believe the needles worked hard to sew many things or to help patients at hospitals and for that reason, should rest on […]

Why do Japanese like cherry blossoms so much ?

“Why do Japanese like Cherry blossoms so much ?” I’m very often asked this question from the tourists from overseas.   In civil war period when Samurai warrior lost the war they preferred to die beautifully than live in shame. So they committed suicide by harakiri, cutting his belly. This mentality may be succeeded to even now, and the Japanese like beautiful and short lived cherry blossoms. The most popular is “Somei Yoshino” species cloned by grafting during Edo period. “Somei Yoshino” bloom at stretch and last only for two weeks until they beautifully fall like cherry blossom showering. When one “Somei Yoshino” starts to bloom at Yasukuni shrine the meteorological […]

Cherry Blossom in Kashiwa-no-Ha Park, Chiba

Going along with government’s request to avoid unnecessary travel to Tokyo fearful of explosive rise in COVID19, we enjoyed cherry blossoms in local wide ”Kashiwa no Ha” park, Chiba. Windy but kids cheerfully ran around pond.

Cherry blossom started at Meguro-gawa riverside, Tokyo

Viewing from Kamenoko bridge. Cherry blossom started to bloom earlier than usual because of warm winter.

Tokyo’s first Cherry blossom at Yasukuni Shrine

A cherry tree with straw belt wrapped may look old and normal. But this is a special Someiyoshino species!!When this Somei yoshino cherry tree standing by Nogakudo hall of Yasukuni shrine starts to bloom, Japan Meteorological Agency officially announces the start of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo. Then all Japanese prepare for cherry blossom picnic in Tokyo. They spread the sheet under cherry trees, enjoy eating, and drinking while viewing cherry blossoms. Yasukuni Shrine Founded in 1869 on the order of Emperor Meiji Yasukuni shine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to souls of about 2.5 million Japanese who died in war for their country. Go through the Shinmon gate […]

Kiyosumi Garden

Contents History of the gardenDaisen-sui, pond with isletsTea house styled RyoteiMt.Fuji seen from the isletLandscape Stones and Stone worksLandscape stonesIsowatari, Stepping stonesStone LanternsMulti Storied PagodasDecorative WellsWater BowlsStone Buddha Statues History of the garden Originally Kiyosumi garden was the residence of the wealthy merchant in Edo period. During Meiji period the founder of Mitsubishi, Yataro Iwasaki bought the the grounds of Kiyosumi Garden, planning to create a garden for his employees’ recreation and to invite the distinguished guests. The garden was completed in 1880 as circuit style garden where includes a large pond drawing water from Sumida river, man made hills and valuable stones collected from nationwide by Mitsubishi’s steamships. On […]

One Day Hike, thrilling Mt. Nokogiri & Giant Buddha

Contents OverviewWhat is Not includedDeparture & ReturnDeparture & Return PointDeparture & Return TimeWhat To ExpectItineraryAdditional InfoCancellation Policy Overview One day trip out of Tokyo is to visit quiet and peaceful temple on the mountain. There are breathtaking viewpoints of coastal areas, giant carved Buddha and Kannon, numerous small Buddha statues, temples, a tea house and amazing nature all around. Mt. Nokogiri is one of the deepest spot, around 2 hours from Tokyo st., by taking beautifully scenic JR trains around the Boso Peninsula. The Guide will meet you at Hamakanaya st. nearest to Mt. Nokogiri.   What is Not included Private transportation fee   Ropeway one way ticket : 500yen […]

Mt. Nokogiri & Nihonji Temple

Contents Mt. NokogiriNihonji TempleHyakusyaku KannonJigoku Nozoki (View of Hell)1500 RakanIshi-DaibutsuHota, Kyonan Town  Mt. Nokogiri 330 meter high Mt. Nokogiri located along the coast of the Boso Peninsula, Chiba pref is an ideal and peaceful place to visit for one day trip out of Tokyo. Start by taking beautifully scenic train around Boso Peninsula for 2 hours from Tokyo st. to Hamakanaya st., the nearest to Mt. Nokogiri. 10 minutes walk reaches the Ropeway stop at the bottom of the mountain. From here you can hike, but I recommend you take a Ropeway as more exercise is needed than expected at the top where most attractions are located. There are breathtaking […]

A Man holding a test tube in Ueno park

Who is he? Hint is a test tube he holds while standing in Ueno park. The front side of 1000 yen also shows his portrait. He is a Bacteriologist well known among all Japanese people. The statue of Hideyo Noguchi, bacteriologist stands in front of the National museum of Nature and Science at Ueno Park. Story of Hideyo Noguchi Hideyo Noguchi was born in Fukushima prefecture as the eldest son of a very poor farm family. When he was one and half years old he accidentally fell into a fireplace and suffered burn injury on his left hand. Although the fingers were mostly gone, he was able to receive surgery […]