Higashiyama Sannei and Ninen slope (10 September 2020) Onde of the most popular and typical Kyoto scene alleys, Higashiyama, from Kiyomizu to Yasha shrine. I was strolling through empty sunset streets, Sannei slope and Ninen slope. This area is usually very popular even after sunset, but currently very quiet because of new coronavirus. Continue reading Strolling Higashiyama, Kyoto

Kichijyoji (30 7 2020) Kichijyoji, only 15 min. by train from Shinjuku, has many faces loved by all generations. Let’s start from a statue of elephant Hanako, the oldest elephant lived in Japanese zoo, past away at 2016 at 69 years old, in front of the station. Near the station, many customers were in lines in front of popular shops. Some popular old shops are in line on the streets A little walk from the station, many stylish or eccentric looking shops are coming into view. Near the shopping street, some temples such as Ensoji are locating but no Kichijyoji … Continue reading Strolling at Kichijoji

Kowagoe (05 7 2020) Kawagoe, located about 50km north-west and the nearest castle town from Edo (former name of Tokyo). Kawagoe castle was important castle as a defense fort and many important feudal loads, such as Matsudaira clam or Sakai clam were deployed.  I visited a part of former main buildings of Kawagoe castle, recently Then I visited picturesque Hikawa shrine. famous for instagrammers. Then I walked around traditional snacks street and watched a bell tower in warehouse district in short time. This tourists spot 1hour from Tokyo starts getting visitors by and by after almost shut down by new … Continue reading One-day trip to Kawagoe

On March 14 2020, bloom of cherry blossom in Tokyo was declared by the Japan Meteorological Agency, based on 5-6 blossoms confirmed on the standard tree of Someiyoshino variety. It is the earliest record in Tokyo since 1953 when official observation started. It is said 300-600 varieties are cultivated in Japan form early blooming (such as Atami-zakura start blooming January) to late variety (such as Kenrokuken-kikuzakura blooming in May ), but it is said the most popular variety “Someiyoshino” is sharing about 80% of planted cherry and grown in almost all Japan (except Okinawa and Hokkaido). If you are interested in … Continue reading Cherry blossom front (Sakura Zensen)

Zenpukuji park and Inokashira park (15 03 2020) As I heard a news that cherry blossom (in this case Someiyoshino) starts blossom, I visit Zenpukuji park first . This park is famous of calm ponds which water from a natural spring named Osoinoi (slow well). In the park many neighbors visit for relaxing. In the park, kanhizakura (Taiwan cherry) blooms with eye-catching strong pink flowers. And a few flowers of Someiyochino variety has been opened already. I stroll along a small stream between two ponds. I can find many flowers of Japanese andromeda in the park. And then I move … Continue reading Zenpukuji park and Inokashira park, cherry blossoms