Fortresses have been built in Japan since early times. A particular need for castles arose in the 15th century after the central government's authority had weakened and Japan had fallen into the chaotic era of warring states (sengoku jidai). During that era, Japan consisted of dozens of small independent states which fought each other and built small castles on top of mountains for defense purposes. Himeji Castle (姫路城, Hi… Read more

Snow-capped Fuji-san (winter scenery) looks sacred and awesome. You can see Mount Fuji from upper floor of some major hotels in Tokyo. https://blog-imgs-101.fc2.com/s/k/b… Read more

Important educational tool ....the ropes.... Ropes are must to teach High School Girls ..... Sometimes it's for punishment ....… Read more

”Yuki-no-otani” (Snow wall) along Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route opening today. Tateyama has some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world. An average of 7 m accumulates every year. ( This year at the route's highest point Murodo the measured depth reached 740cm on March 26). In heavy years up to 20 m can accumulate. That’s as high as a 10 story building! You… Read more

The Takayama Matsuri (飛騨高山祭) The Takayama Matsuri (festival) is counted as one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan. It is held every spring and autumn, and it shows-off what is great about the Hida region. The festival has continued to be protected and cherished by the local people, who demonstrate their traditional folk arts during the event. Takayama Festival is said to have started sometime between the lat… Read more

Hitachi Seaside Park located on the Pacific Ocean side of the Japanese coast incorporates a unique natural environment of sand dunes, forests, grasslands and springs. "Hitachi" is a name of a City located in Ibaraki-ken. The name is well known throughout the world due to the Hitachi Company founded in the town of Sukegawa in 1910. Hitachi was once a major industrial center, containing numerous factories of the Hitachi conglomerate, especially connected with the production of electrical equipment. ht… Read more

Touring the towns of East Nara and Nabari | by Sam Evans | Japan Guide (Discovering traditional Japan in the quaint villages a stone’s throw from Nara City, Kyoto and Osaka) The villages of East Nara and Nabari comprise a rural area of Japan that, although seemingly a world away from the bustling streets of nearby Nara City, Kyoto and Osaka, can be reached from all these popular tourist spots in less than an hour and a half by train. The region is a traditional-Japan lover's… Read more

It's S… Read more

Ōno-city is an old castle town located in Ōno-city, Fukui-ken with more than 400-years history. This town still holds a strong image of a castle town and it is well-known as “Little Kyoto.” The city is surrounded by a magnificent natural environment including mountains like “Arashimadake,” one of the selected 100 exquisite mountains of Japan. The city itself has also been selected as one of the 100 exquisite towns with water wells in Japan designated by the National Land Agency with its famous spring water, “Osh… Read more

The Japanese cherry blossoms and the tradition of flower gazing, or hanami, has inspired poets for centuries. These haiku call to mind the beauty of springtime and the fleeting beauty of the sakura. / Alicia Joy | Tokyo Writer | 17 April 2017 Kobayashi Issa Issa is one of the four haiku greats of Japan. He wrote a tremendous amount of poetry and was known for his poetic appreciation for even the tiniest creatures. cherry blossoms s**tter– snap! the buck’s antlers come off witho… Read more

A popular Sakura viewing spot at Oshino Village. A nice view ! Another sweet stuff (Sakura-mochi) How about Bonsai ? Air Traffic Control Tower at Narita International Airport… Read more

The Aqua Line Highway over (and under) Tokyo Bay has been closed since 11 am due to strong Southerly wind during the day. 　 At the measuring point of "Umihotaru" parking the latest wind at 19:55 was still 22m/s (SW). It's like a mini storm. There appeared a huge lenticular cloud over Mount Fuji .... meant rain very soon and true it is raining now. And this spring upskirt wind proves they are still pure white (to pink) ..… Read more

Girls have enjoyed Spring School holiday until yesterday. https://blog-imgs-101.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/kogalx_201_20180405… Read more

"Kanamara Matsuri" (かなまら祭り, Festival of the Steel Phallus") was held at the Kanayama Shrine (金山神社 Kanayama-jinja) in Kawasaki-city on April 01 this year 2018, the first Sunday in April. The festival dates back to the Edo period (1603-1867). There is a famous legend among locals that explains the origins of the festival. Once there was a sharp-toothed demon who fell in love with a beautiful young woman. She wasn’t interested in the demon and whe… Read more

Pai-chan was staying at a rural temple lodging ("Shukubo"). During the day there was an elementary lecture on general buddhism and related topics by the temple's chief "Osho-san (buddhist priest)". Topics such as differences between Buddhism and Shinto, what is pagoda and what for, why it's five or three storied, what is "Zen", what is "Jizo" etc etc. were highlighted. https://blog-imgs-101.fc2.com/s/k/b/skb… Read more

Warm spring days continue in Japan .... Shirakawa-go today looked like this ... until recently the village was completely white .... it has quickly been melting ... (Live camera picture 2pm April 02, 2018 / it was 22.7C at Hida-Takayama) In Osaka it was 23.5 C (Above : Osaka Nakanoshima , Live camera picture at 2:45pm April 02… Read more

Once Sakura reached full bloom the flower petals already start falling then the roads and streams under the trees turn to pink carpets. This year's Sakura started early and even more exceptionally it took only 3 days in Tokyo to reach full bloom.instead of a week to10 days from open to full blossoms. So, after Ohanami Tokyo-ites are now enjoying(?) Sakura showers. (Above : Chidorigafuchi, Tokyo) We call this pink carpet "Hana-ikada" (Flower raft). Below picture was taken last year in… Read more

The Japanese Cherry Blossom (Sakura) is a very special flower, as it is strongly associated with culture and tradition of Japan. The blossom stands for beauty and departure, and is one of the most important symbols in Japan. It is also a symbol for momentariness, as is withers as fast as it comes and covers the ground. The scent of the popular cherry blossom (Somei-yoshino) is not very intense but it harmonises well with other flower fragrances. The cherry blossom is well-known for its tenderness and vivid elegance. The smell of cherry blossom is strongly associated with the soothing atmosp… Read more

Scrapping of Hiroshima’s Sanko Line highlights transport ills in shrinking Japan | The Japan Times | MAY 28, 2017 (Photo by Trip Advisor) It was just after the Sanko Line marked its 40th anniversary when West Japan Railway Co. informed Kazutoshi Masuda, mayor of Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, that it would seek a more “sustainable” public transportation system. (Photo by TripAdvisor) “I knew it meant that the… Read more