Sun Dog and Jet Vapor kind of Tokyo afternoon

posted in: Autumn, Weather | 0

We were on our way to the local train station when I looked up and caught a glimpse of what I thought was a rainbow high in the sky on a sunny Tokyo afternoon. Instead of a rainbow the atmospherics at work are called “Sun Dogs.” I pulled out the camera and took a few nice shots before continuing on. Have you ever seen a “Sun Dog”? Post your links in comments. I’d like to see more pics of this cool atmospheric event from friends, readers and other travelers. After doing a little research we discovered Sun Dogs are believed by some in Japan as a signal of an impending earthquake or as a precursor to a Typhoon or Monsoon. Since we are expecting a Typhoon to hit our area sometime in the next few days I am hoping that our seeing this Sun Dog has more to do with that rather than an earthquake. So weary of earthquakes and the threat of them.

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Some interesting articles on the web about Sun Dogs.

 

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Beautiful Day in Nagatoro, Japan

Day trip to Nagatoro

Lucky, we had the chance to visit the stone tatami mats along the river running through Nagatoro. Our first stop though was a walk from the station up to the Kodosan mountain jinja where we spent a leisurely hour or three enjoying the shrine in it’s eternal beauty and also hiking around the hills and mountains above Nagatoro.

Trains from Tokyo on the Seibu-Chichibu line can take you to the sleepy mountain village in less than two hours.

Chichibu Shibazakura flowers bring beauty to visitors this spring

posted in: Chichibu, Spring | 0

This week we visited Hitsuji Yama Park in Saitama’s town of Chichibu.  Chichibu is world famous for their annual Shibazakura flowers which when planted by local townspeople across a small valley create an amazing site to see.

Town sign for Chichibu Shibazakura

Shibazakura create a blanket of color that is breath-taking to witness.

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Surrounding walking trails, sakura trees, a lake and picnicking areas make Hitsujiyama park a certain destination for families, singles, friends and lovers.

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We were excited to see so many younger people visiting Hitsujiyama, taking photos, sharing food and drinks and enjoying the beautiful sakura in full bloom.

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Special events will happen at the park throughout the spring and summer. A small arcade has been set up featuring food, drinks (tea and alcohol) and farm fresh products from local shops and farms. The local shops present great fare at very reasonable prices. No price gouging going on here.

There are also some very cute sheep on exhibition, always a visitor favorite.

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Kids love em and also an agricultural exhibit which features the small trees, Morus, or commonly known as Mulberries provide food for (蚕 )  silk worms. I never knew that (蚕 )  silk worms are entirely dependent upon humans for food, habitat and pro-creation.

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Silk worms, or (蚕 )  in Japanese are featured since Chichibu has a long history, going back hundreds of years as a textile hub for some of the finest textiles in Japan.

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Chichibu offers an excellent website to guide visitors through the area. For ease and convenience of use the site is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Click here to visit.

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The park address: Hitsujiyama kouen, Hitsujiyama park
羊山公園

368-0023

Chichibu, Saitama, Japan

 

Tasting the Essence of Hanami Season in Tokyo

posted in: Bars, Entertainment, Spring, Tokyo | 0

It’s a bit rainy today but the forecast is for clearing skies around Tokyo for the weekend. Sakura are blooming like mad and maybe now is the perfect time for a Hanami Party with friends and lovers.

Hanabi is popular Bar in Meguro
View from Hanabi tables

We’ve done a little research and have discovered a few pubs, bars and meeting places that are perfect for the Hanami season. Bar Hanabi in Nakameguro is a great place. You can find them at 2-16-11 Aobadai, Meguru-ku, tel. 03-5456-4404. Once you are in Meguro you can find Hanabi on a beautifully cherry blossom lined street. Their website is ( http://www.hanabi-nakame.jp )

Hanabi is popular Bar in Meguro
Inside Hanabi Bar

Hanabi offers party rental facilities are tables for intimate groups and couples. What I like the most, besides the great food, is that there are more than 100 varieties of cocktails.  So great food and drinks in a beautiful little place with an amazing view.

Hanabi Bar offers perfect mix of dood and cocktails
Delicious food available

Meguro is a beautiful city and perfect for watching Sakura or Hanami. At night the lanterns that line the river give a special beauty to the sakura lined walkways and streets that wind through the area. Hanabi offers perfect viewing opportunity to enjoy all of it. Doubt me? Just take a look.

Sakura watching on the Meguro gawa

The street around Hanabi, perfect for Hanami season.

Hanami season in Meguro

Enjoy the soft glow of the lanterns at night. Best idea is to come in the afternoon and watch the changing colors as the sun sets over Meguro. This Hanami season enjoy the sakura from different and new places around Tokyo.

Hanami season in Meguro
View from hanabi

Sakura in full bloom in Tokyo

posted in: Rivers, Spring, Tokyo | 0

First Sakura – 2014

Spring has finally come to this cold place. Families are out and about, children run and play and enjoy the warm sun and the air is filled with the sweet smell of sakura trees blooming and showing their flowers for the first time since last spring.

Sakura trees blooming in Tokyo spring 2014

Usagi and I spent the day strolling through the neighborhoods of Asakusa and Akihabara, visiting shrines and temples and praying for Japan and for our families.

Sakura trees blooming in Tokyo spring 2014

This is my first time to be in Japan during a glorious spring.  I have usually come to stay in the fall and winter and could never understand fully, the attraction for Japanese and for visitors from around the world, the draw, the need to see and bathe in the beauty that are sakura.

Sakura trees blooming in Tokyo spring 2014

We spent part of the afternoon, after visiting the Imato (maneki-neko) shrine in Asakusa we walked across busy streets and crowded passage ways until we made our way to the Sumida gawa (Sumida river). The trees you see here line the river in a park that stretches on for miles. The photo above shows the world famous Tokyo SkyTree which is just on the other side of the Sumida.

Because we know not everyone can be here who wishes to be we have made some nice wall papers for your computer as a gift of friendship and love to visitors to our site. Please download them and enjoy them. If you like them, please share them with your friends and family.

Free Wallpapers of the Tokyo Sakura season – 2014

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Taitō, Tokyo, Japan