Open: It is clean Lake Shikotsu surrounded by a virgin forest

It is clean Lake Shikotsu surrounded by a virgin forest

By admin on August 11, 2018

It’s a depression made by volcanic activity. The one that rainwater accumulated there and became a lake is called a crater lake. Lake Shikotsu is one of the crater lakes representing Hokkaido. ↑Lake Shikotsu The biggest lake in Japan is Lake Biwa, but though the area of Lake Shikotsu is 1/9 of Lake Biwa, the volume of water kept in store is the second next to Lake Biwa in Japan. That is obvious, because the depth of the water is also the second in Japan (the maximum depth is 360m). ↑Lake Shikotsu Furthermore, it is fulfilled by high transparency water. The most transparent lake in the world is Lake Baikal … Read More

Open: Past and present of Hakone barrier station

Past and present of Hakone barrier station

By admin on July 14, 2018

04 View of Hakone barrier station from Toumi-bansho

About 150 years ago, Japan was a country where something like a small country called “Han” gathered. Bakufu means system of government of a feudal military dictatorship. Bakufu is translated as Shogunate in Englsih. Edo Shogunate was opened by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1603. By the way, Edo is the old name of Tokyo. Han was under the rule of Edo Shogunate opened by Ieyasu Tokugawa. Due to that, the wives of feudal lord of Han lived as hostage in Edo. There is a phrase “Iri-deppou, de-onna”. If I translate it literally, it will be “Gun comes into. Woman goes out”. This means policy of Edo Shogunate that is “To prevent … Read More

Open: Hybrid Island “Enoshima”

Hybrid Island “Enoshima”

By admin on June 16, 2018

20 years have past since Toyota released hybrid vehicle on Dec-1997 for the first time in the world. There are 2 meanings in “hybrid”. 1.An animal or plant that has parents of different SPECIES or varieties. 2.Something that is the product of mixing two or more different things. When Japanese use the word “hybrid”, meaning of no.2 uses it. It is Japanese strong point, for example digital camera, brush pen, cup noodles e.t.c. However Japanese have hybridized not only article but also place. It is a popular sightseeing spot “Enoshima”. Enoshima is a small island 6 km around, but many elements are compacted. ↑Enoshima Why is it hybrid? Let me … Read More

Open: Akita Beauty who live in castle town of Kubota Castle

Akita Beauty who live in castle town of Kubota Castle

By admin on May 13, 2018

Senshu Park_The ruins of Kubota Castle_Osumi Turret

Akita is a prefecture located in the Tohoku region of Japan. The first imagined word might be “Akita Beauty” when Japanese men listen to Akita（^^; ↑Publicity poster Beauty of Akita It is said that there are many beautiful women in Akita. Why? There are many kinds of theories as followings. ◆The hours of sunlight of Akita prefecture is the shortest in Japan. Therefore it is few that ultraviolet rays affect people, so there are many people whose skins are white. ◆Formerly, the route existed that connected with the coast of the Sea of Japan, the coast of the Siberia and the Korean Peninsula, so the people who came from Russia … Read More

Open: Let’s go to Innoshima Navy Castle and eat the special product of Innoshima!

Let’s go to Innoshima Navy Castle and eat the special product of Innoshima!

By admin on April 21, 2018

The condition that is studded with Islands of varying size on the cobalt blue sea make us feels we peek into a jewel box. It’s Geiyo Islands. ↑Geiyo Islands Shimanami Kaido Expressway that has a total length of 60km highway between Honshu and Shikoku sew up islands. ↑Shimanami Kaido Expressway I recalled what somebody expressed “ I thought it is an island, but it was a cape. I thought it is a cape, but it was an island” You can imagine there are lots of islands in this area. Murakami Navy is one of the things that were produced by such special terrain. Murakami Navy was the navy that allied … Read More

Open: The troops of Sanada family who won overwhelming at Ueda Castle

The troops of Sanada family who won overwhelming at Ueda Castle

By admin on March 24, 2018

Here is the question. ①1,200 × 7,000 ②3,500 × 38,000 Do you understand these figures? These figures are number of soldiers for 2 battles between Sanada family and Tokugawa family. The small number is for Sanada family, and big number is for Tokugawa family. These 2 battles were staged in 1585 and 1600 at Ueda Castle of Sanada family. ↑Ueda Castle Sanada family won the overwhelming by the battle in the besieged castle, and that in small number. It’s terribly strong! These 2 battles are called “Siege of Ueda”. I think everybody take it for granted that Ueda Castle is the big castle. However, I was surprised when I visited! … Read More

Open: Did the career of tearoom “Jo-an” resonate with the founder?

Did the career of tearoom “Jo-an” resonate with the founder?

By admin on February 17, 2018

Green trees seen through a paper sliding door. A wash-basin that left the state of nature without processing the stone into perfect form. Stepping-stones of irregular size. It can be said that inside the area is directing an extraordinary space. It doesn’t make excitement of feelings, but it creates state of calm in mind. I always think so when I step in the Japanese garden each time. Urak-en is also no exception. Iwasu gate (Entrance of Uraku-en) If people like history in Japan, there will be some people who come across clearly when they listen to Uraku. Uraku is younger brother of Nobunaga Oda who built foundation of unification the … Read More

Open: ”White” is keyword for Takamatsu Castle

”White” is keyword for Takamatsu Castle

By admin on January 13, 2018

Takamatsu Castle of Kagawa prefecture that is one of the Japanese three major water castle in parallel with Imabari Castle of Ehime prefecture and Nakatsu Castle of Oita prefecture was built by Chikamasa Ikoma. The current remnant of an old building was repaired by Yorishige Matsudaira who is grandchild of Ieyasu Tokugawa who is the first shogun of Edo regime. Yorishige entered Takamatsu Castle as the lord of Takamatsu-han in 1642. ※The han is the Japanese historical term for the estate of a warrior after the 12th century or of a feudal lord in the Edo period (1603–1868) and early Meiji period (1868–1912). After that, Matsudaira family that was close … Read More

Open: The roof tiles of Ganko-ji Temple have continued to see the sky of Japan

The roof tiles of Ganko-ji Temple have continued to see the sky of Japan

By admin on December 16, 2017

The roof tiles have continued to look up at the sky of Japan even though it is clear day, rainy day, fierce day, and snow day. The roof tiles of Gango-ji Temple in Nara are regarded as the oldest Japanese roof tiles in existence. The origin of Ganko-ji Temple is Hoko-ji Temple in Asuka region that was the first Japanese orthodox temple. Hoko-ji Temple was moved into current place of Nara in 718. A part of the roof tiles of the main hall is regarded that it was carried at that time. Such the valuable Ganko-ji Temple are designated as World Heritage Site, and also main hall and Zen room … Read More

Open: What is the original form of Ishibutai Tumulus?

What is the original form of Ishibutai Tumulus?

By admin on November 18, 2017

Is the form that is piled many big stones trying to blend with the surrounding scenery? Or it would like to parade a dignified appearance? It will show various expressions. Ishibutai Tumulus produces such the atmosphere. The gross weight that makes a stone burial chamber is about 2,300 tons. Even though, only a ceiling stone is 77 tons. It was concluded it was 50 square meters big double-deck square tumulus by the excavation survey in the nineteen-thirties. ↑The first deck of tumulus and moat Sogano no Umako is a man who laid the foundation of Soga family around 500-600. It is a commonly accepted theory Ishibutai Tumulus is for Soga … Read More

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