- All About Japan ✿: Places

"Spring"

Wow,what are your thought of spring in Japan? Of course, the beauty of cherry blossoms--sakura. I'm here to introduce the best places to go when you visit Japan during spring...Come guys,follow me..

GORYOKAKU FORT PARK, HAKODATE CITY, HOKKAIDO

Hokkaido is where plum and cherry trees blossom at the same time. Goryokaku was a western-style fort built by the Tokugawa shogunate (1857-66) in the harbour city of Hakodate. The fort, one of the largest ever constructed in Japan, was the centre of action in the war between the last remnants of the Tokugawa clan and the new Meiji government. The star-shaped ruins of the fort are now a park full of cherry blossom trees.

HIROSAKI CASTLE PARK, HIROSAKI CITY, AOMORI

Hirosaki Castle Park is one of the best spots for viewing cherry trees in the Tohoku region. You may walk along the castle's western moat to capture the bright red Shunyo Bridge, stately castle tower, pale pink cherry blossoms, and snow-crested Mt. Iwaki. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is usually held every year from 23 April to 5 May, dates varying.

KAKUNODATE, AKITA

Kakunodate is located almost at the centre of Akita Prefecture. The beautiful weeping cherry trees (shidare-zakura) and the classic samurai residences in Kakunodate have a history stretching back over 300 years. Come cherry blossom season in April, the area's best feature is the 2 km stroll through the magnificent tunnel of flowering trees lining the Hinokinai River. The 152 trees are classed amongst the nation's natural monuments, and show a beautiful contrast against the black walls of the samurai residences.

NARA PARK, NARA

Nara Park is a historical park surrounding Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple and Shoso-in Repository. Constructed in the Tempyo Period (710-784), it spreads over a vast area (660 ha) of a lush and green landscape. Herds of deer are renowned there as the holy messengers of Kasuga-taisha Shrine, and are placed under careful protection. The park has about 1,700 cherry trees of various kinds, including Narayae-zakura and Kokonoe-zakura.

It also offers a number of scenic spots :

Sagi Pond, the foot of Mt. Wakakusa,

the remains of To-do Tower,

the Kofuku-ji Temple area, Ara Pond,

Kasugano-enchi,

and the Todai-ji Temple area.

#Be sure to allow enough time for strolling here !

SENKOJI PARK, ONOMICHI CITY, HIROSHIMA

Senkoji Park is a scenic spot for cherry trees located at the back of Onomichi Station, spreading from the top to the hillside of Mt. Senkoji (137 m). The park was built in 1894 by the chief priest of Senko-ji Temple. There are nearly 10,000 cherry trees here, mainly comprising Somei-yoshino, but also including weeping cherry trees (shidare-zakura) and sato-zakura. In April, from the observation platform on the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a splendid landscape over the town of Onomichi and the islands of the Inland Sea.

Also located there :

City Art Museum
Bungaku-no-komichi (Path of Literature)
An amusement park

OTHER PLACES :

Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto
Omura Park and Peace Park, Nagasaki
Kinosaki Hot Spring Town, Hyogo
Takayama City, Gifu

"Summer"

Things that U CANT miss during summer in Japan

Summer is a season of traditional festivals in Japan.

(1) Have fun at Summer Festivals (Natsu-Matsuri)

So, if U want to fully experience Japanese Summer, COME !!!

Join the summer celebration here in Japan.

Bon odori, a Japan traditional dance. As it is deeply related with the culture of the area, Bon-odori looks and sounds different in any region in Japan.

There are many stalls out selling food like yakisoba(fried noodles), grilled sweetcorn, chocolate covered banana, etc. Also, there are many activities such as kingyo sukui(catching goldfish) or shooting games.

(2) Make your wish come true at Tanabata Festival

DATE : 7th July

PURPOSE : to celebrate the meeting of the Altair and Vega, lovers separated by the Milky Way.

NOTE : In some areas it is celebrated a month after according to the traditional calendar.

FUN : People write their wishes on a strip of paper and hang them on bamboo branches.

(3) Enjoy the impressive fireworks

Same as during Spring, fireworks also as
an interaction during Summer.

(4) Wear Yukata

Yukata is a summer Japanese traditional clothing. There are many different colours and designs
for both men and women, so find your favorite one.

(5) Try your best or you won’t have noodles to eat! -Nagashi-Somen-

Out of the many noodles eaten in Japan, somen is a popular cold dish to enjoy in summer in Japan. Nagashi somen is one most exciting way to eat somen. Somen noodles flown down a bamboo slide filled with running water.

(6) Look up to the stars and be mesmerized

Summer nights are great times to stay outside and look up to the stars. Go out into the countryside where it is dark at night and forget the flow of time under the starry sky.

Achi village in Nagano prefecture is said to be the best spot in Japan to see the stars.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF INTERESTING THAT U CAN DO DURING SUMMER !!!

Come enjoy here, for more info :

16 Things You Cannot Miss During Summer in Japan | tsunagu Japan. (2015). Retrieved from tsunagu Japan: https://www.tsunagujapan.com/16-things-you-cannot-miss-during-summer-in-japan/

"Autumn"

From mid-September until the beginning of November, Japan’s deciduous trees begin to change colour, painting mountains, parks and forests with a vibrant palette of reds, brown, oranges, golds and yellows. Just as in spring the parks and countryside are packed with revellers gathering for hanami (blossom-viewing) parties, during these months the Japanese flock to their favourite spots to appreciate the autumn leaves – called koyo or momiji