Currently we have three Imperial Villas in Japan.  Suzaki Imperial Villa in Shizuoka, Hayama Imperial Villa in Kanagawa and Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi.  We used to have an Imperial Villa in Nikko as well.  Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa was built in 1899 for imperial prince Yoshihito who would be Taisho emperor.  He was poor in health so that he needed to stay at some of the health resort.  The summer weather in Nikko was suitable for him and the officials (mainly ministry of Imperial hold) decided to build it for him.  After the world war two, due to the new constitution introduced, Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa was abolished in 1947.  However, one of Tochigi authorities maintain the property as one of parks in Tochigi.  You should go there while you are here in Tochigi, Japan.

しもつけぬ　みかもの山の　こならのす　まくはしころは　たかけかもたむ

Actually I know the name of Mikamoyama but I never knew the whole poet.  I guess most of Japanese people are the same as me. 

A part of Mikamoyama is the local government running park. 

Most of Japanese facilities require admission fee for us to enter, but this park is running by local government so that only you have to pay is a motive ride (train?).

We used the Motorway back to Utsunomiya.  It took us only 40 minutes.

Sano Outlets

We have not visit Sano Yakuyoke Daishi (SYD not Sydney though) this time.  We visited Sano Premium Outlet instead.

http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/sano/

 There are a lot of brand shops.  We saw a lot of people but not so many people walking with shopping bags due to our economy, I guess.

Shibazakura, Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink, Mountain Phlox) is a perennial creeper growing to a height of 6 inches and covering a 20 inch wide area. The small, five-petaled flowers bloom in rose, mauve, blue, white, or pink in late spring to early summer. (according to Wikipedia).

We were supposed to park our vehicle at Number 2 car park where located a bit far from the park.  Shuttle seriveces have been arranged by the organizer.  My car has got two stickers which indicating for paraplegic.  We have not been anticipated, but traffic controller asked us to go to Number 1 car park, next to the park.  Lucky us.

You don’t bring anything with you when you go to the place like this, always some food bars are ready to wait for you in Japan.  Of course you have to pay a little bit more money than ordinal place.

Usually, you can find Yakisoba (Fried chinese noodles with tomato based sauce), Oknomiyaki or Takoyaki at the food bar.  Here in Tochigi, you can find grilled sweet fish most of the time.  Why don’t you try some?

Fukuoroda falls are located in Daigo-cho, Ibaraki, cross the border off Tochigi where I live.  It took me around one and half hours to get there from my house.  New lookout has been introduced short while ago, people enjoy 44m elevator ride and could see the top part of the falls now.  However, it is said that the old lookout is better than new one in terms of their stringency.  Currently admission fee is 300 yen.

If you wish to see my motion picture, please click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWLx54R1g04

This is the shot when I went to Fukuroda falls in Ibaraki  just cross the border where I live.   On the way to the falls, we have to walk along Kuji river for a while, but it was a nice walk there.  We had to park our cars about 10 minutes walk distance from the entrance of the falls.  We saw a lot of carp flying in the sky on that day.

We were luckily back home without heavy traffic jam.  May be deities blessed us because we are doing well all the time!?

Unfortunately I have not got any spare time in Sendai this time but I have some photos which I to0k a couple years ago. Please imagine the city.

The answer is; it is densed area between Tokyo and Utsunomiya so that the  bullet trains are not allowed to run as they supposed to.  Even so, bullet train is far better than normal train.  It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes if you use normal train.

I will tell you why Sendai next time.

Anyway, my wife and I have been to my mother’s place to do New Year’s greetings.  We stayed Hiratsuka a couple days and whole my family decided to go to Daiyuzan Saijoji temple (founded more than 600 years ago) to pray for a long life and happiness for the year.  It took us nearly a couple hours by car due to the traffic jam which we have expected.  The day we visited was the first day we are allowed to come up the parking lot nearby.  We have to park the car out skirt of the city and we have to use the shuttle bus on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd . 

We prayed there and we bought Omikuji (fortune written on slips of paper)which people normally do at shrines and temples.  I almost forgot to tell you about “osaisen”.  Before we pray in front of  the statue, we can find the box which is expected a lot of money dropped by the visitors those who are wishing for a good luck.  You must prepare coins before you pray in Japan.  Those donations are very helpful and only the season temples and shrines received, I suppose.  Sorry for no photos this time.

I can tell still the membership fee is rather expensive but play golf as a visitor, we can play reasonable price these days.  You cannot expect any privillege, though

The reason why Kobugahara is famous is that Shoto Shonin who is the father of Nikko trained himself before he concured Mt. Nantai.  Since then Monks trained themselves at Kobugahara until Meiji period.  Furumine Shrine in Kobugahara has been regarded as a mecca for those who believe in spiritual creatures in mountains more than 1,200 years.

Map:Furumine-jinja(古峯神社)

View Furumine-jinja in a larger map

I was asked my firiend to climb Mt. Nantai with French climber as an Interpreter/Guide a couple months ago.  Mt. Nantai is 2,486m high and there is Okunoin-shrine on the summit which I have never ever seen it, therefore I got the job.  Unfortuntately I could not accomplish my job due to my health condition.

Now you understand why I am talking about 583m mountain.  Yes, I started to train myself to climb high mountain with my clients without hesitation.  Although only 583m mountain is not so easy for the beginner.  I have learned I need more physical training before climb Mt. Nantai next year.  We can climb Mt Nantai from May to October.

Map:Kogashiyama (古賀志山)

View Kogashiyama in a larger map

 I am not realy a typical Japanese person but I am so called international, bit westernized English speaking tour guide. 

I had been living in New Zealand for 22 years after I had an oppotunity to work at local hotel in Rotorua as a Japanese representative.  My carrier is always with the hospitality industry entire my life. 

I think it is enough to tell you about my history.  You may understand who I am.  Utsunomiya near Nikko National Park, World Heritage is the city I live.  It is about 100km away from Tokyo.  It takes less than one hour from Tokyo by shinkansen.

Utsunomiya is the capital of Tochigi prefecure and more than a half million people live in this city.  Nikko is the third lagest city in Japan and the size of the city occupies a quater of Tochigi prefecuture.  It is a quite large city but less than 100,000 people dwelling there. 

I am going to write mainly about Utsunomiya, Nikko and others in Tochigi prefecture.  I hope this blog enchorages overseas people to plan to visit our beautiful country and nice people.