Walk with a Blog Friend in a Field of Rapeseed

Visited Mother Farm which is famous for this field of rapeseed.

In Japan, we experienced very cold winter this year, so, I wanted to feel coming of spring!

With whom did I visit here?

YES! Sigrid from Willdommen im Hassberg-Garten

               

We enjoyed seeing goats, cows...

and pig race!:)

We hired my son as a driver, hahaha...:)

We enjoyed a superb view from this farm located on a hill:)

Oh, let me explain how to get to this farm from Tokyo.

Look at the Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, floating on the Tokyo Bay!

To reach this Boso Peninsula in Chiba prefecture, we used a highway called Tokyo Aqua Line.

You can enjoy this ocean view from a parking lot floating on the bay.

Firstly, this highway took us straight to the entrance of the Aqua Line Tunnel. 

And when we reached daylight again at the end of the tunnel, we drove onto a small artificial island, a parking lot, called Umihotaru (which translates as "Sea Firefly").

This huge object is a cutter face of one of the slurry shield machine used to drill the undersea tunnel for this highway.

Ahead of here, we drove on this long bridge to go to the Chiba area.

After the Mother Farm, we visited Mt. Nokogiri, famous for this cliff, "Gigoku-Nozoki (Hell View)".

I'm happy to be able to get to know Sigrid through this blog! 

We both love flowers and plants, so, we could have a great time:)

She said it was freezing cold this winter in Germany.

We often have abnormal weather in Japan, as well...

How about in your country?

I'm sure we will meet again in the near future, Sigrid.
Thank you!!!

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Hi, everyone.

Today, let me share Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine:)

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is well-known as a shrine of relationships and matchmaking.

During Summer, “Furin Kouji” (alley) has been introduced here.

Furin, Wind bell, is a traditional object which is hung under the eaves in summer.

Worshippers write their wish on to the wooden strips and then tie them to the Furin. 

The wind blows, the Furins produce a melodious tinkling:)

Going through the Furin tunnel, you can walk the corridor decorated a lot of hanging iron lanterns.

The Furin decoration will be ended on Sept.10th.

Thank you for dropping by!

Old Japanese Folk House Cafe

Today, I would like to share an old Japanese folk house cafe:)

This old house cafe is in Minkaen which is a splendid Open-Air Folk House Museum.

It is known for the remarkable collection of old Japanese folk houses, such as farms and merchant houses. 

Many of them are the important cultural properties of Japan. 

This cafe is open for an only limited time, so we were lucky to have a cup of coffee seeing the beautiful garden:)

Visiting Minkaen, you may find yourself standing in the middle of old Japanese folk village of 17th to 19th Century, and will get the insight into rich heritage of living and traditional culture of Japan.

Thank you for stopping by!:)

Seeing Beautiful Countryside...

I would like to introduce you an Italian restaurant with quiet rural views.

Sakurazaka VIVACE

This restaurant is in Moriya City, 1.5 hour-drive from Tokyo.

The unique point of this restaurant is you can move to your favorite table with a cup of  coffee after lunch:)

There are some huts built in the site, and a lot of tables in the open air.

Okay, let's walk around to find the best table for coffee:)

Thank you for visiting!:)

Trip to Osaka

Today, I would like to share this sophisticated cafe, located in a suburb of Osaka, Kansai district.

Love this exterior, ivy trailed over the wall. And a tea tree planted in the garden was in full bloom 

I went on a short trip to Osaka. This cafe, "Rustica",  is run by my friend.

Looking at its cool interior, have you noticed the unique shape of wall?

Actually, this cafe is made by renovating a container train.

Sparerib dish was yammy!!

And we visited this famous castle, as well.

Its name is "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". 

Yes!!! 

I went to "Universal Studios Japan" located in Osaka city:)

 

When we visited, Harry Potter Show using Projection Mapping was held at night. 

We enjoyed gripping scene, like flying dementors!

I looove Osaka area, and wanna go back there, soon!:)