Satoshi Nihonyanagi
Welcome to my blog, Green Tea Club !
I'll show you all the beauties and goodies in Shizuoka through this blog.
If you have any inquiry, please feel free to post your messages on it.
Hope to see you around in Shizuoka !
Main content starts here.
02/15/2012 [Wed]
The 10th Appare Fuji 〜 Fujisan Art Performance Festival 2012 〜 [Fuji City]
One of the largest Yosakoi dance Festivals is coming up on May 26 – 27 at Central Park in Fuji City, Shizuoka. Since they unfortunately called it off last year due to the unexpected catastrophe of Tohoku region, they are being really excited about it this year to make it best in the last 10 years. Full-swing Yosakoi dance is to be performed on 27th. 26th is meant to be the Eve event that varieties of dances are shown to us. Performers for the Eve event are still wanted. Please refer to the following for more information.＾＾
I myself have never seen it before so I feel so happy that I may be able to visit it this year. The Central Park is, by the way, one of my favorite in Fuji City. Actually I’ve been there many times to walk around, and sometimes to join the flea market. So beautiful especially in early summer with greenery ! You will also see full of roses against the background of magnificent Mt. Fuji in May ! Dances, roses, and Mt, Fuji. Exciting, isn’t it ?＾＾
They say as many as 70,000 visitors are expected this year and they’ve been planning to have special events such as performances of world’s artists and varieties of gourmets of the world ! Whoever likes it to see or join, please feel free to contact “Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau” or the Executive Committee for further information.
They are now wanting performers for the eve event on May 26 of the festival through their official website. Themed on “Family and Friends”. Any group of more than 2 performers is eligible to be registered. Please feel free to inquire if you’re thinking about it.
For Japanese (343KB)
The 10th Appare Fuji, Fujisan Art Performance Festival
Place ： Central Park
Access ： Tokyo → JR Shin-Fuji Station ( Shinkansen ) → 10 minutes by bus
Or 10 minutes by bus from JR Fuji Station
Days ： May 26 ( Eve event of the Festival ) 14:00 – 20:30
May 27 ( Art Performance Festival ) 10:00 – 19:00
Inquiries ： Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau ( English acceptable )
Appare Fuji Executive Committee ( Japanese Only ) yama-isa@poem.ocn.ne.jp
Performers Wanted
Conditions ： Groups of more than 2 performers.
Date ： May 26 ・ 14:00 – 17:00 for daytime stage／14:00 – 20:30 for evening stage
Participation Fee ： ￥1000 for adults／￥500 for children under 18
Application forms acceptable until Feb 29
Please contact Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau or Executive Committee of Appare Fuji for further information
Join us in Twitter φ(・ω・ )
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Tags :
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 10:43 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
01/13/2012 [Fri]
Mt. Fuji Viewing Spot ― Fujikawa Rakuza [Fuji City]
Last weekend, actually after I visited Dondon Yaki, I drove all the way to “Fujikawa Rakuza” looking for fantastic views. Fujikawa Rakuza is basically a SA of Tomei Expressway in Fuji City which is often featured as one of the best spots for Mt. Fuji Viewing but it’s also accessible from the local roadway.
In 30 minutes or so from Shizuoka City, I reached Fujikawa Rakuza. It stands by the wide spread Fuji River that flows into Suruga Bay. It’s also known as one of the 3 fastest rivers in Japan.
Now, I walked up the stairs and went through a line of souvenir shops and restaurants to get outside the building on the 3rd floor. Beautiful day. I was almost dancing around.
(〃・ω・〃)ノ~☆・゜+。*゜・.+.・*´゜+・。*☆
This year, somehow though, the snow on its top looks less than ever before in Jan. Maybe it’s warm this year ? Or simply lack of snowfall ? The Mt. Fuji I saw on Jan 9 is like this picture.
After I took pictures enough, I visited some food-stands. The crape was really nice ! And salted and fried horse mackerel, Fujinomiya Yakisoba fried noodle, burgers, and Icecream. All junkie food are my friends !＾＾
I also enjoyed star watching in the planetarium. It was indescribably good ! Actually, it was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s most advanced planetarium projector named Megastar-IIB in July, 2011. So lively and realistic that I felt I had been in a desolate desert or something looking up the stars. Seeing is believing. Try it !＾＾
After all, I was there almost 3 hours. The moon was so amorous in the east and the night view of Fuji City looked so gorgeous to me.
Have a good day !＾＾
For Japanese (622KB)
Join us in Twitter φ(・ω・ )
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Tags :
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 11:24 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
01/06/2012 [Fri]
Bishamonten Festival in Fuji City [Fuji City]
Today, I’ll introduce one of the most unique events in Shizuoka. That is, “Bishamonten Festival”, Vaisravana ( a Guardian of Buddhism ) Festival at Myohoji Temple in Fuji City. As you know, Fuji City is well known as the best spot for Mt. Fuji viewing and as a city of Shirasu baby sardines. In February, spectacular plum blossoms will be in their best at Iwamotoyama Park. I’ll introduce it next month. English Information about Iwamotoyama is available from here. Now, on that day, actually last year, I got off JR train at Yoshiwara Station and walked for a while along the street.
It was not difficult for me to reach Myohoji Temple because quite a lot of people and Yatai food stalls were lined toward it. I was so excited because I had never been there. Walking up the stairs, I found a huge main hall and lots of stands selling Daruma dolls modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen sect of Buddhism. He was born in south India as a third son of the King and became a monk in China to be the father of Zen Buddhism. Nowadays, Daruma is generally believed in Japan as a god of success in business or study.
Turning around, I was more surprised at the scenery. Mt. Fuji looked so magnificent and gorgeous with much snow !
I strolled around to buy some snacks such as Yakisoba fried noodle and Takoyaki and reached the seashore in five minutes or so through the pine grove.
There I saw an indescribable sunset ! Stunning. I finished my snack and was waiting for the darkness to come.
It was quite mystic to see Daruma market at night. Lots of bulbs were lit. Congenial orange-tinged flickers embraced passers-by warmly. I saw some having a huge daruma doll in their hands.
For Japanese (795KB)
Bishamonten Festival will be held this year on January 29th through 31st. English information is available from the website of Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau. If you are coming by Shinkansen high-speed train, please stop at Shin-fuji Station and be sure to drop by the Bureau for more tourist information of Fuji City.
Have a good day !
Bishamonten Festival ( Jan 29 – 31 )
Access ： Bishamonten Myohoji Temple
10 - 15 minute walk from JR Yoshiwara Station
Hours ： Jan 29 & 30th ＝ 8:00 – 21:00 ／Jan 31st ＝ 8:00 – 20:00
Join us in Twitter φ(・ω・ )
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 11:23 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
08/12/2010 [Thu]
Regular Tour Bus for Mt. Fuji from JR Shin-Fuji Station [Fuji City]
A new tour bus service has begun, for a limited period, from JR Shin-Fuji Station for visitors who’d like to enjoy a simple tour to Mt. Fuji.
This tour bus leaves Shin-Fuji Station at 10:45AM. Now, where is it taking you ?
1．Mt. Fuji ― 5th station of Fujinomiya Trail.
Enjoy a short hike and you can surely say “I’ve just tried Mt. Fuji Climbing” ! Japanese highest mountain is always ready to welcome you.
2．Shiraito Falls
Feel the spectacular view of natural beauty. You will be surrounded by the dignified but graceful waterfalls that have been created by the snow water from Mt. Fuji.
3．Fujisan Hongu Sengentaisha Shrine
Come and see for yourself the oldest shrine in Tokai Area. This is originally the very first point that climbers visit to prey for their safety before leaving for Mt. Fuji.
Only 3 stops, that enables you to see each point with sufficient time. Personally, I don’t like too-busy-to-look-around tours. I’m sure you can enjoy each spot better than other tours if you want to take much time walking around. The bus is scheduled to be back to Shin-Fuji Station at 17:00. If you have JR Pass, why don’t you come to JR Shin-Fuji Station and try this bus tour. The details are as follows：
Mt. Fuji Regular Tour Bus ： Departing from JR Shin-Fuji Station Bus Terminal #6
Operation period ： Aug 7 – Aug 15, Sep 1 – Sep 20, 2010
Tour Bus Fare ： ¥3,500／adults ¥1,750／children
Tour Time ： 10:45 〜 17:00 (Scheduled to be Back to Shin-Fuji Station )
※ Only I bus available per day
※ Reservation required. ( Available on the day if not fully occupied )
Fujikyu Shizuoka Bus ： TEL 0545-71-2495
(237KB)
(346KB)
This information has been given by Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau, where once I reported about Ninja and Charming Visitor Certificate. Please confirm the past article from here if you’ve got time.
I attach PDF for this Tour Bus just for your image. Unfortunately all info is written in Japanese. If you have any inquiry, please feel free to ask me or Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau.
Feel Mt. Fuji around !
Good day !＾＾
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 12:55 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
07/05/2010 [Mon]
Ninja & Mt. Fuji @ Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau [Fuji City]
Ever heard of “Ninja” ? They are a group of secret spy agents in Japan between the era of Kamakura and Edo. Here at Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau in JR Shin-Fuji Station, they’ve started “Experience Ninja Cos-Play” service for visitors. Sounds funny ? Because many tourists from foreign countries ask “Where can I see Ninja?” or something like that, they hit upon the idea of Ninja costumes. Free of charge, needless to say.＾＾
(112KB)
I tried to disguise in Ninja, which looked, yes, funny though. They have 3 black costumes and a red one. This time, one of the ladies at the information desk put on the red costume, but I was stunned because she looked sooooo cute ! Far from funny, isn’t she ? They, not only offer the costume, take digital photos as well ! If weather permits, you will be taken with breathtaking Mt. Fuji behind you. Even in case it rains, please don’t worry, for they have a large panel with a picture of Mt. Fuji and Green-Tea fields that will create the scene just as if you are really standing there. All free of charge!
After pictures taken, you can leave free message on it to be advertised on the board or maybe put on their website. The digital photo, of course, can be sent to your attention by e-mail. Please open this PDF file for more information!
By the way, it is said that Mt. Fuji can be seen at around 60% of the time through the year. In 2009, the statistics says we can see Mt. Fuji only 4 days in July. Too unmerciful, isn’t it ? But even though you can’t unfortunately see Mt. Fuji, don’t become negative ! Just go get “Charming Visitor Certificate” at Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau. Certificate of charming visitor ? Who ? Me ? Yes, you !! But why ? Find it out at the information desk ! She is too shy, in short.
You will have one of several kinds with a stamp with the date on it.
General information about Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau comes as below:
・You can speak to them in English.
・You will have guidebooks and maps in English as in the picture.
・They lend bicycles free of charge. ※Identification required.
Free rental bicycles with good English brochures, so appealing, isn’t it ? You don’t have to take costs for the bus to move around. Have good lunch instead.＾＾
Talking with the manager, I could catch her strong aspiration for Fuji City. Wanting brainstorm ideas to welcome visitors, she’s just completed a plan on the basis of questionnaires that may please you much. This plan would help especially Mt. Fuji climbers. What if you can stay over the night real cheap ? Limited in July and August only. For further information, open this PDF file.
Ranking (64KB)
Plan 1 (261KB)
Plan 2 (248KB)
What is really hot in Fuji City now, I’ve heard, is the “Shirasu-Kaido”, the street of baby sardines. Transparent in the raw, white as snow if boiled. I love both of them but telling the truth, I’ve never been there……＾＾； Somebody, come with me ? No English website but see pictures to satisfy your imagination.＾＾
As you know, we have, in Shizuoka, 3 routes to go up Mt. Fuji, and as for the Fujinomiya Route, I’m so sure, as baby sardines are adorable, Shin-Fuji is the most accessible station even from Tokyo or Osaka, using Shinkansen Line. You can take a bus to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji from the bus terminal #6, just in front of Shin-Fuji Station. Be sure to drop at Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau before you leave for Mt. Fuji. Sufficient information would help you.＾＾ Please find out information of Fujinomiya route and the bus timetable from the article before.
Thank you and have a good trip!
Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau
Access ： In JR Shin-Fuji Station building.
※JR Shin-Fuji Station is only for Tokaido Shinkansen Line. If you are from JR Fuji Station, please take a bus from the south exit to Shin-Fuji Station (¥160).
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ^^
Tags :
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 10:47 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )