We thank all of you for your considerate sympathy and messages to the earthquakes.

● Report as of March 16
We had a strong earthquake in Shizuoka last night. According to our criteria for the quake, it marked 6+ in Fujinomiya City, the city at the foot of Mt.Fuji, while the catastrophic earthquake in Tohoku Area was 7. Fortunately we haven’t got disastrous damage so far, but we are not sure when the day comes.
Right now, they had also a strong quake in Chiba and Ibaraki. It marked 5-. We are in such an unstable situation.
For the tourists already in Japan, and for all who are planning to come to Shizuoka, or Japan, in the near future, we show the present condition of transportation services in Japan.

Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express ： Operated as usual ( Tokyo to Osaka ) Updated condition ( in Japanese )
Tokaido Line ： Some trains between Atami and Hamamatsu are out of service due to the temporary interruption of electric service.
Gotemba Line ： Completely out of service.
Minobu Line ： Completely out of service.
Narita Airport ： Some delayed or canceled. Details for Narita Airport
Haneda Airport ： Almost all canceled. Details for Haneda Airport
Mt.Fuji Shizuoka Airport ： Operated as usual. Details for Mt.Fuji Shizuoka Airport

We are so sorry that we can’t help victims in disaster of Tohoku Area. Not only the living conditions they are forced, but their mental agony, nothing we can comfort them ? So far, 3676 people have been found dead, 7558 are still missing.

I’ll let you know the updated information soon.

Have a good day !

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

On March 11, we had a catastrophic earthquake followed by a disastrous Tsunami tidal wave in the Tohoku Area ( north part ) of Japan. As of March 14, it is reported that more than 1500 people has been dead and about 2000 seriously injured, and more than 1700 people are still missing.

In addition, as almost all people around the world know, we have another problem. That is the atomic power plant in Fukushima Prefecture. We are trying every possible effort to stop it from radiation accident but it is not such simple. Furthermore, there have been occurring some electric problems around Kanto Area under Tokyo Electric Power for the lack of electric supplies and that causes us compulsory interruption of electric services. This includes cities in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Chiba, Saitama and eastern part of Shizuoka, and people there must undergo forcible 3 hour blackout every day, started from Today. Even trains, including JR line, are not exception, not to mention hotels and ryokans.

If you have been planning to come to Japan, especially upper part of Japan on a trip, we advise you to think it over and over again.

I’ll let you know if everything is to be operated normally again.

Have a good day !

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

Recently, we have lots of tourists from abroad, especially from Taiwan for the chartered flight service tour. A couple of weeks ago, we went to Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport to say “Welcome to Shizuoka” to the visitors coming out of the gate.
Today, I introduce something we found at the airport.

At 8:00 in the morning, we got to the airport to meet visitors from Taiwan at 9:30. Plenty of time to go. We went up to the third floor to have a unique breakfast as we’d found a newspaper article saying about “Asarah” in the airport.

“Asarah” means a ramen noodle in the morning, which was brought out and spread largely from Fujieda City. Noodles in the morning ? Yeah, it not so bad, actually.

I ordered Asarah at the counter without any question. First, a sip of soup. Made of some seafood. It tasted so good and light for the morning ! Airplanes through the window might make it better.＾＾

A few minutes before 9:00, we began to prepare small souvenirs for the guests and after 10:15, we finished all welcome services by waving to the tour buses. More than 120 visitors ! Thanks for Mt. Fuji, maybe.＾＾
We were supposed to take the direct shuttle bus to Shizuoka Station, but we had still much time for the next bus. Now, what should we do ? Then, we hit upon an awesome idea. A well known temple was nearby ! And an observation deck was on its way.

In a few minutes, we got to the deck, where many photographers had already flocked around with expensive looking cameras in their hands. I felt a sense of tension. No wonder, because a Korean Airline was about to land. Happily, we could also see a China Airline taking off.
Now, we headed toward the temple, passing through, yeah, the forest of cedars. My eyes got more and more allergic causing intense itch. Damn it all !

After a few moments, we reached there, “Sekiunin Temple”. Holly cow ! I couldn’t understand why I had never been there before. See the large gate ? Good trail underneath.
Sekiunin Temple was established about 550 years ago, in Muromachi Period. This temple, unfortunately, is said to have caught fire three times so far. Some of them were rebuilt in Edo Era. Carvings of Hondo main hall have been designated as a cultural treasure of Makinohara City.

When we left there, we saw a group of tour, maybe from Korea, in front of the gate, guided by a lady. Was they on the Korean Airline I saw from the deck ?

Now, you know “How to spend time around the airport”, right ?＾＾

Have a good day !

Sekiunin Temple
Access from the airport ： 5 minutes on foot
Admission ： Free ( Open 7 days a week )

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

After leaving “Hina no Yakata” in the Culture Park, I took a little walk along the seashore nearby. After that, I walked back the way, passing a narrow alley, and got to Inatori Fishing Port in about 20 minutes. Many fishing boats were there. Maybe Kinmedai the alfonsinoes are to be landed here ? The Fish Market also stood just in front.
I opened the map again to see where to go, and fortunately found another “Tsurushi Kazari” spot, “Nabura Toto” only one minute walk away. When I reached there, a lady was about to close the door. Almost 17:00. I talked to her to let me have a quick look around. She was so kind as to let me in.

Though not as spacious as the main hall “Hina no Yakata”, it made me feel more comfortable and reassured somehow.

Telling further about Tsurushi Kazari, they put 11 dolls and accessories on one red string. Five strings on one side of Hina Dolls, that is, 55 accessories on one side, 110 on both sides. The culture and tradition since Edo Period still lives in this town, Inatori.
By the way, in the exhibition room, I found a very interesting thing. Mice in the pillar. Cute, aren’t they ?＾＾ Be sure to look for them !

Preserving old traditional cultures is by no means an easy task. I really hope it won’t be lost as long as this world exists.

After leaving “Nabura Toto”, I still walked along the coast. Soon, in about 10 minutes, I found an enigmatic Torii gate.
Though it was already after 5, I dared to hike up the hill. “Inatori Ryugu Misaki Park”, it was named. Maybe, it would lead me to a wonderful view spot, I expected.

Airen Misaki

Dontsuku Shrine

Further 10 minutes took me to a monument at Airen Misaki, the cape. And soon, Dontsuku Shrine and Inatori Misaki Lighthouse ! Spectacular view. Refreshing breeze. What else do you ask for ? Only if I could have a good Onsen hot-spring to warm myself. Next time, I will !

(737KB)

My walking trail is shown in this PDF file.

Have a good day !

Nabura Toto, the Tsurushi Kazari Exhibition Hall
Admission ： ￥100
Open Hours ： 9:00 – 17:00

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

In about 5 minutes by Izukyu train from Kawazu Station, I got to Izu-Inatori station, well known for its first-rate Onsen hot springs and “Kinmedai” the alfonsino, and as a birthplace of “Hina no Turushi Kazari” the hanging hina dolls and accessories. Beyond the ticket gate of the station, I saw many people from Ryokan Japanese Inn picking up their guests to their cars or buses. I wished I could have taken one of them.＾＾；

Getting out of the station, I found a large alfonsino statue. For the visitors who don’t know “alsonsino”, it might be nothing but a monster fish.＾＾
Now, I walked down the way toward the sea and turned right at the first traffic light. Good walk again. On my way, I found hanging dolls in almost all stores including restaurants and electric appliance stores. In 20 minutes or so, I got to the main square, “Inatori Culture Park”.

The first thing that came into sight was a wooden lodge. Walking closer to it made me recognize that it was a Ashiyu foot spa ! I slipped off my shoes and socks and got my feet in it. 10 minute rest.＾＾

I could find the main hall “Hina no Yakata” straight ahead. Sakura cherry blossom in front seemed in full bloom. Evening wind passed me. Smells of spring. I took extra 5 minute break for the next action. ＾＾ｖ

Maybe I should explain first what “Tsurushi Kazari” is. As I’ve told you in the last report about Hina Matsuri, we set up Hina dolls with wishes for our daughters’ well-growing up on March 3rd. Now, please see the pictures below. While we basically arrange dolls on the stair-like stage, here in Higashiizu Town, they make it with suspended accessories. And these accessories have profound meanings.

Inatori Map (493KB)

It looks more gorgeous, huh ? All dangled dolls and accessories are handmade. If you watch them closer, you will find how they are shaped.

Rabbits as messengers from the god, hot peppers for a talisman against evil ( euphemistically pointing at men ), monkeys for taking difficulties away, drawstring pouches for enough money and persimmons for their good health. Each has its meaning and that is exactly what their mother or grandmother wishes on their daughters or granddaughters.

It did not take much time to look around “Hina no Yakata”. I walked away there after 15 minutes with enough pictures and headed for Inatori Fishing Port.

Next time, I’ll introduce “Around Inatori Fishing Port”.

Have a good day !＾＾

Hina no Tsurushi Kazari Festival
※From Jan 20 through March 31
Culture Park “Hina no Yakata” main hall
Access from Izukyu Izu-Inatori Sta. ： 20 minutes on foot
Admission ： ￥300
Open Hours　： 9:00 – 17:00


“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾