So, how was “Fuji Matsuri” the wisteria festival in Fujieda ? I enjoyed it very much and because I had been still vigorous enough, I tried to hike up a hill behind the pond. I was not so sure of my stamina, though, it’s not Mt. Fuji, right ? With pet-bottled tea, here we go !
In ten minutes, I was gasping after all. ＾＾； Good sloping trail. But there, I found something. Fuji-no Sato Wisteria Garden ! Fabulous scent came on the wind. It would be in full bloom by now.
Along the pathway, I saw various flowers to let my brain refresh through eyes. Especially, colorful flowers in the picture fascinated me so much. Recognize that ? It's called Shakunage-no Michi, the rhododendron walkway.＾＾

Now, it took me about 30 minutes to walk up to the top. Magnificent view ! Refreshing air. What else do you expect ? Not to mention Fujieda City, I could see the further city, Yaizu, Suruga Bay over it, and even Izu Peninsula beyond the sea ! Peace and quiet. That made me feel as if we had had the devastating earthquake long long time ago.
By the way, this is not merely a hill. This is well known as clustered ancient tombs in the shape of mounds. Actually, you can find 28 tomb mounds of 500s – 600s ! I walked though the mounds and found lots of azaleas. Honeybees were jubilantly sucking nectar in the flower. I sat on a bench in the Fujimi-daira observation deck. Sound of wind, scent of flowers, and this magnificent view. I wish I could have stopped the time.

Now, it was time for me to go to Fujieda City History Museum. There, you can see unearthed articles researched and found from these tombs. Sounds fun ? ＾＾ Though Fuji Matsuri has already finished, I here attach a guide-map so that you can walk around Rengeji-ike Park with it. Wisteria is still good for now. Talking about white wisteria, "Shirafuji-no Sato", located in the north from Rengeji-ike Park, is having its best season for now. You can also hike up to Shirafuji-no Taki falls that looks like white wisterias. Enjoy yourself !

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So, I’m on my way to �A from �@ in the map. Next time, I’ll report the History Museum.

Have a good day !

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

Currently, under the name of reconstruction assistance for the Japan Earthquake 2011, “Fuji Matsuri”, the Wisteria Festival has been held around Rengeji-ike pond in Fujieda. As I love wisterias very much, I visited Rengeji-ike Park a few days ago to see how lovely they were blooming this year.
It was a beautiful day. On standing by the pond, I could catch the scent of some flowers. Expectation made me hurry to walk around. First came azaleas into sight. Yae-zakura cherry blossoms were showing their best and the pathway was dressed with various kind of flowers ( actually I’m not familiar with flowers ＾＾；). Flying carps above the pond were swimming pleasantly in the air. The wind was still rather cold but all colors of spring made me feel warm in my heart.

In 10 minutes or so, I found a lodge that sells some chips and drinks, or where you can eat soba or udon noodle. I stepped in it to have a bit early lunch. Lots of visitors were already there having their lunch, chatting with friends. I took Tempura Soba noodle which cost only ￥480. Good lunch for me in taste and cost.＾＾

After lunch, I started walking again along the pond. Soon, the hero of the day appeared. Yes, Japanese wisteria ! As you can find the word “Fuji” ( Japanese word for wisteria ) in the name of the city “Fujieda”, wisteria is the symbol of Fujieda City. Most of the people in Shizuoka would imagine Fuji color from Fujieda City, or Fujieda City from Fuji color.
The general blossoming condition on that day was about 40%, I would say. Still, in the sunlit part, they seemed to have fully bloomed and I could take good pictures this year, too ! According to Fujieda City Tourist Association, wisterias around Rengeji-Ike Park would become its best around this weekend. That is, it’s best during Golden Week ( Japanese long holiday ) ! I love wisterias. I like the purple color. Deep and soft, something beyond expression. The sweet scent is really something ! I felt as if I had embraced by a fragrant angel in a cozy air. I sat on a bench, having a quiet time. Soft breeze passed through me as if to wash every bad thing away from me.

By the way, during the festival, until May 5, you can buy wisteria ice-creams at the hdqrs booth by the pond. I bought one. Lovely purple and slight wisteria flavor. I don’t think I need to tell you how it tasted, right ?＾＾ ￥150 each. They told me that all ice-cream had been sold out last weekend. Go for it to taste the-only-one !

Rengeji-ike pond is 1.5km around. Maybe you can tour around it in 30 minutes at most. You can enjoy flowers through the year, like, in spring, it begins with Sakura cherry blossoms, Wisterias, Azaleas, Irises, and Hydrangeas, fascinating us all the time with various faces.
If this trip is not enough for you, just as I did, why don’t you hike the hill behind the pond ? I’ll introduce the hiking trail in the next report.

Have a good day !

Rengeji-ike Park
Access from Fujieda Sta ： 20 minutes by #2 bus to “Rengeji-ike Koen Iriguchi” and 5 minutes walk.
Admission ： Free
※ Fuji Matsuri ( Wisteria Festival ), held until May 5

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

Everything is getting better in Japan. Temporary interruption of electric power will not be implemented for the time being since Apr 8, and the matter of nuclear power plants seems to be getting for the better.
We are having ordinary days in Shizuoka and a staff of us went to see various flowers in spring last weekend. Let me introduce some, because you know, the lives of flowers’ are very transient and we can’t let them die for nothing. They must be seen by many people, right ? So, introduction of flowers, today !＾＾
At Yoshida Park in Yoshida Town, Tulip Festival was held between Apr 3 – 10. You know the floral word of Turip ? “Affection” and “Love”. They called for a charity drive for the people in Tohoku area. Though the festival itself has been already finished, you can enjoy a hundred thousand of Tulips until late Apr. Admission free.

Next come Sakura cherry blossoms in “Mt. Kompira and along Seto River” ( in Fujieda City ), and “Ieyama-no Sakura Tunnel” ( in Shimada City ). As you can see from these pictures, Sakura is also in full bloom now ! Please make sure of the conditions of each spots in Shizuoka from the list of Sakura Information.
Sakura makes us feel very happy, doesn’t it ? In Tohoku area, Sakura buds have not been opened yet, or are just in the beginning of blooming, I wish they also feel happy from it in the coming days.
Lives of Sakura cherry blossoms are particularly short. Its transience is often likened to our lives. Anyway, this week is the best time for Sakura ! After the windy weather of the spring, cherry blossoms will be blown off to the ground. Go for it now and feel happy !＾＾

Even in the circumstances that few people go out for depression due to the earthquakes, she said she had seen hundreds of people walking along the Sakura street. Maybe they came for vigorous spirits from Sakura, I surmise.

By the way, a new campaign is starting from today. It’s still not well prepared, though. I think I can inform you about it in the near future. Don’t miss the next repot !

Please open here for Sakura Information
Please open here for Event Information in April

Have a good day !

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

So, I walked back to the main pathway along the river wondering if I should get back on the same path. I opened the map and found something intriguing beyond the river. I could have reached there across the bridge nearby but I proceeded further to the next bridge. Sakura, the cherry blossoms were exclusively blooming as long as i walked. I thought I could keep walking for good.

English Map (1643KB)

Anyway, I crossed the bridge and strolled back on the other side of the bank. In 30 minutes or so from “Mine Onsen Daifunto Park”, I got to the first and original tree of Kawazu Sakura.

I could find it very easily because the crowds of lookers-on invaded the roadway and security officers looked so busy in making them get in the sideway. The tree is more than 60 years old and 10 meters high. It is said that a man of Iida family found a young sakura tree in the bank in 1955 and planted it at where it is now. It was named “Kawazu Sakura”, usually pronounced “Kawazu Zakura”, in 1974 because it was found and grown in Kawazu Town.

After leaving the First Sakura Tree, I walked back to the main walkway toward the main event site. There, I bought some souvenirs for my family. I here introduce some unique stuff that you can’t taste outside Kawazu Town.

First comes, though almost typical now, “Sakura Manju”. You know Manju, the steamed bean-jam bun, right ? This comes with a salted sakura leave. It has a distinctive flavor which some love very much but others don’t. Me ? Uh-huh.＾＾；

Next one is “Sakura Udon” noodle. The color is pink as sakura and, believe it or not, minced sakura leaves are mixed in. I’ve not tasted it yet but I can imagine. And “Sakura-ba Okowa” sticky rice. Powdered sakura leaves mixed in. A lady of the stall told me that it would taste better if a pinch of salt added.

By the way, on my way back to the station, I found a splendid fresh squeezed juice. I joined the line unhesitatingly. She was entirely absorbed in squeezing Ama-natsu Mikan − literally means “sweet summer orange” − with a big smile.

I counted how many would be used to make a cup of juice. 2 actually. No additives at all. It tasted extremely fresh, making me feel a breeze of summer.

I walked along the Kawazu River more than 3 hours after all. Please see the PDF map. Good exercise to me.＾＾ Anyway, I had the next destination to visit. I headed for the station.

Next time, I’ll make a report from Higashiizu Town.

Have a good day !

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