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 !
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03/23/2012 [Fri]
Amagi Museum [Izu City]
Another new facility, “Amagi Museum” was opened on Jan 2, 2012 in the middle of Izu Peninsula, Amagi, Izu City. They basically exhibit Japan’s famous arts for some duration and when I visited it, they were having the exhibition of world-loved Lego block works “PIECE of PEACE” ( legoⓇ ).
The first thing you will see at the entrance hall is the Tutankhamen built with as many as 20000 pieces of Lego, and dozens of Lego artistic works welcome you in the exhibition hall. Actually, they are displaying 26 world heritages of 20 countries for now until April 8, 2012. They look so real seen from a distance but if you walk closer, you will know that they are built only with pieces of Lego. Honestly amazing !
Walking around “Mont-Saint-Michel”, “Shuri Castle”, “Eiffel Tour” and “The Tower of Pisa”, I was almost feeling like I had been touring around the world. What pleased me most was that Mt. Fuji, temporarily registered in the list of prospective world heritage, was shown in the hall. 6000 pieces of Lego. How could it be ?
Then, I found a room for build-it-by-yourself, which reminded me of my childhood. I of course sat on the chair and reached some of Lego pieces. Imagination was only what was required but no matter how much I tried to figure a shape, nothing came upon me. There, I found a pair of tire. Maybe this is it. I put another piece on it, one after another, and finished it up after 10 minutes or so. Weird. I know I have no sense of beauty or art, whatever. Anyway, the world heritages of Lego worth seeing ! I reacknowledged then the fact that we are all connected to each other. Please stop by to find your own discovery.＾＾
From April 14, a Japanese cartoonist Ebisu’s work will be exhibited in the hall. Hope you enjoy it too !
Have a good day !＾＾
Amagi Museum
Access：30 minutes by bus to “Yugashima” bus stop from Shuzenji Station of Izu-hakone Railway
Admission：￥500 for adults, ￥300 for children ( Free for pre-school children )
Open Hours：10:00 – 17:00 ( closed on Tuesdays )
※ Part of admission and sales of related goods will be donated for World Heritage Activity of National Federation of UNESCO Association in Japan
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Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 15:09 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
10/28/2011 [Fri]
The only fragrance for you ! − The Museum of Fragrance, Iwata [Iwata]
Today, I report “The Museum of Fragrance” in Iwata City, Shizuoka. So, what is the fragrance museum ? It’s one of the most unique museums in the world and there are only 2 of them in Japan. That is, one in Oita, Kyusyu, and in Iwata, Shizuoka.
Now, let me take you to look around it. The actual “Museum” is on the second floor. You can try varieties of aromas or scents there and special limited exhibitions are also held regularly. Currently “Exhibition of fermented scents” is available until Nov 27th, which provides you literally with the scents of fermented food of the world. It’s by no means “savory” but, at the same time, it will be a good chance for you to sniff various Japanese traditional fermented food such as Natto, Soy Sauce and Miso ( fermented soybean paste ). ＾＾
In the “Kaori-no Kobeya” the small fragrance room, you will jump into a most intriguing experience. Touch the balloon “Musk Melon” written on it, then the balloon bursts and the scent of muskmelon comes out of the monitor. 5 varieties in all. I like “the scent of Ancient Egypt” the best !＾＾
By the way, have you ever made perfumes ? Nope ? Me, neither. But here in the Museum of Fragrance, it’s one of the most spectacular attractions to concoct odors and create a single perfume of your own ( charged ). I tried it, needless to say. It’s very simple and clear. You choose one base odor from among 5 for men, or 8 for women. And, input your basic information and finish some diagnostic tests. Then, analyzed data “My Fragrance” will be extracted that has 3 recommendations to take. Now, you concoct necessary perfumed waters in a bottle as instructed. It’s not difficult but I’d got so nervous because 1mg deviation might make it differ from the most desirable fragrance. You can read my “My Fragrance” diagnosis below.＾＾
“Analyzed from your favors and outer & inner parts, this fragrance is recommended ： Based on a transparent fresh odor that matches men with casualness and sportiness ＋ Added with Musk, Amber and Moss that effect richness and composure along with a sense of fruitiness and berries to express a slight jest”
And this perfume was born ! Oh, yes, it definitely smells clear and fruity. You may become ambivalent about choosing one among varieties of commercial branded perfumes but here at “The Museum of Fragrance”, a single shot is enough to find ( make ) the best and only one in the world. Maybe for your girlfriend ?＾＾
It takes only 5 minutes on foot from JR Toyodacho Station north exit. “Kaori-no Koen” the park of fragrance is right in front of the museum. Please enjoy yourself !＾＾
The Museum of Fragrance, Iwata
Access ： 5 minute walk from JR Toyodacho Sta.
Admission ：１F（gift shop, restaurant, and perfume making ）Free
2F Exhibition rooms ￥300／adult, ￥200／student up high school, ￥100／student under junior high school
Open Hours ： 9:30-17:00 ※closed on Mondays, the day after holidays, year-end and new-year days.
（We open when the Monday falls on a holiday, when the day after holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday ）
For Japanese (771KB)
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Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 11:27 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
10/17/2011 [Mon]
Chibi Maruko-chan Land in S-Pulse Dream Plaza [Shizuoka]
When I visited Taiwan for a tourism promotion activity, I was very surprised that Chibi Maruko-chan was so famous and popular as to be inquired by many customers. So today, I introduce one of the most attractive spots in Shizuoka, “Chibi Maruko-chan Land” with pictures provided by a staff there.＾＾
Chibi Maruko-chan is originally a cartoon about a comical primary school girl “Maru-chan” modeled after a real girl “Sakura Momoko” in old Shimizu City, Shizuoka and it has been animated and broadcasted to this day. “Sakura Momoko” is also the author of “Chibi Maruko-chan” and has ever made the city of “Shimizu” known throughout Japan along with “Shimizu S-Pulse” and “Shimizu Jirocho” ( at least I believe so ).
Now, Chibi Maruko-chan Land is on the 3rd floor in “S-Pulse Dream Plaza” and “Chibi Maruko-chan” in the TV anime world is imaged and created there with her boon family and friends. Once you step in, I’ll bet you will become engrossed in it and maybe you can’t resist buying her goods to your country.＾＾ I like “Noguchi-san” best, by the way. You know her ?＾＾
S-Pulse Dream-Plaza is a huge commercial facility by the sea in which, besides Chibi Maruko-chan Land, a Ferris wheel, Shimizu Sushi Museum, Shimizu Sushi Yokocho ( sushi restaurant street ), movie theaters, gift shops, general stores and restaurants stand. You can take a tour boat as well from Shimizu Port right before the Dream Plaza or “Dream Ferry ( Suruga Bay Ferry )” is also available to Izu Peninlula in 65 minutes. Please come and visit all attractions of S-Pulse Dream Plaza when you stop by Shizuoka.
Have a good day !
Chibi Maruko-chan Land
Access from JR Shimizu Station ： Free shuttle bus available from east exit.
Access from Tomei Expressway Shimizu I.C. ： 10 minute drive.
Admission ： ￥500/ adult・￥300/ child
Open Hour ： 10:00 – 20:00 ( admission by 19:30 )
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Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 10:00 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
05/12/2011 [Thu]
Fujieda City History Museum by the Rengeji-ike Park [Fujieda]
It took me about 20 minutes to walk from the top of the hill, Nyakuoji tomb mounds, to Fujieda City History Museum. It’s just by the Rengeji-ike pond, near the entrance gate. It was very lucky for me that the museum was free during Fuji Matsuri, the wisteria festival. I talked with a staff there for a while and got brochures well written in English, Chinese and Portuguese.
Now, let me introduce some pictures in the museum. Basically, pictures are not allowed in the museum. I took a special permission that time.＾＾
There are 3 ways to go. Right, left and front to go upstairs. I took the right. See ? These are the discoveries from the ancient tombs. We can tell how they lived the time of 1500 years ago. The large panel in the left shows how tombs were clustered. I love histories. Just looking into historical articles takes me to the ancient world. Imagine how they were made, touched and used by early people. Fun, isn’t it ?
The left way took me to the old good days of Showa era. Precision miniature models of our life. I remembered some of them. Sweet old memories were evoked in me. For you, it will be a good opportunity to learn how we lived after World War II. Limited exhibition, until Jun 26 !
My days are not as old as these miniatures but I used to see or listen to this time from my grandfather. Modernity is not always better than the old days. As the word “good old days” means, I think we should not get rid of every old thing from our lives.
By the way, do you know Pachinko ? This is a gambling game peculiar to Japan, just like a casino in Las Vegas. I’ve heard Pachinko is one of the most intriguing subjects about Japan for visitors from abroad. Is it right ?＾＾
Walking further, you will step into another museum without recognizing it. That is a museum of literature featuring especially Ogawa Kunio, a writer of Fujieda, who’d published many books in Japan. The reproduction of his study room is supposed to be exhibited until Jun 26 !
The second floor was a small library. It looked rather for children. And a workshop, also for children. You can make a small stuff like dolls using clay for free or with small payment. Though instructors don’t speak English, maybe you can learn by seeing how they do with it. If you like it, go ahead enjoy it !
Have a good day !＾＾
Fujieda City History Museum
Access from Fujieda Station ： 20 minutes by #2 bus to “Rengeji-ike Koen Iriguchi” and 5 minutes walk
Admission ： ￥200 for adults
Open Hours ： 9:00 – 17:00
Closed ： Every Monday, the next day of a holiday, Dec 28 – Jan 4
English website about Fujieda
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
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Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 14:59 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
04/27/2011 [Wed]
Newly born facilities for recreation − Gotemba Juku-no Mori [Gotemba]
Days pass as if nothing happened. Facing all matters and vestiges about the earthquake and tsunami, we are walking in Japan again to make a new life. Time to weep for old days has finished. Something new is what is longed for these days.
So, today, I introduce a new recreation facility opening today ! It’s called “Juku no Mori” ( literally means “A forest with the trees and the sky” ) and we were invited the private preview the other day. I tell you about it.
Juku-no Mori is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, in Gotemba. Though we were supposed to be astonished by the overwhelming sight of Mt. Fuji behind the main building “Visitor Center”, unfortunately, due to the hazy weather, it was hiding in the clouds.
Screen Image from the top of Mt.Fuji ＾＾；
We stepped in it after a few moments. Spacious room. Souvenir shopping area including local vegetables and self-defense military goods came first on the ground floor. Stairs to the second floor. We went up. There was a café on the left and internet booths on the left. The front was covered with glass and a large garden was seen behind it. We were led to the “Tenku Theatre” where we could study the history of Mt. Fuji. We saw lots of panels and materials explaining it with the help of monitors or voice announcements. A large diorama explains how Mt. Fuji changes by the season with projected colors and the huge screen shows various faces of Mt. Fuji. You can listen to it in English, Chinese or Korean if you ask for it.
The winter landscape around Mt.Fuji
The summer landscape around Mt.Fuji
After we looked around the visitor center, we walked in the garden. It was very refreshing for us to stroll around in the air of Mt. Fuji. A chopper appeared in our sight. Because this facility is mostly administered by Gotemba City and partly the self-defense force ? Lava holes were definitely something to see. The spacious lawn square and the broad dome are where you can sit and have lunch, they said. Events are also to be scheduled there. We walked through the Sakura promenade with lots of cherry blossom trees along it. “Park Golf” is not ready yet. It’s going to be opened in autumn, 2012.
Otainai-onsen Health Center
After you enjoy all of them, refresh yourself in onsen hot-spring. Otainai-onsen Health Center is on your way back to the visitor center !
TV coverage recently often says, “reboot Japan through tourism industries”. I really think so. I hope hundreds of thousands of people enjoy at Juku-no Mori.
Have a good day !
Juku-no Mori
Access from Gotemba Station ：20 minutes to the bus stop “Otainai-onsen”
Admission ： Free
Tenku Theatre Museum ： ￥300 for adults
Open Hours ： 9:00 – 17:00 ※ Closed every Tuesday
Otainai-onsen Health Center
Admission ： ￥500 for adults／￥300 for children ( 3 hours, weekday )
￥700 for adults／￥400 for children ( 3 hours, weekend )
Open Hours ： 10:00 – 21:00 ※ Closed every Tuesday
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 09:43 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
