At first, I came to the large cactus greenhouse, that was designed in the Mexican style. During watching the plants, I listened to the Mexican music and felt the exotic atmosphere of that place. There were many kinds of cactus depending on size, shape, color and so on. I haven’t ever seen most of theese cactuses before. Near the exit of the greenhouse, you pass through cactus shop, where you can buy some of the plants, that you’ve just watched before, to your own garden. Except of cactuses, there were many small animals in this section. In general, animals, which live in zoo seem to be bored and they avoid people, but fennec fox, which I met there were very keen to keep contact with people and play with them.

The most recognizable symbol of Izu Cactus Park is capybara. It appears in the leaflets, in pictures on the internet and on the advertising posters. I think, that popularity of capybaras has increased in the recent years. The most unique feature of them is, that they look just like common-known guinea pig but in the big version. They are really charming and friendly towards people. When I came to see them half an hour later, to say good bye, I saw, that they take a bath in the especially prepared hot springs. They were totally immersed in hot water with oranges and they seemed to be very relaxed. I have no idea, why they bathed with oranges, but it looked really funny!

What distinguishes Izu Cactus Park from other animal parks is, that many animals walk around the garden freely and they aren’t closed in cages. You can often meet on your way peacocks, ducks, small monkeys, flamingos and so on. Due to the fact, you can see animals’ behavior in many situations and observe them from many points of view, not only from outside of cage. The most incredible were squirrel monkeys. They are used to be fed by people, then they can quickly jump from one to other person and surprise you in a one second. In fact, they aren’t dangerous and too small to hurt you.

Moreover, during a visit in the Izu Cactus Park, you can see the animal show, which take place three times a day. The main role of performance is acting by a small monkey dressed in nappy. I was impressed by his intelligence. Monkey walked the slackline, jumped on a trampoline and danced exactly like the trainer wanted him to dance. Except of the monkey, in the show appeared also other animals, like a dog, a cat or a mouse.

Summary

Izu Izu Cactus Park is perfect attraction for families traveling with children and people who like observing animals. But I think, that nobody will be bored here. Except of small animals, there are many large as well, like kangaroos, ponies, tapirs, lamas and others. It’s great place for spending all day in surrounding of unique animals and plants. Come and check it out!

Weronika Golubska

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* This article was written by a trainee from overseas. Please note that there might be spelling and grammar mistakes.

The most famous place of blooming plums is Soga Bairin, which means Plum’s forest of Soga. It’s also one of the 50 best landscape of Kanagawa. It has over 35,000 plum trees planted in this forest. Soga Bairin is actually the Ume farm and it opens for Hanami during the blossom season. Odawara Plum Festival is holding every year with food stands and poem events. At the food stands, you can buy tasty local foods of Soga. However, plums grow not only in this forest, but you can see them in private gardens and in the fields as well. Unlike blooming pink cherries, blooming plums don’t look so impressive in the pictures, because theirs flowers are white. But actually, they look really pretty in real and you can feel refreshing and sweet smell of blooming plums. Such a shame, that you can’t feel it by watching photos… The day of my trip was very warm and sunny and I could admire a full view of Mt. Fuji! During a winter almost whole mountain is covered with snow and looks very beautiful at the background of blue sky. As you can see, I even managed to take some pictures, where Mt. Fuji and blooming plums are combined.

Also, I visited many shrines and temples during a walk. I didn’t have to search them especially in google maps, because there were many signposts on the main road. All the temples and shrines were quite small and simple buildings and there were anyone than me there, but I think, that you can feel the atmosphere of places, like those, only if it’s not crowded and quite calm. The biggest one was Soga-Jinja Shrine, which is representative shrine of the Soga area. Entrance of the shrine was decorated with fresh branches of blooming plum trees.

Summary

Soga is not very popular area of Odawara’s surroundings, but I think, that it’s really worth visiting during the plums’ blooming. Japanese events very often depend on season and it’s really worth to check an actual offer, like blooming of particular flowers or watching autumn leafs. Also, it’s really great chance to see a real Japanese countryside. If you sightsee only common- known tourist places, you aren’t able to know all images of Japan. Then, if you can, let’s come to Soga to admire blooming trees!

Weronika Golubska

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When I was entering the bridge, I really hoped to see the full view of the Mt. Fuji. This is probably the most recognizable symbol of Japan and you can see it on many postcards, company’s symbols, shop’s banners and so on. Because of its commonness, symbol of Mt. Fuji lost its uniqueness, but the view of real Mt. Fuji is definitely one of the most beautiful views in the world. Every time I see it in real, I’m impressed of its majesty, symmetry and big size. Unfortunately, despite of a clear and sunny weather, it was’t visible at the day of my trip on the Mishima Skywalk. Anyway, crossing the bridge was very interesting, even if Mt. Fuji was hided behind clouds. Bridge is 70,6m high and it’s not surrounded by any high buildings. Open, large space makes, that wind becomes faster and colder here. The further I came, the colder and faster it was. In spite of warm clothes, winter beanie and gloves, it was pretty cold. When I reached to the middle part of the bridge, I couldn’t keep balance because of a strong wind, so I would even say, that it was kind of extreme challenge!

On the other site of the bridge, there are some stalls with local specialities and rest room, when you can get warm after exhausting and cold bridge’s walking. In the rear part of the square there is a platform, where photographer takes a pictures of tourists and then, you can get the mini version of the photo for free. Also, there is vantage point, from where you can admire a full view of suspension bridge and Mt. Fuji. When I came back to the entrance, I went to the ‘Sky Garden’. It’s one of the attractions of Mishima Skywalk object. Mishima is a town famous for tourism and agriculture. That’s why Sky Garden link those both things by selling souvenirs and exhibit a flowers. You can buy souvenirs, eat a light meal and enjoy flowers in the same place. The Sky Garden has flowers that bloom all year.

Close to the Mishima Skyline there is Yamanaka Castle, built by Hōjō Ujiyasu in the 16th century to guard the western approaches to the clan’s primary castle in Odawara. The site was also chosen for its strategic location overlooking the Tōkaidō, the main highway connecting the eastern provinces of Japan with the capital at Kyoto. Despite the growing tension between the Late Hōjō clan and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, only a modest attempt was made to strength the defenses of the castle. In 2006, the site of Yamanaka Castle was listed as one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan by the Japan Castle Foundation, primarily due to its historical significance. It’s really worth seeing because of historic and artistic value.

Summary

Mishima Skywalk was built as an original vantage point of Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately, you can’t predict if it will be visible or not. However, it’s worth visiting anytime. If you go there in a winter, be sure to dress appropriately and let’s go to the Yamanaka Castle, where you can get by bus or by 30 minutes walking.

Weronika Golubska

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Probably, for foreigners, the most impressive part of the object is the main part, where you can see Japanese-style rooms. If you haven’t ever seen interiors like that, you will be impressed how minimalist they are. Tatami flooring rooms were totally empty and there weren’t any furnitures and decorations there. Tatami is type of mat, traditionally made using rice straw to form the core, the cores of contemporary tatami are sometimes composed of compressed wood chip boards or polystyrene foam, but I think, that mats in Kiunkaku are made from traditional raw. Near the entrance you have to change your shoes into slippers, but when you come into rooms covered with tatami, you have to take off your slippers also. Because of tatami’s material, you can feel very typical, natural smell in Japanese- style rooms, which is always very relaxing to me. Due to the such a minimalist style of the rooms, it’ s very easy to notice the details like fusuma (vertical rectangular door which can slide from side to side), and small composition of flowers placed next to the wall. All the rooms have one typical wall made from windows, then they are naturally lighted by sun.

Next, I came to the part with rooms of western style. Tobu Railway Company founder Kaichiro Nezu added two splendid western-style houses and the garden. One of these houses, finished in 1932, has a guest room, dining room and sun lounge with interiors combining Japanese, Chinese and Western designs. The guest room is English Tudor, and the interior of the sun lounge, adorned with stained glass and tiles, is based on French art deco. Wooden massive furnitures, thick curtain and fireplaces in rooms move visitors to European villas from 19th century. Also, near widespread windows there were sitting-room parts with comfy armchairs, where you could sit on and admire landscape of outside garden. Garden is visible regardless of room, you come into. Founders of the next parts built all the sections around the garden, then today it’s exactly inside the structure. When I finished sightseeing of interiors, I came outside. What surprised me a lot, in Atami there is the type of Japanese cherry, which already started to bloom. However, it’s only January and I didn’t expect, that any plant starts to bloom so early.

Summary

The Kiunkaku is very unique and definitely worth seeing tourist spot. Unfortunately, information boards for tourists are only in Japanese and there are any short text in English. However, place are full very original structures with many styles of interior design and you should definitely come there, if you are going to visit Atami’s surroundings!

Weronika Golubska

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The most common topic appearing in online discussions among Japanese about hatsumode is, where they should exactly go on hatsumode, to Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple? Actually most of Japanese go to shrines, but temple can be visited as well. I visited both of them to compare celebrating Japanese New Year in shrine and temple. Today I’m going to tell you about hatsumode in Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple.
I got to the temple by very crowded bus. At first I wasn’t sure, if I was in the right place, because instead of the temple, I got to to the middle of an old forest. Trees were very thick, high and illuminated by the last rays of the setting sun. When I finally came up the long stairs, I saw many people gathered on the main square before the temple. All off them lined up before stall with omikuji- fortune-telling paper strips. After drawing one stick, where your fortune is written from a box, you are given a piece Great Luck (Daikichi), Luck(Shokichi), Small Luck (Hankichi), or Ill fate (Kyo), with a short explanation added. If you draw lucky lottery, you should keep it as a talisman. If you draw ill fate, you should draw again (once only). If you get a bad fortune again, you are supposed to fold the strip of paper and tie it to a nearby wall of metal wires to get rid of a bad fortune. I don’t really know, if Japanese believe in fortune written on telling paper but they were really excited during drawing and reading their fortune.

There are couple of differences between visit in Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple but rules like bowing slightly before entering, walking to the sides, and purifying yourself are the same. The change is, that in case of temple, you burn incense before entry (the scent of incense is food for the Buddha). After, you bow slightly, gently toss a coin into the box in front of you. Then, you ring the bell (if there is one) 2 or 3 times, Bow slightly and pay your respects, putting your hands together but don’t clap like during the visit in a Shinto shrine. On the end, you bow once more.

Contrary to Shinto shrine, near the temple there is a big bell. Ringing the temple bell can be perceived as a symbol to finish the old year and welcome the new one. Instead of fireworks, at midnight on December 31st, no matter where you are in Japan, you will hear the ‘joyanokane’ the ringing of a temple bell 108 times before the new year starts. The origin of this ritual ending the old year, is thought to help to overcome all temptations a human being can face. Actually each ring represents one of 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve nirvana. People come to ring a bell not only at midnight but at next day as well.

Summary

New Year is much more meaningful and traditional holiday, than in Poland. I’m very very glad, that I could see Japanese New Year’s celebration in real. If you will be in Japan during New Year Holiday, you should definitely perfect time to visit Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple to compare two ways of practicing religions by Japanese. Also, Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple is full of old, historic buildings and monuments and it’s worth seeing anytime!

Weronika Golubska

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* This article was written by a trainee from overseas. Please note that there might be spelling and grammar mistakes.

As a reporter of the fuji-travel-guide.com, I visit many Japanese temples and shrines, but I haven’t ever seen such a crowded shrine like at 1 January. Most of Japanese don’t go to shrine regularly, like Christian to a church, but only for special occasions and at 1 January. Near the most popular shrines and temples, traffic is leaded by urban services, because of too high number of cars and people.
When I walked through the tori gate, I saw a lot of lined up people, who waited to get before the main shrine’s altar. I heard that in case of the most crowded shrines, you have to wait even over 1 hour. Before a prayer, people cleansed themselves at the purification fountain. The rule is, to take a ladle, fill it with water, and pour it over your left hand first, then your right hand. Pour water into your left hand and rinse a mouth, then pour the water over a left hand again, and finally, lay the ladle down at an angle so that water runs down the handle. When you finally get before the shrine’s altar, the standard procedure for offering your prayers is “two bows, two claps, one bow.” Ring the bell and throw in your offering money, then bow twice towards the altar. Clap your hands twice then put your hands together and pray. Finally, bow once more. I didn’t pray like all those people, because I’m a Catholic, but I carefully watched praying Japanese and all of them respected those rules.
The next characteristic thing related to shrine’s visit is fortune-telling paper strips called omikuji. After drawing one stick, where your fortune is written from a box, you are given a piece Great Luck, Luck, Small Luck, or Ill fate, with a short explanation added. If you draw lucky lottery, you should keep it as a talisman. If you draw ill fate, you should draw again. If you get a bad fortune again, you are supposed to fold the strip of paper and tie it to a nearby wall of metal wires to get rid of a bad fortune. I don’t really know, if Japanese believe in a fortune written on telling papers but they were really excited during drawing and reading the texts.

In the area of Hiratsuka Hachiman Shrine, there is specious garden and several ponds with small bridges. New Year’s day was very sunny and warm and people were willing to walk around the shrine’s area. Also, there were many stalls, where New Year’s decorations were sold. I don’t know meaning of all those things, but one of the most popular accessory was kind of a bow used to drive off evil. To be honest, it looked like an usual children’s toy, but I guess, that it’s very important thing in Japanese house. According to the Chinese Horoscope calendar, which is respected by Japanese, 2017 is the Female Fire Chicken year. That’s why many people bought near the shrine wooden plates with a chicken’s image.

Summary

New Year Holiday is much more meaningful and traditional holiday, than in Poland. I’m very very glad, that I could see Japanese New Year’s celebration in real. You can read everything about a different culture on the internet, but you can’t feel the special atmosphere of Japanese New Year, until you sit with a cup of amaze drink, listen to the shaminsen concert and look at the praying Japanese. If you can go to Japan during New Year holiday, don’t hesitate to come and enjoy it!

Weronika Golubska

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It is probably the biggest and the most attractive museum in Hakone. Unfortunately, cameras and phones aren’t allowed in and I couldn’t take any picture inside the museum. Then, you can’t see a picture of any displayed exhibit, but meybe, due to the fact, you will be more willing to see the exhibition in real.
First part of the exhibition includes Japanese, Chinese and Korean ceramics. Exhibition has very high historic value, because the oldest exhibit of this section was made in 3rd century! All rooms in the museum are very dark, what make really great atmosphere to focus on watching exhibits. Exhibits are illuminated by spotlights and they completely attract attention of visitors. What especially caught my eye, was the set of ceramic tea service. It was pretty old, but still had very intensive colors. Dishes looked just like newly created things. The difference was, that they were painted manually, one by one and when I took the closer look at them, I noticed some differences in details, like a color’s tone or pattern’s differences. The special thing is, that in case of handmade things, every single exhibit seems to be very unique.

Next section includes Japanese paintings and buddhist art. My favourite in this section were pieces inspired by old literature with beautiful landscapes. Also, there were many paintings with Mt. Fuji in background, that actually I love to watch in every painting form.

Summary

Okada Museum of Art is very modern and the big object. I appreciate, that the route is very easy to understand and it’s hard to lost during sightseeing. Unfortunately, sometimes in big museums, route is not clear enough. Also, it’s child-friendly museum, because near the most interesting exhibits there are informative tablets, where you can choose text in Japanese, Chinese, English, Korean and Japanese for children. It’s great a option for people who learn Japanese, like me, to practice language as well. If you’re going to visit Hakone, don’t forget to come to the Okada Museum of Art!

Weronika Golubska

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I haven’t ever been in Gotenba before, then I was afraid, that I won’t find the place easily. However, the biggest building in a front of the entrance was shining very brightly and was well seen even from far. In front of the building, there were two high Christmas trees and many restaurants, shops and cafes. Also, food tracks were very popular. Walking around all illumination area take quite long time and when you get cold, you can come to cafe and get worm by drinking a cup of hot chocolate, because it’s one of the most famous products there. I can confirm, that it’s really delicious! After, my attention was attract by stage performances. Dozens of people observed dogs sat on a platform, that where called in by their trainers and did many various tricks. All of them were very talented and funny. Also, dogs were decorated with Christmas accessories, what made them very cute!

Then, I came into the long shining tunnel, that was decorated with thousands gold stars. Probably it was the most impressive and incredible part of illumination’s free of charge section. When you walk through this tunnel, you can feel a real magic, because except of beautiful surroundings, you can hear a background music. In the middle of the tunnel, are set shining installations, like sledges with unicorns and snowmen.
When I went out from the tunnel, I saw many installation, that you can sit on. Unlike Christmas in Poland, where it’s celebrated mainly with family, Japanese Christmas are popular especially among couples. Due to that fact, Christmas illuminations are usually visited by couples, who go there on dates. Installation, that you can sit on, seemed to be prepared especially for them to take a romantic picture with a nice background.

After, I came on the ‘fountain light show’, that charged a fee, but it was definitely worth paying! I’m a big fan of fountain shows and from all shows I have seen untill now, this one was the most incredible! Music and colors were perfectly co-ordinated with shooting water. Sometimes it shot up to the dozens of meters! Show took approximately 20 minutes and all the viewers were really impressed by the fountain.

Summary

Toki no sumika Winter Illumination is a great attraction for couples, families with children and everyone who would like to feel a christmas atmosphere. Most of the areas are free of charges, then you can spend really great time and take incredible pictures without spending a yen. Walking around all the lluminated areas takes quite a long time, then don’t forget to dress warm clothes!

Weronika Golubska

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When I got to the daruma market, I saw a lot of booths with snacks, like on a regular festival I have participated many times before. But when I came closer to the teple, I saw many shops with characteristic Daruma dolls. Daruma doll is one of the most popular talismans of good luck in Japan. It is made of paper mache, weighted on the bottom so it always stand up, even when pushed- symbolic of Bodhidharma’s persistence in meditation. As you can see in the pictures, Daruma is sold without painted eyes. Exept of them it has two white empty spaces. The thing is, that when you buy daruma, you draw one of Daruma’s blank eyes to signify your commitment to achieving your goal of a new year. When you achieve your goal, you draw in Daruma’s other eye to express your gratefulness. Meybe that’s the reason, why Japanese achieve their goals so easily?

Shofukuji Temple is worth visiting even on a simple day, because it’s richly decorated inside and outside as well, what make very impressive. I was very lucky, that I could take some pictures inside the temple, because there was a monk inside, who was taking daruma dolls in his hands one by one and act some special ritual. When I went behind the temple, I saw, that there is a fireplace over there with burning dolls. Actually, at the end of a year, all the Daruma are brought back to the temple they were purchased from for a traditional burning ceremony. After expressing gratitude to Daruma, people turn it over to the temple and buy new ones for the next year. After a solemn display of the monks’ entry, reading of the sutras and blowing of horns, the tens of thousands of figurines are then set aflame.

Summary

Participating in local events, like the Daruma market is the best way to know Japanese culture better. When you are going to come to Japan around Christmas and New Year, you should definietly come on Daruma market! No matter, to which region where you’re planning to come, Daruma markets are popular in all country.

Weronika Golubska

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I started my sightseeing from The Botanical Garden, where there are 8 greenhouses of tropical plants. Each house is specialized for tropical waterlilies, bromeliadsm wild orchids, flowering trees, ferns and so on. Because of a low temperature in December, there are any blooming flowers outside and it was very pleasant to go around the houses full of lush blooming tropical plants. My favourite one was The Wild Orchids House, because orchids are my loved flowers and I was very jealous, that I can’t grow all those orchids at my home! Also, this zone includes several cages of baby aligators, that are very cute, like every litlle animal. However, the most interesting were waterlilies, placed in the greenhouse no. 8 on the first floor. They are grown in the big pool divided into many sections and visitors watch them during listening relaxing music.

After, I came to The Alligator Garden, where are dozens of various types of alligators. It was the smallest part from all sections, but definietly the most impressive one. It was the first time, I have seen alligators for real and I was very surprised to see how inactive they are. They seem to be almost dead and look just like animal statues. However, when I was staring at the one of them for some minutes, I finally noticed, that it slowly changes a position. Although many alligators were immersed in the water, I could see them properly, because their pools were quie shallow. Also, there is a speaking parrot around there and I was really surprised, when it said to me ‘ohaio!’, which means ‘hello’ in Japanese. Unfortunately, it could’t say anything else.

In the end I visited The Branch Garden, that is located approx. 3 minutes from The Alligator Garden by bus, that is free of charge. This part of garden contains the most attractive spot of all facility. Mainly, visitors come here to see the baby of red panda, that was born in June. This is different from the most famous black-and-white big type of panda, but it’s also very cute! Except of pandas, there are beatiful pink flamingos, extremely big turles and the cage of the biggest alligators in whole garden. Also, there are many exotic fruits that look really delicious, like bananas, mangos and other, that names I don’t know.

Summary

I was very impressed by the variety of plants and animals in The Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden. It’s perfect place to visit if you travelling with children, who will be delighted by the animals. You should definietly come here if you will be in Southern Izu!

Weronika Golubska

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* This article was written by a trainee from overseas. Please note that there might be spelling and grammar mistakes.