Life in Japan: My Travels

I was asked where I’ve traveled to in Japan. Surprisingly little. I regret not doing more.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

I came to Japan to see it all. Did I? No, not at all.  But there are some things I am very happy to have seen.  This week’s question is from S. R. Carrillo. She asked many questions, didn’t she?

Where all have you traveled?

Odawara Castle in the rain with a couple cosplayers in front.

Surprisingly, I haven’t traveled very much in Japan. I live in Kanagawa, which is just south of Tokyo. I’ve also been to Tokyo, of course. The other prefectures I’ve been to are Saitama, Chiba, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka.

In Kanagawa, I’ve lived in Yokohama, Kamakura, and now Fujisawa. I’ve also visited Odawara, Yokosuka, Kawasaki, Sagamihara, Isehara, Chigasaki, Hiratsuka, Zushi, Hayama, Miura, Oiso, and Yamato. I think the highlights are Kamakura (many temples and shrines), Odawara (castle pictured above), Fujisawa (with Enoshima), and Yokohama (technically the largest city in Japan).

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Machida manhole covers

Once a week, I go to Machida city in Tokyo.  Machida has its own set of manhole covers which I took pictures of in the late evening.  So, these pictures are a bit dark.

The first manhole cover is for rain water.  The design is of a tree, which I assume is Machida’s tree, the Japanese zelkova.

Japanese zelkova design on the storm drain manhole cover.

The other manhole cover is for the sewer.  This one has what appears to be a flower, and I believe it’s Machida’s city flower, the Scarlet Sage.

Scarlet Sage covering the sewer.

I’ll be checking out more manhole covers when I can.  Unfortunately, Yokohama’s manhole covers aren’t very special.

2012 Picture of the Week (35/52) – Takadanobaba Murals

Takadanobaba in Shinjuku Ward is a well known place for a few reasons. It’s near the famous Waseda University, it has very good ramen, and is known as the birthplace of Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom). Across the street from the Waseda exit are two murals dedicated to Osamu Tezuka’s manga. This time, I’m giving you two pictures!

This mural depicts many of Tezuka’s manga.

There’s Astro Boy’s mural!

2012 Picture of the Week (33/52) – Tokyo Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower

In Shinjuku, Tokyo, there is a very tall educational building.  It’s the second tallest educational building in the world at 50 floors and 204 metres.  It was completed in 2008.  The Cocoon Tower has a very distinct design, and is in fact home to a couple of design schools (Tokyo Mode Gakuen, which does fashion, and HAL Tokyo, which is a special technology and design school) and a medical school.  In this picture, it’s the tall building on the left.

The Cocoon Tower is easy to recognise on the west side of Shinjuku Station.

I still haven’t been there!

I’ve been living in Kanagawa prefecture for more than 7 years, but there are many places I still haven’t visited. Here is my to do list:

1. Kawasaki Daishi (a major temple in Kawasaki)
2. Zoorasia (one of Yokohama’s zoos)
3. Nogeyama Zoo (a free zoo in Yokohama)
4. Eat sushi on Jogashima (been there, but haven’t had fresh sushi caught there)
5. Cup Noodle Museum (just opened recently)
6. Model Train Museum (also just opened)
7. Go on the Mikasa (in Yokosuka, I’ve seen it, but I haven’t been on it)
8. Tokyo Sky Tree (just opened)
9. Hakone (never been there)
10. Mt. Tanzawa (climbed Mt. Oyama, but not Tanzawa)

These are the top 10 places I’d like to go. Any more suggestions?

Instagram 31-40

I’m on a roll.  For the second week in a row, here is another batch of 10 Instagram pictures.  These pictures were taken from May 30 to June 3, 2011.  Please leave a comment stating which photo you like the most and why, as well as which you like the least and why.  Thanks!

Sunny and very warm now! (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Cheeseburger with Swiss cheese at Kua’Aina (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Dark clouds (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Hungry? (Kamakura, Kanagawa) – This muskmelon is around $70.

Down to the platform (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Schedule board at Futamatagawa station (Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

Shonandai high rise apartments (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Curvy canopy (Machida, Tokyo)

2 wet balls reflected in the rain (Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)

You know it’s June when hydrangea start to bloom (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)