Other domestic walks

You probably only see them in the greater Tokyo area, but TV commercials for Sano Yakuyoke Daishi are pretty frequent. It's often called a spot for Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) or one of the "Three Great Daishi of Kanto." So, when I got a free one-way ticket for the Marronnier highway bus to Sano as a JRE BANK perk, I suddenly felt like going!

When I was a kid, I developed hives after moving to Tokyo. I often missed school because we couldn't figure out the cause. The place that changed me was Kishu, and what really stuck in my memory from that time were the place name "Atashika" and its beautiful sea. This time, I went on a short trip to retrace those memories.

The Oya History Museum, home to the old Oya Stone Underground Quarry, had been on my must-visit list for ages! Since I was back in Tokyo for winter break, I figured, why not? The second I stepped inside, I was totally blown away by the scene unfolding before me – talk about an underground temple!

Located a bit deep into Furano is Rokugo, where "those houses" from the famous drama "Kita no Kuni kara" still stand. My parents loved the show, so I think I watched every single episode. Seeing kids my age grow up in such harsh nature... […]

When I'm cycling along Himekaido (National Route 362), which is super pleasant along Lake Hamana, I always notice this sign for "Okuhamanako Observation Park Entrance" that also says, "You can't climb the observation deck." It always got me wondering, so when I was in Mikkabi for some shopping, I decided to pop in and check it out.

Whenever I have some free time, I find myself gazing at a map of the Tokai region, wondering if there are any interesting places to visit. Mountains, peninsulas, and remote islands are always top contenders. The Atsumi Peninsula and Chita Peninsula, which shape Mikawa Bay, are just the right distance from Hamamatsu, making them perfect spots to visit whenever the mood strikes me.

When you think of the Sea of Japan, the image that often comes to mind is a harsh, cold, and rough sea in winter. But the Sea of Japan around Tottori in summer is absolutely stunning! Bathed in bright sunlight, it boasts a rich palette of colors, from deep blue to highly transparent emerald green. Every time I visit Tottori, I feel compelled to go see the sea again.

After driving along the surprisingly narrow Prefectural Road 32 for a while, this breathtaking view appears on your right. There's a parking lot for about 10 cars, and a sign asking visitors to proceed a little further down the farm road to enjoy the view without disturbing agricultural work. These terraced rice fields are located at the foot of Mount Kurakake.

I've always had Yoshinoyama's cherry blossoms in the back of my mind. I've always wanted to see them someday, so I was intrigued when I saw the "Yoshino-Omine" sign on my way to Mt. Odaigahara. After finishing my hike, it seemed I still had a bit of time, so I decided to make a spontaneous stop at Yoshinoyama in early summer.

At the site of the Battle of Mikatagahara, there's just one monument standing there, making it hard to imagine what it was like back then. Because of that, even when I heard there was the Sekigahara Old Battlefield nearby on my way back from Mt. Ibuki, I wasn't really thrilled. But since I was already in the area, I decided to stop by anyway.