As this week’s “FRIDAY FAVORITES” falls on Good Friday, we reflect on our blessings and turn our thoughts to our families and our hometowns. So this week, we share with you some of our best-loved spots in the areas in and around our hometowns in Japan.
AOMORI PREFECTURE - Aoni Onsen, Kuroishi City (青荷温泉)
KAGOSHIMA PREFECTURE - Sakurajima (桜島)
KANAGAWA PREFECTURE - Ito Hirobumi’s Old Villa, Yokohama City (旧伊藤博文金沢別邸)
KANAGAWA PREFECTURE - Miura City (三浦市)
MIE PREFECTURE - Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮)
TOKYO - Ryogoku, Sumida Ward (両国)
Read staff comments below for a virtual tour of our favorite places as you head into the holiday weekend.
IKUYO
Image provided by Ikuyo Katayama
Sakurajima (桜島)
Kagoshima Prefecture
Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanos in Japan and is considered to be the heart and soul of people in Kagoshima.
Sakurajima is located across Kagoshima Bay, only 8 km east of my hometown Kagoshima City. Sakurajima erupts often and minor eruptions may take place multiple times a day. Sakurajima has already erupted 142 times this year. The frequent eruptions cause volcanic ash to fall in Kagoshima City. Therefore, the weather forecast is always sure to talk about the wind direction over Sakurajima. Even if it's sunny every morning, people leaving their homes with unconsciously check to see if there is smoke in the sky from Sakurajima.
Thanks to the active volcano, all the public baths in Kagoshima City are onsen, hot springs. Adults and children can enjoy the onsen at little cost.
Sakurajima has looks very different depending on where you are, which is why people prefer to take their own pictures. My favorite view is the one where you can look over Kagoshima Bay at Yojirogahama Chosuiro, located southeast of the downtown area. You can see Sakurajima in all its splendor and without any obstacles.
I am always energized by its magnificent and powerful appearance. I believe the people of Kagoshima are encouraged by Sakurajima, especially during challenging times. I hope you feel the power of Sakurajima using the Sakurajima live Webcam here.
KEIKO
Image provided by Keiko Tsubokura
Ito Hirobumi’s Old Villa (旧伊藤博文金沢別邸)
Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
My favorite place is “Ito Hirobumi’ Old Villa” in Yokohama. Ito Hirobumi is the first prime minister of Japan. He used to use this villa as summer residence. The original villa was built in 1989 and it is one story Japanese style house with a thatched roof. It is really spacious house and it also has great view of ocean and garden. When I visit there, I can easily imagine that He could be relaxed in this quiet villa to refresh from his busy work days in Tokyo. Also, I re-realize how Japanese architect is beautiful and detailed.The house are facing sea and can get sea breeze during summer.it is well designed.
They have a service for Green Tea and Sweets, so I can also enjoy them while sitting in the large tatami room and look out over the water and always I wish I had such a nice villa.
LAUREN
Images provided by Lauren Hurley
Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮)
Mie Prefecture
When I was teaching in Japan, I lived in Yokkaichi City in Mie Prefecture. It is a relatively small port city of approximately 300,000 people with a humid subtropical climate very similar to Houston. The nearest major city was Nagoya, about 35 minutes away on an Kintetsu Express Train. Admittedly, it was a pretty dull place to live at times, but I loved hopping onto the train to Ise-Shima and explore the shrines of Ise.
Ise is home to what are considered some of, if not the, most sacred Shinto shrines in Japan, Ise Jingu. The Inner Shrine, Naiku, became the enshrined home of the goddess Amaterasu-Omikami over 2,000 years ago and the Outer Shrine, Geku, became the enshrined home of Toyo'uke-no-Omikami 500 years later.
It is hard to describe the beauty, tranquility, and awe that one can experience in this place. There are these massive cedar and cypress trees shading the grounds that you can’t wrap your arms around without at least three or four others. While not nearly as ornate as some of the shrines one can find in Kyoto, there is an innate sense of spirituality and peace that you can feel in your lungs, your mind, your heart, and your spirit. It is humbling and awe-inspiring.
As you walk on grounds, you hear the crunch of gravel beneath your feet, the birds chirping, and the river gently rushing. You can feel the breeze and smell that subtle mixture of incense, water, and tree sap. It is calming and peaceful, even when there are people everywhere. The beauty of this place is in its soul, not its ornamentation.
You can see some of the rituals that take place in Ise Jingu here.
MEGUMI
Ryogoku (両国)
Sumida Ward, Tokyo
My favorite place in Tokyo is Ryogoku (area).
Ryogoku, where you can find the SUMO stadium (両国国技館), is known as the center of SUMO world. As a big SUMO lover, I have spent lots of time in Ryogoku, visiting the SUMO stadium to watch SUMO tournaments, as well as multiple SUMO stables to watch their morning practices. Actually, it is hard not to see SUMO wrestlers while you are in Ryogoku, except when all of them are away for the provincial tournaments. For SUMO lovers, it is a heavenly place!
MIDORI
Images provided by Midori Ukita
Miura City (三浦市)
Kanagawa Prefecture
I was born in Yokosuka City, but I often visited the neighboring Miura City in my childhood for day trips to the beach or the aquarium or just for nice food. The city has a lot of charm!
Miura City is situated at the tip of Miura Peninsula and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. The city is so famous for having a harbor that is ideal for deep-sea fishing. In fact, it would be difficult to find anyone in Japan who does not know the harbor’s name.
Despite the decline in catches over recent years due to overfishing around the world, the fish market maintains its brand status. The tuna traded in Miura Fish Market have a reputation of being of the highest quality. Visitors are welcome to tour the fish market and will inevitably find themselves drawn to the restaurants located on the second floor.
Miura City is not only well known for its fishery industry but also for agriculture. All Japanese people know of the “Miura Daikon” radish, even if they have never seen one. Miura City also cultivates cabbage, kabocha (Japanese pumpkin), watermelon, cucumber, and other fruits and vegetables. Recently Miura City’s farmers have begun to produce cauliflower and broccoli, taking advantage of its warm winters. It is fun to visit the farmer’s markets and orchards for orange and strawberry picking.
The sea and farms are not Miura City’s only highlights. The nearby island of Jogashima’s beautiful coastline, splendid green plateau, and artistic rock arches had inspired many poets, musicians, and writers in the past.
PATSY
Photos from Japan Travel by Navitime
AONI ONSEN (青荷温泉)
Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture
I consider the village of Kunohe, in northern Iwate Prefecture, to be my second home. Located in the vast expanse of the Tohoku Region, the area is known for its natural beauty and onsen hot springs.
Weekend travels often took me on a short drive from Kunohe-mura into Aomori Prefecture which is home to my favorite getaway - Aoni Onsen.
Aoni Onsen is a traditional Japanese ryokan inn nestled quietly along the mountain stream in the Aoni Ravine. The secluded destination, which dates back to 1929, is affectionately known as the “Lamp no Yado” as it is lit primarily by oil lamps.
The facility actually did not have electricity until relatively recently, but the owners of the inn continue to light the premises exclusively by lamp. There are no tvs, refrigerators or electrical outlets in the guest rooms. Moreover, it is difficult to find a phone signal and there is no internet.
After soaking in one or all of the inn’s four natural hot springs baths, you can sip on a cup of slow-drip coffee while admiring the unique Japanese calligraphy style of the resident artist/barista Hiro.
For unhurried travel off the beaten path, visit Aoni Onsen.