Japan – Page 12

Fuji Shibazakura Festival 2014

The Shibazakura Matsuri or moss phlox festival at Lake Motosuko is one of the most popular event in Japan. About 800,000 five-petaled moss phlox of more than six varieties bloom in the vast field creating a beautiful bright floral carpet under the foot of Mt.Fuji. These shibazakuras grow in white, fluorescent pink, red, rose pink, deep mauve, and pink-and-white candy stripe.

Along the flowers, there are food stalls, Japanese tea, foot bath, and photo souvenir areas available for visitors. Fuji Shibazakura Festival special frame post stamps, post cards and stamps are also sold in the post office.

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Bassanova Ramen: TOM YUM + RAMEN = OISHII

Ramen Hunting: I found a cool ramen shop, Bassanova, beside Shindaita station near my lab. It serves a number of fusion dishes including this very interesting tom yum ramen–oh yes, as in the sour and spicy Thai soup dish. The ramen’s tom yum soup was adjusted quite nicely to suit the thin noodles that they used. A pair of fried pork dumplings topped the steaming bowl. Even though it was very spicy, I kept going on with the soup to savor the medley of interesting tastes–the heat of the chillis, the zest of lemon grass and tamarind, the umami of pork broth, etc., etc. Four glasses of cold water later, there was an empty bowl in front of sweaty me. I will come back soon for their green-curry ramen.

Komaba neighbors ikimashou!

Store Info:
Address: 東京都世田谷区羽根木1-4-18 (Setagaya-ku, Hanegi 1-4-18)
Phone: 03-3327-4649
Store Hours: Open 6:00pm-1:30am. Closed Sundays.
Google Maps: Bassanova

Japan Events in May 2014

Food Nations Meat Fes
☐ Festival
A showcase of the juiciest meat delicacies from restaurants from both Japan and overseas.

Date: May 2-6
Entrance: Free (food and drink bill separately)
Location: Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Komazawa-Daigaku Station
Website: http://food-nations.com

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Showa Kinen Park Flower Festival 2014: Tulips Fair

国営昭和記念公園 Kokuei Shōwa Kinen Kōen is a 163 hectares park located in Tachikawa and is only over 30 minutes away from Shinjuku Station. The park is considered as a paradise for families as it offers a wide range of activities to choose from including flower viewing, visiting the different gardens, picnicking, or playing sports like frisbee and catch in the open field area. Children and even adults can also have fun in the playground which has giant trampoline, hammocks, slides, and swings. Facilities like pool, water playland, barbecue, bird sanctuary and restaurants are also available in the park. Other activities like biking, boating, and mini golf are also possible.

During the Spring, it is one of the best places to enjoy the season as it boasts a wide range of seasonal flowers. The best time to visit this park is between mid April to early May as it boasts a wide range of seasonal flowers and it is specially gorgeous when the tulips are in bloom.

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Sakura 2014: Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (2014.04.01)

One of the surviving gardens from the Edo period and one of Tokyo’s oldest and best preserved Japanese garden. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens also provides visitors with gorgeous cherry blooming trees. It features beautiful weeping cherry trees around the garden’s entrance gate and several Someiyoshino Sakura near the pond.

Please note however, that some parts of the pond and several structures and walkways in the park are under renovation and may have certain impact on the view.

Visitors taking photoi of the Weeping Cheery tree near the garden entrance.

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