Recently in Sightseeing Category

The end of March, we will meet cherry blossoms season!

Did you already our Blog?

I recommend you where is good place to see Cherry blossoms in Tokyo!

Shinjuku Gyoen Park

Entrance fee: 200 yen 

Covering 58 hectares, Shinjuku-Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest parks

 (in the city center). 

It was opened to the public in 1949 after it had served as a garden for the Imperial Family since the beginning of the 20th century. Shinjuku Gyoen features three garden types: an English landscape with wide lawns, a traditional Japanese "Niwa" with teahouses and a symmetrically arranged, formal French garden. Besides, there are many types of vegetation as well as a greenhouse (the greenhouse is being reconstructed until 2011). Shinjuku Gyoen also has more than a dozen types of cherry trees, making the park one of Tokyo's most popular and romantic Hanami spots during late March and early April

From Hatagaya to Shinjuku gyoen park

Hatagaya-(keio-new line)-Shinjuku 3 chome.

7 min 270 yen

2nd March Sushi Roll Event!

I found the place you can enjoy viewing fireworks in winter in Tokyo.

In Odaiba near Tokyo Bay, fireworks is scheduled to be set off from 7 p.m. for about 10 minutes on December 1^st, 8^th, 15^th and 22^nd (Saturday).

I wonder how fireworks looks in the winter sky.

FYI, to go to Odaiba area near Tokyo Bay from Hatagaya please take Keio new line to Shinjuku.

After that please take JR Saikyo line bound for Shinkiba (that is connected to Rinkai line) to Tokyo teleport station.

Hello, all. This is Yutaka.

On Nov. 21st, I participated "Visit Japan Travel Mart 2012" 

fair for inbound tourists to Japan, held in Pacifico Yokohama. 

And at the end of the fair, there was a closing ceremony.

 I do not remember when I came to mid-evening Yokohama 

last time, but night view from ceremonial hall was so beautiful that night!!

I recommend you go there, especially winter time when air is clear.

MUST-SEE place.

In the middle of the ceremony, there were also scenes that current 

and former Miss Japan ladies showed up and gave a speech 

to appeal Japan's attraction. They are as beautiful as Yokohama's 

night scene, too.

 

Authentically made in Japan!! Current and former Miss Japan ladies.

 

 

Meet the new Japan!!

 

 

A "Maiko" lady, apprentice geisha was also popular for taking pictures together.

 

 

This is a Sakura Hotel Hatagaya staff, Naoto

(2nd from the right). 　Enjoying the communication with the guests from 

foreign countries.

 

I hope we can appeal the charms of Japan through this type of events and

more and more people visit Japan and hopefully Sakura hotel accordingly.

So friends, "Meet the new Japan!!"

A good time to see autumn leaves are coming closer.

Where in Tokyo would you like to visit to see autumn leaves?

One of my favorite place is Rikugien or Japanese garden.

Rikugien is famous for illuminated weeping cherry tree.

Regularly, they are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (entering after 4:30 p.m. isn't accepted).

From November 22th 2012 to December 9^th 2012, their opening hour will be extended until 9 p.m. (entering before 8:30 p.m. is required).

In addition, Somei-mon gate will be open during the dates above.

It is nearer from JR Komagome station than the front gate by about 5 minutes but it is usually closed.

Lighting-up will start from sunset until 9 p.m.

I wrote about fireworks festival held in fall.

This time I found the place you can enjoy viewing fireworks in winter in Tokyo.

In Odaiba near Tokyo Bay, fireworks is scheduled to be set off from 7 p.m. for about 10 minutes on December 1^st, 8^th, 15^th and 22^nd (Saturday).

I wonder how fireworks looks in the winter sky.

FYI, to go to Odaiba area near Tokyo Bay from Hatagaya please take Keio new line to Shinjuku.

After that please take JR Saikyo line bound for Shinkiba (that is connected to Rinkai line) to Tokyo teleport station.

Every year I visit Kamakura city.

There are a lot of nature, many temple and good restauraunt!

This is my Sashimi lunch meal.

You can go inside of Budda it cost only 30 yen!

Do you like ' Miso Soup'? You can buy it from Vending machine.

I have never seen before!

I went to "Gonpachi in Shibuya" with my friends.

Gonpachi is Japanese restaurant.

You can feel Japanese atmosphere.

also there is English menu

If you would like go there, you can yake local bus from Hatagaya to Shibuya! 

----Time table----

It has been difficult for visitors who travel around Japan to buy prepaid mobile SIM cards.

At long last the prepaid SIM card is on sale now!
B-mobile announced that two types mobile SIMs are on sale.

The price is 3980yen(USD50/EURO40).

For details please check out this link.

   We didn't have much time to do sightseeing together and the weather was shitty as well, but I wanted to see Nagoya Castle at least and so we went there together. The golden statue on the photo on the left side is supposed to be a tiger-headed dolphin and was used as a talisman to prevent fires. It can be found on many souvenirs from Nagoya as well. 

This coffee house chain is very popular in Aichi prefecture. I really liked their menu. I usually don't drink coffee often, but the cinnamon coffee they had was delicious. I should try to make it myself at home. XD

 

The trip was so much fun and I met many lovely people. I hope I can go somewhere again soon. ^^ Where will you go during your summer holidays this year?

(BY JUDY)

Summer is coming! What is your plan for summer?

For me, I wanna go to Tokyo Disneyland! First time I were there was March 11 last year with my high school friends, yes the day which the disaster happened....I still cannot forget I was eating Mickey crackers and chocolate as dinner and slept in souvenir shop with a blue plastic bag.

Having my Disney journey unfinished last time, I decide to go there again this summer!

According to one of the Hong Kong travel web sites, there is a summer festival in Japanese style from 9 July to 31 August in Tokyo Disney. Dancing competition will be in front of the castle. All Disney characters will be divided into 8 groups. The best 4 groups will go to finale at night time. I love watching dancing so I am really excited about it!

Its real easy to access to Disney, just get yourself in Tokyo Station and take JR Keiyo line and get off at Maihama station!

Need a place to stay in Tokyo? Find Sakura Hotels here! 

Enjoy your summer!!!

I went for a walk around my neighbourhood this morning. Spring in Japan is so beautiful! Summers are hot and humind, so people prefer to stay inside air-conditioned rooms but during spring the weather is just perfect. We've had a couple of  warm and sunny days lately, so flowers are blooming everywhere. Here are a few pictures I took.

Azaleas and all kinds of flowers are blooming everywhere!

 I love Japanese temple gardens.

I really hope the good weather continues for a while. ^^ 

Hamarikyu, one of Japanese gardens in Tokyo, will open from 8 a.m. or an hour earlier than usual between July 14th 2012 and August 19th 2012.

The garden is 7 minutes walk away from Tsukiji-shijyo station (Toei oedo line).

If you have any plan to visit Tsukiji fish market early in the morning in the period, how about visiting Hamarikyu?

My friends from Italy whose hobby are Cosplay

They visited Japan many times,but they didn't have SUICA!

*What is Suica?  The Suica is a prepaid e-money card for moving around and shopping in the Tokyo area. There is no more need to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Just touch your Suica to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can be used not only for JR East trains, but the subways and buses as well. For shopping, use your Suica card in the place of cash wherever the Suica mark is displayed.

We made it together

There is English Pages

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

Do you have any plan to be in Tokyo on April 29th, May 2nd or May 3rd 2012?

If so, how about visiting Meiji Jingu?

The grand festival of Meiji Jingu in spring will be held.

You have a chance to watch traditional arts of Japan such as Noh and court dance and music dedicated to the god of the shrine.

It's free of charge.

【Access】 from Sakura Hotel Hatagaya

Keio new line        Hatagaya→Shinjuku

JR Yamanote line  Shinjuku →Harajyuku

about 1 minute walk from Omotesandou Exit of Harajyuku station

 100,000 LED illumination lamps used to resemble fireflies will be released in the Sumida River around 18:30 on May 6^th 2012.

The Sumida River is not so clean that we cannot observe real fireflies. The event will be held to evoke a desire for a clean river.

Released LED illumination lamps will be collected after the event, of course.

Two days ago, I went to watch Tokyo Sky Tree with my friend.

Before watching it, we ate good Sushi restaurant near Oshiage station.

I really love Sushi, you know?? :)

 After we finished lunch time, we went to watch Tokyo Sky Tree.

I wanted to take a best-shot picture for you, but I couldn' t do that.

The tower was sooo high, so it's too wide to take one shot.

This day,  Ai(Hatagaya staff) and Maiko(Ikebukuro staff) went to walk in Asakusa, and they said that they could take the miracle shot!!

So soon, she'll write the blog:)

This is a charactor, Oshinari-Kun, (conbination word of Oshiage's Oshi, and Narihirabashi's Nari, a boy).

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

During walking around the sky tree, we found a quite lovely flower shop with a cafeterria.

Looks soooo good!!

 So we enter here, and eat cakes and drinks inside.

 There was also a terrace seat, as like Sakura Cafe Hatagaya:)

By the way, my frined is living near Oshiage station, so from her house, we can watch the Tokyo Sky Tree from the window like this;

In this week end, you can watch the full-blooming of Sakura tree, near Sky tree around Oshiage, Asakusa, and Tokyo Sky Tree stations.

Enjoy the Hanami (=watching cherry blossom). 

【Access info from Sakura Hotel/Cafe Hatagaya】

  Towerd Oshiage押上 Station.

Hatagaya sta.→→Bakuro-Yokoyama Sta.（walk）・・・Higashi-Nihonbashi sta.→→→Oshiage sta. 　About 35 min. / 380 yen.

Google released 8-bit "Dragon Quest" map on 1st April.

You can see Tokyo Sky Tree in the map.

This is a map of Europe.You may find a dragon in this map.

We supposed that the name of Tokyo Sky Tree is 東京天空樹 which is a literal translation of the tower.In fact the official Chinese name is 東京晴空塔 which means "Tokyo clear sky tower".

http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/chinese_t/

The reason is that 東京天空樹 has been already registered in China,so the the official had to make up another name.

Which name sounds better for you?

If so, you have a chance to observe annular solar eclipse.

Annular solar eclipse will be observed over a large region such as Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya on May 21^st 2012.

It will be the first time in 25 years in Japan and the first time in 173 years in Tokyo.

In Tokyo, we can observe it between 7:32 a.m. and 7:37 a.m.

I hope there will not be a cloud in the sky on May 21^st 2012.

I went back to Nagoya 5 days ago.

The purpose is to make a reservation for travelling abroad with my mother!

Just for one night I stayed in my house. The plum tree near my house was blooming↓

I really love Japan, cause I can feel 4 seasons in one year, now is early in the spring!

But, the most of my favorite seasons is summer. How about you??

Since I can take 7 days-off in April,

I and my mother decided to go to Hawaii♪♪

(these photos are from website free authorized)

Snorkeling, Parasailing, shopping, cannot help waiting:)

If you have 7 days-off like me, where will you want to go for overseas travel??

The view of Tokyo Tower from NHK Broadcasting Museum,Mt.Atago

The antenna in the centre of this pic is same type as Tokyo Towers'.

This is the enlargement of the top.

As you see the antenna bent to left a little bit.

The earthquake caused this last year.

Cherry blossoms season is coming closer.

I'd like to introduce famous and easily accessible cherry-blossom viewing spot from Sakura Hotel Hatagaya.

That is Shinjuku Gyoen.

There are 1,300 cherry blossom trees (65 kinds) in the garden.

It will be open every day between March 25^th and April 24^th in 2012.

I have to confess some drawbacks.

Entrance fee (age 15 or over: 200 yen, age 6-14: 50 yen) is required and bringing alcohol (one of the things we look forward to) is prohibited.

Even so, it's worth visiting.

Access

Hatagaya→Shinjuku　Sanchome (3 stops) by Keio new line

It takes about 5 minutes walk from C1 or C5 exit of Shinjuku　Sanchome station.

It seems that the best time to view cherry blossoms will be between March 24^th and March 31^st in 2012.

I'm talking about in Washington, D.C. not in Japan.

This year is the 100th anniversary since 3,020 cherry trees were sent as a gift from Japan to U.S (Washington, D.C.) in 1912.

Incidentally, it seems that the best time to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo will be between April 4^th and April 10 ^th in 2012.

 Do you know the highest mountain in the centre of Tokyo?

It's Mt.Atago which is located near Kamiyacho station(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line).

http://g.co/maps/hqjvh

You guess how tall it is.

It is 26 meters high.It is the highest mountain in Tokyo central district.

There is Atago Shrine on the top.You can see Tokyo Tower there as well.

The Triangulation point(26 meters high).

Steps to the top.

Do you know when Tokyo Sky Tree will be opened?

It will be opened on May 22^nd 2012.

From when can we buy a ticket on the day of the viewing deck for individual customer (under 25 people)?

From July 11^th 2012.

We cannot enter the viewing deck without buying a ticket (a date and a time designated) in advance.

Those who can buy a ticket are selected by lot.

From when can we buy an advance ticket?

From March 22^nd 2012.

I have one last question.

When will Tokyo Sky Tree be lit up on the date of most recent?

It will be on March 10^th and 11^th (between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.).

JR East announced that JR East Pass Special is on sale from 1st March in overseas.

What is JR East PAss Special?

☆Unlimited rides for only 10000yen!(3000yen cheaper than last year's rate!)

☆You can use the JR East Pass Special for any three of the 10 days.

☆Valid for unlimited travel on Shinkansen lines and Narita Express.

☆Go anywhere in Iwate,Aomori,Sendai,Fukushima and Niigata with this pass.

☆Use period:Sunday, April 1 to Saturday, June 30, 2012

This is very very good value pass.(We,Japanese can not buy it...)

 Please see JR East official website to check the details.

This is what it looks like from the outside. It's very close to Shin-Yokohama station.

And these are photos from inside the museum. The overall theme is Tokyo during the Showa era, so everything looks really old, just like 40 years ago. There are many Ramen restaurants right next to each other.

In every restaurant you can order a mini-bowl of Ramen, so you can try many different types and find your favorite.

First you choose a dish and pay on the ticket machines in front of the restaurants.

These are Tonkotsu-Miso Ramen from Kumamoto prefecture, and Shoyu Ramen + Shio Ramen from Hokkaido. I was already full after 2 bowls, but I tried the ones my friend ordered as well. So yummy!

There was still enough space left for some ice cream though. XD

We decided to come back soon, because it's impossible to eat all the different styles of Ramen during just one visit!

By the way, our guests at Sakura Hotel can get a free admission ticket to the Ramen museum. You can find more information on our Special Offer site (you need to scroll down till the end). Just ask our staff at the front desk. ^^

If you love Ramen, this museum is highly recommended!

Hi, everyone. It is new from an old thing today but subject is the Shinkansen. Various Shinkansen appeared from commencement of business in 1964, and it retired to private life.

It continued the other day also at first 0 series, and, as for 100 series and 300 series, retirement was decided. If a new thing is made, the old thing is lost someday. The time is progressing.

Although the appearance of the newest N700 series and E5 series are good looking, if it is called the Shinkansen, are they the Shinkansen of a round nose which is first generation!?

I went to Doraemon museum with Yoshi and Ryoma.

It takes only 30min 210yen from Hatagaya Sakura Hotel to there.

If you would like to go,you should make reservation before.

Lovely character "Korosuke" welcoming to us!

Photo spot 1!

Photo spot 2

Photo spot 3!!

Welcome to Sakura Hotel~~ 

You can enjoy Cafe.

There is Manga area

Doraemon comics are not only comedy but also touching..

This is one of the best scene ....Ohhhhhh

 Recently Mt.Takao has been very popular between Japanese people and foreigners since we can enjoy hiking easily in this big urban city Tokyo.

In fact I am from Hachiouji city where has Mt.Takao and living very near!

So I cannot count how many times I have climbed up it since I was small. lol

It is annual event for me to go to Mt.Takao on New Year's Day.

Mt. Takao is located at Takao-Sanguchi St. in 50 min from Hatagaya St. where Sakura Hotel Hatagaya is located.

So you can enjoy nature easily by 1 day trip!

And we can hike in Mt.Takao through all seasons.

Now I, as a Mt.Takao lover, will introduce you the ranking of "the thing to do at Mt. Takao" !

No.3!!!

Look for Tengu (Japanese Mythical Creatures).

(This image is from: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/super-buchou_2007/e/1898310eb13d6b988d46b95a2d1f3d0f) 

Since long time ago, there is a legend Tengu is living in Mt. Takao.

They have been protecting us and the mountain from above tall trees.

If you look up above in Mt. Takao, you will have a chance to meet Tengu!

(This image is from : http://blog.goo.ne.jp/komayoshi-k/e/1d3f6c1abf0c95c8ed5f03b93b46bf37)

No.2!!!

Taste Mt.Takao's delicious foods.

Hiking makes us hungry.

But, don't worry. There are lots of delicious foods in Mt. Takao!

The most recommendable dish is...

japanese wheat noodle with wild plants / [cipher]

Sansai Udon (Sansai = Mountain herbs, Udon = noodle)!

Fresh mountain herbs from Mt.Takao make it so tasty!

And another recommendation is...

Baked dumpling!

Shoyu(Japanese soy souce) flavored, warm, huuuum sounds so delicious! 

And finally No.1!!!

Overlook Tokyo.

From the middle of Mt.Takao, you can overlook Tokyo city!

Skyscraperes in Shinjuku, Sky Tree, and actually we can see Yokohama Minato Mirai from there!

Don't miss  this amazing view!!!

From now you're also the biginner of Mt. Takao lovers! eheh

Tokyo Sky Tree which will be open from May 22nd, 2012 will be lit up on the nights of December 23rd, 24th and 31st, 2011.

On 23rd and 24th, it will be lit up between around 5:30 pm and 10:00pm.

As Anne wrote a blog about me before, I love fluffy things,

so I went to Totoro exhibition in Nasu, Tochigi prefecture.

Nasu Teddy Bear Museum do a special exhibition "Totoro exhibition" right now.

Do you know "Totoro"?

Yes, it's one of the Ghibli's film "My neighbor Totoro"

You can see the big sized Neko-bus and Totoro.

And many cute cute stuffed things!!!

My best is...Makkurokurosuke!!! very cute right?? :)

And this Kaonashi from the film "Spilited Away"

 If you have a chance to go to Nasu, please check it out!

This exhibition is until the Summer 2012!!

* If you would like to go to Nasu, the Highway bus is going from Shinjuku station.

Sakura Hotel Hatagaya to Shinjyuku is a just 2 stations and 3 min.

As you may know some ferrys are already operated between Japan and China as public transports.A new ferry route will open in early 2012.The route is from Nagasaki to Shanghai.
The cheapest fare is 10000(USD130/EUR90)yen/oneway.It takes 22 hours to Shanghai.

Although It takes more time, the sea voyage would be a lot of fun.

It's a Culture Day (one of national holidays) in Japan today. 

Did you hang out at somewhere?

For those who did not go out, there are a lot of places you can enter for free in Tokyo. How about planning to go there on next holydays?

1. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings (@Shinjuku)

Tokyo, Japan - seen from the North Observatory 45th floor - Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. / UggBoy?UggGirl [ PHOTO // WORLD // TRAVEL ]

It's free to go up to the top floor. You can see sky scrapers in Tokyo from the height of 202m!

http://www.yokoso.metro.tokyo.jp/page/tenbou.htm

2. MEGA WEB (@Ome)

Megaweb / ksuyin

This is a theme park ran by TOYOTA. If you have a driver's license, you can enjoy many exhibits and events here!

http://www.megaweb.gr.jp/index

3. Suntory Musashino Beer Factory (@Musashino)

Beer! / Kimtaro

You can have fresh beer for free!

http://www.suntory.co.jp/factory/musashino/inspection/index.html

Please check their websites before you go! They are not open every day!

Ancient Orient Museum is located in Sunshine City in Ikebukuro.

It is a small private museum specializing in artifacts of the ancient Near East and Central Asia. It has a collection of Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, and several pieces pertaining to the art of Palmyra and Persia.

Some products in Persia were imported to Japan in seventh century.That's why Japan is the east end of Silk Road.

When I walked arround wext exit of Shinjuku station, I found this cute bus!

Have you ever seen this HATO BUS??

During walking arround Shinjuku station, I found other decolation type of Hato bus, I'll show you later, on the next blog!（＾＾）

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

Here is HATO BUS tour information;

http://www.hatobus.com/en/index.html

Have a good day& nice trip!!

Kyoto ranked top and Tokyo ranked seventh among Asian cities. 

In autumn, you can enjoy viewing colorful autumn leaves.

The best time to see colorful autumn leaves is around late November in Kyoto and around middle November in Tokyo (It's up to latitude and altitude).

Which city in Asia would you like to visit the most?

Hello!

My name is Ryoma, a new staff at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya!

Since I have joined this hotel just about a week ago, everything seems new.

This is the first article I post, so I start it off with my self-introduction!

I was born in Atsugishi, Kanagawa and living in Tokyo right now.

I majored in English in my university and like novels, music, arts and good food and drinks!

I like hanging out with my friends as well. Last Saturday, I went to Tama zoo.

It is easy to go there from our hotel.

1. Take the Keio new line from Hatagaya station to Shinjuku sta.

2. Take Keio line (express) from Shinjuku sta to Takahata-Fudo sta.

3. Change trains at Takahata-Fudo sta., and get off at Tama Dobutsu Koen sta.

And there I found funny animal! Do you know its name?? It's not Kangaroo or Wallaby.

 IMG_0568 / necoco

Its name is...Wallaroo!!

I heard that they are not so different from Kangaroos except their size: they are smaller.

 

If you are interested in the zoo or anything, please ask me! 

I'm looking forward to seeing you at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya!

 

I don't dnow how much famous this Japanese artist in your country,

but I'm sure they are really well known in Japan now.

Do you know them??

Group name is EXILE.

They are organized with 14 members, 2 vocals and performers(dancers).

I went to *IZAKAYA EXILE in Odaiba, Tokyo few days ago by the way.

They featured this group, and some menu are planed by them.

It's kind of a theme park.

*IZAKAYA... is the Japanese equivalent of a pub, where they serve snacks to accompany your drinks.

I orderd a Curry!!!

It looks nice, isn't it??

And we took many pictures at there.

We really enjoyed!

This IZAKAYA open from July to October 10, 2011.

So if you have a chance to visit to Odaiba,

Please go to this place for just enjoy the atomosphere.

There are no admission fee.

You can enjoy good view also!!!

October 1st is Tokyo Citizens Day.

On that day, adimmision fee for some establishment is free. 

That includes Hamarikyu (Japanese garden near Hamamatsucho or Shiodome station)

http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_04.html#hamarikyu,

Ueno zoo (http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/index.html),

Tokyo Sea Life Park (http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/index.html) and

Edo-Tokyo Open-air Architectural Museum (http://tatemonoen.jp/english/index.html).

If you happen to be in Tokyo on October 1st, why don't you take advantage of free admission?

For those who like to climb mountains,

I recommend Mt. Takao !

It takes 1hour from Shinjuku.

 I climbed up the Mt Takao.

I started from Course No.6(Left side) and go down from Course No.1 with  a Cable car.、

Beautiful nature and Flesh air... Relax & Refresh!

There is "Yakuo-in Shrine" in middle of mountain。

Every year from July to October, a beer garden is opened in the Mt. Takao

But It was already full occupancy・・・！

  I should go there again....

I took the cable car

From Hatagaya to Mt.Takao

Use discount ticket 1,280 yen

(Including round trip and Cable car)

It takes only  One hour!

 Let's  go to see the foliage!

Have fun :)