I Stopped At...

2012/01/23 Though it`s early, snow was there for the second time this year. We are more than overjoyed to see this beautiful snowy night today.. Too bad, my window view is covered with a little yard of trees so sunlight or even normal street light does not reach my windows. So my snowy view can barely be captured from my poor little camera.. Why  is this particular snowing important to me...??  you may wonder. :) That is because this would be my final snowing in Kanagawa. This would be the last snowing I may see from my hostel windows.. This is how it looks from my fourth floor window. Sorry for the poor quality of the captures. Enjoy.. Hopefully there would be more snow tomorrow and a better view. All Rights Reserved

 2008/01/02 This castle was once the home to the powerful rulers nearly nine hundred years ago. This was destroyed , rebuilt and destroyed again several times and was finally brought to this state in Edo period. According to the Japan castle Foundation this castle is one of the finest reconstructed castles in Japan.   The moat of the castle  The entrance to the highland of the  castle premises  The main tower of the Odawara castle  Entrance to the main tower The rear of the Akagane gate This was my first trip t o see the castles in Japan and mainly one of the first big trips I ever made in Japan. Special thanks go to my host family Mr & Mrs. Deguchi for these unforgettable memories. All Rights Reserved.

2009/06/14 Earlier , I guess there  was  a post on Ajisai (Hydrangea) some two years back. This trip to Kamakura was made on the same day. Even though its a little bit late, I thought of sharing my experience on my trio to see the world famous Kamakura Buddha Statue. This Buddha statue is situated in the Koutokuin temple in Kamakura. This Statue is one  of the significant icons in Japan. This is made of bronze and is said to be nearly 800years old. Weight : 93 tons Height : 13.35m The massive tsunami which hit Kanto area in 1923 had managed to move this massive bronze statue  a good two feet from its original position.                               Introduction  This great Buddha statue is hollowed so that visitors can enter the statue. Well , I should mention that inspite of the Coolness of the mid spring it was very hot inside. The picture below...

12/04/2011 ケナシノジスミレ(kenashinojisumire ) Scientific Name - Viola yedoensis f.glaberrima カラスノエンドウ(KarasaunoEndou) Scientific Name - Vicia angustifolia var.segetalis This wild flower is also can be seen in spring between April and June months. This is said to be a  herb and it was used as a medicine in earlier times. The same flower type with smaller flowers, is called SuzumenoEndo, where the word Suzume (which means sparrow in Japanese) is used to indicate the smallness in size. ジゴクノカマノフタ(JigokunoKamanoFuta) /  キランソウ(Kiransou) Scientific Name - Ajuga Decumbens This grass type flower is also grown in the spring time around 3rd month to 6th month. The flower is very small and is said to be a medicine. This is called The lid of the cauldron of the hell. オランダミミナグサ(OrandaMimiNagusa) This wild flower can be seen in the 4th and 5th months of the year. ノジスミレ(NojiSumire) Scientific Name : ...

02/01/2008 Owakudani is  a volcanic vent where sulphur and other volcanic substances still come out of springs. The water is higher than 100degrees in most springs and very poisonous. Sulphuric vents with volcanic activity Hot water springs Slight volcanic activity The famous black eggs  boiled in the hot water springs It is said that eating these eggs you can extend your life span. Well,I ate one. Even though the shell turns black due to the hydrogen sulphide released from the spring, the inside is of  the  same taste of a normal boiled egg. As rumors say, it is not good to eat three black eggs. Do not know the mystic reason, but I think too much sulphur in the system might shorten your life span. Mount Fuji from owakudani hotwater springs Hakone Ropeway and kanagwa prefecture beyond My special thanks to my host family , Mr and Mrs. Deguchi All Rights Reserved.

09/04/2010 I always feel blessed to witness the beauty of the spring of Japan. It is the revival of earth, human and everything you can imagine of. The main attraction of the spring in Japan unarguably  is Sakura. The beauty of sakura trees dressed in pink and falling pink petals cools your soul. No wonder Sakura has become the Japans national flower. Hope it becomes the flower of the earth one day. These are some shots I managed to while I was walking in my campus premises. The university premises where I study is  full of all types of Sakura and it becomes a treat to the eye when it comes to the spring. Enjoy!!!! Click on the pictures for a better view. Behind the Block No2 The Bicycle Park Behind Block No2 from above Infront of my hostel Entrance gate to the hostel Close shot of Sakura flowers These shots were taken at the Kita Koen where the Sakura is yet to bloom. Clo...

14/06/2009 Hydrangea is a flower that can be seen mostly in the end of  the spring. In Japan Ajisai season is a seasonal celbration where people go to see Hydrangea bloomed in its various colours at temples or parks. Near Tokyo, the most famous Ajisai  spot is in Kamakura.This year (2009) I had the chance to visit the Hasedera, a temple famous for it s Ajisai. There are various species of Hydrangea, in various colors. SOme species found at the Hasedera premises are included below.  8.1  Endless Summer   8.2  Frillibet 8.3 Ayesha   8.4  Lemon Zest  8.5  Larnath White 8.6   Lilacina   8.7  Ayesha  8.8 Pretty In Pink  8.9  Nikko Blue   8.10  Madame Emile Mouillere  8.11  Nightingale   8.12 Tokyo Delight  ...