Category: Travel

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備中松山城と松山城・Bitchū Matsuyama&Matsuyama

私は知らなかったですけど日本に松山城は二つあります！！今回私の両親がアメリカから遊びに来たので両方を見に行きました！！

Did you know there are two castles in Japan with the name Matsuyama?  I learned this while my parents were visiting and we had the chance to see both castles!

はじめに倉敷市で会いました。松江市に帰る途中で間にある備中松山城を見に行きました「上の写真」。標高430メートル最も高い所にある！！本物の天守閣でとても素敵でした🏯

At the beginning of their stay, we met in Kurashiki City, and planned to come to Matsue City by train.  On the way, we stopped to see Bitchū Matsuyama Castle (pictured above).  Located 430 meters above sea level, it has the distinction of being Japan’s highest mountain castle with an original castle tower!

もう一つのお城松山城にはリフトで向かいました！！松山城からの眺めは360度見渡すことができとても素敵な街です。松山城は昔に建設されている天守もあります「下の写真」。お城の高い石垣とたくさんの門は姫路城と少し似ていると思いました。

Toward the end of their stay, we visited the island of Shikoku, where Matsuyama Castle (pictured below) is located in Ehime Prefecture.  We enjoyed riding the chairlift up to the castle grounds, which offer panoramic views of Matsuyama City.  Matsuyama Castle is also known for having original towers and is considered one of the most prestigious castles in Japan.  The castle’s high stone walls and long defensive corridors leading up to the keep reminded me of Himeji Castle!

I really recommend seeing both castles!!　
🏯どちらもおすすめです！！🏯

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大東七夕祭「Tanabata」

初めて大東七夕祭へ行って来ました！！私はもちろん浴衣で夏祭り気分を盛り上げて行きました👘

Last Monday, I attended a Tanabata Matsuri (festival) for the first time.  The festival is held in Daitō, a district in Unnan city, every August 6th.  Of course, I enjoyed wearing yukata👘!

Although Tanabata is officially observed on the 7th of July, Tanabata festivals are held throughout Japan in July or August.  You can read more about Tanabata and its history, here.  

In Daitō, each neighborhood makes a float, and these, along with lanterns and bamboo branches decorated with ornaments and wishes, are paraded down a street lined with summer festival booths to the sound of traditional drums, flutes and cymbals.  There was also a stage for live performances, and to top off the night, a fireworks display over the river!  It was truly spectacular, and I look forward to attending next year!

また、来年も皆さん元気いっぱい笑顔もいっぱいを待ってま〜す。

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花回廊・Flower Park

とっとり花回廊へ遊びに行って来ました。ツーリップ祭りでいっぱいチューリップが咲いていてとてもきれいでした！

Recently, I went to the Tottori Flower Park.  Although the part of the park with tulips had already finished blooming, there was a tulip festival going on so the entrance to the park was full of beautiful tulips arranged in colorful boxes.♥

天気は晴れていて暑いくらいでしたがいろいろな場所を見てまわりました！周囲1kmの屋根付き回廊の方も高いところから園内を一望できたり楽しめます。

It was a warm, sunny day, and I enjoyed walking all through the different flower zones, but you can also view them from a covered tunnel that encircles the park, including stunning views from above!

まだまだ６月に咲くお花がありますので是非行って下さい！

There are plenty of flowers that will bloom in the coming months, but the flower park has flowers and natural beauty year round!

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さくら祭り：木次町🌸Blossoms in Kisuki

Jenniferです🌸

先週、木次町で桜を見に行きました！雲南市のさくら祭りは毎年4月のイベントです。雲南市内お花見スポットがいっぱいありますが私のおすすめは木次町のさくらトンネルです😊

Last week, Mr. K and I went to the cherry blossom festival held annually in the rural city of Unnan.  We had a picnic in the Kisuki area, which has a “cherry blossom tunnel,” as well as views of trees in the surrounding hillsides.

2017さくら祭り
2017木次町
2018さくら祭り
2018さくら
2018花見

私は去年も木次町へ行ってましたが桜はまだ咲いてなくて残念でした。今年はなんと桜満開とても素晴らしかったです！！

Last year we also went to the festival, but we were too early and the trees had only just started to bloom.  This year our timing was perfect: a sunny day and trees in full bloom!  It was truly spectacular!!🌸

また、来年もキレイなさくらを待ってま〜す。
「I wonder where I’ll see next year’s cherry blossoms?」

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サンタモニカ・Santa Monica🎡

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ベニスビーチの近くにある観光スポットのサンタモニカ埠頭とパシフィック公園です。

Located just north of Venice Beach is Santa Monica, with its famous pier and Pacific Park.

オーシャンフロントウォークで通称マッスル・ビーチ「外のスポーツジム」からサンタモニカ埠頭までお散歩しました！1月でも暑くて晴れました🌞

After our delicious brunch, we strolled along the Ocean Front Walk from Muscle Beach to the Santa Monica pier.  Even though it was January, it was a very hot, sunny day. 🌞

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またベニスビーチのホテルに帰ってステキな夕日を見ました！とても素晴らしい日でした😊

After we returned to Venice, we watched a spectacular sunset!  It was a very nice way to end our time in Southern California.😊