The time has come again for azalea and hiking on Tatsugane mountain in Minami sanriku.
Around the summit of Tatsugane mountain 512m high from the sea level, you can be surronded by 50,000 roots of azalea red flowers and fresh green leaves. You can enjoy beautiful view of the Pacific ocean and clear blue sky if the weather conditions are good.
It is good to drive to the top or by MTB bicycle, but my suggestion is the hiking on the “Gyouja no michi” ascetic trail.
It is not difficult but easy also for the beginners taking only 1.5hours from the parking to the summit. You may enjoy fresh air and pure nature of beautiful Tohoku. Your satisfaction guaranteed!
This is truly a wonderland of nature in Tohoku.
Sergio
Do you know in Japan the day 5th of May is a national holiday to expect healthy growth of children?
This is Koinobori, meaning “Rising Carp” streamer shaped.
This fish is carp. I know it is exported from Japan with very expensive prices sometimes more than 1 million Japanese yen to the World.
Why carp? There seems to be many stories, but one of them is in Kyoto, Carp was or is still considered by a messenger of God rising up the river to a villege where disastered by calamity.
When I was small, my parents has set 3 or 4 carp made by textile with different colours such as black, red, blue or green over the roof of the house. This customs was started 200 or 300 years ago during Edo era by traditional samurai families.
We can see those Koinobori also in Miyagi.
This is Higashi Matsushima, blue carp only or red only.
Toogatta Onsen.
In Taiwan also, Koinobori is rising.
Koinobori can be seen nationwide in Japan during early May.
It is time to cruise on Shizugawa Bay just registered as Ramsar Convention site last year..
Do you know WIFI is available on the boat with new system.
You can take pictures or videos and send to your friends immidiately and directly from the boat.
Just connect to SSID ; hamayuri-wifi, with Password ; 3hamayuri
When you are connected, please take pictures of your nearest seagull.
It has been announced the name of Japanese new period by the government just 3 days ago.
The name is "Reiwa", it means order and harmony.
The current 125th Emperor Akihito will resign from his position and hands over to his eldest son "Naruhito" on the coming 1st May.
Emperor Akihito
Coming Emperor Naruhito
When the Akihito has been appointed as the Emperor almost 30 years ago, the period named "Heisei".
"Heisei" derives from Chinese historical book, meaning "when the inside is calm, the outside will be completed", but this time "Reiwa" derives from "Man yo shu" anthology of Japanese poetry.
The first emperor of Japan "Jimmu".
The system of Japanese era name was started in the year 645 with the name of "Taika". Since then, the time of Japan is connected always to the Emperor.
Miyagi and Tohoku are famous with its hot springs.
Majority of hot springs are located in the Ou mountain range, however in Minami Sanriku where is sea side they have escavated 2,000m depth from the ground with recent technology to strike spring water vein.
You can watch friendly seagulls flying over hot spring forgetting busy time and relaxing with them.
Endless Onsen terrace toward the ocean. Incredible rich experience.
Try to be early bird for the rising sun from the horizon which is superb view.
Open air onsen and 4 large baths and sauna are available.
Enjoy blue ocean, green islands, panorama to the ocean of soft sun light.
Rocky cave for ladies.
Japanese taste green for mens. Feel ocean breeze, listen to the sounds of waves.
This is Minami Sanriku Onsen. 2 hours from Sendai by free shuttle bus.
Last Sunday it has been taken place of Girls’ Festival or Hinamatsuri in all over Japan.
Dolls displayed at Minami Sanriku Hotel KANYO.
It is a Japanese tradition to pray healthy growth of girls, by decorationg dolls with flowers of peach and donating tiny rice balls and rhombus-shaped colourful rice cakes.
Rice Balls
It is 3rd March every year. Origin of Himamatsuri may derive from Kyoto of about 1,000 years ago, but it is spread to all of Japan in Edo period 400 years ago.
In Tohoku it is a little bit different from other area of Japan. We hang dolls from the ceiling. This is “Kazaribina” or hanging dolls of Senmaya district of Ichinoseki City in Iwate.
They donate and decolate also Sake which is important for Senmaya area.
Only 1 hour drive to Semmaya from Shizugawa to experience authentic Japanese festival.
Sergio
