The Beauty of Shibamata, Tokyo

Shibamata of Katsuhika Ward is surrounded by a river and greenery. There are chic attraction such as parks with homely tastes, and temples and structures showing a long history.

Shibamata Taishakuten Temple and the approach

Entering through the old wooden gate called Niten-mon, visitors will see attractive structures including the main hall and other structure enshrining Taishakuten. There is a garden with a waterfall offering the natural beauty in four seasons. The approach to Taishakuten is a popular attraction with a number of food paradise such as Dangoya (dumpling shops) and Senbeiya (Japanese rice cracker shops) at either side of the road.

Mizumoto Park

The park has a drainage basin which has a long history. Visitors can enjoy seeing the forest park and aquatic plants like Japanese irises in the natural setup. The “Japanese Iris Festival” is held in June. Also popular is a bird sanctuary that was arranged in the waterfront in the natural environment.

Katsushika-ku Yamamoto-tei

The house of Yamamato Einosuke, a businessman in the Taisho era, is publicly shown. There are many attractions including a warehouse, a tenement house with a gate that combines Western and Japanese styles of architecture, and a beautiful garden arranging a fountain pond and a small artificial hill. There is a corner for a tea shop where visitors may take a rest after strolling at Shibamata.

Yagiri no Watashi

There is one of the ferries established as ferries floating across Tonegawa River by the Tokugawa government in the early Edo era. The ferry is also well-known thanks to “Nogiku-no-Haka”, a novel by Itoh Sachio and “Yagiri-no-Watashi”,  a hit popular song. A ferryboat is available for visitors to ride.

 

Katsushika Shibamata Tora san Museum

This is a memorial hall for “Otokowa Tsuraiyo”, the comic film series that was a bug hit with Atsumi Kiyoshi starring under the directorship of Yamada Yoji. Exhibited are materials offering the world of Tora-san including the studio set used in the movie making, models and films, which visitors will be able to enjoy to seeing.

Kanamachi Purification Plant

This is one of the major water purification plants of the Tokyo Water Supply System. It takes in water from the Edogawa river and supplies water to midtown Tokyo. The water purification capacity of 15 million cubic meters is one the largest class in Japan. The plant is open to the public during the time of cherry blossoms (early June), the week of the water system and on the Day of Metropolitan Citizen on October 1^st.

Lunar New Year in Singapore

Lunar New Year is the biggest and most important date of the Chinese calendar. Full of color, merriment and sumptuous feasts, this s a festival that’s full of tradition, one that’s celebrated with vigor, joy and family reunions. Chinese New Year (CNY) is a 15-days festival that’s celebrated all across the island. It’s also known as Lunar New Year because it ends on the onset of the full moon. It’s widely believed that the folklore behind it stems from a Chinese legend about a predatory beast that awoke each spring and terrorized villagers; until discovered that this frightful horned monster could be scared off which loud noise, the color red and flashes of light.

Therefore it’s no surprise that the occasion is marked with red lanterns and scrolls, street light-ups and lion dance troupes waving loud, rhythmic drumming sounds and firecrackers.  Red is also the color of good luck and prosperity and people greet one another with “Gong Xi Fa Chai” which means “wishing you prosperity this new year” Red packets containing money known as ‘hong baos’ are also given for good luck.

Lunar New Year in Singapore

Preparing for CNY

Visit Chinatown and experience the wondrous street light up, festive bazaars, where there’s lots of shopping to be done in the lead up to the big day.

China town is where Chinese New Year comes alive and this year was no different; it’s definitely the place to soak in the electric atmosphere of the festivities. The festival is celebrated in a massive way through impressive street light-ups, a bazaar comprising some few hundreds stalls and nightly stage performances at Kreta Ayer Square near the impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. With 2011 being the Year of Rabbit, the annual light-ups pay tribute to this furry friend, which is one of the 12 Zodiac animals. To capture the sights of the New Year, visitors have the chance by taking the photo with larger-than-life displays of rabbits at the junction of New Bridge Road and Cross Street.

Chingay Parade

Catch the dazzling Chingay Parade, an exciting street parade with lots of floats, and a kaleidoscope of multicultural performances from Singapore and regional countries such as China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Chinese New Year takes to the street through this amazing street and floats parade. Chingay meaning “The arts of masquerade” is an extravaganza of cultures from Singapore and around the world. With over 7,500 performers and 2,000 volunteers, expect spectacular performances like dragons dancing through the sky, giant puppets and floats of every shape, size and color, with international performers coming all the way from China, Denmark, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Germany and Mexico.

Whale World at Tonga Island

During mid of every year, some 500 humpback whales arrive in the shallow waters off Tonga's Ha'apai Islands to mate and calf, transforming the archipelago into an oversize nursery until September. The Ha'apai are one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with the 50-foot-long mammals. Some local travel agencies organize the exciting trip and let you get very close to the whales farm.

Just don't expect a Sea World encounter. It is done with the absolute strictest guidelines about behavior around the whales. There is no contact. When not ogling underwater family dynamics and reefs of hard and soft corals, you will be kayaking between islands, which professional writer Paul Theroux once called "The Perfect area of paddling a kayak - possibly the best in the Pacific ..".

For the second half of the trip, clients board a catamaran bound for even more remote reefs and islets. Lodging range from a village homestay to a bunk on the rowboat to over-water chalets; Tongan buffets root vegetables, fresh octopus, and suckling pig are nightly affairs to be served.

Extractions at Ginza Tokyo

Forming up with traditional and historical department stores as well as impressive valuables, Ginza is a colorful district of stylish adults. Few main points that I recommended to visit:

Kabuki-za Theater

The theater stage Kabuki, Japan’s original theatrical art. Earphone guidance in Japanese or English is available for those who are not familiar with Kabuki.

Tsukiji Market

The largest central wholesale market in Japan has long supported the kitchens of the huge city of Tokyo. Restaurants offering fresh seafood dot the market, as well as the Jogai outdoor market.

Shimbashi Enbujo Theater

The large theater built in 1925 has 1,428 seats, offering a wide variety of dramas including Kabuki as well as modern plays. There are restaurants, boxed lunch shops and souvenirs shops.

Ginza Yonchome Intersection

At the intersection of Chuo-Dori Street, and Harumi-Dori Street, there are symbolic architectures of Ginza including Mitsukoshi Department Store and Wako Clock Tower. The perfect place to start a Ginza walk.

Tokyo Takarazuka Theater

The theater is used exclusively for Takarazuka Operas for over 90 years. Visitors are able to enjoy brilliant revues and musicals featuring only actresses throughout the year. Walk-up tickets are also sold every day.

Sony Building

The building contains the Sony showroom, Japan’s leading electric manufacturer, as well as restaurants and an event space. The showroom offers a hands-on experience of the new products.

Winter Night View at Tokyo

During December, the Loyal Retainer Festival (Gishi-Sai) would be held at different places in Tokyo such as Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park, which used to be part of Lord Kira's mansion, and Sengakuji Temple, home to the graves of the Loyal 47. Also, the Hagoita-ichi Ornamental Battledore Fair, is held at Sensoji Temple. In addition to ordinary decoration battledores, artistic battledores like Fujimusume dolls, a Samurai named Benkei and battledores representing contemporary topics are displayed for sale.

The Oshogatu, i.e. Japan New Year, recommendations are New Year Grand Kabuki and New Year Grand Sumo at Kokugikan stadium. The Camellia Festival starts at the end of January on Izu Oshima Island with camellias blooming all over the island. 

There are many Ume (Japanese Plum) festivals such as the one in the Yushima Tenmangu Shrine in February and the one at Yoshino Baigo in Ohme in March.

In Tokyo, you may want to start off a wonderful evening with a Japanese-style dinner of your choice (tempura, sukiyaki, or vegetarian cuisine) at the restaurants along Ariake district. After dinner, enjoy a drive through the futuristic Odaiba district and over the Rainbow Bridge and experience a breathtaking winter night view of Tokyo from the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills.

Den My Chau & Thai Nguyen in Hanoi Vietnam

There are a number of sensible attractions in the town of Hanoi, Vietnam though they are scattered at all tourist spot of the area at varying distances from the Hanoi metropolis. It's best to stay in the capital and set up day-trips to preferred destinations.

The first known self-governing Viet Kingdom was created in 258BC when Emperor An Duong established his capital at Co Loa, 16km north of present Hanoi city. There is a little left from the original city, but a few hours trip to Co Loa Citadel is well worth the attempt. An Duong built his capital within three concentric stockade, which spiraled like the shell of a snail, and there are still just able to be seen today.

Close to the Citadel's former south gateway, a large pipal tree shades Den My Chau, a temple dedicated to An Duong's daughter, princess My Chau. Nearby Den An Duong Vuong is committed primarily to King An Duong, but also to the magical Golden Turtle Kim Quy. The patio of this temple rests on six turned and lacquered pillars that support a long roof with curving attics.

Thai Nguyen, 76km north of Hanoi city, is well-known for its excellent Museum of The Nationalities of Vietnam. If you are interested in Vietnam's colorful minorities, a visit is well worth the journey. The exhibits include everyday costumes, photographs, artifacts and video presentations, displayed in five large rooms split by linguistic groups. The Mon-Khmer Room, recently redecorated, is particularly impressive.
 
The museum is located at the center of the town.