Monday, March 29, 2010

Nagoya’s sister cities at Hisaya Odori park

Hisaya odori park
Hisaya odori
Hisaya Odori park at sakae is a 100 meters wide park along Hisaya Odori street, that consist of a series of plazas dedicated to Nagoya’s sister and friendship cities.

Los Angeles plaza
The Los Angeles Plaza displays several pieces donated by the sister city of LA.
The Los Angeles rocks are from Alabama hills in central California and it is said to be 180 million years old.

Walk of fame
There is also a replica of the walk of fame with 25 stars embedded in the path.

Los Angeles Plaza eagle
bald eagle
Additionally there is a beautiful statue of a bald-eagle with a replica of some of the plates of the Chinese theatre.

Mexican plaza
North of the LA plaza there is the Mexico plaza, with pieces donated by the sister city of Mexico City, the main piece being a reproduction of the Aztec calendar.

Coyolxauhqui
A replica of the stone monument of the moon goddess Coyolxauhqi is also in this plaza.

Tula warrior
In addition, one replica of the Tula warrior rest on one of the sides of the plaza.

Nanjin plaza
Hua Biao Obelisk

North of the Mexican plaza is the Nanjin Plaza with Hua Bia Obelisks donated by the Chinese city in 1980.
At the Northermost part of the park there is the Sidney plaza with a replica of the anchor of the H.M.S Sirus.

Español

Thursday, March 25, 2010

City of Nagoya

Nagoya TV tower lighting
Nagoya
Nagoya city in the Aichi prefecture is Japan’s third city. Many of the Japanese Automotive companies are based in greater Nagoya.

Nagoya castle Main donjon
Nagoya castle
Nagoya castle's golden dolphins
The Nagoya castle is one of the main attractions of the city. Completed in 1612 to be the residence of the Tokugawa clan, it was lost to fire during the war. The current dojon was rebuilt in 1959. The city is currently planning to restore the Nagoya Castle Hommaru Palace.

TV tower
Nagoya TV tower
Nagoya TV tower in the Sakae area, with 180 m of height is the oldest TV tower in Japan completed in 1954, with two observation decks and a restaurant and gallery. The tower has been designated a national tangible cultural property.

Oasis 21
Oasis 21's galaxy platform
Galaxy platform
Recently added in 2002 in the sakae area is Oasis 21, a park and open air-underground complex, where various events are held.

Español

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Confucian temple Yushima seido

Yushima seido gate
Yushima seido in yushima, neighborhood of Bunkyo Tokyo is a Confucian temple founded in 1960 by the Tokunaga shogunate, later became a center of Confucian learning, as noted in one of the signs in the grove, it was one of the first educational institutions in Japan. The sign reads “The birthplace of the education in Japan”, the site is designated as an historic place.

yushima seido grove
The temple is locate on one of the sides of the Hijiri bashi or saints bridge, as it has Nicholai cathedral on one side and Yushima seido on the opposite.

Nyutokumon gate
Kyodamon gate
Entering by going down the steps on the hijiri bashi a small grove can be appreciated at the gate. Passing through the nyutokumon gate is not allowed now, so it is required to go through a side entrance, and then enter the temple trough the Kyodamon gate.

yushima seido
daisendan hall
Daisendan roof
The main building daisendan is impressive for its simplicity, all black, with almost no decorations. Its simplicity is more dramatic, when compared with the color excesses of the temple Kanda Myojin just across the street.

Español

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Spring is almost here

sakura
Spring is just around the corner, although it did snow a couple of days ago, the good weather is back now.

plum tree in Shinobazu pond
Shinobazu pond
duck in Shinobazu pond
The plum trees at shinobazu pond in Ueno park are at the end of their blooming, a sure sign of the soon arrival of the sakura cherry blossom .

Ueno park
Ueno
Sakura street at Ueno
white eye on sakura
Some of the sakura trees on the entrance and at the park are starting to bloom, and the park has starting the preparations for the hanami or cherry blossom viewing.

Español

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Doll’s festival hinamatsuri

P1030462
Japan celebrated the “Hinamaturi” Doll’s day or girl’s day on March 3rd. Most of the Japanese houses with girls, display the dolls to pray for the girls happiness.

P1030469
Dolls representing the emperor and empress, and court ladies musicians, ministers, ad servants are displayed on several layers covered with a red carpet.

hina dolls store
The girls families purchase the doll when the girls are very young and display them every year until the girls get married and take them with them.

Hina dolls
hina matsuri
As families are living in smaller houses now, only the top layer with the Emperor and the empress are becoming more popular.

Español