it is actually both. its an amphibian vehicle :p. have not rode on one but want to try one of these. don’t know yet where in osaka you can ride on this one, but it is really an interesting vehicle.
took the picture on my way to osaka mint early this spring while walking along the riverbank in sakuranomiya.
Invited myself to join friends to go cycling from JR Kyoto Station to Arashiyama, I was so excited for this event till the weather forecast said it was going to be raining, and it did. By 0730, received an email that it was officially canceled. Rose , Kyrie and I decided to go cycling in the afternoon to USJ , but around 0900 the plan was again put into action. Met up with Rose, kay, Romsil, Los and Arnel in Shin Osaka station around 1100 and left for Kyoto.
When we arrived in Kyoto, it was still raining… wahhhhh… But it did not stop us and off we went to get our bicycles from the rental shop. Started from Kyoto Station around 1230 and took Karasuma avenue -> Shijo avenue . Took us about 1.5 hours ( including 30 minutes lunch ).
Matsuo bridge in Katsura River
Kyoto Cycling Course
Arashiyama..The cast…
Went off alone in the mountain to get some pictures, but unfortunately ( really stupid of me ) I forgot to check my batteries , it was not charged… wahahhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..
Arashiyama, was vividly green it was really pretty and with the recent rain it was beautiful, these are my fave pic of this trip..
Which literally means ” Tower Reaching Heaven”, is another well-known landmark of Osaka. After three years of living here, I finally came face to face with it.
The tower in the middle, surrounded by shops. One of which is a famous fugu ( blowfish) store.
Another thing that you will notice while walking around the shops is a somewhat funny at the same time scary statue of the Billiken.
Access to Tsutenkaku:
Ive been trying to go to Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in Takarazuka since I found out about the place three years ago. I got there 20 minutes early , so I decided to stroll around and I found out that Kiyoshikojin Seichoji is just 1.6km away, so off I went. Took me about 30 minutes from Hankyu Takarazuka line: Takarazuka Station to the temple and it was worth it. The place is so calm and relaxing. I think I was the only foreigner there 
It is a great place for temple hopping and meditatin.
San-mon (山門）
Kiyoshikoujin Seichouji was founded during the early Heian Period (9th century), wishing for the realization of Emperor Uda’s idea of ideal nation - a nation which was supported and protected by Buddhism, peaceful, prosperous and had good relation with neighboring countries.
Ichigan Jizou-son ( Statue of Ksitigarba for one wish )
In the end, I was not able to go to the Manga Museum. I got so tired and hungry and decide to come home
When: May 1, 2008 - May 24, 2008
Where: 先斗町歌舞練場(Pontochou Entertainment Hall) Sanjoubashi
Tickets:
| 茶券付特別席 | \4,300 |
| 特 別 席 | \3,800 |
| 普 通 席 | \2,000 |
Reservations:
Dance Schedule:
| １ 回 目 | 12:30 |
| ２ 回 目 | 14:20 |
| ３ 回 目 | 16:10 |
My first visit to Osaka Mint was last 2006 with my Thai friend Joy. It was a weekend and as expected the place was jam-packed with people that you could hardly move much more take decent photo.
This year, me being jobless still finally have the time again to visit Osaka Mint. Osaka Mint opened its gate to the public once a year for a week when the Sakura are blooming. They have more than 300 trees on its grounds. It started today, April 16 and will end April 22,2008. The gates opened from 9:30 to 16:30, admission is free.
Literally means flower and bird park located in port island Kobe. I love the gardens: flower cafe , tropical garden which house 100 types of water lily’s , the fuchsia( lady’s eardrops) collection garden. But the owl in the cages is a sad sight. I’m not sure if you could domesticate owl’s but putting them in those cages and not being able to fly freely is just sad.
Unlike other parks with animals/fowls, the birds are docile and can be feed. Some would actually race towards you if you have some feeds. While playing with a colorful duck/bird , a sweet little girl came over and offered me some of her bird food. I guess she wants more birds to come to our area
It is a great place for the young and old. Children can interact with different fowls safely. Another area is a very big bird cage where birds are separated by species and fly freely around , interacting with people. Here i had fun playing with the Myna bird ( Black-winged Starling ), who can speak only two word, “ohayou” and “konnichiwa”. We were facing each other and it does not seem to mind me whistling in its face :D.
More pics flower/birds in the park:
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| 花鳥園_Kachouen(Flowers) |
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| 花鳥園_Kachouen(The Birds) |
How to get there:
Entrance:
An eat-all-you-can restaurant is located inside the Flower Cafe, and cost 1300yen for adults.
Official Website: http://www.kamoltd.co.jp/kobe
B could not get a reservation for strawberry picking so it was decided to go on a little bit of hiking in Shinkobe and see Nunobiki Waterfalls. It was a short hike up, but fun. Great company , great weather and great food
Then went to Nagisa no Yu (なぎさの湯） in Kobe HAT.
Lovely day
Today was the last day of the 4th Ice Sculpture Festival in Rokko . It was lovely up there, all white and snowy and with a great weather
The Geisha :
The Dragon and Me:
I think this is still part of the Rokko Ski Resort:
The Rokko Garden Terrace all white..
Playing ..
Now my winter is complete..
I’ve passed by this temple a couple of times already whenever I’m in Kyoto. I never imagined this place is loaded with Sakura ( Cherry Blossoms ). This coming Spring, this temple is on the top of my list.
How to get there:
Take bus #59 and get off at Omuro Ninnaji.
Actually this temple is a few kilometers away from Kinkakuji ( Golden Pavillion). So if you are in that area, you can visit Ninnaji after Kinkakuji and Ryoanji.
The Sister in front of the Pagoda inside Ninnaji.
Imagine when this Sakura trees are in full bloomed, they would be lovely ..
The Main Entrance
