Rose of Kyu Furukawa Teien / Night view

Every Spring and Autumn's rose seasons, Kyu Furukawa Teien open a "Rose Festival".  Several years ago, I visited there to see "Autumn Rose Festival" and posted an article on this blog. (2006 Autumn Rose Festival http://leepapa05.blogspot.jp/2006_10_01_archive.html)

They have held "2014 Spring Rose Festival" right now, and I found that they opened the garden till night during this event. So, I visited there after work last Friday evening.

I already have written the history and overview of this garden on the previous post (2006 Autumn Rose Festival http://leepapa05.blogspot.jp/2006_10_01_archive.html), so I won't rewrite them here. Let me just introduce you the photos which I took. 

I couldn't get into the mansion, but all of the room lights were on, 

And also the roses surrounded the mansion were lighted-up.

Below the mansion, there was a western style rose garden.

Illuminated roses are also beautiful, are they?

There were many people coming here, but thanks of darkness, I didn't feel so crowded, could just enjoy the night view.

Below the rose garden, you can find the Japanese style garden. They also illuminated there. 

  Illuminated green leaves and calm atmosphere made me feel relaxed.

"2014 Spring Rose Festival" will be held until June 9th, but the nighttime open would be till this evening (May 25th). Sorry, I couldn't introduce this information earlier. If you have any interest, please try on next chance. It might be held in October.

Kyu Furukawa Teien HP(English / Japanese)
You can go there from Nishigahara sta. of the Tokyo Metro Nanboku-line, or Komagome sta. of the JR Yamanote-line.

Please click to see the map of Kyu Furukawa Teien (Goodle Map)

Azalea Festival 2014 at Nezu Shrine

  Lee has already become 12 years old, as in human age he is in his 60's. Actually, he has some physical trouble related to aging, but fortunately, his legs back and bones are still perfect. Thanks Lee's father, Levin and mother, Noa, they had a strong bone structure. Thanks to you we can enjoy walking even now.

  Last Sunday, Lee and I took a long distance walking to Nezu Shrine, where the Azalea Festival has been held.

  So many people came to see Azalea from all around Tokyo. The old couple who asked me how to get to here was from Saitama prefecture.

  It was a warm and sunny day, the best day for walking.

... but Lee seemed to get tired a bit.

  Several years ago, it had taken about 45 min to get here, but this time it took over 1 hour with putting some short breaks.

  There's no hurry. You can walk at your pace. I love walking with you.

  The Azalea Festival will be held until 6th May, the last day of the "Golden week", Japanese holiday season.

  The other posting of Nezu Shrine's Azalea festival are here (2007, 2011).
  The other season's scenery of Nezu Shrine are here. (February, December, 300 anniversary )

  Please click to see the map of Nezu Shrine (Google Map)

Hagoita-Ichi (Hagoita Fair) / Senso-ji temple, Asakusa

Hagoita is, originally, a paddle of the traditional racket game, Hanetsuki, which is played by kids during the New Year’s holiday. It also has been made and displayed as a charm against evil. Ancient people believed that Hagoita would hit bad lucks away. It has become one of the craft arts of Tokyo.
Every December, Hagoita craftsmen gather at Asakusa Senso-ji temple for the Hagoita-Ichi (Hagoita Fair). This fair has been held there since Edo era and it has become one of the signature winter event in Tokyo.

Hagoita-Ichi poster displayed at JR Ueno station.

Last Thursday night, I dropped over at Asakusa on the way back home, and took Asakusa night scene and some Hagoita pictures. (All of pictures can be enlarged by clicking them.)


It was already over 20 o’clock, so most of the shops on the approach pavement to the Senso-ji were about closed.


I often had been there in the daytime, but it was a first time to visit at night.


Most of the Hagoita were featuring the Kabuki-actors.

Apparently the range of prices of normal sizes were around 20,000 - 50,000 yen. Bigger hagoita were over 300,000yen,,, zee, who could buy them?


Some of craftsmen feature celebrities or athletes who were active this year.

The boy with red cap in the above picture is Ryo Ishikawa, Japanese professional golf rookie, who won a golf tournament when he was just 15 (he was recorded in the Guinness book as the youngest winner of the regular golf tournament) and became a professional golfer this year.


“Hello Kitty”?



The dates of the fair are 17th to 19th December, every year. Please note on your next year’s calender.

The closest station is Asakusa (Tokyo Metro Ginza-line, Tobu Isesaki-line and Toei Asakusa-line).