Scenes of the Summer in the Yonezawa Area

Summer season, I mean the weather, is very short in this Yonezawa region in Yamagata. Probably about 1.5 months or so. You sometimes need a light jacket in late August.

But it also has a good point. You can somewhat stay away from horrible heat waves of the summer in Japan.  In big cities like Tokyo, you have to turn an air conditioner on as soon as you wake up in the morning. Seriously you can't survive without it. Even after midnight, you still need to keep turning it on. 

But it doesn't apply to this area. You don't have to depend on the artificial breeze, at least in the morning and at night. It’s cool enough.  And the best thing here is the air is so clean. Sky is always blue that makes you enjoy the season a lot.

FYI:

• Yonezawa City: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonezawa,_Yamagata
• Travel Info of Yonezawa: http://www.yonezawa-kankou-navi.com/langage/en/index.html

 

 

View of Mt. Iide

Mt. Iide is selected as one of the famous Japanese mountains.  

FYI:  

• Mt. Iide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Iide

Iide Town – One of the most beautiful villages in Japan

Iide Town in Yamagata has been selected as one of the most beautiful villages in Japan.  I totally agree to it.  About 84% of this small town are mountains including their symbolic mountain, Mt. Iide, which is still covered with snow in the middle of July.  There is a lot of nature still remaining everywhere in the town.  I can say Iide is one of the must-see destinations in the country.

FYI:

• Iide Town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iide,_Yamagata
• The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan: http://www.utsukushii-mura.jp/iide-index <Japanese>
• The Association of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Beautiful_Villages_in_Japan
• Beautiful Villages in the World: http://www.utsukushii-mura.jp/world-village <Japanese>

Mt. Iide
FYI:  Mt. Iide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Iide

Mt. Iide
FYI:  Mt. Iide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Iide

   

Shirakawa Dam

Shirakawa Dam

Shirakawa Dam

Upper stream of Shirakawa Dam

Control Ctr of the dam

Hidden hot spring place in the deep inside of the mountains.
 Need to drive 30-40 minutes on a small narrow mountain road
from the nearest highway.
FYI: Yunohana http://kanketusen.com <Japanese>

This is the only geyser people can bathe in Japan.

Snake Arts of the Street

2013 is the year of snake according to the Chinese zodiac. I found a these paintings drawn on the lumber in front of a building contractor’s office at the beginning of this year.  I don’t know why a cat is on it together. Probably because cats like to chase snakes. That’s my guess.

The pictures were taken nearby Omiya Hachiman Shrine in Suginami, Tokyo.

FYI: 

• Year of Snake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_(zodiac)
• Omiya Hachiman Shrine: http://www.ohmiya-hachimangu.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Main Toiri (= shrine gate) of Omiya Hachiman Shrine

  

Main Sando (= approach) 

Fun Streets of Nakano

Even just walking on streets is quite fun in Nakano . Especially on the  back streets nearby Nakano station, you can definitely enjoy your exploration. There are bunch of unique shops, restaurants, bars,,,etc. Everything you want to experience in Tokyo is out there.  

FYI:

• Nakano, Tokyo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakano,_Tokyo
• Travel Info of Nakano: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3069.html
• What's going on around Nakano Station: http://xn--fiqs26n18e.jp/index.html?pref_code=13 (Japanese)

Back street near Nakano station

Back street near Nakano station

Back street near Nakano station

Nanako Street back in the cherry blossom season.
Famous for the cherry blossoms on the sidewalks 

Nanako Street back in the cherry blossom season.

Nanako Street back in the cherry blossom season.

Deep Geek Town - Nakano, Tokyo.

Nakano is probably the real capital of geeks, not Akihabara which is too touristy nowadays.
If you are interested in Japanese subcultures - so called Moe culture - such as anime, manga, video games, figurines,,, ahh whatever,,, you should visit this town (by the way, I'm not one of those people).  Especially the Nakano Broadway building, which is the core of Nakano culture, is a must-see spot. Variety of unique stores, not only for geeks, are inside.

Nakano is also an enjoyable town for shopping, dinning out, and entertainment and for living. The town was voted as the best place to live in Tokyo a couple of years ago. I believe it's still true.  Very convenient place to live.

FYI:

• Nakano, Tokyo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakano,_Tokyo
• Travel Info of Nakano: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3069.html
• Akihabara: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html
• Moe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moe_(slang)

Arcade to Nakano Broadway

Main entrance of Nakano Broadway
FYI: Nakano Broadway http://www.nbw.jp (Japanese)

Inside of Nakano Broadway
The main store of Mandarake,
a famous manga chain store company,
is here in this building.
FYI: Mandarake http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/

Nakano station

Nakano station

A bar (pub) named Brick as it looks. 

A maid cafe. The signboard says "therapy of talk" and
seems like they provide services of cafe, bar, massage.
What a all-in-one station.
FYI: Maid cafe
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/the-past-present-and-future-of-maid-cafes

In front of pachinko shop.
FYI: Pachinko http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2065.html

Thanks Kelly for your directions. 

Nakano Central Park
FYI: Nakano Central Park
http://www.nakano-centralpark.jp/ (Japanese)