Horai-(bashi) Bridge
The Horai Bridge constructed in 1879 is a wooden walking bridge in Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan over the Ōi River. The bridge was registered in The Guinness Book of Records as the longest wooden walking bridge (897 m) in 1997. It also said that the bridge had been broken few times due the strong typhoon. The latest repair on March 2012.
Furano Lavender Farm
Furano, Hokkaido has beautiful summer season where you can see the beautiful colors of nature everywhere. July is the best time to see the lavender in Furano Lavender Farm, Hokkaido. Although there are several lavender varieties with different blooming schedules, the main bulk of flowers opens towards late June, reaches full bloom around mid July and declines in late July and early August. Many flower farms welcome you with the amazing colorful patterns of flower fields, including the famous, “Tomita Farm”, which is near to Lavender Train Station. “Saika Farm” is also very beautiful and about 2.5km from Tomita Farm. They have the large lavender farm, and the different taste from Tomita Farm.
The Tsukiji Outer Market
The Tsukiji Outer Market, known as the Jogai Shijo, is Japan’s “Food Town,” where one can encounter all of Japan’s traditional foods. A mixture of wholesale and retail shops along with numerous restaurants line the streets, and new culinary trends are born here. On the seventh day of each month, Tsukiji Market hosts a special event where vendors offer free samples of their wares to the general public. In the May edition they are offering free samples of the popular tamagoyaki egg rolls. “Tamagoyaki” is a Japanese style omelet made by rolling together layers of cooked egg in a rectangular pan. Sweet tamagoyaki is used for sushi and as delightful morsels in bento boxes. There are several specialty stores in the Tsukiji Outer Market, so make sure to give them a try. Tamagoyaki will keep for several days when refrigerated, so please remember to keep it cold.
The month of Ajisai
Ajisai (hydrangea) bloom from May – July in different regions in Japan and light up Japan’s rainy season. Blooming times vary from year to year. Ajisai has many color variation from pink, yellow, blue, purple, white, green, or red. Ajisai are planted everywhere in Kamakura. Hase Temple and Tokeiji Temple in Kamakura has excellent Ajisai gardens. The hillside of Hase Temple is covered by 1,000 of Ajisai flowers. Meigetsu-in Temple is also known as an Ajisai Temple. Don’t let these rainy season bother your travel. Make sure to see the art of nature which only presents itself in the Tsuyu rain.
Tokyo Ueno Zoo
In March Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo said that two giant pandas, female Shin Shin & male Ri Ri both 7 have mated, sparking hopes for a cub. A cub was born to the pair last July, the first one at the zoo in 24 years, but it died of pneumonia six days later. Shin Shin will be off-limits for viewing beginning on June 4 in order to prepare for childbirth following signs of a possible pregnancy. On June 2 after munching on her favorite meal of bamboo, however, Shin Shin spent most of the day lying down to rest. The period of a panda’s pregnancy lasts somewhere between 83 and 200 days. If things go according to the same schedule as last year, Shin Shin should give birth sometime between mid-June and the beginning of July.