My trivial thinking

Katsura Imperial Villa was constructed by Prince Toshihito of the Hachijyo Family at first in 1615. He built Koshoin, after that his son Prince Toshitada took over and constructed the Chushoin, Shingoten, Gepparo, Shokintei, Shokatei and Shoiken. There is no evidence that Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) was directly involved in the creation of the garden, but Enshu probably gave some advice to the Hachijyo family. Katsura Imperial Villa that we can see today was completed in 1662. Cycad at Sotokoshikake Sotokosikake is a small hut that where visitors could wait until the host had finished preparing tea back then. The cycads were planted in here. It might be controversial, but this place is a microcosm where is not seen from any other places in this villa. Suhama / Sea and a lighthouse Passing Sotokoshikae, we walked near water along the pond and reached the Shokintei, the most important tea hut in this villa. The blue-and-white checkered pattern on the sliding doors ( husuma) a...

Katsura Imperial Villa is strictly preserved by the Imperial Household Agency, so we need the permission and have to wait for a long time. I applied at the beginning of February. I visited there with my wife yesterday. the Katsura River riverside road around the Entrance Katsura Imperial Villa is located at the south end of Kyoto City, alongside of the Katsura River. It was going to rain, but we didn't need our umbrellas when we arrived there. We entered the gate and showed our permit and drivers licenses. More than 30 visitors, including some foreigners, came at that time. A curator who was a middle-aged man guided and gave us an explanation with Kansai accent and comical talk. Main Gate from the inside At the Miyukimon, it suddenly began to rain hard. The curator comforted us that we were lucky because the moss looked most beautifully on the rainy day.

I went to Wakayama city for business this morning. After that, I bought a boxed lunch at a convenience store and visited Wakayama Castle again. It was a beautiful day today, cool in the shade but hot in the sun. The Castle Tower and Ohashi Roka Momijidani Garden in the site of the castle is beautiful. This is Ohashi Roka, or the Bridge Passage; you can enter the inside, free of charge, but it's a little uneasy to walk because of being slippery. inside the Ohashi Roka The Ohashi Roka leads you to Engyokaku (floating pavilion) in the pond. It must be more beautiful in the autumn surrounded by colored leaves. Engyokaku Koshoan The Koshoan is a tea ceremony hut, donated by Konosuke Matsusita, the founder of Panasonic. You can enjoy a cup of Japanese tea even if you don't know the manners.

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous castles in Japan. This was the site of Ishiyama-Hongan-ji Temple which was the toughest forces of resistance against Hideyoshi. After the overthrowing them, Toyotomi Hideyoshi ruled over the country and began to construct this castle in 1583, placed the headquarter of his administration here. Hideyoshi died in 1598. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu took over the rule in 1603. In the Summer Campaign of the Siege of Osaka, Yodogimi, the second wife of Hideyoshi, and the successor Hideyori suicided in here. Toyotomi family perished in 1615. Tokugawa Shogunate was functioned this castle as the core of the control of the western Japan and Osaka until 1868. In 1935, the castle was rebuilt. Now the Osaka Castle Park is the largest park and the most popular tourist spot in the city. I visited here yesterday. Due to the cherry blossom viewing, a lot of people, not only Japanese but also foreigne...

Senpukan is a historic, the oldest Western-style building in Osaka, and stands　facing O-kawa River. It used to  be a guest house for the Japanese Mint Bureau. The Meiji Emperor stayed here during his visit to Osaka in 1872. The building was constructed according to the Colonial Veranda style with the granite outer pillars, designed by Thomas Waters, an Irish architect. After three years renovation, Senpukan temporarily opens in public for only three days. When I arrived at a little past 10:00, many visitors have already been standing in line waiting for their turns. I had to wait for more than a hour.

 I went to Wakayama City on business last Wednesday , and on my way back to my office I visited Wakayama Castle. I enjoyed a quiet walk there because of a weekday, it was a little cloudy though. Wakayama Castle was built in 1585 and it was a castle belonging to Kisyu-Tokugawa family that was one of the three top Tokugawa-related families from 1619 to 1868. The eighth Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune was from this castle. The castle was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1958 out of concrete and is open to the public. In the season of cherry blossoms, the castle surrounded by pink flowers is very beautiful.