My Favorite Sacred Place and Power Spot Surround Japan so Far!!

“Power Spots" are Places surround Japan to go in order to stimulate with Good Energies and Good luck in Life, it is now popular to lots of Japanese People and Foreign Residence, especially women. These places, usually Temples or Shrines, Mountains and Falls who possess the Power of God. Maybe a happy relationship, healthy life, success in career, having pregnant and bearing child safely could come true. Also Japanese people believe that the Power Spot places have an ability to take them to Peace and Tranquility in the Hustle Bustle days and stress (reblog from deareststuff.com). Since started blogging — even before 2010 — I’ve been asked one question more than any other: “What was your favorite places in Japan?” I said, there were several places in Japan that I adored so much but power spot captured the biggest parts of my heart and eyes.

Here are those power spot surrounded Japan that I love to spend my holiday, listed in no particular order.

-Tōdai-ji Temples-
Is a Buddhist temple structure found in the city of Nara and Big hall of Buddha are one of the main attraction of this site for being the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world with houses? The Tōdai-ji temples served as the main school for Buddhism in Japan but according to lots of people who visited a temple, it is a famous place to visit for those who want to gain good energy and recharge their spiritual beliefs. If you are planning a trip to Japan, visiting this ancient temples is a good way to start.

-Jouren no Taki in Mount Amagi-
 A beautiful waterfall found in Yugashima, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture with the height of 25 meters and 7 meters in width, along with the natural forest of Mount Amagi, the Jouren no Taki waterfalls become listed as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. It is visited by people who longing for more extra activities aside from power and good energy recharging you can enjoy doing trout fishing around the Jouren no Taki waterfalls and also experienced seeing fresh wasabi in the process.

-The Oshino Hakkai-
 Oshino Hakkai also known as Utsu Lake in Yamanashi Prefecture, located 7 km²  from the lake of Kawaguchiko and 3 km² Northwest from the Lake of Yamanakako, are now listed as one of 100 national treasure of Japan.  It has beautiful Eight Spring of Ponds with clear and beautiful water coming down from the melting snow of Mount Fuji. This pure water contains a large amount of mineral and called by people as “The spring of God” given the name by local Japanese who once used to wash away Impurities of the heart and soul.

-Matsumoto Castle Escapade-
Matsumoto Castle a.k.a the "Crow Castle" can be found in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. it is my first castle invading since I decide to visit each castle prefecture of Japan to learned their history.

-Kakitakawa Wakimizu-
the Kakitakawa is a clear-flowing River around Shimizu town in the district of Suntō in Shizouka Prefecture. It is listed as one of the three clear flowing Rivers in Japan together with the Nagara and Shimanto rivers of Gifu and Kōchi Prefecture. The main water source of this beautiful rivers come from the melting snow of Mount Fuji and the others are from spring and rainfalls. The spring parts can be viewed separately from the main river area located at the Kakitakawa Park forming as an old water well. During my visit I experienced, many people have their empty pet bottle with them and bring home water came from the Kakitakawa River for they believe as “Healing Water for all Sickness”.

(credit hatena.jp)

-Yatsugatake Tour Hike-
is a volcanic mountain range in the border of Nagano & Yamanashi prefectures.  The area is teeming with hikers all year round, and is one of the premier winter climbing destinations in Japan (by hikingjapan).

-Golden Pavillon or kinkakuji-
The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is perhaps the most famous temple in Japan. It is a World Heritage Site covered in gold leaf that was burnt to the ground by a mad monk in 1950 and then subsequently rebuilt. Stunning (by cyclekyoto.com).

(credit japanart.info)

-Kegon no Taki-
located at Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park in Nikko City. It is 97 meters in height making it one of the 3 highest waterfalls in the country. The Kegon Falls are not just beautiful; they are infamous for suicides, especially among Japanese youth (by aminoappas).

Above places of power spot not only can soothes the eyes but also put the body and the soul in relief and comfort.

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The Zoo with No Cost: The Nogeyama Zoo in Yokohama city

Last Sunday, we've made a mad search through Google about things that can be done in Yokohama at our free time with a minimum cost. Out of all the attractions I read about, what I wanted to see the most (even more than Tokyo Disneyland) was Yokohama Zoo. there was Zoorasia but since it is very far from the city of Yokohama we decided to look nearby, and we found the best place to see an animal inside the city in a weekend at no cost at all, at the Nogeyama Zoological Gardens it is a free entrance zoo opened in April 1951 located in Nogeyama Park, in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. (source Wikipedia).

So, we went to take the chance trip to Nogeyama Zoo in  Yokohama Japan to look at a few animals.

Nogeyama Zoo offers a lot to its visitors. It houses about 100 species of animals covers  with 9.6 hectares and houses and about 1400 animals counted last 2014. the place is easy to navigate without the map because each animal houses have its sort number from first to the last.  at the entrance guarded by the Red Panda.

Animals in Nogeyama Zoo live inside the steel cages. followed by the Mount baboon and chimpanzee (warning here: the Pee thrower chimpanzee ).

Next the line is Reptiles Sanctuary such as:

of course, one of the popular animal species are lion and tiger but since it is daytime, this two beast is not active when they are a night predator.

(king of the Beast having his nap)

(another Beast waiting for his prey)

(raccoon cage)

(beautiful Flamingo)

(some kinds of Monkeys)

(Any Zoo is incomplete without him 'the Giraffe')

(Condor add more fun moments)

(Japanese Black Bear)

(Another Types of Deer)

 (Zoo is boring without this cute little penguin)
My favorite part and my friend favorite at Nogeyama Zoo is Rainforest. because it's heartwarming and relaxing to see lots of swan swimming on the ponds, This place is the best parts for the couple who want to take a rest for the mountain type Zoo of Nogeyama.

 It has also free to touch time for the Marmot lover visitors (but this free touch moment is close at 3 pm, so I'll recommend you to come early to the marmot Cage before it). It was a shame we were not able to explore the whole zoo. For a better experience, be there by opening time. The zoo is big and has animal shows, boat rides and more to offer that it would take one whole day to do everything (maybe even one whole day is not enough).

Souvenir shop such as, animals toys and medal are available at the Entrance and Exit area.

Details:
Nogeyama Zoo opens from 9:30am to 4:30 pm (Entrance is allowed until 4:00pm) and closes every Monday (closes Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday).
*The zoo closes from December 29 through January 1.

Parking Area: walking Distance from the Zoo

Admission: FREE

Access:
Map =====>here
〒220-0032 神奈川県横浜市西区老松町, 西区老松町63−10

nogeyama-zoo.org

045-231-1307

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Goose Bumps Happenings while Wondering Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Japan

A lot's of the beautiful place in this world but there are few of those places that people choose to travel a million miles to visit, and one on that list is JAPAN. today I just want to share my unforgettable experience while exploring Matsumoto castle in Nagano Japan. Matsumoto Castle a.k.a the "Crow Castle" can be found in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. it is my first castle invading since I decide to visit each castle prefecture of Japan to learned their history.

 (credit for accesj.com)

The Matsumoto Castle has a wonderful observation deck on the each floor. at the backyard Nearby the Matsumoto castle, there's a small water pond with many Ducks and Swan swimming below the red bridge.

 (credit for flowvella.com)

at the main front of the Matsumoto castle, a big space of grass yard who makes the castle looks more Beautiful.

 (credit for changeiswhatweare.com)

the overcast skies cleared up the moment I stepped into Matsumoto castle. As if God wanted to help me out take the best angle of Matsumoto Castle at that time. When I finally got to the inside, I was surprised. It was much bigger and keep it awesome than I thought it would be. The Beautiful castle keep, eh? It is also relatively new.

They had an entire floor dedicated to the ancient Japanese tools and Samurai with armors, guns, spears, and countless swords that were all authentic. There was also a large wooden model of the entire Matsumoto castle. such a wonderful historical experience wondering the site until happenings break my moments.
 while taking some shot of the best-armored samurai inside, I accidentally captured the cleared image of a little girl beside the armored samurai. I was so shocked and goose bump seeing my first paranormal shot in my whole life.

 "Ghost in my Shot"

Other Details:

Hours
8:30 to 17:00 (until 18:00 around Obon and Golden Week)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time. 

Closed
December 29 to January 3 

Fees
610 yen

Access:
The castle is a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride on the "Town Sneaker" Northern Course bus loop line from JR Matsumoto Station.

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Selfie with the Biggest Statue of the World "Ushiku Daibutsu"

Like all good statues,  Japan has a lot of impressive Buddha statues, probably a lot more than you’d think.

(credit from Punditfromanotherplanet)

A lot of them claim to be the largest, tallest, heaviest etc. of their type, but Ushiku Daibutsu used to be the tallest statue in the WORLD until recently and is noted in the Guinness Book of Records.

You can go inside the Ushiku Daibutsu, with four levels open to the public. These include prayer and study halls, but for the non-devout like myself, there's the attraction of the observation deck located 85 metres up, embedded in Amitabha's chest.

As a long-time fan of going up tall buildings, this is a good thing. The statue also appears to be the highest point for quite some distance, being visible from all the surrounding area, therefore commanding an impressive view.

below and surround the statue ground, there is a small zoo park of few animals such as rabbit, squirrels, goats, piggery who available to touch and play with. such an amazing experienced for animal lovers like me.

Access:
Get off at JR Ushiku Station, head to the East Exit (東口) and from bus gate #2 take the bus heading to “Ushiku Daibutsu” (牛久大仏). The bus ride will take about 20-30 mins.

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Throwback: My Owakudani 大涌谷 Memories

 (me, waiting the Sky Gondola to Owakudani site)

 (Sky Gondola Station)

(I took a short video while riding on the Gondola)

with a lots of destination surround Japan, Owakudani adventure is one of my favorite moments.
back on my 2012 life, We visit to see the famous Owakudani Valley (a.k.a, The Hell Valley); in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. an ancient crater with sulfurous hot springs in which eggs are cooked. You can see steam rising from holes in the ground, do not know why they call it ‘Big Hell’.

 (大涌谷 Owakudani)

(some moments inside the Sky Gondola station and Owakudani Ashi Lake Pier)

Many people lined up for the black eggs (Kuro-Tamago) so we are too and we bought a packet too at a cost of 500 yen for 6 eggs and eat it. The eggs smell slightly sulphuric and they believe that eating these eggs increase longevity. Eating one egg is said to add seven years to your life.

I bought 2 pack more and brought at home and give to some friends,

We supposed to ride and wondered more on the place by cruising Ashi lake but we couldn't make it to the right time of an hour by hour voyage so (so, disappointed) so we decided to explore only the entire pier.

ACCESS: 
Walk to Odawara Station
Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Odawara Station to Gora (45 min) (interval of 10 ~ 15 min)
Take Cable Car to Sounzan (9 min) (interval of 20 min) Board Ropeway to Togendai (was under repair and took substitute bus instead) Take Pleasure Boat across Lake Ashi. Alight at Hakone-machi.

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My Philippine Vacation: There is no Place Like home

Aside from tired and stress reason, I wanted to take a vacation from this cold freezing world here In the Japan where I base, it only lasts for about 2 weeks since the last vacation I've had back in 2014. today I just want to share my previous vacation on that time through an image of me with my family in the Philippines.

(from left is my sister,nephew,me,nephew, my father,elder sister and sitting below is my mother)

It doesn’t matter what I have brought or nothing something for them, as long as we seeing each other, it is home.

 (me eating Jollibee with my nephew and sisters)

In a way, spending time with my family is kind of like taking a breath in a middle of a long swim. Since I am so far away from home now that I am in living and working for a decade here in Japan, I might need a vacation sometimes.

 (ケイトのお母さんとお姉さん)

This way, when I go back into the village, I can do things as what I did on my childhood before.

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