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Yuya no Nagafuji Wisteria flowers

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  Visiting Yuya no Nagafuji in Iwata Hamamatsu is like walking into a beautiful picture. This place has a very old wisteria tree that is about 850 years old. Wisteria trees have long, purple flowers that hang down from the branches. The best time to see these flowers is in mid-April when they are in full bloom. The story behind Yuya no Nagafuji is interesting. A long time ago, a princess named Yuya Gozen loved wisteria flowers. She planted them here, and that's why the place is called Yuya no Nagafuji, which means "Yuya's long wisteria." Next to the temple, there is a park and a center for traditional arts. People can sit on benches, enjoy the view, and have picnics. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Yuya no Nagafuji is a wonderful place with beauty and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s a place where you can see one of the oldest wisteria trees in Japan and learn about a princess who loved these flowers long ago. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to r

Yamaha Innovation Road Museum in Hamamatsu

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  As a music enthusiast and a parent, I’m always on the lookout for unique experiences that blend education and entertainment. So when I heard about  Yamaha Innovation Road , nestled within Yamaha’s headquarters in Hamamatsu, I knew I had to visit.   This place is where Yamaha shows its history and new ideas. Yamaha has been making music since 1887.   As I stepped inside, I was greeted by an ensemble of musical instruments. From pianos and guitars to marimbas and drums, the air resonated with melodies waiting to be played.   The museum is set up like a journey. It starts with the  Concept Stage  and  Prologue , which tell about Yamaha ’ s ideas and beginnings. Then, there ’ s the  Manufacturing Walk , where you can see how instruments are made. It ’ s a mix of old skills, machines, and Yamaha ’ s care for quality. In the  Musical Instruments Exhibit Area , I got to play a very expensive grand piano. It felt and sounded amazing. This is something special that Yamaha offers. The  Life Sc

Okuyama Kogen: A Paradise of Flowers and Nature

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    Last weekend, I decided to take a break from city life and visit Okuyama Kogen, a sightseeing botanical park that spans Mt. Tonmaku in the mountain ranges north of Hamamatsu city, overlooking the border of Aichi prefecture. I had heard that this place was famous for its seasonal flowers and natural scenery, and I was not disappointed.   I arrived at the park around 12 pm, the admission fee of the park is 700 yen (Students are 500 yen, dogs 300 yen, and there are discounts for seniors). The park was spacious and well-maintained, with gentle sloping trails that followed the mountain terrain, and a water garden with a seven-step waterfall as the centerpiece of the park. There were also small walking paths on the mountain slopes for visitors to appreciate the proudly blooming flora as they strolled.   As it was late February, the main attraction of the park was the Shoryu Weeping Plum, a unique variety of plum tree that resembles a dragon rising into the heavens. There were about 300 o

A Day with the Yurikamome at Sakume Station

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Hello, everyone! I am very happy to share with you my story of visiting Sakume Station and seeing the beautiful and friendly seagulls called Yurikamome.  Sakume Station is a small station on the Tenryu Hamanako Railway, which is a local train line that goes around Lake Hamana. Lake Hamana is very famous for its nature and seafood. The train line is very nice because you can see the lake and the mountains from the window.  One of the special things about Sakume Station is that there are many Yurikamome there. Yurikamome is a kind of seagull that has white feathers and blackheads. They look like lilies, which are flowers that are white and have yellow centers. Yuri means lily, and kamome means seagull in Japanese. Yurikamome are birds that travel a lot. They live in cold places in the summer and warm places in the winter. They come to Lake Hamana every winter because it is warm and has a lot of fish. The Yurikamome seagulls at Sakume Station are very friendly and not afraid of people. Th