Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker

“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other… again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit”

This is just a fun-challenge for me that brings to the summit of three of the most iconic peaks in the far east. Asian Trilogy Mountains is composed of the highest mountain peaks of Japan (Mt. Fuji 3,776masl), Taiwan (Mt. Jade 3,952masl) and Malaysia (Mt. Kinabalu 4,095masl). While not to be underestimated, this is a challenge suitable for all hikers with a good level of fitness. An incredible accomplishment for any hiker to reach the peak of all three.

The reason why I hiked Mt. Kinabalu (2013) is because I want to go higher on my amateur mountaineering achievement. That time, the highest mountain I summited was  Mt. Pulag, 3rd highest in Philippines at 2,922masl for two times (2010 and 2011). Then, at a sudden plan due to appropriate month to hike, I planned to summit Mt. Fuji (2014) which was my first time to hike alone in my entire life and my first time also on night hike. Then almost 10 years after, rejuvinated my passion to accomplish Mt. Jade to complete the AsianTrilogy Mountain.

MT. KINABALU (4,095masl) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Mt. Kinabalu hiking is expensive because it can only be trekked with a recognized local travel agency supported by a mandatory guide and optional porter. The summit push is mildly difficult because of the rope-support ascent early morning and has to descend at around 0600H because of fixed itinerary.

MT. FUJI (3,776masl) is the highest mountain in Japan. Trekking Mt. Fuji is not that expensive because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) and no registration or park fees, only confirmed accommodation is required. I think today (2023), there's registration already that costs 1,000 JPY.

MT. JADE (3,952masl) is the highest mountain in Taiwan. Mt. Jade is the cheapest among the three because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) but for foreigners, permit and lodging advance booking is required.

Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker

Mt. Kinabalu vs Mt. Fuji Solo Hike Experience Comparison

highest peak of Malaysia and Japan, a Pinoy Solo Hiker experience

"It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." - Sir Edmund Hillary

Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker (Kinabalu, Fuji, Jade)

The reason why I hiked Mt. Kinabalu (2013) is because I want to go higher on my amateur mountaineering achievement. That time, the highest mountain I summited was  Mt. Pulag, 3rd highest in Philippines at 2,922masl for two times (2010 and 2011). Then, at a sudden plan due to appropriate month to hike, I planned to summit Mt. Fuji (2014) which was my first time to hike alone on my entire life and my first time also on night hike.  

Mt. Kinabalu from Malaysia and Mt. Fuji from Japan are two of the most popular mountains and tourist-hiker friendly peaks in Asia. As an amateur hiker, this two mountains are the top-most priority on the bucket list. As such, I visited them both and the following was the observation I had during the course. In my honest opinion, Mt. Kinabalu is more technically challenging because (1) Mt. Kinabalu is around 300m higher than Mt. Fuji (2) on the early morning start of the trail, Mt. Kinabalu requires rope to not so vertically ascend (3) Mt. Kinabalu requires 2D/1N to trek for an ordinary hiker

MT. KINABALU (4,095masl) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Trekking Mt. Kinabalu is expensive trek because it can only be trekked with a recognized local travel agency supported by a mandatory guide and optional porter. The summit push is mildly difficult because of the rope-support ascent early morning and has to descend at around 0600H because of fixed itinerary. On the other hand, MT. FUJI (3,776masl) is the highest mountain in Japan. Trekking Mt. Fuji is not that expensive because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) and no registration or park fees, only confirmed accommodation is required.

Mt. Kinabalu solo hike (May 2013)

Kansai Central last Part; Umeda Sky Building and other Osaka Spots

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai Central 1st Part; Walking inside Osaka Aquarium

How to go to Umeda Sky Building Floating Observatory;
400 meters walk from Osaka station. Entrance fee of 700JPY. Photography and video taking is permitted, tripod not allowed.

Commanding 360-degree vista of Osaka City, Kuchu Teien Tenbodai (Floating Garden Observatory) in Shin Umeda City is a landmark of Osaka's Kita area. As you feel the wind 173 meters above ground, enjoya magnificent panorama of high rise buildings reflecting the sunshine, the sun setting in the twilight, and t he gorgeous night view of the city as the day turns into night.

On our last day in Japan, My mother concentrated our itinerary in the Kansai Central area of Osaka. From Umeda Floating Garden Observatory, we shortly visited the Universal Studios which I first did last June 2013, Dotonbori night before and finally the Osaka Tower ground where we spent our last meal and bought some nice Japan products.

Kansai Central last Part; Umeda Sky Building Floating Observatory

Kansai Central 1st Part; Walking inside the Osaka Aquarium

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai East last Part; Walking inside Kodai-Ji

How to go to Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan);
600 meters walk from Osakako station of Chuo Subway line (not covered by JR Pass). Entrance fee of 2,200JPY. Photography and video taking is permitted, tripod not allowed.

What Kaiyukan treasures is Ring of Fire, Ring of Life.

The guiding principle of Kaiyukan is based on theory, "The Gala hypothesis" advocated by British Scientist James Lovelock, which proposes that "all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth are closely integrated to form a single and self-regulating complex system". The "Ring of Fire" is the circum-Pacific volcano belt which surrounds the Pacific Ocean. It overlaps "The Ringof Life" with its high-desity biodiversity. With the concepts suggested  by these two "Rings", Kaiyukan recreates natural environment around Pacific Ocean as faithfully as possible. 

Marine Animals of Kaiyukan starts at Aqua Gate, Japan Forest, Aleutian Islands, Monterey Bay, Panama Gulf, Ecuador Rainforest, Antartica, Tasman Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Pacific Ocean, Seto Inland Sea, Coast of Chile and Japan deep.

Kansai Central 1st Part; Walking inside Osaka Aquarium

Kansai East last Part; Walking inside Kodai-Ji

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai East 1st Part; Fushimi Castle and Arashima's Bamboo Forest

How to go to Kodai-Ji;
More than a kilometer walk from Guion-Shijo train station (covered by Kansai Thru Pass). Entrance fee of 600JPY. Photography and video taking is permitted, tripod not allowed.

Kodai-Ji Temple, formally known as Kodaijusho-zenji Temple, is located in the Higashima mountains of Eastern Kyoto just south of Yasaka Shrine. It was established in 1605 by the noblewoman Kita-no-Mandokoro in memoryof her late husband, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.This temple was ravaged by series of fires after 1789, and all that survive of its original buildings are the Otama-ya, Kaisan-do, etc. Fortunately, these remain in an excellent state of preservation, and have all been designated "Important Cultural Properties" by the Japanese Government.

Kansai East last Part; Walking inside Kodai-Ji

Kansai East 1st Part; Fushimi Castle and Arashima's Bamboo Forest

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai West last Part; Kobe's Gigantor and Harborland

How to go to Fushimi Castle;
Around 700 meters walk from Momoyama-goryomae train station (covered by Kansai Thru Pass). No admission fee within grounds only. Photography and video taking is  permitted.

Fushimi Castle, also known as Momoyama Castle, is a castle in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward. The current structure is a 1964 replica of the original built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

How to go to Bamboo Forest / Groove;

Less than 500 meters walk from Arashima train station (covered by Kansai Thru Pass). No admission fee within grounds only. Photography and video taking is  permitted.

Kansai East 1st Part; Fushimi Castle

Kansai West last Part; Kobe's Gigantor and Harborland

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai West 2nd Part; Cable Car to Mt. Rokko's Snowpark

How to go to Harborland;
For Kobe subway (covered by Kansai Thru Pass) bound to Minato Motomachi Station. Free entrance fee in the Harbor grounds but not in the Kobe Tower. Photography and video taking is  permitted.

Kobe Port Tower is a 108 meter red tower in the shape of a drum is the world's first pipe construction and is the symbol of the Port of Kobe. The observation deck affords a sweeping view of the Kobe City, Mt. Rokko and Awaji Island, and it also has a unique rotating cafe, which makes 360-degree turn in 20 minutes. It also looks beautiful at night as it is illuminated.

How to go to Tetsujin 28-go / Gigantor / Iron Man #28 Monument;

For Kobe subway (covered by Kansai Thru Pass) bound to Shin-Igata Station. Free entrance and 24 hours access. Photography and video taking is  permitted on the grounds. Illuminated at night fall until 2130H.

The 18-meter high giant monument of the Tetsujin 28 was built to commemorate the great achievements of Japan's leading manga artist, Yokoyama, in his hometown in Kobe. Special exhibitions and various events are held at the site.

Kansai West last Part; Kobe's Harborland

Kansai West 2nd Part; Cable Car to Mt. Rokko's Snowpark

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai West 1st Part; Revisiting Himeji's Taiyo Park

How to go to Mount Rokko National Park;
From Rokko train station, ride bus #16 going to Mt. Rokko Cable Car (not included in KTP). Snow Park combo fee is 2,380JPY that includes roundtrip cable car ride and Snow Park admission. Photography and video taking is  permitted.

Mount Rokko is the ideal visitors' spot close to the cities of Kobe and Osaka, also in short distance from Arima Onsen Springs. The scene and  the four seasons of the mountain are a must to enjoy here. Since this is my mother's firsttime to experience snow, this place is very ideal for her. There is an exciting slope for snow sledges and snowy play field where we can build snowman and make snowballs. Unfortunately, snowstorm occurred exactly on time of our visit. Thus, very limited photoshoot and adventure.

Kansai West 2nd Part; Cable Car to Mt. Rokko's Snowpark

Kansai West 1st Part; Revisiting Himeji's Taiyo Park

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai South last Part; Cable Car to Koyasan

Himeji's Taiyo Park and 3D Photo Studios (June 2013)

How to go to Taiyo Park;
From Himeji station, walk away around 50m towards the bus terminal which is exactly infront of the exit. Ride bus #43 with fare fee of 490JPY. Bus timings is every hours basis, Tourist office inside Himeji train station has a schedule copy. Travel time is around 30mins, alight to Ushikoshi-Shinden bus stop. Park visiting hours is 0900H-1700H with entrance fee of 1,300 JPY ($13) and 600 JPY for children. Bus ride is not included in KTP and no admission discount.

Until now, most foreign tourists don't know about this place because it's tucked away in the countryside and is quite remote. The park is like a journey around the world, this the reason why I revisited this place for my mother's fascination. There was also an added excitement while touring the park which is collecting the 8 stamps placed on the world-renowned tourist spots. Of course, we completed the stamps together with the 3D photoshoots for around 3 hours of strolling.

Kansai West 1st Part; Revisiting Himeji's Taiyo Park (stamps of 8 major spots completed)

Kansai South last Part; Cable Car to Koyasan

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai South 1st Part; Wakayama Castle and the Porta Europa

The year 2015 marks the 1,200th anniversary of the establishment of Koyasan.

How to go to Koyasan;
Koyosan can be reached by train, cable car and bus covered by Kansai Thru Pass. Alight to Gokurabashi Station then ride a cable car going to Koyasan Station. Then Nankai bus bound to Kondo Mae stop. Free admission on the grounds. Photography and video taking is  permitted inside the grounds.

The Kongo Rikishi (Guardian Deities) statues are keeping their eyes peeled at the gate in the sky. This is the Great Gate of Koyasan. Walk through it and you will see the Danjogaran area, one of the two largest holy places in Koyasan, where there is religious world the priest Kukai built (known as Kobo Daishi). Keep going to the east and you will find 117 temples and souvenir shops. Finally you will reach the other holy place, Okunoin that is subtle and profound space. Okunoin is surrounded by several-hundred-years-old cedar trees and immense graveyard for Japanese imperial family members. Currently, there are as many as 52 temples ad lodgings that can be used as accommodations.

Kansai South last Part; Cable Car to Koyasan (Konpon Daito)

Kansai South 1st Part; Wakayama Castle and the Porta Europa

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai (Osaka) International Airport Arrival at night

How to go to Wakayama Castle;
Wakayama Castle is around 20mins walk from Wakayamashi Station Exit. For Wakayama bus (covered by Kansai Thru Pass) terminal just outside Wakayama train Station, ride bus #8 going to Koen-mae stop. Entrance fee is 300JPY, discounted admission for KTP holders. Photography and video taking is  permitted only in the grounds and on the viewing deck but not inside the castle.

Wakayama Castle and Castle keep history goes back to 1585 when Hideyoshi Hashiba ordered his brother Hidenaga to build the castle. A panoramic view of Wakayama Citycan be enjoyed from the castle keep. When the castle was originally built on the west summit of Mt. Torafusu by the House of Asano, Wakayama Castle was very similar to its current state. In 1935, Wakayama Castle was designated as national treasure. However in 1945, it was burned to the ground during the air bombing. Subsequently in 1958, it was rebuilt in reinforced concrete.

How to go to Porta Europa;
For Wakayama bus (covered by Kansai Thru Pass) terminal just outside Wakayama train Station, ride bus #21 from Wakayama Castle going to Marina City stop. Entrance fee is 1,300JPY, discounted admission for KTP holders. Photography and video taking is  permitted inside the grounds.

Porta Europa, a theme park in Marina City of Wakayama, is a faithful recreation of the streets of Medieval Europe. The park filled with attractions, and it holds many events throughout the year such as fantastic fireworks shows. The theme park featuring the reproduced Mediterranean fishing village in the Middle Age. Full of attractions which both adults and children could amuse themselves.

Kansai South 1st Part; Wakayama Castle 

How to Apply for Japan Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

an adventure of Pinoy backpacker in processing travel documents

general info:

* 3 months validity after issuance with under 15 to 90 days period of stay

Starting July 1 2013, Filipinos can apply for multiple-entry visas in Japan for short-term of 15 days, and the visas will be valid for up to 3 years (conditions apply). Furthermore, as of June 17, 2014, multiple-entry visa requirements will be substantially relaxed, and requirements for single-entry tourism visas will be relaxed to a quasi-exemption-equivalent level when applied via specified travel agencies.
http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/new%20visa/multi_entry.htm

APPLYING FOR JAPAN VISA AS ORDINARY CITIZEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/new%20visa/tourism.htm

requirements:

1. Philippine Passport - broken lamination of the photo part is not accepted. Must have signature and have at least two (2) blank pages.                  

2. Visa Application Form (Apr. 2013) - also available at the entrance of Embassy or through accredited agency.
3. Photo - 4.5cm x 4.5cm (2x2 in) with white background must be pasted on the application form.

4.  Birth Certificate of applicant
5. Marriage Contract (if the applicant is married)
(4 and 5 must be from NSO issued within one year.)  In case of non-record, you must submit certificate of non-record together with the one from Local Civil Registrar.) Exemption of birth certificate and marriage contract if the the applicant has his/her passport (old or valid) with a used Japanese visa)
6. Daily’s schedule in Japan - self-guided itinerary samples, JR pass bought only after visa confirmation. (1)7-days during Summer(Hiroshima-Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka)(Jun.2013) (2)5-days during Summer for Mt. Fuji Solo Climb(Nagoya-Mt.Fuji-Tokyo)(Aug.2014) (3)4-days during Winter with my Mother(Kansai Region)(Feb.2015)
7. Bank Certificate
8. Income Tax Return (Form 2316) original and photocopy

Japan visa as temporary visitor, single entry (June 2013)

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

Wakayama - Hyogo - Kyoto - Osaka family tour (Kansai Region)
February 10 to February 14, 2015

“Japan never considers time together as time wasted. Rather, it is time invested.” - Donald Richie 

"When you look at Japanese traditional architecture, you have to look at Japanese culture and its relationship with nature. You can actually live in a harmonious, close contact with nature - this very unique to Japan." - Tadao Ando

My 3rd visit to Japan (1st visit was last May 2013 and 2nd visit was last Aug. 2014), 15th family trip, 41 countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Kansai is the western region of the main Japanese island of Honshu, second only to Kanto region of Eastern Japan in population. The area is also known as Kinki District, literally "near the capital" (referring to ancient capital Nara and Kyoto), and its three big cities — Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe — as Keihanshin. Differences between Kansai and Kanto (the eastern region dominated by Tokyo) are slight but numerous. Kansai people speak a distinctive dialect of Japanese, ride on the other side of escalators and are renowned for humor and their food.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Kansai

Seasons in Japan are scheduled annually as follows;
Winter: December, January, February
Spring: March, April, May
Summer: June, July, August
Autumn: September, October, November

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

7th OFW Vacation; From Winter Northeastern Asia to Summer Homeland

Winter Japan - Mongolia - Mainland China to Summer Philippines

February 6 to March 13, 2015
37 days winter-rific and summer-rific vacation as an OFW 

1st OFW Vacation; Comeback to my Homeland

2nd OFW Vacation; Pinoy Backpacker China Invasion
3rd OFW Vacation; Summer Solo Tour from Malaysia to Japan
4th OFW Vacation; Ultimate Solo Trip from Central Europe to Promised Land 
5th OFW Vacation; Winter Birthday Get-away from Georgia to Myanmar
6th OFW Vacation; 2nd Ultimate Backpacking across 3 Continents

"If your work requires you to travel, you will understand that there's no vacation destination like home." - Park Chan-wook

7th vacation as an Overseas Filipino worker for more than 3 years of stay in Kuwait. The image below shows the converted jpeg of calendar of events on my entire 37-days vacation journey. The countries included were 3rd visit to Japan, 2nd visit to China and 1st time in Mongolia.

Getting away does not necessarily imply flying south or anywhere else for that matter. The key is to find a setting that will allow you to leave all your worries behind. Some people manage to do it from home, although a change of surroundings often helps one to disconnect from daily concerns. Simply turning off the cell phone and opening a book under a tree in a city park can be a great getaway! Some studies have found a positive relationship between vacations and intellectual function.

7th OFW Vacation; From Winter Northeastern Asia to Summer Homeland

The Viewing Deck Collections; Imperial Japanese Castles

Japanese castles (Shiro) were fortresses constructed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century. Castles in Japan were built to guard important or strategic sites, such as ports, river crossings, or crossroads, and almost always incorporated the landscape into their defense.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_castle

The Viewing Deck Collections; Imperial Japanese Castles

2014 Travel Mash-up; Life-changing Adventures beyond 8 Countries

inside Europe, Africa and Asia... 50 days on 8 countries, 20 flights on 7 different airlines...
June 27 to August 15, 2014

6th OFW vacation; 2nd Ultimate backpacking across 3 Continents

"Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world" - Gustave Flaubert

A mash-up is a song composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, or usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another. It is also a video combining multiple pre-existing video sources with no discernible relation with each other into a unified video. As for me, I used the term mash-up in travel to blend or combine the function of plane tickets to two destinations. The departure on one destination is the arrival to new destination, not the usual round-trip flight going to original airport departure. The process is not that comparable with the song/video, but somehow the essence is there.

2nd long term travel from June 27 to August 15, 2014. Sightseeing mash-up travels across the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia; 25 days in western side composed of United Kingdom, Morocco, Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania and another 25 days in eastern side composed of Philippines, Indonesia, Japan. 8 countries in 3 continents, 50 days with 20 flights on 7 airlines, countless bus rides, food trips and life-changing adventures...

I called this trip as the most extreme and expensive travel I ever planned because of the highlight adventure for every countries included. 1st was the 21.7km biking to Stonehenge in Salisbury to Amesbury, England of United Kingdom. 2nd was the camel back-ride to Sahara desert night camping in Morocco. 3rd was the parachute gliding above the cotton castle and balloon flight ride in Turkey. 4th was the Masai Mara safari ride and camping in Kenya. 5th was the 6-days Machame route for 5,895masl trekking of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. 6th was the family road trip in Northeastern Mindanao (CARAGA Region) of Philippines. 7th was the adventurous river white-water rafting and tubing in Bali, Indonesia. Finally (8th), revisiting Japan for the 3,776masl self-guided solo night trekking to Mt.Fuji via Yoshida trail.

2014 travel mash-up; backpacking across 3 continents (fridge magnet souvenirs)

Tokyo City Tour last part; a Walk from Shinjuku to Shibuya Metro Station

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Tokyo City tour 2nd Part; Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine

I decided to walk the distance between Shinjuku and Shibuya metro station as my last wild city itinerary for this trip. Distance between this two metro station is around less than 10km if passing through the major tourist spots along the way. From Shinjuku metro station exit, I went to Kabukicho first, then to Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku for a lunch, then National Yoyogi Stadium and finally to Shibuya metro station.

I spent most of the time on overlooking the huge electronic commercial billboards and the busiest crossing in the world. This was my 2nd time seating in front of the glass panel of Starbucks with a Medium Size Caramel Frappuccino (496JPY=$5) while just observing the countless Pedestrians from above. The Starbucks is located just northeast of Hachiko Exit of JR Shibuya station which can be seen on the 8th picture below (beside "TSUTAYA" below the gigantic electronic billboard). By the way, if you are looking at 9th picture below (Starbucks plastic cup overlooking the Shibuya Crossing with Pedestrians mostly with umbrella due to the drizzle) and the zoom shot at 10th picture, the left road was the way where I came from, going to Shibuya metro station and the Love Hill (Love Hotels). The northern part of this picture is where Hachiko monument is standing while the left side is the entrance to JR Shibuya station.

Shinjuku  is a special ward located in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration centre for the government of Tokyo. The name "Shibuya" is also used to refer to the shopping district which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. This area is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya,_Tokyo

Tokyo City tour last Part; a walk from Shinjuku to Shibuya Metro Station (Kabukicho)

Tokyo City Tour 2nd part; Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Tokyo City tour 1st Part; inside the Roppongi Hills

How to go to Shinjuku Gyoen;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Shinjuku Station at 200JPY fare fee. Shinjuku Gyoen is around 1km away from the Shinjuku train station. Admission is 200JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod and tripod is permitted inside.

Shinjuku Gyoen, the representative modern western-style gardens in Meiji Era, was completed in 1906 as an Imperial Garden.  The entire garden was designed by Henri Martinet, the French landscape gardener, based on a concept formulated by Hayato Fukuba, a Meiji and Taisho era agricultural scientist. This extensive garden is composed of three distinctive-styleed gardens such as English Landscape, French Formal and Japanese Traditional Gardens, each of which harmonizes with the others. Shijuku Gyoen's historical background can be traced back to the beginning of Edo era. The area used to be the residence of Naito Kiyonari who was assigned to be a guardian of West Tokyo as a hereditary vassal of Shogun Tokugawa Lekasu when the Shogun got a stronghold on Edo Castle.

Tokyo City tour 2nd Part; Shinjuku Gyoen

Tokyo City tour 1st Part; Inside the Roppongi Hills

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Kamakura Trip last Part; Benzaiten and Sasuke Inari Shrines

How to go to Roppongi hills;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Roppongi Station at 200JPY fare fee. Roppongi Hill is just 100m away from the Roppongi train station. Admission is FREE. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Roppongi Hills is a New Urban Centre and one of Japan's largest integrated property developments, located in the Roppongi district of Minato, Tokyo. Constructed by building tycoon Minoru Mori, the mega-complex incorporates office space, apartments, shops, restaurants, cafés, movie theatres, a museum, a hotel, a major TV studio, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a few parks. The centerpiece is the 54-story Mori Tower. Mori's stated vision was to build an integrated development where high-rise inner-urban communities allow people to live, work, play, and shop in proximity to eliminate commuting time. He argued that this would increase leisure time, quality of life, and benefit Japan's national competitiveness. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roppongi_Hills

Tokyo City tour 1st Part; inside the Roppongi Hills (spider)

Kamakura Trip last Part; Benzaiten and Sasuke Inari Shrines

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Kamakura Trip 5th Part; Kotoko-in Daibutsu (Great Buddha)

How to go to Sasuke Inari Shrine;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Kamakura Station for almost 1.5hr travel time at 920JPY($9.29) fare fee. This temple is around 1km away from the Kamakura train station. Admission is FREE. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Sasuke Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kamakura and the site of the Hidden Village of Kamakura. It's located within a stone's throw of Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine. Tradition holds that Sasuke Inari Shrine was created by Minamoto Yoritomo. While in exile in Izu, Yoritomo was visited in a dream by an old man from the Hidden Village of Kamakura who instructed Yoritomo of the timing to begin battling his enemies. When Yoritomo succeed and became Shogun, he created this shrine in gratitude.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasuke_Inari_Shrine

Kamakura Trip last Part; Sasuke Inari Shrine