Tsubakimine New Town

This is Uchikoshi Rikkyo (打越陸橋), a foot bridge used to cross over the road below, Tsubakimine Chuo Road.

This whole area is called Tsubakimine New Town and is a residential area that was developed in the 80s. Apparently over 20% of the area is used for greenery which keeps the environment closer to nature.


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Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Thriller Bridge

The stairs of this pedestrian bridge was very blue.

Not very many people were using it when I passed it. Maybe because everytime a truck would drive by, the whole bridge would kind of bounce and shake...not the greatest feeling when you're on it.

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Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Time

Can you believe it's the last month of this year already?

Well, as usual, the first day of each month is CDP community's Theme Day. The theme for December is "Time."

I was at Koku Park again and I noticed a lot of runners on the track. The 21st Tokorozawa City Marathon is coming up in a few days and I guess everyone is in running mode. A lot of the runners had a fancy wrist watch, which I'm sure they use to time themselves, and kept on glancing at it while they ran.

The marathon starts from 6:45am on Sunday, December 5th. There is the 2km, 3km, 5km, and half marathon race. I will be on the sidelines (if I can get up that early) and rooting the runners on!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Akitsu Bridge

Akitsu Bridge is a very old concrete bridge that passes over the Seibu Shinjuku Line. As there is only space for cars to pass over the bridge, another footbridge was built alongside this one for pedestrians.

You can see the railway below and many train-lovers use this bridge to take photos of trains!





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Sunday Bridges hosted by Louis

Stop and Shoot

The road said STOP so I stopped...to take a photo!

Arahata Fujizuka 2

Continuing on from yesterday's post...we are climbing up Arahata Fujizuka, a man-made miniature replica of Mt. Fuji in Tokorozawa.

Arahata Fujizuka was created during the Meiji Era by the community of people living in Arahata as a way to come together as one. This 10-meter (approx. 33 feet) fujizuka was completed in 1899 and opened with a festival on July 1st, which is still currently the day that Mt. Fuji opens its climbing season. 

On June 27, 1969, Arahata Fujizuka became Tokorozawa city's designated cultural asset. It is still a popular place for people who live near the area or people like me, who are just curious to see this historical place.

We left off at the fifth station yesterday.

If you've ever toured Mt. Fuji, you'll know that you can take a bus or drive your car up to the fifth station. I've done this a couple of times and enjoyed the view from the fifth station. And as I said yesterday, you can start your climb from the first station, but most climbers tend to start their journey to the top of Mt. Fuji from here. I think it takes about 5-7 hours depending on how fast you are. But because this is a fujizuka, it doesn't even take 5-7 minutes to get to the top. Thank goodness!

So on with the journey...the photo above is the sixth station marker "Roku-go-me (六合目)."

The path is really narrow with only space for one person. But this fujizuka has steps that are clear of weeds and still very sturdy. This may be due to the Arahata Fuji Preservation Society, who come to repair or clean and patrol the area often.

Next, the seventh station marker "Nana-go-me (七合目)."

Closing in to the top, the eighth station marker "Hachi-go-me (八合目)."



Almost to the top, the ninth station marker "Kyu-go-me (九合目)."

And here we are at the top. There is a small Asama Shrine and a 360 view of the surrounding area. I couldn't get the whole view, but you can see a panorama view below.

It was a bit cloudy when I took this photo. But when the sky is clear you can actually see Mt. Fuji from here, as most fujizuka's were made in places with a view of what the Asama Fuji religion considered sacred.

Arahata Fujizuka almost lost this view in 1923 when the Great Kanto Earthquake hit, and the section above the eighth station collapsed. But just as it was made, the community got together again to rebuild.

I really like how this Arahata Fujizuka is not only treasured because of its historic importance but also because of the community that surrounds it. I think I'll go again in the winter when the sky is more likely to be clear and maybe get to see Mt. Fuji like the people used to in the old days!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read all this! And an even bigger thank you to all who commented! I had a lot of fun writing about fujizuka's and learned a lot, too!

I hope you'll take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.



And also go see the view from the real Mt. Fuji in Toshi's blog here!

I Saw the Sign

I don't know how many times I sang along with that Ace of Base song with my best friends in grade school, but I heard it again at a tennis tournament the other day and have not been able to get the song out of my head!

Anyways, this is a sign on a corner of a road that leads to Shimo Yamaguchi Station on the left and the community woods to the right. It also leads to Arahata Fuji, a miniature mountain of sorts, which I'll post about tomorrow!

...I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign...

In the Still of the Night

The night seems to become brighter by the year. I'm sure the sky is just as dark...but even in the middle of the night, there are lamp posts that shine and 24 hour stores that are open.

And while I am very grateful for all of this (especially when I'm walking back home from the station at night)...sometimes I miss the pitch dark nights where all you can see are the stars twinkling above.

Empty Road

Just a regular road. But I liked the contrast of the white building and dark wall...

(PS: I haven't been able to comment back to everyone as I'm away from home at the moment. I'll try to drop by soon! Thanks so much for commenting! I very much appreciate it :D)

Bark Mosaic

This is one of the trees standing along the street where the bench from yesterday is located.

I though the coloration and texture of the tree bark was interesting. Does anyone know what kind of tree it is? Sycamore?

Take a Seat

I love public benches.

This one is sitting in the shade. On a hot day like this, there's no better spot!

Street Art

This is one of the manhole covers you'll find in Tokorozawa.

There is a Henri Farman biplane flying over tea fields as Tokorozawa is both famous for being the birthplace of Japanese aviation and producing tea.

You will also find the city tree, bird, and flower included in the design...Ginkgo leaves floating above, a flying skylark, and tea flowers below.

Pure and Strong

One of my best friends from grade school has a daughter named Lily. I've always like that name.

A lily is called Yuri (百合) in Japanese, which is also a common name for girls. In floriography it means Purity.

I'm not sure what kind of white lily this is, but aren't they pretty? They look so delicate, yet if you look closely, you can see that they are growing from a crack in the asphalt.

Morning Has Broken

Strong morning light.

Cool Running

I love seeing people do their thing while waiting for the light to turn green!

Some people practice their golf swing, some just tap their feet to some tune, and some stretch every muscle in their body.

Like this jogger here, who ran like the wind the minute the light turned green.

Green Fluff

I can't quite figure out what this plant is...but they are growing down this path. Most of them are pretty round and it looks like many green balls are laying around.

If you look closely, it's actually made up of very thin grass-like leaves.

Hot Feet

In Japan, we are always barefoot inside the house.

On a wonderful sunny day like this, sometimes we're barefoot outside, too! That is, until the concrete becomes too hot to walk on. Then you have to make a very important decision.

Do you calmly put your shoes back on? Or do you do the silly hot-hop dance until you find shade?

Salad Udon

This is the Salad Udon they serve at the Koku Park food concession. It's a very popular menu during the summer.

Tokorozawa is actually known for their Udon, which is a thick noodle made from wheat flour. The reason for this is that the land in Tokorozawa was unsuitable for planting rice and so instead many people grew wheat. Thus the popularity of the udon grew.


This Salad Udon has tomato, cucumber, lettuce, seaweed, Japanese radish, mizuna (potherb mustard), soft seaweed, kamaboko (steamed fish paste), and katsuo-bushi (dried bonito) as toppings. All these are great for overcoming summer fatigue.

Good thing because all the seats are place outside!

Fade Away

Going back to the bridge from last sunday again, this is the speed limit sign on the road that crosses the bridge.

The sign was originally red and blue...but I guess this sign's been in the sun too long. The faded pastel color looks good against the sky though!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to Sky Watch Friday!!!
Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Measure the Bridge

This is Tokorozawa Rikkyo, a bridge that crosses over the Seibu Ikebukuro Line railroad.

There used to be a railroad crossing right around the same place until this bridge was built in the early 70s. Many cars use this bridge that leads on to the Tokorozawa Rikkyo North intersection.

I'm not too sure what that sign on the bridge means...maybe that the bridge is 2.2 meters high? Does that sound right?


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Sunday Bridges