Tag Archives: Mariko

Environment, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Education, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Garbage “Hall” in Mariko, Shizuoka City!

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Garbage, especially domestic garbage, disposal has always been a vital problem in this cleanliness-conscious (at least inside households) country.
In Mariko, a nationally-known tourist spot in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City, you can actually discover how and from where it was conducted in Japan as far back as in the Edo Period!

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Inhabitants were regularly (on precise days designated by the local “governments”) depositing their garbage, usually burnable as most organic garbage was recycled into agriculture, in t\such “halls/sheds” whose doors could be locked to fend off animals, especially monkeys, bears, racoon dogs and wild boars.

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The sign ahs been replaced/ or placed!

“町内/machinai” means “inside the village/town”.
“ゴミ/gomi” means “garbage/trash/refuse”.
“の/no” means (of”.
“館/kan or yakata” means “hall/building/annex”!

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観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Museums, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Japan Tourism:　Kunijian Wood Block Print Atelier at “Little Museum” in Mariko, Shizuoka City!

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Wood Block prints depicting old stations along the Tenhama Railway Line.

Mariko in Shizuoka City is a real haven for art lovers. Not only it is full of ateliers and artists, it also harbors a very cute museum simply called “Chiisana Bijutsukan/小さな美術館/Snmall Art Museum” that is worth more than a visit regardless of its size for its design and little treasures!

The building, founded in 2003, and the entrance are very modern if artistic in approach and you are in for a surprise once you have passed the entrance door!

But before entering take some time to admire the fountain and minuscule garden design!

The entrance.
Why is it almost at the far end of the building?

As soon as you have passed the door you have to take a 90-degree turn into a narrow hall which runs all the way down along the facade wall!

Looking back, you will find the entrance on the left at the top the picture.
But you are not walking blind as low windows will allow a peek inside!

Once inside you will find yourself in a long narrow room with white walls decorated with wood block prints by Kuniji Sone/曽根邦治さん, the artist who owns the Museum!

The entrance is free, but whatever the time you visit you will be invited to the far end alcove where you will be graciously served Shizuoka green tea!

Take your time, a seat and some delicious tea while the lady who helps the artist welcome visitors will talk about the Museum and Artist Kuniji Sone as long as you wish!

And while you drink your tea enjoy the view and peace of the hidden garden!

The Musuem also holds exhibitions and sales by various artists on a regular schedule so have a good look!
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I actually bought one of the exquisite dishes placed on the left top extremity of the table!

A little Museum, yes, but packed with loveliness and art!

A beautiful array of tenugui/手ぬぐい/hand cloth!

I really wanted to buy this sake-drinking goblin (next time)!

Exquisite dyed cloth bags!

Kuinji Sone at work!

Kuniji Sone was born in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture in 1928 but really started exhibiting his wood block prints at the age of 67!
Even now, at the grand age of 84, he still works every day on new designs!

The walls are ornamented with his works of different sizes, all for sale at a range of prices to agree with any budget!

Kuniji Sone has traveled and still travel extensively, and his prints not only represent scenes in Shizuoka Prefecture but also those found all over Japan and the World!

Do take your time and enjoy the prints. You might even find your own country or land there!
Let me show you only a few I have chosen. It should entice you to see them all!

Railway stations along the Tenhama Railway Line in Western Shizuoka where 12 stations have been awarded the title of Shizuoka Prefecture Protected Historical and Cultural Assets!

Mount Fuji and tea fields from Yamanashi Prefecture!

Trinidad!

Garden pond in Vietnam!

Note it on your schedule next time you visit Shizuoka City!

Kujian Atelier & Gallery/Chiisana Bijutsukan/Small Museum
Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mariko, Izumigaya, 3315-9
Tel.: 054-257-1114
Opening hours: 10:30~17:00
Closed on Wednesdays and End of the Year Holidays
Free entrance
Parking available

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Culture, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Japan Tourism: The 57 “Red Berets” at Kansyouin Temple in Mariko, Shizuoka City!

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“Red Berets” or “Stooges?

The other day when I was strolling at the foot of the mountains surrounding Mariko I happened onto an unusual site!

It was just between the post indicating the old Kanshyouin Temple/歓昌院 and the actual entrance gate.

Stop and approach?

There no less than 57 small statues, all different with their heads covered with knitted red berets!
Of course this is all religion lore and I’m not going to talk about the reasons behind the phenomenon, but some of the statues were really interesting for their features!
Here are a few I chose for their more intriguing expressions!

Surrender or exasperation!

Alroght, alright, shall we talk about it?

Just came back from Italy!

A snake for sale?

Hmmm, let me see…

Don’t tell me it’s going to rain……!

A gastronomy deity?

Shall I scratch my back or hit you?

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美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Fruit, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Ｆｒｕｉｔ　Ｔｒｅｅｓ, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Persimmon, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Trees

Persimmon Trees: Autumn has come to Mariko in Shizuoka City!

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Autumn/Fall is finally arriving in Shizuoka City!
The other day I visited the Mariko Area, one of the main tourist attractions in Shizuoka Prefecture and even in Japan where they were awarded a commemorative stamp!

Issued on October 7th, 2005 [Tokai Route 53 stages by Utagawa Hiroshige/２００５．１０．７発行東海道五拾三次之内丸子(鞠子)(歌川広重)]

Mariko is naturally an important tourist attraction, but if you walk along the lanes away from the crowds you will discover many farm and old houses worth a second and third look and many camera shots!
let me share the pictures I took on that day with you!

You will find two types of persimmons in Mariko:
Shibu Kaki/渋柿, as above, which are small and pointed and eaten dried as the fresh fruit is too astringent!

More shibu kaki!

For a closer view.
The very thick leaves are still green.
When those redden they are used as decoration on plates under food in Japanese restaurants!

Here is a tree with the second variety of persimmons.

Squat persimmon or Jirou kaki/次郎柿 in Japanese.
Did you know this particular variety was first grown in Shizuoka Prefecture in the 19th Century?
They can be eaten raw as opposite to Shibu Kaki!

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Yamako: A tiny Izakaya Hidden in the Mountains of Mariko!

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Hiroyuki and Mie Kondoh/近藤広幸、美枝

If you feel energetic (mind you, you can go there by car, but then no alcohol! LOL), take your bicycle and venture in the mountains of Mariko, one of the most celebrated stages on the Old Tokaido Road.

After all, it is only a 50-minute ride from Shizuoka JR Station. You can also take a bus until very near and walk for 1.5 km through real rural Japan!

There, you will find, almost at the end of the road, a tiny izakaya called !Yamako/山幸”/”Mountain Happiness”!
It was re-opened by the amiable Kondohs 10 years ago after Mie’s father passed away.

It is a microcosm of old Japan with its small wooden side entry to a minuscule park with flowering trees.

Nice place to sit waiting for your turn!

A view of the same from inside the tatami room.

The tatami room where up to 10 people can sit.

The inside is all old wood making for a great atmosphere.
The above picture was taken inside the other room where 5 can be seated at a table on chairs.

At lunch time you have a choice of three sets:
Tororo soba, 900 yen
Zaru Soba: 700 yen
Sansai Soba: 800 yen

I chose the latter.
Very tasty and healthy!

For (early) dinner you can either take the 2,000 yen set which makes for quite a lot of food or you can have a large plate of oden for 1,200 yen.
But it is possible to arrange for a more complete meal according to a pre-arranged budget through reservation on the phone.

They have plenty to drink for thirsty people including beer and local sake (Morimoto and Aoshima Breweries!), in glasses or bottles for the latter.

They also provide a large BBQ site just beside the izakaya I had the luck to use last year!

Know there is a tiny haven waiting for you at the end of a nice journey!

Yamako/山幸
Shizuoka Shi, Suruga Ku, Mariko, 6088
Tel. & Fax: 054-257-3228
Opening hours: 11:00~19:00 (Please call for a reservation if you come after 13:00!)
Closed on Tuesdays
Credit cards OK (within reasonability!)
Reservations expressly recommended!

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