This is Kajiwara from the quality control department.
At this time of year, we work hard every day to improve quality in the quality control room, which is a little chilly.
I own a car, so I try to drive it at least once a week.
Sometimes I just go shopping, but sometimes I go for drives.
Driving reminds me of the skyscraper district of Shinjuku that I used to drive through in my father's car as a child. I remember looking up at the tall buildings, the tops of which were so tall you couldn't see them unless you stuck your head out the car window, and being amazed by the futuristic scenery.
Even now that I drive myself, I remember this every time I pass through Shinjuku. I think the term "concrete jungle" is a perfect example of this.
Wandering through the concrete jungle is fun, but I've noticed that the places I visit often involve long trips to experience nature.
I will write down my memories of that drive as a memo.
Metropolitan Expressway K6 (Kanagawa Expressway No. 6 Kawasaki Line)
View of the industrial area from the train window on the Shuto Expressway K6
From Daishi JCT to Kawasaki Ukishima JCT on the Shuto Expressway.
You can get a panoramic view of the nightscape of the industrial area along the route. Needless to say, it can only be reached by car, so it's perfect for a drive.
The steampunk visuals and spewing flames are reminiscent of Blade Runner.
It is also featured on the official Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd. YouTube channel.
It's impressive even when viewed from a public road.
There are some unique qualities that can only be found artificially and not in nature.
Atami Fireworks Festival
This fireworks festival, which began in 1952, is held over a dozen times throughout the year in Atami Bay.
Fireworks exploding in the clear winter night sky have a different charm to those in summer.
The launch site is close to the viewing area, and the fireworks fill the entire view, along with the powerful sound that echoes throughout Atami Bay, which is surrounded by mountains.
The finale, "Aerial Niagara," is launched from the entire venue and is beautiful and impressive even as it disappears.
The show lasts about 30 minutes, so you can enjoy it standing-only.
It's also fun to view it from Atami Castle, which is located on high ground.
The official promotional video was shot by flying a drone into the fireworks
2017 Atami Fireworks Festival Official PV
The schedule for 2019 has already been announced.
Himenosawa Park
View of the Izu Skyline from the road leading from Himenosawa Park to Jukoku Toge Cable Car's Jukoku Toge Station
A comprehensive park in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, designated as one of the 100 best urban parks.
Located on the slope of a mountain, it gives you the feeling of climbing a mountain.
In addition to the hiking trails, there is also an athletic course. As the name suggests, there is a stream in the park, and the course that runs along the stream is refreshing.
From the summit you can see a nearly 360-degree view, including the Gendake Drive-In, which will be described later.
Gendake Drive-In
Located near the summit of Mt. Kurotake on the northeastern ridge of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, the building with an unfamiliar appearance suddenly appears when driving on the scenic Izu Skyline. It is a so-called ruin. The contrast with the refreshing scenery is interesting.
It seems that it used to be a ropeway station connecting to Atami Cactus Park in Atami City.
If you search on the web, you will find multiple blogs and other information.
Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
The Kawazu Seven Waterfalls are made up of seven waterfalls: Otaki, Deai-taki, Kani-taki, Shokage-taki, Hebi-taki, Ebi-taki, and Kama-taki. The promenade has a suspension bridge and an observation deck, so you can enjoy the different waterfalls while taking a walk.
At the Kawazu Nanataki Tourist Center at the entrance, there is an unusual bread called "Anbata Wasako," which is bread with butter kneaded with wasabi and bean paste sandwiched between two pieces of bread.
There is also wasabi soft serve ice cream (not just regular soft serve ice cream with wasabi on top, but wasabi flavored). Both types are available at the roadside station "Amagigoe" located north of here on the Shimoda Kaido.
Ashikaga Flower Park
Illumination of the 150-year-old wisteria
A flower theme park located in Hasamacho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
It is famous for its wisteria. Noda wisteria, Usubeni wisteria, Murasaki wisteria, Naga wisteria, Yae wisteria, Shira wisteria, and Kibana wisteria (Fabaceae, Leucanthemum genus) bloom under wisteria trellises, tunnels, and screens.
The wisteria soft serve and wisteria smoothie have a strong wisteria scent and are delicious.
In addition to wisteria, the year is divided into eight themes: "Early Spring," "Spring Flower Festival," "Wisteria Story," "Rainbow Garden," "Blue and White Garden," "Floating Flower Fairies," "Purple Garden," and "Garden of Light," so you can enjoy flowers of every season.
Opening times vary depending on the season, and admission fees vary depending on the season and the state of flowers in bloom.
Tanbara Lavender Park
This theme park is famous for its lavender and is open during the off-season at the Tambara Ski Park in the Tamahara Plateau, Numata City, Gunma Prefecture. Its 50,000 lavender plants are the largest in the Kanto region. Depending on the type of lavender, there are early, mid, and late blooming varieties, and the park is open for a long period of time.
They offer lavender soft serve ice cream and original goods made with lavender from Tanbara.
Admission fees vary depending on the flowering situation.
The highest point on the national highway in Japan
A sign marking the highest point on a national highway in Japan, in a corner of a parking lot
As the name suggests, this is the highest point on the national highway.
It is located along National Route 292, the Shiga Kusatsu Highlands Route.
During the day, you can enjoy a panoramic view overlooking Kusatsu, and at night, although it gets cold, the number of stars is amazing. Many people go there to see the sea of clouds.
Due to snow, the road is closed for the winter from around mid-November. The shortest route from Tokyo is via Kusatsu, but if the eruption alert level for Mt. Shirane is raised, some sections will be closed and you will have to take a detour. When the winter closure is lifted in mid-April, you can drive through the snow corridor.
Showa Memorial Park
Many flowers are planted around "Minna no Harappa" (back of photo).
A national park located in Tachikawa and Akishima cities in Tokyo.
The parking lot is quite large, but even more so is the open feeling of the vast "everyone's field."
There are many areas where flowers are planted.
There is also a bonsai garden.
In autumn, the rows of ginkgo trees create a golden tunnel that rivals that of Meiji Shrine Gaien.
Hitachi Seaside Park
Kochia flowers spread across Miharashi Hill, surrounded by cosmos.
A national park located in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
It is famous for its nemophila flowers in spring and kochia flowers in autumn. When the best viewing season is at its peak, the Joban Expressway can become very congested.
The park area is larger than Showa Memorial Park and is divided into seven areas (Miharashi Area, Forest Area, Grassland Area, Sand Dune Area, West Entrance Area, South Entrance Area, and Pleasure Garden Area).
There is also a Ferris wheel in the Pleasure Garden area.
From Miharashi Hill in the Miharashi area, you can get a panoramic view of the park and the Pacific Ocean.
Noyamakita/Rokudoyama Park
Once you leave the walking path, you can see the townscape lit up by the setting sun.
Located in the Sayama Hills, stretching from Musashimurayama City to Mizuho Town in Tokyo, this is the largest urban park run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
There are also parking lots scattered around, so you can drive to nearby destinations.
In addition to the observation deck with a 360-degree view, there are many other viewpoints.
There are also athletic facilities.
Walking along the ridge path you can enjoy the sunlight filtering through the trees.
Hinode Citizens' Forest, Tokyo
View of Lake Okutama (north) from the summit
Located in Hinode Village, Nishitama District, Tokyo. One of the trailheads to Mt. Mito, the highest peak of the Okutama Sanzan. As its name suggests, Mt. Mito has three peaks: the West Peak (1,527m), the Central Peak (1,531m), and the East Peak (1,528m). On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji.
The Otaki Trail, which has been certified as a forest therapy road, is paved with wood chips, making it easy to walk.
Mitake Valley
View of the Tama River from the bridge
A valley in the upper reaches of the Tama River in Ome City, Tokyo. The stream here has been selected as one of the 100 famous waters in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment.
There is a 4km long promenade on both banks where you can enjoy fresh greenery in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. Canoeing and rafting are also available.
In search of unseen scenery
On the way to the destination, I am impressed by the beautiful scenery and encounter interesting scenes, which is fun. When I think about going for a drive, I want to get away from the city for a little while, which may be because I am looking for such impressions and encounters. I think that it is an everyday experience for the people who live there, but for me it is an extraordinary experience. I feel that it is what supports my daily life.
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