Tateyama: Beach near Tokyo

There are several beaches you can go out and spend your holiday near Tokyo . In spring, you can go shellfish gathering at low tide. After the rainy season in June, you will see many people and families enjoying swimming and sunbathing there.

Tateyama in Chiba (the east of Tokyo) has one of the best beaches near Tokyo, located 2 hours from Tokyo by train. Compared with the beaches in Kanagawa to the west from Tokyo, they are less crowded and cleaner.

Due to the sand composition made by volcanic activity, the color of the sand is not white but black or brown. But still you can relax on the beach seeing the Pacific ocean.

Eco-tour: Ogasawara-island (Bonin Islands)

Ogawasara islands belong to Tokyo. However, it takes 27hours by ship from the main land of Japan.

The islands are in the subtropical zone. Chichi-jima (Father island) and Haha-jima (Mother island) are the main islands where people live. As the ferry from Tokyo arrives at Chichi-jima, most of the inns and tour operators are in Chichi-jima. The popular activities in the island are swimming with dolphin and whale watching in the sea and serching Ogawasara Ookomori: fruit bat and Green-pepe: a glow mushroom at night in the land.

If you want to enjoy more nature in Ogasawara, cross to Haha-jima or Minami-jima (South island). the number of preple who can land the island is limited on Minami-jima for environmental protection purpose.

As shown in the photo, it is best and most fruitful for you to go hiking with a local guide. (note: you cannot not access to some areas on the island without a guide.)

The rainy season in Ogasawara is nearly over. Summer is just around the corner!

Spring in Hokkaido

After the long cold winter, finally spring has come to Hokkaido, the northen island in Japan.
While it is not the best season to travel around in Japan in June due to the rainy season, Hokkaido is the only place, which does not have a rainy season. The late May and June is the best season to visit Hokkaido.

In Furano and Biei at the center of Hokkaido, they call the places "the navel of Hokkaido", after the freezing season, plants and animals show up abruptly. They seem to enjoy the visit of spring. The contrast between the green land and white snow still left on the mountain is very beautiful. Feel a breath of spring by walking or cycling around there.

One thing you have to be careful: the sunshine in this season is pretty strong. So, put on sun screen before going out!

Grass Cherry blossom

Following the cherry blossom season in spring, you can enjoy Siba-Sakura (Grass Cherry), which has the similar pink-color petals to Sakura or Cherry blossom.

The proper English name of the flower is moss phlox (Phlox subulata).
Although the taxonomical point of view, it has nothing to do with cherry, the Japanese, Sakura-lovers, named it after their favorite flower. Grass Cherry: cherry blossms on the ground like grass. This sounds very beautiful for the Japanese. How about to you?

The Grass cherry can be seen near Tokyo,such as Chichibu in Saitama Pref. in April and in Hokkaido by the early June. Mt.Mokoto one is the most famous in Japan.