Besshi copper mine and Matsuyama Trip

Hi there! It has been very hot recently..I wonder when it'll get cooler....

anyway,,
let me tell you about my favorite place, Besshi copper mine　and Matsuyama this time.








                                                                                  
Besshi copper mine -The Besshi copper mine (別子銅山, Besshi Dozan) is  rich source of cooper in Niihanma of Ehime Prefecture.The deposits were discovered in 1690, and mining began in the following year. From then until the closing of the mine in 1973.
It takes about 20 mins by bus from JR niihama sta.There are hourly Bus to　(別子銅山, Besshi Dozan)　370yen.

You will be able to enjoy the fantastic scenery from here!!

I went to Dogo onsen next. Dogo onsen is the oldest hot spring in Japan and described in Nihonsyoki. 

And if you stay in Matsuyama,I definitely recommend  "Sen Guest house ".

There's a nice atmosphere created by the friendliness of the owners, Matt and Noriko who are both very dedicated to ensuring that you see the best parts of not only Matsuyama!!

I absolutely loved my time in Matsuyama　and besshi Dozan. Why don't you visit there If you want to take the oldest Onsen and enjoy nature?
 

Let's go to Saijo’s sake breweries (in Hiroshima) ♪

 Hi there! It's been very very hot in Japan . Ｓummer is really here... I shall be melted hahaha

anyway,, Let me introduce  Saijo’s　sake breweries this time.
A visit to Saijo is like a trip back in time. In a very small area you will encounter some of the world’s most prestigious and oldest sake breweries. Feel free to drop in, look around and have a taste. Some sake makers called "Kuramoto" will allow you to come and see how sake is made.
I went to "kamoizumi  sake breweries this time. about it as below

 you can enjoy Japanese gardens　（by MIREI SHIGEMORI）.

 We tasted many kinds sake the end of Sake tour. I was not drunk, but I've got a good buzz on haha(^^)

 It takes about 40min from JR Hiroshima station to Saijo Sta (570yen one way).
Enjoy Hiroshima local real sake in Saijo♪

Fire training at Hiroshima Hana hostel

Hi there!
It's been very hot and humid in Hiroshima. Summer has come...atsui atsui...

anywey..
We have conducted the fire training last week.　the hostel industry is be required to do it at least  twice a year. and we should practice using escape route to be able to leave quickly,and It is also important to learn about things like first aid for those who have been injured in disasters, how to use fire extinguishers, and more..

We try to keep　our hostel more safe and conformable !!
We hope that you have a great stay here!!

Trip to Toronto

I had a trip to Toronto. 

My passport expired in 2011,  so I renewed my passport for this trip. 

It is my first time to get 10-year valid passport. 

I flew to Narita from Hiroshima airport by Ibex airlines NH3114.

Before I take plane, I had some fresh oysters:)

Hiroshima has 60% share of all oyster farming in Japan.

Then I flew to Toronto by AC002.

Flight was pleasant and landing was smooth.

One thing I surprised was they served cup noodle in the middle of the flight as snack.

I was full.

and met my girlfriend at Pearson airport.  

It was since last October. and we had some cups of coffee at Tim Hortons!

I liked their iced coffee:)

I stayed in Canada for 11 days and we walked around downtown Toronto and, took a day trip to Niagara fall. 

In Niagara, the fall raised a spray of water far and wide.

Illumination at night was fascinating.  

Toronto city view was beautiful.

and loved chicken wing with Canadian beer :)

 It was a memorable trip. I wish to visit Toronto again in Autumn.

Thermae-Romae -interesting Japanese new movie-

City Ride

Its getting warm day by day. I saw blooming Sakura on my way to Ramen place.



One day I though its enough warn to begin taking motorcycle, so I took a short ride to Mizushiri about 20 miles away from Hiroshima HANA Hostel.

It was such a nice weather!!! I took Ozu Lane heading for Kure and rode about 20 min. to Mizushiri.


--

It was so refreshing to sit down and doing nothing. I felt as if I was in San Francisco.
I was here about a few hours. I had relaxing time,


It is said Attention to Oysters!!
can hurt your feet!!!



Just finished loan payment!! Yay! I wanna goto Shikoku his year!!


The later on, I went to "Youki" a famous ramen place in Hiroshima. Hiroshima's ramen soup composed of Tonkotsu and soy sause. I like Tonkotsu ramen since I was born in Fukuoka where ramen soup is 100% tonkotsu. It was very difficult in Hiroshima to find good ramen place, but this was sooo good!

After ramen, I went to Onsen where it is about 10min ride from Hiroshima HANA.
I had really good relaxing day~

Running distance at this ride: 60km
Total running distance: 2865km

If you are coming to stay at Hiroshima Hana Hostel by motorcycle you can park for free!!

Kaki (oysters) restaurant in Hiroshima

Hi!　Today,It is very worm, it's like spring season has become:)

I recommend one of Kaki (oysters) restaurant in Hiroshima this time.

It's almost been the end of the oyster season ,though...

the oysters is very famous and popular food in Hiroshima and many tourist visit to Hiroshima to eat Hiroshima's oysters.

One of our guests Dorothy recommends this oysters restaurant" KANAWA"

Kanawa restaurant is located in the Hiroshima city near Peace Park and you can enjoy the scenery along the river.



This is the second time　to go this restaurant for her.













This course is for 8000yen ,a little bit expensive though,it would be your great experience of Hiroshima!!

and they gave me one more picture of Her family.




I'm sooo glad to hear that they really enjoy Hiroshima♪
I hope to see them again♪

MAZDA Museum

An automobile manufacturer MAZDA has headquarer office in Hiroshima.
They offer Museum and factory tours on weekdays(Mon.-Fri.).

Recently I joined their tours!
They hold English tours from 10:00-
Duration approximately 1.5 hours

You can learn and see their history like rotary engines, former car lineups, and actual production lines.


You will take a bus to go to the museum after showing up the entrance at the headquarter office. You can not take pictures on the way to the museum since you are moving in the Mazda property. I was surprised that the long bridge we went across is owned by Mazda. It was explained that it is one of the longest bridges owned by private company.
Of course almost all cars we passed over on the way were Mazda cars.



I saw Axela,Demio,RX-8, Roadster, etc. that could actually get in at the lobby of the museun.
And we took guided tours about an hour and saw production lines.

I was reassured that one of our key industries is engineering to join this tour.

Mazda is renovating their technology with "SKIACTIV" or new clean diesel engines against rising Yen and hybrid automobile share.



You should join this tour if you have interested in Mazda!

Mazda Museum English website
Map

Are you enjoying winter sports?

Hi! Today is the coldest day so far this winter, I think.

Are you enjoying winter sports?

I went to snowboarding in MIZUHO SKY PLACE with my friends this week.This is a ski ground where everyone from children and beginners to advanced skiers can have fun.

More and more foreigners, especially Australians who enjoy skiing in Hokkaido, are coming and the region is again becoming an international resort.but Hokkaido isn't the only place you can go skiing and snowboarding.There are a lots of nice ski places in Hiroshima.


Let enjoy winter sports in Hiroshima!!

Hikari-machi

Hikari-machi is located in about 5 min. walk from Hana Hostel Hiroshima toward north after crossing a railroad.




There is a 24-hours open supermarket "YOURS".
also there are lots of local restaurants at a reasonable price.

In addition, there are walkway called "Futaba-no-sato",
and peace pagoda at the top of the mountain called "Futaba-yama".

This place is out of neighborhood map, so I visited this place in order to explain much more to our future guests. I went up to the peace pagoda.



Before that I went to Sushi restaurant named "Sushi-ken". They serve 10 pieces of sushi and miso soup in 650 yen.
fresh, cheap, authentic and professional! also they have plenty selection of local sakes. I would reccommend this place for sushi lover!

Began to walk.


Walking direction


Sign at the entrance of peace pagoda



so steep angle on my way that I got tired to easily. My heart was beating so fast.
I knew why because I am not doing regular exercise these days.
I thought I need to start some kind of sports of studet days.(baseball or Japanese archery)


finally came out on top in 20 min.





You can see until Hiroshima port. Perhaps I can see firework festival in summer from here.



I would surely go there again by motorcycle,not on foot.
I recommend Hikari-machi if you are looking for places to look around nearby.


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