南あわじ、眼下に海を望む絶景イタリアンレストラン『amarancia』さんへ友人とお邪魔しました。
お料理が美味しくて、スタッフの皆さんかっこよくて親切で、お店も素敵で絶景で！南あわじへ行かれた際は是非お立ち寄り下さい、おすすめです！
お料理は
ランチコース
前菜盛り合わせ
海老のマリネ
選べるパスタ
鮮魚のアクアパッツア
薪焼の盛り合わせ
を選びました。

友人仁美さん曰く
全てのお料理がとてもボリューミー。
コース料理で前菜からメインまで大皿でシェアするのは、日本のイタリアンレストランでは珍しいと思う、新鮮でいい感じ。
海老のマリネは平たく叩かれていて、まろやかなのに旨みが濃く、私がいちばん気に入ったお料理❣️
パスタは折角なので魚介のオイルパスタを選択。トッピングはトマトとムール貝、シンプルだけど様々な魚介の旨味があり、食べる事を楽しめました‼️
肉料理は3種とも炭火焼きの香ばしさが感じられ、三種三様、肉の風味を味わえた‼️
最後に出されたメインで満腹に近かったけど、ライスかパンが欲しいくらい食べ応えのあるお味でした❣️❣️（仁美さんのコメント）

美味しくてボリュームのある料理を親しい人とシェアしておしゃべり、洒落た店内と鳴門大橋まで見える絶景、親切でカッコイイスタッフさん。食べる事を楽しみ、そして大切な友と過ごす時間を五感で楽しむこの空間。『TRATTORIA amarancia』いい時間過ごせますよ。

帰宅途中。この景色が好き

兵庫県丹波市水別れ公園生郷まつり
無料抽選会、屋台、ステージなど和む祭りで楽しかった(^^♪

兵庫県丹波市春日町柚津ひまわり柚遊（ゆうゆう）農園
ひまわり迷路、出店、ひまわり切り取って持ち帰り無料で楽しかったです♪

I am a big fan of Toyooka's Mongol Culture Center, and find myself visiting there once every couple of years, even though it has not had many major updates.

Imagine my surprise, then, to learn it has a collaboration with a new anime! Incredibly, the original work's author seems to be named "Tomato Soup". What a world we live in!

For this new collaboration, which will run from August of this year to the next, the focus will be on notable female figures in Mongol history, especially Sorkhokthani Beki and Töregene. For fans of the anime, apparently there will be anime-related goods and content as well, so it is sure to have something for fans of either history or anime. Already the museum had a very interesting section where you could not just see but even try on various Mongolian clothes, but it sounds like they may specifically be adding some based on these Mongolian princesses.

I think it is great that Toyooka maintains such an active cultural life, and I can't wait to go to my favorite museum in Hyogo again to see the new exhibit!

Toyooka is a bit out of the way, but visitors are well rewarded with the famous Kinosaki Onsen, delicious crab cuisine, and lots of beautiful wildlife, including the nearby Stork Preserve. I would definitely recommend visiting!

夏霞播磨灘。淡路島の西海岸、育波漁港から見た夕暮れ時も播磨灘です。
夕暮れ時の海は綺麗で波は静か、霞のかかった空は綺麗なグラデーションで
不思議な景色が見れました。

Nishiwaki in the center of Hyogo prefecture proudly proclaims itself "The Navel of Japan." Being a bellybutton seems a little unflattering, but it is actually a hotly disputed title, since Shibukawa in Gunma prefecture contests the title with its own Navel festival, complete with painted stomachs. Weird.

Nishiwaki itself has a "navel park", complete with monument, but thankfully has a lot more to indicate than its name or its relative geographic remoteness would indicate. A nice science museum and observatory is available, and the staff are very kind with on-hand demonstrations and explanations. A multipurpose community center "Mirai-e" has a large children's play area stocked with a very unusual amount of wooden toys from Sweden.

If you are looking for something more cultural, Nishiwaki is a center of the Banshu-ori textile tradition, making it one of the best places to get cotton products that are grown in Japan.

小雨が続く夏の日、神戸メリケンパーク。細かい雨が降ったり止んだり、風で落ちた白い花びらに乗った雨の雫がキレイでした。

I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets.

The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus.

If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.

全国的にも有名なヒメボタルの飛翔が見られる兵庫県丹波市の内尾神社。
今年も絶景な光景でした

夏の雨。神戸メリケンパークは静かで穏やかに時間がすげた行きます。

先日、友人の仁美さんとホテルオークラ神戸35階にある鉄板焼き『さざんか』さん
でランチ銀杏を頂いてきました。
35階から素晴らしい景色を眺めつつ
前菜、さざんかサラダ
そして
鯛と海老のグリル
友曰く
『鯛の身はお箸でほろりとほぐれ、アサリ出汁のクリームソース。海老は火の通りが丁度良く、アメリカンソースと。それぞれの相性がとても良く考えらてはるお味を楽しめます
次に
炎の演出（かっこいい！）
黒毛和牛のロースをミディアムで、柔らかくて脂がくどくなく食べやすいです。私のおすすめは添えられた粒マスタードと一緒に。（友人、仁美さんのコメント）

そして
ガーリックライス
パテシェ特製デザートと続きます。
最高のロケーションで最高のお料理、そしてお店の皆さんの最高のおもてなし。
友ととても贅沢で素敵な時間を過ごさせて頂きました。

豊中つばさ公園「ma-zika」

所在地 大阪府豊中市原田中2丁目2番14号
敷地面積 5.9ヘクタール
開園時間 9時～21時30分（入場は21時まで）
休園日 無休
入園料 無料
一部開園日 令和7年8月12日
全面開園日 令和９年3月予定
駐車場 一部開園時：127台（身体障害者専用3台、大型バス専用1台を含む）
全面開園時：273台（身体障害者専用5台、大型バス専用1台を含む）
駐車料金 100円/20分（平日最大900円 土日祝休 上限なし）


平日は食事は有りません・・・コンビニエンスストアが近くに有ります。
キッチンカーが休日等出ますので・・・

豊中つばさ公園「ma-zika」は、大阪国際空港（伊丹空港）の南側、
千里川土手のすぐ横に整備が進んでいる新しい都市公園です。
着陸直前の飛行機を、真下に近い感覚で「間近」に見られるのが最大の特徴で、
名前の「ma-zika」も「間近」と「マジか」の語感から来ています。
イベントなど有ります・・・キッチンカー土日祝日など
豊中つばさ公園『ma-zika』で確認して下さい。

The Kitano area of Kobe is well up the slope of the city, away from the port and Sannomiya station. The long trek uphill can be daunting, but some of Kobe's most vibrant cityscape means you at least can enjoy looking around on your way from the heart of the city.

Once you get up to Kitano, though, you are rewarded with a neighborhood with a meaningful international character. Whether it be the local Mosque (one of the oldest and largest in Japan), or the prestigious British international school nearby, there are plenty of signs that the cosmopolitan aspect of Kitano is more than a shallow veneer of foreign cuisine restaurants. To be sure, those are there as well, and they are delicious! From memory, besides the ubiquitous Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, German, Russian and Egyptian dining formed some of the more eclectic additions, as well as Mexican food, a sure treat for any visitors from North America missing a classic mainstay.

But the most lasting and striking stamp that the wider world has left on Kitano are the Kitano "Ijinkan", the former western residences from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stateliness of this old-world refinement are well complemented by the dazzling modern city visible below the hills. Even a global chain Starbucks gets in on the fun, with a famous repurposed building that is considerably fancier than your typical starbucks cafe. Whether for appreciating Meiji history, western architecture, foreign cuisine, the vibrant and diverse culture of the neighborhood, or just getting some good exercise in and enjoying the view from the hills of Kobe, the trip from Sannomiya up to Kitano is well worth the effort!

兵庫県の日本海側香美町鎧駅から見下ろす漁港の景色は息を吞む美しさでした。

兵庫県加東市の平池公園。広い公園内にはすと睡蓮の小池、大賀蓮の池が
あり、これから見ごろの季節です。有名な場所ではないですが、私の好きな心安らぎ優しくなれる穴場です。

兵庫県加東市平池公園＃ハスと睡蓮

兵庫県余部鉄橋の近く、平成水明の郷。綺麗な砂浜から日本海が広く望めます。シーズン手前の平日午後は訪れる人も少なく、この風景を独り占め。

With its largely industrial character, and nestled between such famous destinations as Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, it is no wonder that Kakogawa gets often overlooked.

If you -were- in Kakogawa, it does have Kakurin-Ji, an old temple going back to some of Japan's oldest recorded history, and the "Akari no Kago" museum sheds light on the history of Japanese lamps, while less esoterically the Hyogo museum of Archaeology has a lot of unique information about ancient tomb culture in the region.

Really, though, if you visit Kakogawa it should be for the Katsumeshi. Similar to the more nationally well-known Katsudon, Katsumeshi is usually beef instead of pork, abd features a different sauce, usually, with a demi-glace base. Without the egg usually seen with Katsudon, the katsu cutlet stays crisper too, and the overall flavor is meatier and more reminiscent of western cuisine. It is absolutely the culinary standout of Kakogawa, and its hard to believe it hasn't become more widespread. If you are a fan of fried meat in rich sauce (and really, who isn't?) its a must try!

河川敷に出来た水溜りに逆さ桜が綺麗でした。

兵庫県三田市にある花の絨毯。一面がピンク色で綺麗です。

The Mongolian Folk Museum, with its larger-than-life mounted Mongol Warrior outside, is one of the surprises of the Sea of Japan coast. Inside, visitors can go inside yurts that accurately recreate nomadic life, see a variety of historical artifacts, and even try on Mongolian folk clothing inspired costumes. It is fun to have your picture taken wearing exotic and luxurious feeling clothing, and the pictures make for good memories!

Hands-on activities, such as playing nomad instruments, are also available. Children may especially enjoy crafting a toy sheep out of Mongolian wool. They look like adorable little puffs! A reading corner featuring children's books with a Mongolian setting is also available. Adults may get more enjoyment out of the displays of weapons and historical insights, but there are cute crafts available as souvenirs that anyone can enjoy.

Interestingly, the museum also has a look at the region's own local history, offering insight into daily life for the average resident, as well as a broader look at the region's history as a hub of silk manufacturing and its subsequent decline. The collapse of the silk industry and the attendant emigration from the Sea of Japan coast is a seldom-told story, and finding it in a Mongolian Folk History Museum is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

淡路島の花さじき。黄色の菜の花と青い大阪湾と少し霞んだ空。もう春景色です。

Himeji Castle is justly famous and sees visitors from around the world. But for many, Himeji is a short trip from Osaka or elsewhere, and no sooner have they seen the castle than visitors head right back to the station. In a way, Himeji is a victim of its own success in designing around the castle, with it being directly in view the second visitors step out of the station, and the castle being so famous that it overshadows everything else the city has to offer.

Well, that's fair. Koko-en garden and Engyo-j on Mt. Shosha are also well worth your time, but for someone who would only like to focus on the castle, there is one minor detour I would recommend, and that is the Senhime Trail. Directly running along the moat of Himeji Castle itself, it is surrounded on both sides by water, with excellent seasonal tree foliage at any time of year. The path is named after Princess Senhime, the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lived at Himeji Castle in the early Edo period.

Strangely, just a fraction of those who wish to see the castle go here and so it is not a very busy trail. It feels much more quiet and peaceful than the main castle approach, and shops and crowds give way to maple trees, waterfowl, and reflections of the castle in the water.

Best of all, in light of Himeji Castle fees being newly raised for visitors, the trail is completely free! It is a hidden gem beautiful and well worth the time in any season, but especially spring or fall. For those with time to enjoy beauty, I highly recommend making a stroll of it before turning back to Himeji Station.

姫路

伊丹スカイパーク

兵庫県伊丹市森本7丁目1-1

伊丹スカイパークは、大阪国際空港（伊丹空港）に隣接する広大な公園です。飛行機の離着陸を間近で見られることで知られ、昼夜問わず様々な楽しみ方があります。


伊丹スカイパークは、飛行機の離着陸を間近で見られる公園ですが、いくつか注意点があります。
🚫 禁止事項
以下の行為は禁止されていますので、ご注意ください。

ボール遊び、フリスビー、バドミントンなど: 航空機の発着に支障をきたす恐れがあるため。
テント、タープなどの設営: 航空機の発着に支障をきたす恐れがあるため。
バイク、自転車、一輪車などの乗り入れ・持ち込み: 駐輪場を利用。
ストライダー、キックボード、Jボードの持ち込み・使用。
花火。
凧あげ: 航空機の離着陸に支障をきたす恐れがあるため。
ゴミの放置: ゴミは各自持ち帰り。園内にゴミ箱はありません。
喫煙: 園内は全面禁煙です（電子タバコも含む）。
ペットの連れ込み: 芝生、植込み、噴水・水流施設周辺は禁止。

冬霞、明石海峡。冬の明石海峡は淡路島と大きな明石海峡大橋も霞がかかり水墨画のようです。

Toyooka, on the Sea of Japan, is a lovely city that feels rather old fashioned. A very long history of bagmaking craftsmen can be found here, which suits the image of the city with its traditional architecture and sedated atmosphere. Since it is on the Sea of Japan, Toyooka is very cold in winter, and the Kinosaki area of Toyooka does a roaring trade with Onsen and crabs. Many people come up to brave the winter cold for the crab found here, and some look forward to it all year!

More touchingly, Toyooka is the heart of Japan's stork revival. As Japan, Inc. proceeded and manufacturing altered landscapes, there were less and less homes in Japan for the Oriental White Stork, before finally being declared extinct in 1971. Even the few surviving captive storks had been rendered infertile by exposure to chemicals. Not giving up, Toyooka worked tirelessly to restore the stork population before the first live birth finally took place in 1989. After a painstaking process by which they were reintroduced to the wild and a safe habitat was made for them, today the Oriental White Stork, auspicious since ancient times, once again flies above the wilds of northern Hyogo prefecture. If you see one, it is sure to be good luck!

高座神社（たかくらじんじゃ）
兵庫県丹波市青垣町東芦田2283

超巨大おみくじで新年から笑顔に－。
兵庫県丹波市青垣町東芦田の高座神社が、１月１日午前０時から、広げた新聞紙より大きいおみくじの授与を始める。
子どもの身長くらいのおみくじ筒を振って引く。
「家族や友人と訪れ、大きな福と笑いを持ち帰って」と話す。４日まで。


おみくじはＡ１サイズで、縦５９・４センチ、横８４・１センチ。「日本一大きなおみくじ」をうたう。サイズを生かし、項目を細分化。例えば「恋愛」は、出会い▽片思い▽縁談▽モテ期▽デート▽相性－に分かれる。

秋晴れの日、淡路島の岩屋海水浴場から大阪湾を眺めるまったり幸せなひと時。