Managed to stop by Ueno Zoo the other day for a little bit and while I didn't get to see much of the animals because we were short on time, we did get to see a few of the attractions around the park. The first one is "Sala Thai" a gift from the Thai Government to mark the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Japan, as written on the plaque. The second one is the five-story pagoda of the former Kanei-ji Temple. The pagoda was built in 1631 and rebuilt in 1639. Besides that are just some photos of the scenery around the park, and you can see some of the autumn colors on the trees and even in Shinobazu Pond. We also managed to get some tasty lunch. This looks like steak but it was actually like a pork-steak cutlet type of thing. It tasted great though. Hopefully I'll have some more time to actually see the animals next time I go lol It's was registered as an Important Cultural Property in 1911.

Went to a soba restaurant in Ueno called Rengyoku-an (蓮玉庵) over the weekend and ordered same really tasty tempura and soba. I ordered the Tempura Seiro Soba (天せいろそば) and it was a bit pricey at 1750 yen but it tasted great. What I really liked about the restaurant though (besides the food), was the atmosphere of the place. It had a bunch of really awesome art hanging on the walls that was reminiscent of Edo Period art and I'm a pretty big fan of that so it was really enjoyable. The inside of the building was grey but it was very stylish. I'm not sure what the walls were made of, but it seemed to be some sort of granite and the coloring of the seats was also in a similar fashion but very tasteful. I definitely want to go back here again and try some more of their dishes! It's pretty close to Okachimachi Station so it's pretty easy to drop in for lunch.

Some photos I took while passing through the area. Lit up trees ready for Christmas near Toyocho Station! I also spotted these pandas around a Christmas tree at Ueno Station as well and thought it was cute. It's funny how fast Halloween ends and almost immediately we start to see Christmas decorations lol. It's not dissimilar with the US though. Every time Halloween ends it's like someone flips a switch and suddenly all of the Halloween decorations become Christmas decorations. Speaking of Halloween though, I actually saw children trick or treating in the streets this year which was really nice considering all the restrictions over the past 2 years. It also seems like the culture of Halloween has started to become a bigger part of Japanese culture over the last 5 years or so. I still love that Christmas is a dating holiday in Japan though. It feels like a romantic holiday anyways, I think it's better this way personally.

Higanbana with the onset of autumn When it comes to autumn, we tend to focus on the autumn leaves, but higanbana also tells us the beginning of autumn. The whole area was higan flowers, and it was red as if there was a red carpet on it. This photo was taken at Miyakuyama Natural Forest Park in Gunma Prefecture. It was just evening, and I was able to take the picture at a good time when the red shines well with the gentle yellowish light.

In September, summer is over, and autumn is about to come, this "higanbana" that blooms just at the turn of the season. When I see them blooming every year, I feel lonely at the end of summer, and I think that it is autumn from now on. This photo was taken at Sakai Ontake Natural Forest Park in Gunma Prefecture. It was just sparkling with sunlight filtering through the trees in the crowds, so I tried to emphasize the glitter.

This photo was taken while strolling around the local city. On this day, there was a rain forecast from the evening, and while looking for something summery, I suddenly remembered the forecast and looked at the sky, and the clouds were approaching here, and I thought, "Oh, it's summer," so I took a picture before it rained. I added a summery blue color to create a cloudy feeling, and I photographed the steel tower in silhouette in the foreground to make the sky stand out.

This is strawberry shaved ice from a shaved ice shop called "Japan Ichi" in Gunma. The ice is made from Chichibu's natural ice, and you can change it to Nikko's natural ice. In addition, the strawberry syrup is made by hand and has a good balance of acidity and sweetness, and as the name of the store says, I think it is the best in the hot summer. I think that shaved ice is indispensable in the summer of Japan, and now there are various shaved ice in Japan all over the country, and I think it has become more familiar. I took a picture of such shaved ice not by the whole thing, but by focusing on the parts that looked delicious.

Although it is one that feels cool ... I also feel the strong vitality of the plants that are growing their vines without losing the heat!

I went to Fukiwari Falls in Gunma Prefecture. It was so beautiful and my heart was healed just by looking at it!

Night cherry blossoms taken locally in spring. It was a little high, and when I went up the stairs, there was a tunnel of cherry blossoms at night that was lit up. The bright pink of the cherry blossoms was so shiny that it didn't make you feel the night. I couldn't take my time cherry blossom viewing in Corona, but when Corona is over, I would like to see cherry blossoms together.

One piece at Shiman Lake I want to go see it again when Corona is over!

Location:Ohugurin Furawa Farm ?:α7Ⅱ + tamron28-75f2.8 Ogogurin Furawa Farm is a roadside station, and not only has a wonderful view, but you can also buy Gunma specialties. Since it is a ranch, you can enjoy the soft-serve ice cream very delicious! ? Why don't you visit after corona?

What a beautiful photo. I've always found it interesting but never understood the train enthusiast culture, but when you see photos like this you really start to understand why. I really love seeing the old steam locomotives personally, as opposed to the newer models and shinkansen. I know about the Sagano romantic train and always thought it'd be a really cool experience to go on a sightseeing trip in Kyoto using it. I never knew Gunma had such amazing scenery as well. My friend from there always tells me how unbearably hot it gets in the summer so I just always assumed there couldn't be too much worthwhile, but I guess Japan's four seasons really are as prominent as they say. Amazing...

On a spring day when snow falls on the cherry blossoms, "Watarase Valley Railway" Midori, Gunma

Early morning cherry blossoms and "Watarase Valley Railway"

Trolley train "Watarase Valley" and cherry blossoms Midori, Gunma

"Watarase Valley Railway" and cherry blossoms on a rainy day Midori, Gunma

Morning "Watarase Valley Railway" and cherry blossoms Midori, Gunma

This is the state after sunset near Nakano Station of the famous "Watarase Valley Railway" for cherry blossoms. Midori, Gunma

Shooting points of the "Watarase Valley Railway" crowded with shooting iron Cherry blossom petals fluttered due to a sudden strong wind. Midori, Gunma

Famous cherry blossom spots on the "Watarase Valley Railway Road" Midori, Gunma

Tsuruuda River cherry blossom trees in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture

Azalea in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture

Azalea in Tatebayashi, Gunma

Azalea in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture

It is a piece in a traditional hot spring town in Japan. As the snow flickered, the steam from the hot springs also gushed out, and the seasonal flavors and sightseeing spots blended well.

Ginger-infused salt ramen Tsukemen Yashichi@Tatebayashi

Yubatake, the symbol of the famous hot spring "Kusatsu Onsen" in Gunma Prefecture.

Have ✨ a relaxing time at a longed-for luxury inn Tonight, we will introduce the world-recognized Japanese resort "Senjuan" ? in Tanigawa Onsen, Gunma Prefecture. Senjuan, located along the mountain stream of the Tanigawa River while feeling the four seasons of the famous peak Mt. Tanigawa, is a quiet private space and is a ? very popular inn for those who want to heal nature. All rooms have an open-air bath, and you can enjoy ♨️? hot springs flowing directly from the original hot spring and creative Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients in all rooms with different tastes. There is also a famous spot for autumn leaves "Mt. Tanigawa Ropeway" in the vicinity, which is perfect ? for the coming season. Watch the video tonight to feel ? like you're staying at a luxury inn. Online GoTo Travel to Tanigawa Onsen!