I went with my family to Gongen General Park, a charming new playground located near a rest area and at the base of a mountain. The park was opened just last year, and has lots of slides for children to enjoy while being conveniently located next to family-friendly dining like a Katsudon restaurant, and most importantly connects to a pleasant and easily walkable nature trail. There are stairs for those who would like to take a short-cut, but its well worth doing the leisurely hike up to the summit.

The view from the peak is really wonderful! It seems there is a bug theme to the park, with a variety of cicada everywhere. On a holiday weekend it is a little crowded, but only enough to give a sense of liveliness rather than overcrowding. It is nice to see many families out there having fun! If you are in the area with young kids of your own and enjoy nature, you could do far worse than visit Gongen.

兵庫県丹波市の「高山寺」で出会った、鮮やかな紅葉の参道。

歴史を重ねた石灯籠が並ぶ参道を、赤や橙に色づいた木々が覆い、足元には落ち葉の絨毯が広がっていました。

一歩ずつ歩きながら、深まる秋を感じた印象深い風景です。

撮影場所：兵庫県丹波市・高山寺
撮影日：2025年11月20日

今回は友人とホテル竹園芦屋の『レストランあしや竹園』さんでスペシャルランチを頂戴し、友人と伝統の芦屋竹園時間を満喫させて頂きました。

友人仁美さん曰く
最初の前菜は茄子のムース。濃厚なコクがあり、始めは茄子とわからなかった。
次に
冷製ジェノベーゼはしっかりと全体に広がるバジルの風味と、冷製ならではの濃いお味が楽しめた。

ハモのカツレツは、淡白なハモの風味に梅肉ソースの塩味と酸味がちょうど良い。

ステーキの焼き加減がミディアムで柔らかく私好み。

伝統と格式のある料理をゆっくりと味合わせて頂けました。
仁美さん談

Mentaiko! Spiced pollock roe, even when translated into English, isn't immediately familiar for many native speakers. "Spicy fish eggs" gets the meaning across clearly, but isn't likely to win any new converts. For either committed fans or the merely curious though, there are Mentai Parks that combine a large variety of mentai-flavored foods, a production line where Mentaiko is made, and a surprisingly expansive play area complete with games, slides, trick art and even a theater showing Mentaiko videos, all at no entry fee. Visitors can watch the magic happen with windows that offer a behind-the-scenes look at Mentaiko production, or hear about Mentaiko-related trivia from a cheerful Mentaiko professor character.

That there should be one such Mentai Park would be a curiosity, an idiosyncrasy of Japan, which can often be found celebrating things seen as oddities from a more global perspective, but in fact there are no less than a half dozen, spreading west to east from Kobe, Biwako, Tokoname, Izu, Gunma and Oarai. If you are in the area of one, you could do far worse than visit. The food court offers Mentaiko (of course) and very little else, but that can take the form of onigiri, noodle dishes, baguettes, or even ice cream. There is a free tea dispenser, which is a further nice gesture. You may find yourself coming home with a cuddly soft spiced pollock roe toy, or awaken a new love of mentaiko-flavored ice cream. Whatever the case, the price is right, and its sure to be a distinct and pleasant experience.

夏の日の終わり

2026年7月26日 兵庫県佐用町 ひまわり畑

兵庫県佐用町のひまわり畑で撮影。夕暮れ時、一面に咲くひまわりの向こうへ夏の太陽が沈んでいく光景に出会いました。空とひまわり畑が夕陽に染まる、夏の一日の終わりを残したくてシャッターを切りました。

夏のひと休み

2026年7月14日
兵庫県姫路市夢前町 ヤマサ蓮の花苑 で撮影

蓮の花を撮影していると、花びらの先に小さな糸トンボが止まっているのを見つけました。夏の陽射しの中、ほんのひと休みしているような姿が印象に残り、そっとシャッターを切りました。

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.