Showa Kinen Park (昭和記念公園)

Showa Kinen Park is a national park located in Tachikawa city (立川市), Metropolitan Tokyo (東京都), Japan. It is accessible via Tachikawa station (立川駅) or Nishi-tachikawa station (西立川駅) of the JR lines. Park admission costs 400円.

Although Nishi-tachikawa is a better choice (the Nishi-tachikawa gate is just across the train station), the Tachikawa entrance offers better sights from the station itself, though it's quite a long walk (about 20-30 minutes).

As you enter the park, you can get maps - an English map is available - to start getting around. There are bike rentals (don't know the rate); there's a "train" (see picture below) for 200円; or you can just simply walk - which I recommend so you can go anywhere and see whatever you like.

You also don't have to worry about food since there are stalls, or you can bring some barbecue and cook them at the barbecue garden. Grill and table rental costs 3,500円 and 1000円 respectively for 4 hours. Toilets are also everywhere.

Autumn was about to end when we went here, thus the bright yellow and red leaves in this posts' pictures. I'm not sure if it's also that beautiful in spring, but I'm planning to return there when spring comes.

Showa Kinen Official Website (Japanese)
Showa Kinen Official Website (English)

Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮)

Atsuta Shrine, located in Nagoya City (名古屋市), Aichi Prefecture (愛知県), Japan, is one of the most important shrines in the country. It is accessible from 3 stations, namely JR Atsuta station (熱田駅) of the JR lines (JR線), Jingu-mae station (神宮前駅) of the Meitetsu-Nagoya line (名鉄名古屋本線), and Jingu-nishi station (神宮西駅) of the Meijo subway (名城線). It's still a 10-minute walk from Jingu-nishi station (where I got off) to the west gate, but the sights made the walk interesting.

Just along the sidewalk is a marker for the birth place of a famous Japanese named Minamoto Yoritomo, related to one of the head priests of Atsuta Shrine in the Heain period. Minamoto Yoritomo was the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate.

I had a good view of Atsuta Shrine's west gate from where I crossed the street. It was getting late in the afternoon and I didn't know until what time the whole shrine is open to the public, so I just made a quick tour around and didn't know if I covered the entire place (I think not). Though I wanted to take more pictures, people were starting to get out, so I just went with the flow.

You can check Atsuta Shrine's official website here.

Sarushima (猿島)

Sarushima - translated literally as "monkey island" - is a small island known as a venue for barbecue parties, fishing and swimming during the summer. It is located in Yokosuka City (横須賀市), Kanagawa prefecture (神奈川県), Japan. It is accessible by boat after a short walk from Yokosuka-chuo station (横須賀中央駅). From Yokohama station (横浜駅), probably the best route is:

Yokohama(横浜) → Yokosukachuo (横須賀中央) [via Keikyu Line(京急線)] → Mikasa Park (三笠公園) [15 min. walk]

Beside Mikasa Park is the Sarushima Ferry terminal. A round-trip fare costs 1200円.

When you get off the boat, the pathway will direct you towards the main cottage (washrooms, food stalls, mini exhibit) and the beach. Note that the beach is divided into the swimming area (right side when facing the sea) and the barbecue and fishing area. You must also bring your own tent, though I'm not sure if you can rent one there ('coz we brought one, together with the grill).

Sarushima was a military site and this will be very evident when you walk around the island.

When you leave Sarushima, I suggest you stay at the rear side of the boat. You can also see plenty of ships as the boat gets near the ferry terminal since a U.S. naval base is just around the area.

Sarushima Official website (Japanese)