About Me

Name:KWANG WAI YOONG

Matrik No.:A09A050

Faculty, University: FKP, University Malaysia Kelantan

Area Of Study: Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Commerce)

Place of Birth: Negeri Sembilan

Ambition: Become a Entrepreneur

Evaluation: Students can learn to build blog






Welcome to Korea
The Korean Peninsula is located in North-East Asia. It is bordered by the Amnok River (Yalu River) to the northwest, separating Korea from China, and the Duman River (Tumen River) to the northeast which separates Korea from both China and Russia. The country itself is flanked by the Yellow Sea to its west and the East Sea to the east. There are several notable islands that surround the peninsula including Jejudo, Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Currency is won.

Korea has four seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer season in the middle of the year, and a cold winter from November to March. The island of Jeju off the southern coast is the warmest and wettest place in the country. The ideal time to visit Korea is during the autumn months (September-November). During this time, the country experiences warm, sunny weather, skies that are cobalt blue and spectacular foliage that is perhaps the biggest draw. Winters are cold and dry and are a good time to visit if you are interested in winter sports as there are numerous ski resorts. Spring (April-May) is also beautiful with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. However, it is very busy and one needs to book in advance to ensure accommodation is available. The summer months are muggy and hot, and rather crowded. It is also when the monsoon season begins so many activities are subject to the fluctuations of heavy rain.


Below are the attractive cities of South Korea:



Seoul
Korean capital city, Seoul, is located in the Midwest of the Korean peninsula.
It has been an area of strategic importance since prehistoric times, particularly in the realms of politics, economics, society and culture. During the Era of the Three States (4th to mid-7th centuries), the area was frequently used as a battleground among the ancient ruling kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. It was designated as Korea’s capital city during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Since then, the city has continued to grow to become the largest in the country. Following Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, the city was named Seoul, which means ‘towering high.’ In 1949, it was designated as a metropolitan city by Korean government.
Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988 and the FIFA World Cup in 2002. Seoul has overcome many adversities and, with such tenacity, risen from the ashes of the Korean War to become a leading global city.

Korean capital city Seoul is home to more than 10 million inhabitants from all over the country and around the world, living and working in modern skyscrapers and moving rapidly through sophisticated infrastructure. At the same time, diverse forms of nature thrive and permeate throughout, while abundant cultural heritage assets coexist with modernity in this nation’s capital of over 600 years. Essentially, Seoul is traditional yet modern, technological yet natural.
                                                                                               
In the heart of Seoul stand royal palaces designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage and high-tech buildings occupied by global institutions. Asia’s largest underground street shopping mall lies near the 15th century royal tombs. The vast subway system transports millions of passengers daily to their destination, as Hangang River, which bolstered the nation’s miraculous economic development, flows calmly through the city. Finally, a plethora of social and cultural outlets know no limit in time and space, begetting creativity and excitement across the city and among its residents. We invite you to begin your Korean travel here, in this ever fascinating, evolving and harmonious city of Seoul.


Below are the attractive places in Seoul:



Cheonggyecheon Stream
Until it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected watercourse hidden by an overpass. Today, it has been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life.

Narae Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Cheonggyecheon Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.


Operation: Open all year round
Access:
Buses: Take any bus bound for Gwanghwamun or Jongno.
Subway: Line 1: City Hall, Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 5-ga, Dongdaemun, Sinseol-dong; Line 2: City Hall, Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, Euljiro 4-ga, Sindang, Sangwangsimni; Line 3: Jongno 3-ga; Line 4: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park; Line 5: Gwanghwamun
Address: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Taepyeongno1-ga



Insa-dong
Insa-dong , located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center. The best way to visit these galleries is to use the “Art Gallery Tour Bus.” It will take you to over 10 of the most famous galleries at a very reasonable price.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 – 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and others set up shops (Korean candy merchants and fortune tellers.) There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake), and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.


Access:
Buses: Jongno 2-ga: 101, 103, 143, 150, 160, 201, 260, 262, 270, 271, 273, 370, 408, 470, 471, 601, 708, 710, 720, 721; Jongno Police Station: 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272, 601, 708
Subway:Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 6. Go 100m straight, then turn left; Jonggak Station (Subway Line 1), Exit 3. Go 300m straight, then turn left. Go 100m straight, then veer left into Insa-dong alleyway.
Address: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Insa-dong



Gyeongbokgung Palace
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the “Northern Palace” because it is the furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeongheegung (Western Palace). Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and remains the grandest of all five palaces.

The premises were destroyed by fire at the time of Japanese occupation from 1592-1598. However, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852~1919) .

Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond are still relatively in tact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculpture of contemporary art.

The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located east within Hyangwonjeong.


Admission Fee:
Adults (ages 19-64) 3,000 won / Group 2,400 won (10 or more people)
Youths (ages 7-18) 1,500 won / Group 1,200 won (10 or more people)
Age 6 and under are free.
Operation:
9am-6pm (March to October);  9am-5pm (November to February) ; Close every Tuesday
Access:
Use exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3),
From Exit 2 of Ganghwamun Station (Subway Line 5), walk 400 meters



Myeong-dong
Tourist Destination
Myeong-dong is one of the busiest places in Seoul and is among Korea’s premier shopping destinations. Over 1 million shoppers pass through this area each and every day. Located in the heart of Seoul, Myeong-dong market has been a witness to Korea’s tumultuous modern-day history as a center of city politics, economy, and culture. To international visitors, Myeong-dong is a stunning shopping district with countless shops and restaurants. Its wild popularity has led to similar shopping districts springing up all across the country.

International Shopping District
Two anchor department stores (Lotte and Shinsegae) and a number of large shopping malls lie along the streets of Myeong-dong. Shops for clothing or cosmetics can be seen at every corner, and street stalls dot the spaces in between, offering tasty snacks, inexpensive clothes, or sparkling accessories. The air is abuzz with the mix of foreign languages as shopkeepers and international tourists haggle in English, Japanese, and more. The area’s well-developed transportation grid makes it the ideal place for visitors who may not yet be familiar with the city.

Fashion, Skincare, and the Works
Thousands of brands are sold in Myeong-dong. The two major department stores sell mostly luxury brands while shopping malls such as H & M and Migliore offer selections at more modest prices. Relatively inexpensive products can be easily purchased at street stalls and other shops.

Every Korean cosmetic brand has a branch in Myeong-dong. The market is home to roughly a thousand cosmetic shops and hundreds of skin-care stores, with several large cosmetic shops clustered around the central street (Jungang-gil) and Myeongdong Theater. Sales associates usually can speak a few foreigner languages (to some degree), which makes for a pleasant shopping experience for international visitors who don’t speak Korean. For the added convenience of international shoppers, many fliers are written in other languages as well.

Aside from shopping, visitors can check out the Myeongdong Cathedral and the nearby Namdaemun Market, a market with over 600 years of history. Myeong-dong’s combination of historical significance, nearby tourist attractions, and prime shopping has established it as the ultimate tourist destination in Seoul.



Bukchon Hanok Village
Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses called 'hanok' that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name, 'Bukchon,' which literally translates to 'northern village,' came about as the neighborhoods that the village covers lie to the north of the two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse in Korean traditional culture.


Access: Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 2. Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.
Address: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Gahoe-dong,  Jae-dong, Samcheong-dong, Gye-dong, Wonseo-dong






























Jeju Island
Located southwest of the Korean Peninsula, Jejudo Island is a volcanic island in the shape of an oval that measures 73km from west to east, and 31km from north to south. As Korea’s most southern region, the weather on Jejudo Island remains significantly warmer than the mainland even during the cold winter months. Jejudo Island is sometimes referred to as “Samdado Island” (meaning the “three many”) because of its abundance of rocks, women, and wind. Wind from the ocean blows steadily throughout the year and past volcanic activity has littered the island with an assortment of beautiful and unusually-shaped black rocks. The island’s reputation of having an abundance of women points back to the time when fishing was the primary means of income and many men were lost at sea.

In addition to having its own unique culture, Jeju is full of breathtaking sights and unusual attractions: World Heritage Sites (such as Hallasan Mountain and Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak) and sandy beaches alongside turquoise waters. Small mountains (called Oreum in Jeju dialect) are found all across the island. There are said to be more than 365 oreums, more than one for each day of the year! The "Jeju Olle" paths offer a great opportunity to explore this unique landscape, leading visitors among quiet places off the beaten path.

Jeju’s phenomenal natural beauty, historical legacies, quirky museums, and array of water sports make it one of the best vacation spots in Korea.


Below are the attractive places in Jeju Island:




Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well.

The sunrise from the crater is magnificent. Also the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak surrounded by bright yellow colored rapeseed flowers in the spring is truly a sight to behold.


Admission Fee:
Classification
Adults
Youths
Children
Individual
2,000 won
1,000 won
1,000 won
Group (over 10)
1,200 won
600 won
600 won
Operate:
Winter : 1 hour before sunrise -8pm
Summer : 1 hour before sunrise -9pm
Access:
At Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, Take a Direct Bus (Dongilju bus bound for Seongsan) and get off at Seongsalliipgu bus stop. (Travel time : 2 hrs); At Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal, Take a Direct Bus (Dongilju bus bound for Seongsan) and get off at Seongsalliipgu bus stop (Travel time: 2 hr 30 min); At Seongsalliipgu bus stop, you will see Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. Walk to the peak (about 1km).
Address: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Seogwipo-si Seongsan-eup Seongsan-ri 114



Udo Maritime Park
Situated on the eastern end of Jeju Island, Udo Island was named because it resembles a lying cow. It boasts fertile soils, abundant schools of fish, and scenic sights; local heritage (female divers, stone walls, and stone tombs) as well as natural attractions abound on the island, making it a miniature of Jeju Island. The island is also full of amenities and tourism outlets: fishing, bike trails, sand massaging, tour submarines and cruises.

Seobin Baeksa (a coral beach designated as Natural Monument No. 438) has appeared regularly in films (including Il Mare) and TV commercials thanks to its breathtaking white sand and emerald blue sea. The sea around the beach showcases different colors depending on the water level. These make Seobin Baeksa one of the most popular tourist attractions along with Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island. Residing in Udobong Peak (132.5m), the highest spot on the island, is a lighthouse surrounded by a spacious park. The peak offers outstanding overlooks of the island at a glance.

To protect the exquisite nature and promote maritime tourism, Bukjeju County designated two ports on the island (Udo Port and Haumokdong Port) and the sea surrounding it (25,863) as Udo Maritime Park in January 2001. Visitors can appreciate maritime tourism at its best including a trip under the sea by submarine.


Admission Fee:
Udo Island Ferry Terminal: 500 won
Udo Maritime Park: Adult 1,500 won / Children(Age 7 +): 1000 won
Ferry Fare: Age 13 or over: 2,000 won / 12 or under: 700 won
Full size car: 13,200 won / mid-size, economy: 11,000 won / compact: 8,800 won
Local Bus Fare: Age 13 or over 800 won / 12 or under: 400 won
Access: From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal or Seogwipo Terminal. Take an intercity buy bound for Seongsan Port. (Bus schedule: 20min intervals/Travel time: 30-40min) Get off at Seongsan Port, and take a ferry to Udo Island. (Ferry schedule: 1hr intervals/Travel time: 15min)
Address: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Jeju-si Udo-myeon



Yeomiji Botanical Garden
Located within Jungmun Resort, Yeomiji Botanical Garden  is the best botanical garden in Asia that has a unique southern atmosphere. The indoor garden contains approximately 2,000 rare tropical and subtropical plants including Flower Garden, Water Lily Garden, Jungle Garden, Subtropical Fruits Garden, Cactus and Succulent Garden, and Observation Platform. The outdoor garden houses, Jeju Native Garden, as well as Korean, Japanese, Italian and French folk gardens. The tour train accommodating 60 persons lies between Indoor and Outdoor Garden. The Jungmun Tourist Complex, Cheonjeyeon Falls as well as a clear view of Mt. Hallasan, and nearby coast as well as Marado Island can be observed at the thirty-eight meter observation platform.


Admission Fee: Adult (age 19-64) 7,000 won (group 4,800 won) ; Youth (age 13-19) 4,500won (group 3,000 won); Child (age 3-13) 3,500 won (group 2,500); Senior (age over 65) 4,000 won (group 3,000)
Operation: 9am-6pm. Close at New Year's Day, Seollal, Chuseok
Access:
From Seoul to Jeju-do
- Gimpo Airport (subway line No.5 Gimpo Airport station)
- Take an Incheon Airport limousine (Contact No- +82-1577-2600: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
From Jeju-do to Jeju Yeomiji Botanical Garden
Take an airport limousine No.600
Get off at Yeomiji Botanical Garden in Jungmun sightseeing complex. (15 minute interval, 50 minute ride)
Address: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Seogwipo-si Saekdal-dong 2920 within Jungmun Resort



Jeju Folk Village Museum
With a total of 117 houses and facilities, Jeju Folk Village Museum has restored the scenes of the village to that of the 1890’s. Among them are Mountain Village, Hill-Country Village, Fishing Village and Shamanism Village. On land of more than 40 acres it has been reconstructed following long-term research and analysis of experts. Some of the extensive range of folk items on display are 1,627 woodenware, 1,046 bamboo ware, 1,699 earthenware, 1,544 porcelain ware, 765 wax candles, 921 ironware and 579 other items. The Jeju Folk Village Museum is the island’s main tourist attraction where customs of the old days can be explored.

Since March 2006, Daeganggeum Mini Theme Park located at the Jeju Folk Village, offers various things for visitors to see. Many of the scenes from episodes 27 to 32 of the historical drama, in which Jang-geum learns medicine as a maid were filmed at Jeju Folk Village. In order to fit the theme of Daeganggeum, the separate locations have joined together, and are now open to tourists. Visitors can appreciate the amazing scenic beauty of Jeju as well as experience the traditional culture of Jeju at this theme park.

Admission Fee:
Age
Individual
Group (Over 20 persons)
65 & Over
4,000 won
3,000 won
19~64
8,000 won
5,000 won
13~18
4,500 won
3,500 won
7~12
4,000 won
3,000 won

Operate: 8:30am-5pm ( Oct-Feb); 8.30am-5.30pm (Mar); 8.30am-6pm ( Apr-Jul 15); 8.30am-6.30pm (July 16-Aug); 8.30am-6pm (Sept)
Access:
From Jeju International Airport, take bus 100 to Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal.
From Jeju Terminal, take a bus (bound for Bunyoung Road) to Jeju Folk Village Museum. (Travel time: 60min)



Jungmun Beach
Jungmun Beach has a sandy shore so fine that it is called Jinmosal. The white sand beach is 560m long and the water has an average depth of 1.2m. Different shades of black, red, and grey are beautifully mixed into the white sand of the beach. This helps to accentuate Jeju-do Island’s black Hyeonmuam stones. To the right side of the beach is a natural sea cave called Haesikgul Cave. This area is often used for TV commercials, and the turbulent water is great for windsurfing and other water sports.


Admission Fee: Free
Access:
From Seoul to Jeju -From Gimpo Airport (Subway Line No. 5, Gimpo Airport Station) / Incheon Airport, take the airport limousine bus.



































Welcome to Japan
Japan is located in the North Pacific off the coast of Russia and the Korean peninsula. The area of Japan is 377,873km², which makes it slightly smaller in land mass than California. Japan consists of four main larger islands and more than 4000 smaller islands. The main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Honshu is the largest with an area of 231,000km². A modern railroad system connects the major islands with Japan's high-speed Shinkansen connecting major urban areas.
The climate of Japan varies considerably depending on the region and season. Summer is usually very hot and humid, known to the Japanese as "mushiatsui". From mid June there is a rainy season which lasts around one month. Winters are usually mild, with the northern areas of Japan receiving more snow. Spring and autumn are usually sunny with mild temperatures. Currency using is Yen.

Japanese is the official language of Japan. Many Japanese also have some ability in writing and speaking English as it is a mandatory part of the curriculum in the Japanese educational system. Japanese uses four different writing systems; Kanji (Chinese characters), Hiragana (phonetic alphabet for native words), Katakana (phonetic alphabet for foreign words), and Romaji (western alphabet used to write Japanese). Japanese vocabulary has been strongly influenced by loanwords from other languages, with most loanwords coming from Chinese and English.


Below are the attractive cities in Japan:



Introduction of Tokyo
Tokyo consists of the southwestern part of the Kanto region, the Izu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and the place where over 13 million people live, making it one of the most populous cities in the world. When the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established a government there in the early 17th century, the area started to develop, spreading out around his residence, Edo Castle. Most of the city was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and then again by the bombing in the WWII, however, Tokyo was able to achieve a remarkably rapid recovery both times.Tokyo is not only the political and economical center of Japan, it has also emerged as a center of the world economy and culture. There are a number of attractions in Tokyo that should not be missed. There are large-scale downtown areas, including Ginza where famous shops from around the world stand side by side, the sleepless Shinjuku that has become the "new city center of Tokyo," Asakusa which is reminiscent of the traditional Edo (the former name of Tokyo), and Shibuya that starts the trends for the young people. Other unique areas include the computer town Akihabara, a dense retail area where numerous electronic shops compete against each other, attracting many shoppers from Japan and overseas, and Tsukiji, an open-air wholesale food market catering to shops and consumers everywhere in Japan.


Below are the attractive places in Tokyo:



Kiyosumi Garden
The Kiyosumi Garden in the downtown area of Tokyo is a beautiful example of a stroll garden from the Meiji Era, mainly composed of a garden pond, artificial hills and Karesansui (gravel garden). This type of gardening technique was used for the gardens of feudal lords from the Edo Period, but also gained a great deal of popularity in the Meiji Era. The core of the garden is a pond with three islands, whose surface reflects buildings in Sukiya style (Architectural style originally used for teahouses), and trees. The Ryotei (Traditional Japanese restaurant that integrates many aspects of Japanese culture including buildings, furnishings and business entertaining) House was purposely constructed so that it would seem to hang over the pond to produce a strong Japanese atmosphere, whereas the sight of the innumerous garden stones, paving stones, and stepping stones gives a prevailing sense of a "rock garden."


Admission Fee: 150 yen
Operation: Close at 29 Dec.-1 Jan.
Access: Subway Oedo Line or Tokyo Metro Hanzoumon Line Kiyosumi Shirakawa Stn./ On foot/ 5 min.
Address: 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo



Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Despite being situated right in the heart of Tokyo, Koishikawa Korakuen is incredibly quiet. The gardens were laid out in 1629 by a feudal lord of that time, as the gardens of his residence in Edo (now Tokyo). Originally in the Kyoto style, they were later redesigned using Chinese techniques. The unusually shaped rocks that remain today are modeled on the garden style of a region of China south of the Yangtze. The gardens are truly an urban oasis, a peaceful haven in the heart of the city.


Admission Fee: 300 yen
Operation: Close at 29 Dec.-1 Jan.
Access: JR Tokyo Stn. / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / 9-min. ride / Korakuen Stn. / 8-min. walk.
Address: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo



Edo Castle
Edo Castle (Edo-jo) was the home castle of the line of Tokugawa shoguns who ran the Edo government which ruled Japan for roughly 260 years (from the beginning of the 17th century until 1867). It was originally built in 1457 by the daimyo Ota Dokan, who was also well-known as a poet. As it was the castle of the founding shogun of the Edo government (Tokugawa Ieyasu), it became the building that symbolized the prestige of successive shoguns, and was also the center of political power. It was the largest castle in Japan in those days, with the inner compound measuring roughly 8 km in diameter, and the outer compound measuring around 16 km. The castle donjon with a five-tiered façade was an enormously high building with a stone wall measuring 51.5 m from ground level. This was destroyed, however, in the great fire of 1657. It is currently the Imperial Palace of the Emperor of Japan.


Admission Fee: Free
Operation: Close at Mondays (if the Monday is a holiday, the following Tuesday), Fridays (except holidays), the Emperors Birthday, Dec. 28-Jan. 3'
Access: JR Tokyo Station/On foot/10 min.
Address: Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo



Kyu-Furukawa-teien Garden
Kyu-Furukawa Teien (Former Furukawa Garden) covers around 30 ha of the former residence of the wealthy Furukawa Ichibei. He built a European-style mansion on a small hill at the northern end, with a cheerful Western-style garden on the slope, and a Japanese garden further down built around a pond. An Englishman, Josiah Conder, designed both the European-style mansion and garden. With the flowerbed placed in the center, the garden is arranged on a three-tiered gently sloping terrace. A flowerbed of a geometrical pattern is laid out on the middle tier. The Japanese garden was designed by Jihei Ogawa, a well-known designer in Kyoto. Deep green bushes at the entrance to the Japanese garden create an atmosphere that is in striking contrast to the brightly-colored Western garden.


Admission Fee: 150 yen
Operation: Close at 29 Dec.-1 Jan.
Access: JR Tokyo Stn./JR Keihin Tohoku Line/13-min. ride/Kami-Nakazato Stn./7-min. walk; Tokyo Metro Namboku line Nishigahara Stn./10 min.walk
Address: 1-27-39 Nisigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo



Hie-jinja Shrine
The Hie-jinja Shrine was established in 1478 by the regional lord, Ota Dokan, to enshrine the apportioned spirit of the Kawagoe Sannou-sha Shrine as the guardian deity of the land of Edo (todays Tokyo), while he ruled it and built Edo Castle. In 1659, it was moved to the current location in the Akasaka district, south of the Imperial Palace. The shrine holds the Sanno Matsuri (festival). Along with the Kanda Matsuri, it was one of the Tenka [World's Greatest] Matsuri, which the shogun attended during the Tokugawa period, and is now counted as one of the three largest festivals in Japan, together with the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. The Hie Shrine preserves many important treasures, such as the "Itomaki-no-Tachi" (long sword with lacing on the scabbard) by Ichimonji Norimune (national treasure) and a sword by Bishu Osafune Nagamitsu that was owned by Emperor Meiji.'


Admission Fee: Free in the shrine precincts
Access: JR Tokyo Stn./Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line/10-min. ride/Akasakamitsuke Stn./On foot/8 min.
Address: 2-10-5 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo