BLOSSOMING CHERRIES AND BEYOND!

                                                 [APRIL 2026, DAY FOUR AND FIVE]

BLOOMING SAKURA

Every one of our days in the planned Japan tour was a wonderful day, bringing a lot of surprises. The 4th day started as a sunny day which turned very rainy later on. The famous Nabana No Sato park was seen in heavy rain, which added to the fun! The 5th day was sunny again! 

Japan's unpredictable weather proved itself!

The Japanese Toyota Memorial Museum is an automobile technology museum located in Nishi - ku, Nagoya City, central Japan. It has been an international automobile manufacturer for decades. It is one of the best car museums in the world, indicating how the automotive industry has developed in Japan under the leadership flag of Toyota. All types of vehicles are on display, from big cars to sports cars. It gives a quick review of all vintage and modern cars. Outlets selling mementoes, restaurants were catering to the tourists’ needs. They have even provided the tourists with one super vintage car, to sit in  and take photos.

Tiny cars, moderate sized cars, life sized cars, car accessories, toy cars, just name it and it was there! For car lovers, it is a feast for eyes! 

Our next stop, Nagoya Castle is one of the most famous and important historical castles in Japan, also known as “Golden Castle”. The main symbol of the castle is the golden fish (shachihoko) on its roof. They are believed to protect against fire. This is a good example of the Zen style of construction. At both ends of the uppermost roof of the castle there are two golden meadows. Shachi, a creature from Japanese mythology, is a tiger-headed dolphin believed to control the rain. The castle extends over a very large area and is built differently. There are gardens and a variety of plants. Every season had its own spread of flora and fauna! In summer, various birds and animals live in harmony as if in a sanctuary, despite being in the centre of the city. Chrysanthemum exhibition and competitions are held in this fort. The castle has huge surrounding walls and a trench surrounds the castle as a first line of defence against the enemies. 

An excellent, must visit destination in Japan is the Nabana No Sato park, a park with distinction. The myriad flowers, tulips and roses at Nabana No Sato, the sparkling lights, the luminous arches, the laser shows were mesmerizing, a dream sequence of flowers and lights! Roses, Tulips, landscapes, green houses, musical orchestras, adorned the place! Andes Begonia Garden is a colourful greenhouse with more than 5,000 varieties of begonia flowers. The atmosphere here is warm and vibrant.

It was a vibrant, colourful place, managing great crowds, facilitated with all tourist amenities. A blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and relaxation, Nabana No Sato park attracts tourists from all over the world.

It rained, while we were inside the park but the enjoyment was ultimate. Lighted canopies added to the fun!

DAY FIVE 

Our first stop on the fifth day was Osaka Imperial Plaza palace water front park said to be Japan's one of the beautiful Sakuranomiya, cherry blossom destinations. It is situated on the banks of the Okawa River, fully blooming with pink cherry blossoms every season! It is said to have around 5,000 Sakura cherry trees, a popular spot for flower viewing and boat rides. We could see all types of boats in the river, catering to the tourists.

Our next visit was to a 90 minutes’ Sumo Wrestler Show which was characterized by an interactive and people friendly experience with professional sumo wrestlers, who gave us an opportunity to visualize live matches, their ancient rituals demonstrations and even photo sessions! It was a fun filled and enjoyable show! They were introduced first and each one showcased his talent. A mock wrestling match between them was organised and the winner was made to paly a match with selected three spectators.

All in all, the 4th and fifth days were not too hectic but gave us a peek into Japanese development, life and culture.

We returned to the hotel with memories and hopes for the new day!

GREEN BLOGGER

PROF. (DR.) MRS. JAYA KURHEKAR

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KEYWORDS: 

FASCINATING ENVIRONMENT, Toyota museum, Sumo wrestling show, Nabana No Sato park, Nagoya Castle, Shachi, Shachihoko, Begonia garden, Sakuranomiya