Roadside bill board

5th March, Visit to Noichi zoo

Noichi zoo is a small yet well managed zoo in Kochi prefecture. there we saw penguins, kangaroo, wild beaver, mandril, water lion, panda, chimp and flamingos for the first time in our life!

Coming soon to the theatres around the world!

4th march, Tengu heights, Yusuhara

The first touch of snow, in both of our lives!

Tengu heights is second largest mountain peak in shikoku island, with about 1400 ASL. It took for us 3 hours by car from Usa, Tosa city. the temperature when we arrived here was 2 degree, pleasant and not snowing. Yet layers of thick snow can be seen everywhere and we did enjoy the touch, walk through the snow and the picnic!

A Visit to Kochi Prefectural Library

On 2nd March 2006, we visited Kochi Castle

The castle was exquisite with a bloom of ume when we had been there today.


Ume flowers are often mentioned in Japanese poetry as a symbol of spring. When used in haiku, or renga, they are a kigo or season word for early spring. The blossoms are asscociated with the Japanese Bush Warbler, and they are depicted together as one of the twelve suits on hanafuda (Japanese playing cards).
During the Nara period (8th century), the blossom of the ume tree was preferred over the sakura (cherry) blossom, which became popular after the Heian period (794-1185). The tree was also well loved and celebrated in China, where it is most commonly used as decoration during the Chinese New Year. The blossom is also the national flower of the Republic of China and features prominently on currency and other national emblems.








Kochi Castle (Kochijo) is one of only about a dozen castles in Japan which have survived the fires, wars and other catastrophes since the end of the feudal age in relatively good shape.






Kochijo was first constructed from 1601 to 1611, but most of its main structures, including the castle tower date from 1748 when they were reconstructed after a large fire. The castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding region, then known as Tosa, during the Edo Period.

Automated vending machines are common everywhere in japan, serving hot and cold beverages, cigarettes, ramen, telephone cards, toys, soft creams etc

Stupa in Buddhist o'teras in Japan

japanese buddhist temples all have this 'stupa' aside the main sanctuary. From the name stupa, we could trace the roots of silk road back to ancient india. We were amazed by the charming deep red color of these finest architectural pieces. Number of stories are directly proportional to the importance of temples. Shown here is a 5 storied temple, Chikurinji, and 5 is the highest possible stories.












and here you can see 3 stories in Sheryuji, Usa.

Photos of Kochi city, Japan

Kochi City is located on the southern side of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four major islands. Bordered by lush green mountains to the north, and blessed by the abundance of the Pacific Ocean to the south, Kochi is naturally rich and beautiful. A smallish city by Japanese standards, Kochi has its own unique country charm that is absolutely irresistible

Comemmorial stamp　牧野　植物園











looking through the binocular microscope for the transection of plant tissues, to view stomata.

Visit to Makino Botanical garden, Kochi

entrance to the garden.






the main gallery has been cunstructed with wood, finely lighted inside with classical music to have a pleasant feeling







when we visited, there was an exhibition of world's tea varieties on show.






an explanation of Nilgiri tea, typical of coonoor plantations in ooty, TN, India
this explains the taste of nilgiri tea is one of the favorites of japanese people.

Touch screen kiosks inside the museum







Presentation in Multimedia, predominantly in Japanese







Having coffee at the museum restaurant