Chasing the perfect Fuji shot

[drron]

In the summer months they have a beatrix potter garden to bring families in.

 

[drron]

The business part of the park.








How you pay the food outlets.


My camera couldn't help turning towards Fuji.

 

[drron]

The floral Mt. Fuji isn't at peak bloom/







They also have an elevated viewing spot.

 

[drron]

Not at full bloom but even so the dis play and location are great.

 

[drron]

The last of the Festival. We had got there not long after it opened but as we left the crowds were pouring in.






Now we set off to drive around Lake Kawaguchigo. But first a brief stop at Lake Saiko on the way. More cherry blossoms plus Fuji.








And a bit further on at Lake Saiko.

 

[drron]

When we came back to the car after photographing the cherry blossom and Fuji we realised we had parked outside a temple.






And our little white car.


Stopped a few more times at Lake Saiko.

 

[drron]

Next stop was Oishi park on the western side of Lake Kawaguchigo. An incredibly busy tourist attraction with small gardens ,a souvenir shop and soft serve ice cream. On the 2 previous occasions we had the grape flavor and this time made it 3 out of 3. The car park was an absolute shamble with people going in and out. I was lucky turning right into it as it can take a lot of time. but a couple of cars were turning left coming out and a truck blocked the oncoming traffic. It appeared to be a full car park but my Karma paid off. A fellow pulled out of his spot as we turned the corner into another lane. First the gardens and Fuji.
Beds of Nemophilia that were just starting to flower.





Massed they look fabulous. We saw that at Ibaraki on a previous trip.

HITACHI SEASIDE PARK – 国営ひたち海浜公園

hitachikaihin.jp

 

[drron]

 

[Pushka]

Where do you think you had the best views of Fuji?

 

[drron]

It was getting late after having our icecream so we decided on an early dinner. We went tu Tetsuann a yakiniku restaurant run by Koreans. We had been before Covid and enjoyed it. Sadly not as good this time. So the menu.






So Mrsdrron had the beef garlic rib and I had the kimchi fried rice with soup and extra kim chee. I had a beer and mrsdrron a glass of white wine which was OK.




Then back to the hotel and the last look at Fuji for the day.


What we didn't realise that was the last real look at Fuji for the stay. Looking out the next morning we saw this.


And it didn't get any much better after breakfast. Just a short view for no more than 5 minutes.

 

[drron]

So we took longer over breakfast and I took pictures of the buffet.


I liked everthing on those labels.
And these.




Sushi was nice.






I like their salmon or mackerel for breakfast.


And on the right boiled potatoes with miso sauce. Absolutely delicious.


Squid and Takoyaki were very good.

 

[drron]

The western options. I didn't bother with these.

 

[cosi]

Love Japanese sausage

 

[drron]

A late start after breakfast and we set off for this gllery not really knowing what to expect.

http://www.itchiku-museum.com/en.pdf

Now when I first saw the name as happens quite frequently a song popped into my head and stopped there.

As it turned out to be a taste of what was to come. We did hit a high and it was all too beautiful. But first the entrance and a couple of nice trees along the street below the museum.


















Unique seating.

 

[drron]

Up to the level of the museum shop and entrance.

 

[drron]

You then go out and climb some irregular stairs to the major gallery and to the cafes -One Japanese and one western style.

 

[drron]

Now there are no photos allowed in the main gallery but we were both blown away by the beauty of the display. Itchiku Kubota was born in 1917 and was fascinated by the detail in 14th Century Kimonos so set about learning the art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing.
He was inspired also by the works of Gaudi and wanted to build his own museum. he found this land at the age of 74. It took 3 years to build and opened in 1994. He died though in 2003 and eventually the collection was put up for sale. But it found an unusual saviour in an organisation run by a man born in Uzbekistan who joined the Russian Diplomatic corps and his first posting was to Tokyo. After 13 years in the diplomatic service he retired and became very rich through mining, banking and insurance. His story here-

Our founder Patokh Chodiev - ICF

Dr Patokh Chodiev is an international businessman, author and philanthropist. Born in Uzbekistan in 1953, Dr Chodiev attended the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) – widely acknowledged to be Russia’s leading educational establishment. He graduated magna cough laude in 1976...

internationalchodievfoundation.com

Now a couple of pictures of the kimonos from the web.

Museum - The Kubota Collection

For many years Itchiku Kubota dreamed of establishing an unusual and beautiful museum that many people could visit to view his work. At the age of 74 he finally found what he considered the perfect location – near Lake Kawaguchi, with a panoramic view of Itchiku’s beloved Mount Fuji. Kubota had...

thekubotacollection.com

There is a link there to see other works from the collection.

Kubota Itchiku Art Museum

Visitor guide for the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum.

www.japan-guide.com

In the museum all the kimonos are side by side as in that second image. They form a continuous picture. It really is breathtaking.

So if you are interested in art, Japanese culture or even architecture I thoroughly recommend a visit to this museum.
And as long as the clouds stay away you can see Mt.Fuji.

 

[drron]

Where do you think you had the best views of Fuji?

Sorry I missed this when posting. Probably the best place was our hotel room. But at the festival ste with those colours plus mt. Fuji. Oishi park looking across the lake. The Museum above would be a great place but cloud stopped us. there is also a mt. Fuji look out a bit higher up the hill which should be very good but there was no point going there with the cloud cover.
To really get the most out of your stay here you need to hire a car and arrange to pick it up when you arrive by train or already have it.

There is more than mt. Fuji in the area. The Maglev test track is not far away. There are orchards and wineries nearby. Lots of walking tracks for those so inclined.

 

[drron]

On the sides and the back of the main gallery is a reasonably large garden. It has all the features of a classic Japanese garden but in a quirky way. The first few pictures are taken from the Japanese coffee shop at the back of the main gallery. As in all areas it is part shop as well. Matcha just isn't my cup of tea.












I caused a bit of a stir as you had to sit on the floor especially if you want to take photos. There is no easy way for me to get up. I have to turn over and push up on all 4 limbs. In doing so I knocked the bench behind which I thought was quite heavy. It wasn't and it very nearly fell down a level. Fortunately the only thing that happened was embarrassment.
Now I went out into the Garden itself.

 

[drron]