April 2005

Tsutomu Matsushita, David Geer

Blooming season

April and May are the best season to enjoy “hanami”, seeing various flowers and blossoms in Wakayama Prefecture. There are many places that are famous for their flowers and blossoms.
Cherry: A cherry blossom (sakura) is such a typical blossom in spring that the word “hana” (flower) is often used to mean cherry blossom. The best time to see this flower is in early April. Wakayama Castle, Kimiidera Temple in Wakayama City, Fujishiro Shrine in Kainan City, Wakayama-ken Botanical Gardens, Negoro Temple in Iwade Town, Kokawa Temple in Kokawa Town, Ueno Park in Arida City, Dojoji Temple in Kawabe Town, Kizekkyo in Tanabe City, Heisogen Park in Shirahama Town, Kumano Nachi Shrine in Nachikatuura Town and many other places are great for hanami.
Tulip: About 250,000 tulips will blossom in Misato Town from April 1st till 17th. Misato Tulip Park is near Akagi bus stop from JR Kainan Station.
Peach: Peach blossoms in early April. There will be Momoyama Festival on April 3rd (9:30 a.m. ~3:00 p.m.) at Momoyama Chomin Ground. The town of Momoyama is an important peach-growing area, and during the festival 100,00 peach flowers can be seen in a single glance. It is a 15-minute walk across the Kinokawa River from JR Wakayama Line Shimoisaka Station.Info:0736 - 66 - 1100
Wisteria: Late April and May. Koyasujido Temple in Hashimoto City and Miyama Village.
Peony: In April. Sanada-an Kudoyama Town
Rhododendron: In May. Koyasan.
Iris: In May. Yosuien in Wakayama City
Orange: White blossoms of mandarin oranges bloom in May in Arida district. Mikan Blossom Walk will be held on May 5th from 10:30 a.m.~ 2:30 p.m. in Arida City. Participation is 200 yen, and participants are to bring their own lunch and water. In the case of rain the event will be cancelled. Reservations and general questions. Phone: 0737 - 83 - 1111 ext. 263 Fax: 0737 - 83 - 3108


Pansy, marigold, pink and various flowers: Wakayama-ken Botanical Gardens (Ryokka Center in Iwade Town).

Dojoji Temple

March 26 - April 27 Info: 0738 - 22 - 0543
Dojoji Temple is very famous for its Anchin-Kiyohime’s legend of tragic love. This story was introduced in detail in the WIN newsletter of February/March 2005 by Mr. Shinjo Ono. The temple is showing a Buddhist image that is only viewable by the public every 33 years. There will be a customary service on April 27th.Dojoji Temple is a 5-minute walk from JR Dojoji Station.

Buddha’s Birthday Celebration

April 8 9:00 a.m.~10:30 a.m. Info: 0736 - 56 - 2011
During this celebration, a bowl filled with sweet tea is placed in a small shrine and within that shrine is a “birth figure” of Shakyamuni, the Buddha. The sweet wine is then poured over the figure.
Place: Kongobuji Temple, Koya Town. Take Nankai Koya line to Gokurakubashi, and then ride the cable car to Koyasan. Finally ride the bus to Kongobuji.

Wakayama Prefectural Museum Spring Exhibit

April 23 - June 5 Info: 073 - 436 - 8670
“Kinokuni World of Masks”
An Exhibit of various masks (but with emphasis on Noh Masks) from the Muromachi Period to the Edo Period. 119 masks with an additional 76 photos will be displayed in all. Admission fee: Adult: 500 yen. High school or younger, 65 or older: Free. Open: 9:30a.m.~5:30p.m. Closed Mondays. Place: Wakayama-shi Fukiage 1-4-14. About 10 minute bus ride from JR Wakayama Station (Number 1 or 2 bus stop (noriba)). Get off at “Kenchomae,” and about a 2-minute walk from there. From Nankai Honsen Wakayama - shi Station Number 9 bus stop (noriba) a 7-minute bus ride to “Kenchomae.” A 2-minute walk from there.

The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama Spring Exhibits

April 23 - June 5 Info: 073 - 436 - 8690
“10 years after his passing—The Great works of Shigeru Izumi ”
Shigeru Izumi (1922-1995) was the central artist of contemporary Kansai art-- well received as an expressive artist of Surrealism and then continued to change the themes of his work approximately every 10 years and challenged to create new forms of expression. This exhibit is a look back at the nearly 45 years of his work, and the artists who were close to him. Admission Fee: General 400 yen (350), College students 250yen (200) Fee for groups over 20 in parenthesis. High school students or younger, 65 or older, and the physically challenged: Free.
Also running from April 19th to June 26th are some small collection exhibits—New items collected by the Museum and Kansai’s Post-war Art. Admission fee: General 310 yen (250) College student 210 yen (160). Fee for groups over 20 in parentheses. High school students or younger, 65 and older, and the physically challenged: Free. Open: 9:30a.m. ~ 5:00p.m., closed on Mondays, end of the year, and during periods of exhibition changes. Wakayama-shi Fukiage 1-4-14. About 10 minute bus ride from JR Wakayama Station (Number 1 or2 bus stop (noriba)). Get off at “Kenchomae,” and about a2 minute walk from there. From Nankai Honsen Wakayama Station Number 9 Bus stop (noriba) a 7 minute bus ride to “Kenchomae.” A 2-minute walk from there.

Wakayama City Museum Spring Exhibit

April 23 - June 6 Info: 073 - 423 - 0003
“Excavation and Discovery - The 6th exhibit of buried cultural property of Wakayama City”
Sponsored by the Wakayama City Museum and the Wakayama City Foundation for Culture and Athletics, and displayed at the 2nd floor special exhibit room, this exhibit introduces artifacts excavated and items from ruins surveyed within Wakayama city between 2003 and 2004(earthenware, roof tiles, earrings, haniwa) and related articles. 350 items in total. Closed: Mondays, April 30th, and May 6th. Admission Fee: General 250 yen, High School and College students 150 yen and junior high or elementary students 100 yen. On May 14th and 18th admission is free. On May 14th the first 200 visitors will receive a special postcard. Wakayama-shi Minato Honmachi 3-2.
A 5-minute walk southwest from Nankai Wakayama Station.

Arida City Country Fair

April 23, 24 10:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. Info: 0737 - 83 - 4777
The Arida Chamber of Commerce and Industry will hold a Country Fair including the following events.
Photographing: They are looking for women to participate in this event. The models will be dressed in traditional costume on a palanquin or on a boat in Arida River.
Scabbard Fish Fair: Minoshima Fishing Port in Arida City has Japan’s No.1 catch of scabbard fish. You can buy many kinds of fresh fish.
Sushi Fair: You can taste various local sushi.
Place: Arida River south side. A 20-minute walk from JR Kii-Miyahara Station.

Posted on April 2005 in the following categories: Things to do in...