The National Museum of Japanese History -- Kokuritu Rekishi Minzoku Hakubutsukan (Rekihaku) / Sakura city Chiba pref.

In this Golden Week, spring consecutive holidays, my daughter (Lee’s “sis”) and I(Shige) went to Chiba prefecture to visit my cousin who belongs to the National Museum of Japanese History as a researcher.
To tell the truth, I had not expected that museum so much until I went in. I had thought of it as a one of a local historical museum.

As soon as we went in, I realized that I was wrong. It was amazing. It was worth seeing. It included plenty of valuable exhibits and that displays were marvelous. I was excited and enjoyed it very much.
While I was glued to the exhibits, my cousin, a reseacher of here, had been kindly guiding my daughter for 3hrs! Thank you very much!

According to the website, the audio explanation equipment for foreigners seems to be borrowed at the information desk.
The National Museum of Japanese History is located close to the Keisei-Sakura station of Keisei line, or the Sakura station of JR Sobu line. You can get the museum by bus from both stations. (English official site)

The Koishikawa Korakuen garden

Although this garden is located next to the Korakuen ballpark, it’s a very calm and peaceful place.
This garden was established as a part of the Mito-Tokugawa clan’s Edo(Tokyo) residence in 17 century. Mito-Tokugawa clan was a one of the Tokugawa Gosanke, the Shogun-Tokugawa’s three branches.

Of course, Shige and Lee couldn’t enter this garden because Lee is a dog. Please have a look at the great view from the gate and the beautiful outer wall of the Korakuen garden! !(whew)
Actualy, I haven't entered the garden, but I heard that the inside is beautiful.

I found the mark of Tokugawa on the wall roof. The crest of hollyhock. The symbol of the power.

According to the sign board which stood beside the gate, the stone of the wall basement was originally transferred by the local clan for construction of the stonewall of the Tokugawa’s Edo castle. Even now, you can see the carved signs on the stone face. It indicates the origin (the name of the clan).

Take Lee out to the Ball Game!

~~Take Lee out to the Ball Game. Take Lee out with the crowd! ~~

Korakuen Kyujo the Korakuen Ballpark is located between the Bunkyo city hall and the Koisikawa Korakuen park. You can also see it from Konnyak Enma. You can go there from the Korakuen station of the subway Marunouchi-line or the Suido-bashi station of JR line.

This ballpark is the home ground of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.
When Shige and Lee visited there, the time was barely 9am so the ground was closed but there were long lines to get the numbered tickets for buying the night game of “Giants vs. Osaka Hanshin Tigers”. Many Japanese love baseball game! When I was a kid, my hero was Sadaharu Oh, the legend of baseball. He was a clean up batter of the Giants.

There is the baseball hall of fame and museum in the ballpark. If you are a baseball lover, check it out!
Adding to that, there are many place to go like shopping mall, sports bar, many kind of restaurants (I found the Babba-Gump Shrimp. Run Forest, Run!), an amusement park and a spa.

Mecha-Godzilla?
Nope. The Bunkyo city hall. The monument of the bubble economy. You can see the panoramic view of Tokyo from the observation room (the mouth of Mecha-Godzilla). In clear day you can also see the Mt. Fuji clearly. There are many amateur photographers at sundown. Next to the observation room is a good restaurant which is run by the Chinzan-So, the famous garden restaurant.

I don’t mind if I can’t see the ball game. But, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack!

The Korakuen station. The subway Marunouchi-line is very old line and depth is not so deep.