Last week I took the train to Hamamatsu and spent two days. The first place I visited was the Hamamatsu Flower Park, which is a botanical garden on the edge of Lake Hanana. The park has 3,000 different species of plants.
It's easy to get here by bus from outside the Hamamatsu train station. Take the "Kanzanji Onsen" bus at bus stop #1 and get off at the "Flower Park" bus stop. The admission fee to the park varies, according to the season.
This is a map of the park.
The entrance
There are many walkways and a train/tram for people who don't want to walk.
There is a small zoo, but I didn't spend much time there because I was more interested in the flowers. Here are just a few pictures from the zoo.
Moving on...
There is a suspension bridge
This is a play area for children.
Outside the Greenhouse is a big pool with water that "dances".
Inside the large greenhouse, you find several different rooms and displays.
The rose garden can be found outside the greenhouse.
It's easy to spend the whole day here!
The Imperial Household Agency announced that Empress emerita Michiko has tested positive for COVID-19 and has light symptoms. The 89 year old former Empress has a cough and sore throat and is recuperating at her residence. Her husband, 90 year old Emperor emeritus Akihito, tested negative for COVID-19.
We want to believe COVID is in the rear view mirror, but unfortunately, it's still with us. I wish Empress emerita Michiko a quick recovery and all the best!
I saw several different types of organizers online and decided to try to make one. I didn't have a pattern and just made up what I liked.
It can be hung open on the wall to keep things at home organized. This is what the inside looks like when it is open.
The strap is adjustable, depending on how full the pocket is.
The elastic straps are made with 3/4 inch wide elastic, covered by loose fabric tubes to make it look better.
The pocket is made with a flat piece of fabric, with one inch squares cut from the corners to make the boxy pocket, and a zipper.
The pocket can hold chargers, batteries, or anything else.
It folds up, with a swivel hook closure.
This one is a gift for someone else, but I might make another one for myself.
Japanese Pattern 8
Patterns 5 - 8
Christmas Treasures Afghan
There will be 14 total cross stitch designs.
Kimono Remake - I've finished the band around the collar and down the front. Next I will add a band to the cuff, and front pockets.
The population of Japanese nationals fell by 837,000 to 121,193,000 last year, which was the largest annual drop since this data started being kept by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The government has been struggling with the country's declining birthrate and rapidly aging society.
In addition, the government forecasts single-person households to account for 44.3 percent of the 52.61 million households in Japan by 2050, with half of that being people age 65 or older. The average number of people living in a household was 2.21 in 2020 and is projected to fall to 1.99 in 2033 and 1.92 in 2050. National and local governments need to enhance support for elderly people in areas including nursing care.
The foreign national population rose 243,000 to about 3.16 million in the last year. Foreign workers and student who had been Japan for at least 90 were counted in the overal population number.
Of the 47 prefectures, only Tokyo saw a rise in population.
I'm making progress on the quilting. I spent a good deal of time on it one rainy day this week and am pleased with how it is coming along.
The ground floor shop sells eye glasses. Fuji City, Shizuoka
This is another interesting local temple I found when out for a walk.
