ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Last month before Christmas me and some friends travelled to Kochi to see the castle illumination. Isn't it so pretty? I hope next year I can go again! I was also able to see some other cool things like Hirome Market!   

The city of Iwakuni is located in Yamaguchi Prefecture in southwestern Japan. It is located about 1 hour south of Hiroshima by train. In the city, they have Iwakuni Castle which is on top of a large hill in the city. The castle is co-located with the scenic Kintai Bridge (it has five arches on stone pillars in the middle of a river), and also a very beautiful park called Kikko Park adjacent to the bridge. The park has a large fountain, numerous shops and restaurants, as well as a variety of flowers and cherry blossom trees to see.

Kikko Park is also home to a small sanctuary for white snakes. These snakes are only found in Iwakuni, and are considered a special treasure by the Japanese government. The snake is considered a symbol good fortune in Japan, and many people come to visit and pray for good luck. They also have an small section of the park where you can see cormorants (birds that dive underwater to catch fish). They are kept in a special area for viewing, and are usually released into the river during a festival in the summer to catch fish for the local fishermen. There is also a museum of Edo era artifacts, and a ropeway that goes to the top of the hill where Iwakuni Castle is located.

There is so much beauty and nature to see in the park; and the peacefulness that surrounds you in the park will likely put you in serene and relaxed mood. The whole area is a small slice of Japanese history, but worth the time to visit. If you are in the area, please visit Iwakuni and do not miss Kikko Park. It is such a delight!