Got a problem to withdraw money from ATM in Japan?

Since 19th April 2013, credit cards or bank cards issued by Mastercard brands are not possible to withdraw money from ATM in Japan.
This case only applied to the cards issued outside of Asia/Pacific region + the Netherlands+Canada.

I personally experienced this situation a couple of days before. So just be prepared to have a VISA card for example, to avoid this situation!

Futher information you can read by the follwing links. Unfortunately, there is no exact date when they will solve this issue.
  http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html
http://www.mastercard.com/jp/personal/jp/cardholderservices/atmlocations/notification.html

FREE footbath(In Japanese "ashiyu=足湯") in Amanohashidate!

OPEN: between 12-16(except WED&bad weather days,maintenance days).
Location: Next to Amanohashidate train station(天橋立駅).

Firework festival in Miyazu!

http://www.jalan.net/jalan/img/9/event/0119/XL/e119749.jpg

Date: 16th(FRI) August 2013
Time: 19:30-20:30
Place:Shimasaki park(島崎公園)

This is the biggest event of the year in Miyazu.
Floating lanterns, boats and reflexion of the fireworks on the sea!
Usually people sit down in the park along Miyazu bay to watch the fireworks. Although you can see it from many different places in the city, if you prefer less crowded places.

Access: 10mins walk from Miyazu train station(宮津駅)

"Umi-no-Kyoto passport(海の京都パスポート)"

At the tourist information centre at Amanohashidate train station(天橋立駅), you can get a FREE booklet called "Umi-no-Kyoto passport(海の京都パスポート)" that offers you discounts of tourist attractions(such as hot springs, sightseeing boat)  in seaside of Kyoto!
To get the booklet, you need to ask the staff in the tourist office because it is not displayed on self-service shelf. English description available for the discount coupons.

Seashore false bindweed (Calystegia soldanella=Hamahirugaoハマヒルガオ) is started blooming in Amanohashidate!

                                                     (The picture took on 21st May 2013)

Lookout spots of Amanohashidate!

You can see the location of the all three lookout spots on this Map!!
Further information of the each spots, please click the following link.

1. Kasamatsu Park (傘松公園) MUST SEE!
The traditional view of Amanohashidate "bridge to the heaven"
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/01/look-out-spot-kasamatsu-park.html

2. Amanohashidate Sessyu lookout spot (天橋立雪舟観展望休憩所)
http://seasidekyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/01/viewing-point-in-miyazu.html

3 Ouchi-touge ichiji-kan park (大内峠一字観公園)
***This look out point is also nice although you need a bit effort to reach.

Japanese Rose (In Japanese, Hamanasuはまなす) started blooming in Amanohashidate!!

(The pictures from 7th May 2013)

 

It is a species of rose native to eastern Asia.
They bloom on the beach of Amanohashidate. You will see the sign "Hamanasu-gunseichiはまなす群生地" after you crossed the first bridge from Amanohashidate station side.