Encountering Kawaii birds at an interesting park in Zushi

 

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I went to Ikegonomori Nature Park in Zushi!

This area has been used as a joint facility for the U.S. military, but a green space park was opened in 2016.

It features nature that has remained untouched for about 70 years.

 

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At the nearest Jinmu-ji Station, I spotted a strange Carrion Crow banging its head and cawing loudly.

What's that crow doing?

 

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There were lots of Eurasian Tree Sparrows on the walls of the sports area.

So Kawaii!!!!

 

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I also saw birds of prey such as Eastern Buzzard and Sparrowhawk!

I was soothed by the abundant nature and wild birds.

 

 

Last week, I went birdwatching at Ikegonomori Nature Park in Zushi City.

I participated in the crowdfunding campaign below, and became interested, so I went.

「逗子かるた」発行へ　絵札は全て地元在住の洋画家・佐藤泰生さんが描く

 

This area has been used as a joint site for the US military, and joint use began in 2014, and the green park area was opened to the public in 2016.

It is characterized by nature that has remained untouched for about 70 years.

 

Because it is used jointly with the US military, the nearest Jinmu-ji Station has a ticket gate exclusively for the US Navy, and the scoreboard at the baseball stadium has an American style, giving it a unique atmosphere.

The entrance to the park is also the entrance to the US military base, which made me a little nervous.

 

Once inside, there was more to see than I had imagined from the map I had looked up in advance, and I was able to enjoy the rich nature and Kawaii birds!

I heard some small birds making a fuss, but then a (probably) Sparrowhawk flew out, and it was Kawaii to see Little Egret in the pond being startled.

 

↓ There were a lot of Eurasian Tree Sparrows on the wall of the sports area, which was so Kawaii.

 

↓ Apparently there are many different birds of prey to see, and on this day I also spotted Eastern Buzzard.

 

↓ Bull-headed Shrike

 

↓ There was also a museum where I was able to see many valuable excavated items.

Encountering the Kawaii birds on Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake

 

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The final destination of the trip is Lake Biwa!

The view from Lake Biwa Hamaotsu Station

 

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A loud voice amongst the Kawaii birds!?

 

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A goose house was moored at Otsu Port.

 

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Over the course of three days, I was able to enjoy the Kawaii birds and the filming locations!

Thank you, Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga.

Thank you, "A Samurai In Time."

 

 

On the afternoon of the third day of the trip, I moved from Kyoto to Lake Biwa.

I had never been to Lake Biwa before, so I decided to stop by for a short while.

I had a delicious lunch of local ingredients at Lake Station Hamaotsu, and then walked around Otsu Port.

 

As I was watching the waterfowl, I was surprised by a loud sound.

They kept geese.

 

The birds were so Kawaii and I wanted to observe them more, but I ran out of time and could only birdwatching for an hour.

However, the movie "A Samurai In Time" inspired me to go to many places, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga, and it was a fulfilling three days.

 

 

↓Otsu Port and geese

 

↓The classic combination of Eurasian Coot and Gadwall targeting water plants

 

↓Smew

 

↓Great Crested Grebe came nearby

 

↓A lone Northern Shoveler

Wild birds also play an important role in the movie "A Samurai in Time"

 

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A tour of the filming locations of the movie "A Samurai In Time"

Day 3: Touring the unique filming locations

I discovered a wandering  Carrion Crow in the place where the protagonist was wandering.

 

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The game takes you to many places where the protagonist, who has just traveled back in time, has wandered.

I visited the many places where the protagonist, who has just traveled back in time, walked.

 

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I encountered some Kawaii birds along the way!

Right: Daurian Redstart fighting over territory

Left: Brown-eared Bulbul

 

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In this bank scene, a crow took off in the background, and the timing was perfect.

I want to give it the Best Supporting Crow award.

I highly recommend seeing this movie in the theater!

 

 

In the morning of the third day of the trip, I toured the filming locations of the movie "A Samurai In Time".

I visited many nameless places that I would not have paid attention to if they had not appeared in the movie, such as railroad crossings and intersections.

 

I thought I would not be able to birdwatch because I was mainly in the city, but I was happy to encounter a Carrion Crow under the overpass near Momoyama-Goryou-mae Station.

Also, when I moved, I walked along the promenade along the waterway of Fushimi, and we met many Kawaii birds.

 

As I wrote in the frame 4, the crow that appeared only for a moment in the movie was exquisite!

It was my favorite scene.

In addition, the sound of the crows was heard at the right time, and the song of the birds created a good effect.

In particular, in the stage of the last scene, the birdsong of the Brown-eared Bulbuls sounded like a commotion, creating a sense of tension towards the end.

I highly recommend seeing this movie in the theater!

Kawaii birds and surprising animal I encountered in Kyoto

 

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A tour of the filming locations of the movie "A Samurai In Time"

After visiting various filming locations, it was evening on the second day.

I had a little luxury break at the bar used in the movie.

(Bar Chippendale at Hotel Okura Kyoto)

 

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Afterwards, I walked along the river on my way to my dinner destination.

Kamogawa River, from Sanjo Ohashi Bridge to Shijo Ohashi Bridge

 

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Walk along the atmospheric streets of Kyoto while admiring the Kawaii birds.

Upper: Little Egrets gathered

Lower: Expanded Common Sandpiper in the fast-flowing river

Ah! What is that?

 

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Nutria!?

 

 

On the second day, after Daikakuji Temple, I visited some of the filming locations (parks and shopping streets used in the film).

I was tired from all the walking, but I took a break at a hotel bar that also had a cafe.

This was also a location used in the film, and although it was a bit pricey, it was a luxurious break.

 

My next destination was a short walk south, so I walked south along the riverbank.

At the Kamogawa River, I encountered many Kawaii birds.

 

On the way, I thought I saw something big...but it was a nutria!

It's an invasive animal, but I was surprised to see it so close to the city!

 

The river was right next to the downtown area.

The city was crowded with foreigners and tourists, but with a large river and wildlife right nearby, I thought Kyoto was a city with a mysterious atmosphere.

 

↓Little Egrets and ducks gathered

 

↓Gray Heron and Little Egret

 

↓Eurasian Wigeon

 

↓Many Common Teals were Kawaii.

 

↓Common Sandpiper standing in the fast-flowing river

 

↓There were two

 

Below are some photos from the filming locations of the movie "A Samurai In Time"

 

↓A scene of a friendly conversation at Anebojo Children's Park

 

↓Sanjo-kai Shopping Arcade, where the barber shop where the haircut scene takes place

 

↓The statue of Takayama Hikokuro, who was the model for a certain character

 

↓The final destination of the day was Aji no Tentoku Shijo Kiyamachi, run by director Junichi Yasuda.

 

↓The woman on the monitor was Yuuno Sakura, who also appeared in the film.

The historic atmosphere and Kawaii birds are soothing

 

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A tour of the filming locations of the movie "A Samurai In Time"

Wow! A view like the one in the movie!

 

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I was so excited to see this film location!!

The temple was quiet and had a historic atmosphere.

There were a lot of Japanese Grosbeaks.

 

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On the way to my next destination, I encountered some Kawaii birds.

 

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To Toei Kyoto Studio Park!

It was fun to see the open set used for the filming locations and to see the various events being held.

 

 

The second day of the trip to see the filming locations of the movie "A Samurai In Time", staying overnight in Kyoto.

 

First, I took the train to Hanazono Station and visited Myoshinji Temple.

Nehando in the frame 1 was used as a filming location for the play within the movie, and I was excited to see the scenery in the movie.

 

I was also impressed by the historic atmosphere, as if I had really traveled back in time.

I was also soothed by meeting Kawaii birds such as Japanese Grosbeaks, Oriental Turtle Doves, and Warbling White-eyes.

 

↓A flock of Japanese Grosbeaks

 

From there, it was a little far, but I walked to Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

On the way, I encountered Daurian Redstarts, Grey Wagtails, and Mallards in the stream.

 

The Studio Park was a theme park where you can see the open sets actually used for filming period dramas up close.

Various locations were used as filming locations for "A Samurai In Time", and it was great to see the real sets.

 

↓Special exhibition for "A Samurai In Time"

 

↓Impressive locations featured in the movie!