Beautiful scene in Nishinomiya

Shukugawa(Shukugawa-park)

Information
2.7km of Cherry-Blossom and Pine trees along the side of the river, Shukugawa River Park is known as the "green oasis", where people can enjoy the beautiful scenes in Spring and Autumn. It is truly a magnificent site to have Mt. Kabutoyama on the background and look at these colorful trees lined up along the side of the river. On the March of 1990, this place was chosen as one of the "top 100 Cherry-Blossom sites".
* Get off at Hankyu Shukugawa station or Kurakuenguchi station or Hanshin Koroen station [map]

My Memories
I go to Nishinomiya central library by bicycle through the Shukugawa riverside. Spring is the most beautiful of all seasons. Taking the Hankyu railway Kobe line, I can see many beautiful Cherry Blossoms from Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi to Sannomiya in Kobe. The train line crosses Shukugawa, Ashiyagawa, Okamoto, and Ishiyagawa. In other seasons, we can also relax in this quiet park.

Kabutoyama (Shinrin-park & Kannoji)

Information
Being 309 meters high above sea level, the mountain is shaped like an upside down bowl and can be seen from anywhere in Nishinomiya, so that it is loved as its symbol. The spectacle from the top of it is one of the most distinguished one in the Hanshin area. It has been told that the mountain was named "Kabutoyama" (Mt. Helmet) because in ancient times the Empress Jingu buried a helmet around here.
Located on the foot of the Mt. Kabutoyama, it is a park of forest with a size of 77 hectares. This park features outdoor sculpture work with marbles from all over the world, a beautiful water fountain, and walking course in all directions within the park. It was created in 1945 to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the prefecture. Evident from its name, the park is filled with green, and is a great place for green bathing.
It is located at the foot of Mt. Kabutoyama, and is an old temple that was built in 831. You can overlook the center city of Nishinomiya from the grounds of it. It is also one of the spots on a hiking course. The object of worship of this temple is "the seated image of Nyoirin Kannon", which is one of the three best Nyoirins in Japan and appointed as an Important Cultural Property by the nation. It is opened to the public on May 18th every year.
* Get off Hankyu Bus or Hanshin Bus at Kabutoyama-Daishi mae stop/25 Kabutoyama-cho, Nishinomiya City [map]

My Memories
I climb up Mt.Kabutoyama in school trip. I approach the top of it by many way. So I familiar to this mountain. From junior high school, I try climb up by bicycle. It is very hard to climb but very easy to go down. Night scene from Kannonji is very fantastic. I can look around from Kobe to Wakayama. And look jet plane taking off and landing to Osaka international airport. I want to visit there again.

Mukogawa(cycling road)

Information
It is a Bicycle Only road on the river bottoms which runs 7.1 kilometers, starting from Ichiriyama-Cho, which is a meeting point of the Nigawa River and Mukogawa River, to Higashi Naruo-Cho 2 chome. The entire road is a freeway without any traffic lights or traffic jams, and there are also a jogging course along the side of it. Many families enjoy here on holidays and weekends.
* Get off at Hankyu Nigawa Station or Hanshin Higashi-Naruo Station. [map]

My Memories
My schooling road ! I go to school everyday through this road. In spring, many family and club eat BBQ. It smells good ! In summer, many fire works are held. It is very beautiful and looks very fun. Recently it is very cold due to heavy cold wind from Mt. Rokko. It is hard to go to school. I look forward to coming spring.

Imazu (Imazu lighthouse)

Information
[IMAZU] was a port town at the Edo era when it was prospered with sake brewing and sake shipment. A light of Imazu lighthouse, that is still remained at the port, welcomed barrel ships coming into the port. Higashi river that poring into the west of the port, the upper stream of Tsuto river and around Tsuto are to be said an anchorage of ships from the continent at the old times of Manyo era, so several historic spots and legends are remained.
It was built by the brewer of Imazu, Chobei the fifth of Osabe family in 1810, on the latter age of the Edo era. It was reconstructed in 1965. This wooden lighthouse, which has a shape of a lantern, has been the symbol of the Imazu port for a long time. It is still active as of today, and also stated by the city as an Important Cultural Property.
* Get off at Hanshin Kusugawa station or Hanshin Bus Nishitani-cho/Jisaki Nishihama-cho, Imazu [map]

My Memories
I have never seen the Imazu lighthouse. But, I want to visit there and think about the long history of Nishinomiya.

Nishinomiya-hama (Shin-Nishinomiya yacht harbor)

Information
It is one of the greatest scale of yacht harbor in Japan, and is able to moor 1300 yachts to it. In the club house, "Mini-Mermaid" of Mr. Kenichi Horie, who had succeeded in sailing across the Pacific Ocean alone as a first time in Japan, is displayed.
* Get off at Hanshin Nishinomiya, Hanshin Bus Nishinomiya-hama higashi No.5 stop /4-7 Nishinomiya-hama, Nishinomiya City [map]

My Memories
We can go there through Nishinomiya-Ohashi (big bridge). One can see the scene of sunset from the top of the bridge and yacht harbor In summer, I visit there  sometimes. It is very comfortable for me, because there is a  good wind from sea. Our school's yacht club use this yacht harbor.

Y. Akiyuki