Nemophila Festival at Osaka Maishima Seaside Park

Osaka Maishima Baby Blue Eyes Festival

Near the entrance of Nemophila Festival

Nemophila Baby Blue Eyes

Snacks & light meals are available under the big tent.

 

Episode of Osaka Maishima Baby Blue Eyes Festival

Tomo&Chouchou went to Maishima Nemophila Festival during Golden week (=Japanese national holiday in May) so it was very crowded. We went there by bus from cosmo square station. There was a long line to ride a bus. We could succeed to ride a bus. We arrived at "Hotel Lodge Maishima Mae" bus stop. Then we walked to Maishima Seaside Park.

We had to line up to buy a ticket. It was a very long queue. It was faster than we expected. We finally got a ticket to enter Nemophila Festival. 

As soon as we passed the entrance, we could see the blue beautiful world in front of us! Small little pretty blue flowers were like the blue sea. We quickly forgot the tiredness of long queue because of the beatuy of nemophila.

We could walk inside the park. We could see the Osaka Bay and Yodo river from the park. We could see the bridges far from the park. While walking, we found orange poppies. There was a small surprise!

It was a quiet place of Osaka city. It was the peaceful moment. We could enjoy Baby Blue Eyes a lot at Maishima Seaside Park. It was crowded anyway because of Golden week but it was the good place to spend with family and friends.

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for Nemophila Festival

On the way to go back to the station, we had to wait a lot to ride a bus. Buses were late because of the traffic jam. It was very tiring. We thought about taking different buses or taking a taxi. We were stuck at Maishima. It might be better go there by private car. The best way to go there might be by motor bike.

 

Information

Maishima Nemophila Festival [舞洲ネモフィラ祭り]

Period: from Early April to Early May 

Place: Osaka Maishima Seaside Park

Address: Hokukou Ryokuchi 2 chome, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0042

             [大阪府大阪市此花区北港緑地2丁目]

Open: 9:00-17:00 on weekdays, 8:30-18:30 on weekends and national holidays

(There are some exceptional days. Please check it at official website.) 

Admission: Adult (from junior high student) 1200 yen, 

                 Child (from 4 to 13 years old) 600 yen

Parking: 800 yen for a regular car. Free for bike and bicycle. 

Access: 3 buses are available

1) Take "Maishima Active Bus" by North Port Sightseeing bus [Japanese: 北港観光バス] at Sakurajima station [桜島駅] of JR Yumesaki Line →　Get off at in front of Hotel Lodge Maishima [ホテル・ロッジ舞洲前]. It takes about 15 minutes by bus.

2) Take "Cosmo Dream Line" by North Port Sightseeing bus [Japanese: 北港観光バス] at Cosmo square station [コスモスクエア駅] of Osaka Metro. →  Get off in front of Hotel Lodge Maishima [ホテル・ロッジ舞洲前] bus-stop. It takes about 20 minutes by bus.

3) Take "Osaka city bus 81" direction to Maishima Sports Island at Nishikujo station [西九条駅] →　Get off at Maishima Sports Island [舞洲スポーツアイランド] bus-stop. It takes about 35 minutes.

There are several package plans with flower event.

ex) buffet lunch, buggy ride, "Namba-Tsu roast [Japanese:難波津焼]" ceramic art experience, Upward Hot spring Ikkyu, cosmo tower observation deck.

Nemophila "Baby Blue Eyes"

Origin from North America

Language of flower: pretty, refreshing heart, success anywhere

 

Relating article

other spots to enjoy flowers in spring

- Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park in Osaka

 

 

 

La Défense - Grande Arche

French business area: La Défense

 

La Défense in the daytime

La Défense

Black building: Tour Areva

Fan-shaped building: CNIT

Middle left building: Cœur Défense (=former Esso Tower [French: Tour Esso]) 

Middle right building : Tour EDF

Right building: Les Quatre Temps

The round hole with stairs is the exit of subway [Métro] & RER A.

 

Centre des nouvelles industries et technologies (=CNIT)
[English: The Centre of New Industries and Technologies]

CNIT is a convention centre including Hilton Hotel, Monoprix, Fnac and so on.

cf) Monoprix is a French retail chain like a supermarket. It sells foods, clothes, cosmetics and home products. 

Fnac is a French retail chain which sells cultural and eletronic products such as multimedia products, books and CDs.

Skyscrapers in La Défense

Left building: Tour T1 (known as Tour GDF SUEZ)

Middle building: Tour sequoia (known as Tour SFR) 

Right black building: Tour Areva or Tour CB1 (formerly Tour Fiat)

cf) GDF SUEZ is a French electricity & gas company. Company name changed in 2015 and it is now Engie.  

SFR is a French mobile phone company. 

Areva is now Orano. Orano is the world's largest nuclear industry company.

Grande Arche / Arch de la Défense
(officially name: la Grande Arche de la Fraternité)

view from the Grande Arche

view from the Grande Arche (the other side)

 There is the Arc de Triomphe beyond this street far.

Les Quatre Temps

Les Quatre Temps is a very large shopping mall.

 

 

La Défense at night

La Défense at night

 

the Yaacov Agam Fountain

 

 

Grande Arche & sculptures

Blonze statue: La Défense de Paris by Louis-Ernest Barrias

Red sculpture: Araignée Rouge [English: Red spider] by Alexander Calder

 

Episode of La Défense

Once we went out from the underground of the station, we discovered an another world of Paris. It was totally different from the typical image of Paris. It is very modern and many skyscrapers. The wall of almost all buildings were glasses, so they were very shining. When we looked up the buildings, many famous French enterprises' names were written on the buildings; Areva, SFR, GDF and so on. We could quickly understand that here is the centre of French business. When we looked around, people were mostly wearing business suits. The atmosphere in La Défense was sophisticated. We enjoyed modern architecture. 

We visited La Défense several times. Once we visited in the afternoon on the sunny day, it was nice view from Grande Arche. The glasses of the buildings shined a lot, so they looked more beautiful. When we visited La Défense at night, it was like a magic. We forgot about the time by the beauty of night view. We can keep watching the night view of La Défense for many hours. The fountain, statue and Grande Arche were lit up at night. It was very fantastic. It was unforgettable night view. We also visited Christmas market in La Défense. There were many chalets in the middle square in La Défense. 

La Défense is a business area but we can do shopping, watching movies and enjoy the scenery. There are many ways to enjoy La Défense. So Tomo&Chouchou love La Défense.

 

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for La Défense

1) La Défense is a good place for shopping. There are big shopping malls such as Les Quatre Temps and CNIT. 

In Les Quatre Temps, there are Auchan (=big supermarket), DARTY (=big electrical store), Go Sport (=sports shop), many fashion brands such as H&M, ZARA, C&A, PROMOD, CAMAIEU, NAF-NAF, MANGO, UNIQLO etc., cosmetics brands such as Yves Rocher, l'Occitane and SEPHORA, lingerie shops such as ETAM and DARJEELING, SWAROVSKI and UGC (=movie theater) and so on. 

In CNIT, there are Decathlon (=big sports shop), FNAC (=media electronic store), MONOPRIX (=store sell food, fashion, beauty and home products) and so on.

Everything gathers here in La Défense so we can shop in one place! In France, such big shopping malls are located in suburb. We usually need a car to access. We cannot find big shopping malls in downtown in Paris. However we can access La Défense by public transportation. Therefore La Défense is very convenient shopping place for people who don't have a car or who cannot drive a car, people who live in downtown in Paris, or tourists who want to get local things with reasonable price.

2) For people who love to take photos, we recommend to visit La Défense after the rain. When the ground is wet, it becomes a mirror and create a good reflection of the building. We could take a beautiful night photo of La Défense.

 

Information

La Défense

La Défense is a major business district . It is located 3 km west of Paris in Hauts-de-Seine department in Île-de-France region. It is a part of redevelopment district. There are many skyscrapers, headquarters of large companies and the Grande Arche. La defense is named after the statue of "La Defense de Paris", which commemorate the soldiers who had defended Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

Access 

La Défense - Grande Arche station by RER A 

or La Défense Esplanade de la Défense station by Metro 1 

La Défense -Grande Arche Faubourg de l'arche by Tram 2

RATP Bus line: 73, 141, 144, 159, 174, 178, 258, 275, 276, 278 and 360 

 

L'Arche de la Defense / Grande Arche 

Francois Mitterrand completed the project of making the Grande Arche in 1989. The sides and interior of the Grande Arche are all grazed. The name is arch but it's a building containing offices.

Height 110 metres, Length: 112 metres, width: 107 metres

 

Relating article

- Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris

- Paris - La Défense Christmas Market

 

 

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris

Arc de Triomphe from Avenue des Champs-Élysées

the underpass from the underground entrance of Champs-Élysées
to Arc de Triomphe

↓

Go up to the top of Arc de Triomphe

360 degree panorama terrace of Arc de Triomphe

view from Arc de Triomphe

Ferris wheel in Concorde square view from Arc de Triomphe

La Grande Arche of La Defénse view from Arc de Triomphe

Les Invalides & Eiffel Tower view from Arc de Triomphe

Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre view from Arc de Triomphe

↓

Arc de Triomphe on the ground

(in the evening)

Arc de Triomphe

Right sculpture: Le Départ de 1792 (La Marseillaise) by François Rude

 

 

the inner façades of the arches

Left front: Eastern pillar,  Right front: northern pillar

The ceiling with sculpted roses

 

Arc de Triomphe (the other side)

sculpture in the foreground: La Paix de 1815 by Antoine Étex

sculpture in the back: La Résistance de 1814 by Antoine Étex

 

 

We could see the Eiffel Tower [French: Tour Eiffel].

 

Paris city tour bus passing around Arc de Triomphe

 

La Defénse view from Arc de Triomphe

 

(At night)

Under Arc de Triomphe at night

 

Arc de Triomphe at night

Left sculpture: Le Triomphe de 1810 by Jean-Pierre Cortot

Right sculpture: Le Départ de 1792 (La Marseillaise) by François Rude

 

Episode of Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

Tomo&Chouchou have ever been to Arc De Triomphe many times. We saw it from the avenue Champs-Élysées. We visited the Arc de Triomphe without going up to the terrace. We went up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe one day. We visited Arc de Triomphe in spring, summer, autumn and winter. The Arc de Triomphe was fasinating in every season. We also visited the Arc de Triomphe in the afternoon, in the evening and at night. The color of the Arc de Triomphe changed depending on the time. It looked different. At night, it looked romantic. In the daytime, it looked strong. The view from the Arc de Triomphe was special. Normally Charles-de-Gaulle square is very busy and crowded. We cannot be at the center of the Charles-de-Gaulle square. However under the Arc de Triomphe, we felt protected by the arch and we could enjoy the special moment. We could see the Eiffel Tower [French: Tour Eiffel], Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the subcenter La Défense and the Paris sightseeing tour bus. It was not an ordinary view. We could feel kinda superior. One day we decided to go up to the top of Arc de Triomphe. We wanted to take advantage of free admission day. We actually waited the free admission period in winter for that. We went up the stairs to go up to the top of Arc de Triomphe. Once we arrived, we were very suprised to see 360 degree panorama view. We were also surprised at the height. We didn't imagine that the Arc de Triomphe was so high. In front of us, we could see the Ferris wheel in Concorde Square [French: La Place de la Concorde]. On the other side, we could see La Grande Arche of La Defénse. We could see Eiffel tower and Hôtel des Invalides. We could also see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica [French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur] in Montmartre. We could see city of Paris and life of Paris from there. It was worth going up to the terrace. It was unforgettable view.

History of Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe is a victory monument of the battle of Austerlitz (=The Battle of Three Emperors, Bataille d'Austerlitz in French). Arc de Triomphe was started to build in 1806 by the order of Napoleon. Construction was completed in 1836, so it took 30 years to build. Napoleon could pass the Arc de Triomphe in 1940, 19 years after his death. 

The releif on the wall depict the battle of Napoleonic Wars and the state of volunteer army departure. Beneath the Arc is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I. The names of military leaders of the French Revolution and Empire are engraved on the inner façades of the small arches.

Architect Jean-François Chalgrin was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus [Italian: Arco di Tito] in Rome, then designed Arc de Triomphe.

Twelve streets including the Champs-Élysées extend radially around the Arc de Triomphe. This shape looks like a shining star on the map. So this square was named Star Square (=La Place de l'Étoile). It is now called Charles de Gaulle square (=La Place Charlles de Gaulles).

Information

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

Location: Place Charles-de-Gaulle 75008 Paris

Access: Cherles de Gaulle Etoile station of Métro 1, Métro t2, Métro 6 or RER A 

To get close to the Arc de Triomphe, we need to take the underpass from the underground entrance of Champs-Élysée.

Open hours: April - September) 10-23h, October - March) 10-22:30

(Last entry should be 30 minutes prior to the close time.) 

Admission: adult 13 euros (in 2022). First Sunday is free during November to March

Height: 50 metres (164 ft) Width: 45metres 148 ft) Depth: 22 metres (72 ft)

Relating article

＊ La Défense - Grande Arche

The Historic Centre of Macau walking (4)

Tomo&Chouchou's World Heritage walking route

Lilau Square [Chinese: 澳門亞婆井街] → Mandarin's House [Chinese: 鄭家大屋] → Rua da Barra [Chinese: 媽閣街] → Moorish Barracks [Chinese: 港務局大樓] → Rua da Barra [Chinese: 媽閣街] → A-Ma Temple

 

Mandarin's House

Main entrance of Mandarin's House

 

 

Circular entrance of Mandarin's House

 

 

Mandarin's House [Chinese: 鄭家大屋]

 

 

the well in the garden

 

 

Chinese architecture style of Mandarin's House

 

 

Circular door to go to the courtyard

 

 

The door to go to the courtyard

 

 

the courtyard in Mandarin's House

 

 

the stairs in Mandarin's House

 

 

Atrium in Mandarin's House

 

 

Round doorway in Mandarin's House

 

 

↓

 

Walk on Rua da Barra [媽閣街]

 

↓

 

 

Moorish Barracks [Chinese: 港務局大樓]

 

 

Rua da Barra [Chinese: 媽閣街] & Moorish Barracks

 

Read back (3) ←

 

→ Read next 

 

Episode of World heritage walking in Macau

After taking a rest in Lilau square, Tomo&Chouchou went to Mandarin's House [Chinese: 鄭家大屋]. We arrived at the main entrance of Mandarin's House. We couldn't see inside from the entrance. At that moment, we didn't know that we would be surprised to see the big modern house and garden. We entered main entrance without big expectation. After the main entrance, we found the circular entrance. There were flowers around. We started to be excited. We could see the big house through the circular entrance. There was big triangle garden in front of the house. There was a well and a tree in the garden. The garden was made of concrete. It was not green garden but it was relaxing. There were benches in the garden. So we took a rest a little bit.

We entered the house. We were surprised to see the beauty of Chinese architecture. It could be an old house but it didn't look old at all. It was very modern. The harmony of black wood and white stucco wall was very beautiful. There were Chinese lattice windows beside the corridor. The design of pillar was an Islamic geometric pattern. It was very elaborate ceilling. It was a breathtaking beauty. 

There were many circular doors and circular windows in the house. It was very attractive. We passed through the circular windows. We went to the courtyard. There were several doors to enter or go out in the Mandarin's house. That was the most interesting point. The courtyard was a little bit hidden. We supposed that the family could enjoy their private time. 

We went up the stairs to go to the second floor. The stairs were very beautiful Chinese design. It was magic. There was kinda an atrium. It was a suprising design. We also watched a video show in the house to know the history of Mandarin's House and owner. The architecture was great. It was a very modern and special house. It was a fusion of Cantonese and Western styles. It was very valuable to visit Mandarin's House. We went out from the round doorway to the main entrance. We liked this round doorway a lot because both views were very beautiful. After taking many photos there, we went out from Mandarin's House.

We went back to Lilau square then we walked on Rua da Barra [Chinese: 媽閣街]. We started to see a big yellow building in front. It was outstanding, so we could quickly understand that it was the world heritage site. It was Moorish Barracks [Chinese: 港務局大樓]. The contrast between white and yellow was beautiful. Arabic style of building attracted us a lot. We felt it was an another world. We tried to enter. But it was under construction so we couldn't enter. We also felt it was prohibited to enter inside for the tourists. We gave up then we decided to go to next world heritage site "A-Ma temple". The Moorish Barracks was very large. It was built on the slope with ingenuity. It was worth to visit and see Arabic style architecture.

to be continued...

 

Information

・Mandarin's House [Chinese: 鄭家大屋][Portuguese: Casa do Mandarim]

It's a traditional Chinese house mixed with Indian and Western design. It's the largest dwelling in Macau. It was built by Zheng Wenrui, the father of Zheng Guanying [鄭観應], a literary master who influenced Sun Yat-Sen [孫中山] and Mao Zedong [毛泽东]. 

Free admission. Open hours: 10-18h (Last admission at 17h30). 

Closed on Wednesdays except national holiday. 

Address: No.10 Travessa de Antonio da Silva, Largo do Lilau, São Lourenço [澳門龍頭左巷10號]

・Moorish Barracks [Chinese: 港務局大樓][Portuguese: Edifício da Capitania dos Portos]

It's built in 1874 as a dormitory of Moorish soldiers dispatched from India to maintain security. It was designed by an Italian architect Cassuto. It is now the Directrate of Maritime & Water Affair Service [Chinese: 海事及水務局][Portuguese: Direcção dos Serviços de Assuntos Marítimos e de Água]. It is a brick building influenced by Arab style.

Free Admission (We cannot go inside). Open hours: 9-18h. 

Address: 1 Calçada da Barra [澳門媽閣斜巷一號]

Relating articles

- The Historic Centre of Macau walking (1) - Senado square etc.

- The Historic Centre of Macau walking (2) - St. Augustine's square

- The Historic Centre of Macau walking (3) - St. Lawrence's Church

- Hotel Lisboa Macau

The Historic Centre of Macau walking (3) - St.Lawrence's Church

Tomo&Chouchou's World Heritage walking route

Dom Pedro V Theatre [Chinese: 尚頂劇院] → Rua Central [Chinese: 龍嵩正街] → Rua da Imprensa Nacional [Chinese: 官印局街] → St. Lawrence's Church [Chinese: 聖老楞佐堂] → Rua de São Lourenço [Chinese: 風順堂街] → Rua do Padre António [Chinese: 高樓街] → Lilau Square [Chinese: 澳門亞婆井街] → Mandarin's House

 

 

Back entrance of St. Lawrence's Church

 

 

Interior of St. Lawrence's Church

 

 

Altar of St. Lawrence's Church

 

 

the statue of childwood Christ, Francis Xavier and Antonio

(from the left)

 

 

Entrance of St. Lawrence's Church

 

 

Whole St. Lawrence's Church [Chinese: 聖老楞佐堂]

 

 

 

Read back The Historic Centre of Macau walking (2) ←

 

→ Read next The Historic Centre of Macau walking (4)

 

Episode of World Heritage Walking in Macau

After visiting Dom Pedro V Theatre [Chinese: 尚頂劇院, Portuguese: Theatro Dom Pedro V], we walked on Rua Central [Chinese: 龍嵩正街]. Then we walked on Rua da Imprensa Nacional [Chinese: 官印局街]. We arrived at the gate of St. Laurence's Church [Chinese: 聖老楞佐堂, Portuguese: Paroquia de S. Lourenco]. It was a yellow cream color church. It seemed the back door where we entered. Anyway we entered the church. Interior of St. Laurence's Church was also yellow cream color. Ceiling was emerald color. So far several churches that we saw were almost same interior color. There were chandelir lights hanging from the ceiling. The chandelirs were gorgeous. We felt St. Lawrence's Church was very elegant, beautiful and peaceful. There were six stained glasses depicting Lawrence's life. In the main altar, there was the image of St. Laurence with an iron plate when he was executed. There was a sheep above the cross. On the right side of the church, there were the statue of childwood Christ, Francis Xavier and Antonio.

We went out from the church and saw the main gate of the church. There were two angels beside. We regret a little bit that we didn't enter from the main gate. We went down the stairs and came out to Rua de São Lourenço [Chinese: 風順堂街]. We could see the beautiful facade of St. Lawrence's church. We were impressed by the beauty of Whole St. Lawrence's Church. We realized that we should see whole St. Lawrence's Church from Rua de São Lourenço. 

We walked on Rua do Padre António [Chinese: 高樓街]. We reached Lilau Square [Chinese: 澳門亞婆井街]. There was a big banyan tree and round benches. The Lilau Square was relaxing place. We took a rest a little bit there. The ground was Portuguese stone pavement but the trees were Asian trees. It was really a typical  square of Macau culture. Tomo&Chouchou felt that Lilau Square was the turning spot between Portuguese building to Chinese buildings. 

To read back (2) ←

→ To read next (4)

 

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for St. Lawrence's Church

The brochure that we received from Tourist Information for The Historic Centre of Macau walking route advised us to walk on Rua Central then Rua da Impresa Nacional. But Tomo&Chouchou recommend you to walk on Rua Central then Rua de São Lourenço, and then enter the main gate. The route Rua Central to Rua da Impresa Nacional was actually easty to walk and enter because of no stairs. If we enter from the main gate, we have to go up the stairs. 

If you want to avoid going up stairs, you had better take Rua Central & Rua da Impresa National route and enter from the back gate. If you want to enter from the main gate, take Rua Central & Rua de São Lourenço. Please choose the route you prefer.

 

Information

・St. Laurence's Church 

[Chinese: 聖老楞佐堂, Portuguese: Paroquia de S. Lourenco]

St. Laurence's Church is one of the three oldest churches in Macau. Long time ago, the sea was visible from this church. The Portuguese used to pray for the good wind during the Age of Sail. So the church is believed to protect fisherman, sailors and families living near the seashore from the storm. 

Free admission. Open 7h-21h.  

Address: Rus de São Lourenço [Chinese: 風順堂街]

 

・ Lilau Square [Chinese: 澳門亞婆井街][Portuguese: Largo do Lilau]

Lilau means mountain spring in Portuguese. This place was one of Macau's precious water sources, so here was one of the earliest Portuguese settlements in Macau. Lilau is not used now. There is a big banyan tree.

Relating articles

- The Historic Centre of Macau walking (1) - Senado square etc.

- The Historic Centre of Macau walking (2) - St. Augustine's square 

- The Historic Centre of Macau walking (4) - Mandarin's House etc.

- Hotel Lisboa Macau