Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

　Harumi Triton Plaza 2F "i green Pocket Plaza Flower, Water, Tree" is an annual mini-garden guided tour to stroll around the park with the guidance of an exclusive gardener.

This month was held on December 1st.

Blueberry Utterd in the slope garden along the Asashio Canal is colored red and vividly.

deciduous tree dropped leaves all at once during the winter and became dormant.

Although it enters, "winter buds" swell at the tip of the branch, preparing for the coming spring.

You can feel the warmth of the winter buds (flower buds) covered with fluffy fluff of Tamushiba on the "Flower Terrace".

Among the plants that bear red fruits at this time, the holly mochi (cinna holly) is the mochi family. It is also distributed as a holly for Christmas decoration, but the original holly is a nearby tree. In addition, the Japanese holly is a different species in the family Mokusei. The shape of the leaves is similar, but in fact it ripens black-purple.

In the park, Japanese witch hazel, Snowdrop, which originally blooms around February, and Kingsari, which blooms around May, begin to bloom, and this year is a little unusual.

In addition, panda violets that resemble the color contrast of white and light purple petals as pandas, which gives a dignified impression even though it is small, Marbanoki with two back-to-back flowers like red starfish after falling leaves, and white calyx and red flowers You can enjoy crerodendron (Genpei Kazura) that resembles Genji and Heike.

　

From the left, Hiiragi Mochi, Manryo, Senryo, Miyamashikimi, Marbanoki　

From the left, Japanese witch hazel, Kingsari, Snowdrop, Panda Sumire, Crerodendrone

 

 

Discover a small bird that is unfamiliar to "Ukishima" near Aioi Bridge in Ishikawajima Park.

What a little grebe!

In Tokyo, I've seen it at Shinjuku Gyoen and Kasai Wild Bird Garden, but I've seen it.

It is a bird that can be seen all year round, and its summer feathers are dark brown, and now winter feathers are light brown.

The figure is plain, but diving is a great deal! The feet are on the buttocks like a ship screw, so you can dive for a few minutes.

You may have a hard time taking a picture because you look up from an unexpected place.

　

　

Are you greeting Mr. grey heron, the owner of Ishikawajima Park?

On this day, when I thought I had dived, I was appearing in the middle of the Sumida River.

I can't take a picture anymore.

　

On another day, on the same floating island, this time the Ooban!

The giant van is also a resident bird, but here in Ishikawajima Park, it only shows up in winter and occasionally.

　

　

It is a monotone with a black body and a white forehead, and in West it is a symbol of beauty and elegance from its color and personality.

On the other hand, in English, "the forehead is rising" is called as blad as coot (Oban).

　

　

The white forehead on the right is much larger than the one on the left.

That's a proof of adult bird! The ovan on the left is still a young bird.

Big water!　With the power of this foot, you're going to dive in the water.

When I meet the Ooban, I always think, but somehow, is it similar to "Kaonashi"?

　

There are spots that can be seen almost every day during the winter.

It is near the Kamejima sluice gate on the Kamejima River. You can see it from Minami Takahashi and from the terrace made this year.

It's black on the moored boat, so please look for it.

　

 

 

　

On Sunday, 27th, I walked along the banks of the Sumida River in Akashicho, close to Tsukiji. The other day, even though it was still November in Tokyo, the snow flickered and it became cold at a stretch.

It's cold today too. It's cold, so I'll cross to Tsukishima at Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge and eat Yamagata's potato boiled to warm it up.

　

　

Today is the day when the "Higashine-shi, Kawakita-cho sightseeing product fair" is held on Monja Street in Tsukishima. It has become an annual event. It's an event that I'm looking forward to eating delicious sweet potatoes.

　

Cross the Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge from Akashicho. Late autumn on the banks of Akashicho from here. It was very colorful and beautiful.

　

We crossed the bridge and arrived at Nishinaka-dori shopping street in Tsukishima. It is a shopping street that is famous as "Monja Street".

　

Oh~. I'm doing it. This is the season of apples and La France.

"Apple loading challenge". I stacked four and got a discount ticket.

　

Higashine City in Yamagata Prefecture is a friendship city town in Chuo-ku, and this year is a memorable year of the 25th anniversary of becoming a friendship city. .

June is a season when cherries grow, and it is a very attractive town, but it is not only that, but it is also a town full of "delicious things" all year round, and it is very irresistible for delicious food lovers.

　

Wow~~~ It's Yamagata's specialty "Tamakonjac".

I miss you. Since my parents are from Yamagata Prefecture, Tamakonjac is a "nostalgic taste" made by the mother. Somehow, it was very warm.

　

And now I'm looking for "Imoni".

Yamagata's potato boiled is made in a large pot with a large number of people gathering on the riverbank at an event called "Imonikai".

It's a hot pot dish that uses "taro", but don't think it's just taro juice.

The soy sauce-based seasoning also contains burdock, mushrooms, and konjac, but the meat is surprisingly gorgeous regional cuisine, where beef is always used.

When you make it at home, it doesn't have a good taste, so potato boiled in a large pot is still delicious.

　

Moreover, today's Higashine potato boiled contains "fu", a special product of Higashine. The taste soaked out and it was very delicious, and it was "replaced."

　

It was very impressive that some people living in Tsukishima brought their own pots and bought them with a familiar feeling. The people of Tsukishima already know this taste.

　

It is also famous for its delicious fu from the Muda district in Higashine. It is a specialty of Higashine.

　

Yamagata is a place where bean confectionery is also delicious. Is "Denroku" the most famous nationwide?

This is a sweet called "Fuuki Mame", which is made from softly boiled blue peas. It's an irresistible dish with a cheeky texture.

That's why I bought too much.　

　

　

Next year is the year of the rooster. 。

This is a craft sold at the booth in Kahoku-cho, a neighboring town in Higashine. It is a colorful and luxurious work that uses cloth dyed with "Safflower", a specialty of Kawakita Town.　

　

Kawakita Town is a town that sent "safflower" to Kyoto and Osaka by boat on the Mogami River during the Edo period. Now the Safflower Museum is located in this town, and in June last year Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress hunted cherries in Higashine and then stopped by this Safflower Museum.

　

That's why it was an event that somehow suits the town of Tsukishima, such as potato boiled and tamakonjac, but I hope that such exchanges will continue in the future.