Tokorozawa Aviation Museum

Tokorozawa Aviation Museum is one of the must-see places in Tokorozawa City. It only takes a 8-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Line's Koku-Koen station to reach this place. It only takes around 40 minutes to reach this place from Shinjuku. It is right beside the public library and across the municipal hall. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30am to 5:00pm.

This museum has something to offer for both plane enthusiasts and those who are still exploring about planes. I myself am not a big fan of planes before I went to this museum but I was surprised with how much I enjoyed being in this museum. The museum has two main parts, the exhibition hall and the large scale theater. Tickets for the exhibition hall costs Y500 and Y600 for the theater. If you want to get both, you can get a discounted ticket at Y800.

The large scale theater has a large screen measuring 10 meters high and 20 meters wide. It can hold up to 200 people per screening. Movies run four times a day at 10:20am, 12:40pm, 2:20pm and 4:00pm. The movies would have been interesting but they are all in Japanese. I decided not to try the theater for this reason and instead only bought a ticket for the exhibition hall which I think is still worth it. I didn't feel that I actually missed something on not going to the theater.

 

In front of the museum is a large display of the Curtiss- Wright C 46 cargo plane, which was previously used by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in the 1950s.

Upon entering the museum, you will see this information board with several interesting flyers not only about airplanes but also about some events in the Tokorozawa area. There's even a promotional flyer of the movie Zero starring Okada Junichi, Miura Haruma and Inoue Mao. On the right side of the entrance, there are also several pilot uniforms of several sizes with matching hats that you can wear for picture-taking purposes. There are also sizes for kids.

The exhibition hall offers several interesting areas such as the Runway and Apron, where real planes and helicopters previously used by the Japanese defense forces are on display.

You can even board some of them, sit on the pilot's seat and move the plane's wings and tail. However, it is important to note that the controls should be handled with care.

There are also disassembled parts of the planes like motors, seats, propellers, wheels, etc. In the History of Tokorozawa, there are photos of famous people from Tokorozawa Saitama who had been involved in Japanese aviation. There are also old flying suits and gloves.

The Hangar tells the history of aviation. There is a special part dedicated solely to the Wright Brothers, the first ones who succeeded in flying the world's first engine-powered flight. In the Control Tower, there are replicas of actual control units used for controlling air traffic. There are also flight simulation devices where you can try to fly and land a plane.

In the Laboratory, there are videos and illustrations that show how the planes and helicopters, like insects and birds, are able to fly. If you press the red button, this rocket will fly up in the air.

This is an interesting scale that would determine how many balloons are needed to lift you high up in the sky.

 

This is an example of only one among many flight simulation devices in the museum. You can try flying the model helicopter in front of you by controlling the joy stick and pressing some buttons.

Additional attractions that are worth trying are: the workshop, where you will be taught some experiments and handicrafts related to airplanes; the sky hope, a flight simulator for flying a helicopter; and the space walker, which allows you to experience various types of gravity.

The museum is small but because there are a lot of things to do inside, it will take an average of two hours to explore the place. If you would want to try all the simulation devices, it might take longer. Also expect that there will be more people and longer lines on the simulation devices during weekends.

Koku-koen

The Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park is a 50-hectare park where Japan' first airfield was established in 1911. At present, this airfield was already converted to a memorial park where people can go watch the cherry blossoms in spring or build a snowman in winter. The old runway can still be recognized until now.

Adjacent to the park is the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum that not only hosts some historical planes that were preserved for decades, but also tells the history of aviation in Japan. Within the vicinity of the park, just across the museum, is the public library. Surprisingly, the library has some books in English.

Across this beautiful pond and pagoda is a traditional tea house where (if fortunate to grab a good seat near the window) this beautiful and relaxing view can be observed. It takes only an 8-minute walk from the Koku-Koen station of the Seibu Shinjuku Line to reach this hidden paradise.

Japanese Food in Manila: John and Yoko

When I was out for a stroll in Greenbelt 5 in Makati City, Philippines, I passed by this restaurant named John and Yoko. The name interested me good enough, but what interested me more was that it is a Japanese restaurant. The Beatles fan in me flailed in excitement at the thought of the name, but the food enthusiast in me (and yes, my rumbling stomach too) wanted to try what kind of Japanese food they offer. 

I tried the pork gyudon set meal with lots and lots of onions and mushroom. Honestly, there is nothing really special with their food. It's just a normal gyudon set that is actually quite pricey for such a meal. Prices in this restaurant range from P300-P600 per set. I think you can get Japanese food with the same (or maybe better) quality as compared to this for a much cheaper price.

The ambiance in the restaurant is also quite average. It is not as posh as I expected restaurants in Greenbelt to be but it's not bad at all. Lights in the restaurant are quite dim and reddish. What attracted me were the colorful drawings of Japanese characters on the wall and on the chairs.

My experience in John and Yoko was not amazing but it's not so bad that I would not want to go back anymore. I would still consider giving it a second try if I find myself anywhere in the area. I still want to try their sushi, who knows, it might be their redeeming factor.

Need to Make a Phonecall?

 

A really ancient-looking phone booth outside the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

Spotted this dilapidated phone booth in Takayama, Gifu.

A Walk in the Clouds

This is the view from my window when I was on the plane on my way to Tokyo last Septwmber 9, 2014, one day after my 26th birthday. God beautifully sculpted the clouds to welcome me as I pass by towards the land of my new beginning. 

Cookies from my Student

        One of my students, a retired old man, in my English class today brought me some really yummy cookies from Tully's. How nice of him to remember me before he came to class. The last time, he gave me a really cute Disney Towel featuring Minnie and Mickey Mouse as a souvenir because we thought it was going to be the last time I'd teach his class. Unexpectedly, he became my student again in another class. 

          

          The Japanese people might seem shy and stoic some time, but I tell you, there are a lot of nice, thoughtful ones out there.

The View of Tokyo from Mt. Takao

Outside the Palace Courts

guardhouse in edo castle

This beautiful traditional Japanese architecture greets you at the gate of the Imperial Palace. Every year, during Emeperor Akihito's birthday on December 23, the palace gates are opened to the public and the emperor makes a public appearance.