Another Naritasan, Naritasan Park

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Daihondo (Great Main) Hall of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
You may have visited Naritasan Shinshoji Temple which is one of the most popular temples in Japan. Since it is in 30 minute distance from Narita Airport by train & walk, you can easily visit this temple if you stay in Narita area or transit at Narita Airport. However, the temple is not the only place where you should visit in Narita. What I would like to introduce you in this time is not the temple itself but "Naritasan Park" in its grounds.
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Ryuchi-no-Ike Pond in spring [photo from the official website of Naritasan Shinshoji]
This is a large park where visitors can enjoy flowers of all seasons, such as plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, etc.
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Yuhi-no-Taki Falls
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Tree-shaded walkways along the river
It is located on the right hand side of the Great Main Hall of the temple. There are waterfalls, big ponds and tree-shaded walkways. You can enjoy walking in the green forest. I recommend  you to visit this park if you have a half day free in Narita. If you would also like to visit the temple and its related buildings, I had better go with a guide. There are several historic buildings, but it may be difficult to understand each deeply only by the information board or a guide map. Have a nice stay in Japan!   [もう一つの成田山、成田山公園] 日本で一番有名なお寺の一つ、成田山新勝寺へは行ったことがあるかも知れません。成田空港から電車と徒歩で30分ほどの距離なので、成田市内に宿泊のとき、あるいは成田空港で乗り継ぎのときは、行きやすい場所ですね。でも、成田で行くべき場所は新勝寺だけではないんですよ!今回ご紹介するのはお寺ではなく、同じ敷地内にある成田山公園です。 成田山公園は、梅や桜、菊など四季折々の花々を楽しめる大きな公園です。新勝寺大本堂の右手に位置し、公園内には滝や池、木陰の散歩道などがあるので、緑の森の中で散歩を楽しめます。もし、成田で半日自由な時間があったら、ぜひ行ってみて下さいね! でも、お寺や関連施設にも行きたいときは、ガイドと一緒の方が良いかもしれません。様々な歴史的建造物があり、案内板やガイドマップだけでは理解するのが難しいからです。 それでは、日本を楽しんでください!