Just a minute's walk from Shimoakazuka Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, one of the most popular bakeries in the area is "Bakery Brangelie Ken".

There are more than 40 kinds of breads lined up in the store, from standard baguettes and breads to croissants and bagels! Depending on the type of bread, we use 13 different types of flours, including those from Japan, Canada, and Europe, and ferment them for a long time to bring out the "flavor of the flour" to the fullest.

Although I was overwhelmed by the variety of dishes on the menu, I made sure to get the baguette sandwich I was looking for, the "cask root," and enjoyed it in the pleasant park!

Hello Cycling, a shared bike service, is by far the most convenient way to get around and explore Itabashi Ward. The Akatsuka area is full of things to see and do, so it's a good thing I registered as a member!

On the day of the ride, use the app to find the nearest station, select a bike, and complete the reservation.

If you register your IC card such as Suica or Pasmo, you don't need to make a reservation in advance or enter a password. It's as easy to use as if it were your own bike!

Check your brakes, handlebars, and other safety features before you ride. If you find something you don't like, return it within three minutes of use and you will not be charged. Once you have adjusted the saddle height, you are ready to start cycling.

Metropolitan Akatsuka Park is the largest park in the Akatsuka area, with sports facilities, a barbecue plaza, and a fountain plaza where you can play in the water in the summer. There are several multi-functional restrooms and baby beds in the park, so you can enjoy a full day of fun with your children.

One of my favorite places is the natural forest, which includes a bird sanctuary and the native habitat of the ward's flower, the herringbone.

We enjoy a picnic lunch on the spacious lawn. As you chat in the liberating scenery, your busy life will soon fade away.

Which one should we start with? It's fun to get lost in the moment, drink in hand!

I put the Frisbee in my bag and found myself completely absorbed in it.

On the way, I saw a blue slide that caught my attention, so I decided to stop by. This was the Red Plum Park. It was crowded with many parents and children, but this seemed to be the most popular.

I've never seen such a long roller slide! I couldn't help but feel like a child again and get excited. I climbed and slid, climbed and slid, and joined the children in repeating the process five times!

I heard that this place was associated with Takashima Shuho, played by Tamaki Hiroshi in NHK's historical drama "Ao Ten wo Tsuke", so I decided to visit.

It is said that when Takashima Akiho, who advocated the introduction of Western military technology to the Shogunate, unveiled the latest in Western artillery, he set up his headquarters here. There is a monument to honor his achievements.

I wonder if he was as handsome as Tamaki-san. Thinking about Takashima Akiho, we walked through the precincts of Shogetsuin, a famous temple founded in 1492.

Yes, let's go to Kyoto (wind). So here we are at Takenoko Park, one of the most popular social networking spots.

The explanatory board next to the bamboo grove, "The Story of Bamboo," is interesting and very informative! Did you know the difference between sasa, bamboo, and bamboo?

A photo session with a bamboo grove in the background in the mood for a walk in Sagano. I'll upload it to social media as soon as possible. It was fun!

This building is the former Tanaka family residence, which was moved to the garden of the local museum. Furniture and household utensils from that time are on display, allowing visitors to remember life from the late Edo period to the Meiji period.

I wonder why old houses make me feel so at home. I love the veranda.

After visiting Shogetsuin, we suddenly became fans of Dr. Takashima Akiho. In the local museum, there is a display of Western-style guns and shells that he used. It is a must-see for fans of the historical drama and those interested in the end of the Edo period.

The Itabashi Art Museum was renovated the year before last and has become very stylish.

The entrance to the second floor exhibition room is like a stage for a wedding photo shoot.

In the bright lounge with its large single-panel table, you can take your time to read the catalogue and other exhibition flyers.

When I left the museum, I heard a dog barking. As if lured by the sound, I went there and found a soft-serve ice cream store. And then, to my surprise, a goat appeared! Why is a goat here? With soft-serve ice cream in hand, we asked Mr. Ikeda, the owner of the store, to tell us about it.

Mr. Ikeda brings his two dogs and one goat to the store in turn. Once they get to the store, the neighbors take them out for a walk. For food, people from restaurants in Akatsuka sometimes bring in leftover food. That's why all three animals are so healthy. Be sure to stop by when you visit the local museum or art museum! Choco and Kiri, the dogs, and Bass, the signature goat, are waiting for you!

I heard that there is a famous waterfall nearby. And I found it on the map of "Burari, Itabashi".

The waterfall is now a small stream, but it has been a place for misogi since ancient times. I prayed to the waterfall, which had never run dry even in a drought, that I would be a woman who would never run dry.

Looking back on the day (photos) while enjoying Soba-mae at a famous handmade Soba restaurant.

We finished our day in Itabashi with a sumptuous meal of Soba noodles with duck soup and another specialty of Hibikian, Udon noodles with egg (Udon noodles are also handmade!). (Udon noodles are also handmade!) to finish off a very satisfying day spent in Itabashi. Well, it was fun. I'll miss it, but I'll be back!