The initial co-ordinates will put you in the general vicinity of the initial clues but there is nothing relevant at these co-ordinates.
This cache takes you to some of the Japanese related establishments and memorials around the City of Glen Eira. Finding this cache will involve travelling over a distance of approx 8km (or more if you get the clues wrong) so a car or bicycle is recommended. You can complete this cache on foot, however, it may take you several hours to complete, especially if you stop at some of the attractions along the way.
Read this description in full because you may need to do some homework before heading out on the road.
Glen Eira has a Japanese Sister City which I have called MYSTERY, but is also known as the City of Water. It is situated in the central part of Honshu, the largest of the four main islands of Japan, and is about 230km south-west of Tokyo. It is the second largest city in the Gifu Prefecture, with a population of more than 153,900 residents.
The Friendly Cities relationship with MYSTERY began with the City of Caulfield in 1990. This relationship was reaffirmed with the City of Glen Eira in January 1998. It has been fostered with the mutual goals of strengthening international friendship, peace and understanding. Under the relationship, the two cities strive to develop mutual exchanges and co-operation in areas such as commerce, education, information, culture and tourism.
The relationship gives Glen Eira residents the opportunity to learn more about Japan — its history, people and culture. Council has a Friendly Cities Advisory Committee which nurtures the partnership with MYSTERY, hosts visitors from MYSTERY and co-ordinates an annual student exchange to the Japanese city.
To find the first waypoint, what is the real name of the city I call MYSTERY? The first waypoint will be at the co-ordinates next to the city you have chosen.
- for Asuke use S37° 53.225' E145° 01.384'
- for Ogaki use S37° 53.219' E145° 01.354'
- for Misho use S37° 53.168' E145° 00.916'
- for Otaki use S37° 53.353' E145° 02.414'
- for Seika use S37° 53.119' E145° 00.454'
WAYPOINT 1
If you chose the correct city and its corresponding co-ordinate, you will be standing across the road from an eating place in keeping with the theme of this cache.
The last four digits of telephone number are ABCD
The last three digits of the street number are EFG
Make your way to the second waypoint which is located at...
S 37° (B-D)(D-1).(D+1)(D+2)(G-E)'
E 145° (F+C)(A-E).(B-E)(D+4)(D-2)'
WAYPOINT 2
Near this co-ordinate you will find a place of learning, once again in keeping with the cache theme. Facing the establishment, you will see a sign consisting of a single line.
The name of this place consists of H words.
The third word contains J letters.
Nearby, you will find a map painted on a wall.
There are K characters in the first line of the LARGE Japanese characters. You will have to decide what constitutes a Japanese character. It's not too hard!
Make your way to the third waypoint which is located at...
S 37° (F+H)(E-J).(E+F)(C-F)(K-H)'
E 145° (C+F)(J-H).(G-J)(E-H)(G-D)'
WAYPOINT 3
At these co-ordinates you will be near a uniquely designed seat in a potentially tranquil Japanese Garden. Too bad about the nearby traffic noise. Sit down for a while and enjoy the simple pleasures of this hidden garden.
In January 2001, this Japanese garden was opened in a tranquil corner of this public building. The garden symbolises this organisation's strong link with Japan, and contains all the elements of a traditional Japanese garden.
Designed by John Patrick Pty Ltd in association with Japanese Landscape Architect Koji Ninomiya, the garden reveals many of the traditional strands of Japanese landscaping, in the form of a Stone Garden.
Features of the garden include running water, rough-hewn and river-smooth stones, raked gravel areas, a large stone Japanese lantern, a bamboo fence and a small pergola. It is planted with small flowering trees and evergreen shrubs, most of which are native to Japan.
Can you see some text carved into a dark stone nearby? There are four large Japanese characters near the middle of this stone tablet. Three of the characters are of Chinese origin and are known as Kanji. The third character in the set of four is a unique Japanese character which can be found in a HIRAGANA syllabary chart. Remember... "Google can be your friend!"
To find the value of L substitute the number located next to the sound made by this HIRAGANA character. Remember... "Google can be your friend!"
ta=0 wa=1 shi=2 no=3 ka=4 ya=5 mo=6 ri=7 tsu=8 fu=9
How many square windows M in the upper section of the stone lantern?
How many horizontal bamboo supports N on the small fence across the stone bridge?
The fence has been removed. The answer to N is 2
You are now ready to make your way to the fourth waypoint located at...
S 37° (K-N)(L+F).(J-M)(D+H)(N+C)'
E 145° (A-B)(C+F).(M-L)(N+L)(E-K)'
WAYPOINT 4
Near these co-ordinates, you will find a well known Japanese establishment from which you can obtain supplies that may be difficult to find in an ordinary Western-style shop. You can also eat delicious food here.
The street number of this establishment is PQR
This place has moved. After you get the street number, add 1 to Q, add 1 to R.
Proceed by car or other transport to the next waypoint which is approximately 3km away.
S 37° (P+Q)(Q+F).(J-Q)(G-L)(P-N)'
E 145° (E-R)(D-P).(J-H)(D+Q)(G-A)'
WAYPOINT 5
At the fifth waypoint you will see a gate that is open every day between the hours of 9am and 4:30pm. Just outside the gate you will see a small bright blue plaque.
Robert Hoddle was involved with this place in the year STUV
Proceed on foot through the gate to the sixth waypoint.
S 37° (L+N)(V+F).(Q+U)(N+P)(U-L)'
E 145° (M-J)(T-R).(V-S)(S+H)(E+V)'
WAYPOINT 6
Here you will find a memorial to one of only two Japanese people in this place. The age of this person is WX
Now find the second Japanese person mentioned by name in this area. These co-ordinates should greatly ease your burdon.
S 37° (W-N)(X-H).(X+F)(L+P)(T-Q)'
E 145° (U-H)(W-K).(W-X)(U+N)(L-N)'
WAYPOINT 7
How strange that this person has the same surname as the previous one that we found. Yet they are on opposite sides of these grounds.
How many HORIZONTAL lines are part of the second KANJI character? Y
How many daughters are mentioned? Z
You should now have all the clues required to find the cache. It is only a short walk from here.
THE CACHE
S 37° (L+N-F)Q.MWU'
E 145° (L-Z-V)C.NFB'
The cache had to be moved due to construction work at the final GZ but the new location is still within 100m of the original. I moved the cache at 4pm on 25/11/2005.
You will find a small clip-top container with a blue lid containing a number of items that have a Japanese theme. If possible, swaps should keep to the Japanese theme but it is not mandatory.
Please make sure the container is well hidden before you leave.