Okayama Tour: Kurashiki

R still have 4 days left on her 18-Kippu so we agreed to do a day tour somewhere, the destination: Kurashiki.

I woke up around 4:30 AM yesterday and met up with R at Osaka Station before 6 AM. The train was 6 minutes late but we still arrived in Kurashiki Station by 9:30 AM.

JR Kurashiki Station

Before we start any walking , we have to get some breakfast first .

Kitsune Udon

 

On our way we found this weird thing outside one of the store

I love this alley .

Boat Ride

Ohara Museum

 

Information Building

 

Hello Kitty is just everywhere

 

Stores

Entrance to Kurashiki Ivy Square

 

Kurashiki Ivy Square

Museums, craft store , souvenir stores can be found inside the square.

Scenery Fan

I really wanted to get one this fan. It showed some scenery around Kurashiki but it was a bit pricey and fragile too, so I just me some postcards instead.

We found this croquet store and it looks so good.  I was not able to stop myself and I got a nice chili lobster croquet for 150 yen.

 

Usuki ,The City of Stone Buddha?

I was checking some of old picture and I found out that I have not yet blogged about my trip to Usuki, Oita Prefecture.  I went to Usuki last 2008 with N. It was not actually in our destination list, we found out some poster in the hostel and decided to check it out instead.

Usuki is an hour away from Beppu on JR Line, and it cost about 1000yen to get there.  We got there early,  and found out that there is a bus tour going around the city but very limited. I am not sure how much it was though but anybody can sign up. The  registration area is Usuki Station.

As far as I can remember, there were just about 2 foreigners there. Myself and another Caucasian lady.  It  was lively inside the bus.  N and I tried our best to translate to the other lady about the tour since it was all in Japanese.

Our first stop is in this Soy Sauce Factory ..

The Tank of Soy Sauce

Then we passed by at the shopping district but we did not stop to shop though. N and I went checked the place on our way back.

Shopping District

 

The tour guide also pointed out the ruins of castle, but I think I will post that in the next blog.

Then to our destination. The Stone Buddha.

The Valley

According to our guide, this little valley here was the where the stone carvers used to lived.

Incense

Little Stone Buddhas

Big Stone Buddha

To keep the carvings from further degradation, most of them are now housed.

The 7 Demigods?

I am just making that up, but the one in the middle is Buddha ( I think ) and there are 7 other gods surrounding him. Notice that colors are still very visible.

I wanted to take more pictures on the main Buddhas, but N was not that comfortable with it, though she did not say I must not I just felt that I should also respect her wishes. I have taken some pictures so I guess that was enough.

This is main website of Usuki City and The Sekibutsu ( Stone Buddha) .

Waterwalk: Nobidome

This is  a long overdue post, this was last April 2010

 

Together with other river folks, it was a nice day for walking.

” 野火止用水” – Literally means, ” Water for Stopping Wild Fire.” It is a long irrigation canal that have supported the simple life of Niza.

The place cannot be found on Tourist books, so I was really glad to join the walk.

We started out in JR Niza Station, and ended in Shiseki Koen, where a Spring festival was held.

I forgot my spare battery ( stupid) , was not able to take any picture at the festival. It was a very nice festival, with dancing, singing, and lots of cool stuff.

Then we took the bus to Higashi Kurume Sta. bound for Ikebukuro and Shibuya

JR Niza Station

Some Cherry Tree Along the Canal

Wild Birds Forest

The Promise of Spring

a wild flower or not

Heirinji

the temple and the sakura

a closer look

stable or a house ??

Astroboy Balloon

 

General Nogi’s Residence

General Nogi was a general during the Meiji Era of Japan who on the funeral of Emperor Meiji committed suicide together with his wife. I guess this a way of loyalty to the Emperor that they will follow him even to death.  The house and the stable remained frozen in time,

A shrine was also erected in honor of the couple. It just beside the house.

The nearest station would be Nogizaka on Chiyoda Line. Alternatively, you can take Ginza/Oedo/Hanzomon Line and get off AoyamaIcchome or Toei Oedo; Roppongi Station.

Nikko Part4: See no evil , Hear no Evil

My second day in Nikko was spent roaming around temples.

Kamakura

Rented a bicycle and cycled all around the area , it was great

got lost though but it was still fun.

a cave in Jufukuji Temple

buddha

the hand of an enlightened

the face of an enlightened

hachimangu shrine

the shrine

Dogo Onsen

( Front view@Night)

 

The oldest hot spring (onsen) in Japan. The main building is a three-story wooden structure and is designated as a national cultural asset. Both Shiki and Soseki use to bathe her in 1895.

 

 

( side view@Night)

 

 

 

(back view)

Ferris Wheel

Ferris Wheel @ Tempozan

Osaka City

Osaka Public Hall

Osaka Public Hall Osaka City