Tottori, Japan’s sand dunes

well i was surprised when one of the Japanese host-mother told me that there’s sand dunes in Japan (mini desert). and i made it a point to visit the place. well if u’re planning to head there, i think it’s best to take a train (Super Hakuta) from Kyoto to Tottori(JR pass holders need to pay about 1200yen+). which takes about 2-3hrs, and from the train station u’ll have to take a bus service there which takes about 20mins (300yen)

many local visit the sand dunes and i don’t really see any foreigners over there, like the ang mohs in general. well it’s kinda crowded.. so i walked 10 minutes away from the crowd that gathers for a super nice view of the vastness.. and found a nice spot on my own to enjoy this superb priceless view.

it was nice to soak myself in the sun and wander into the vastness of the space in front.

Steam Locomotive Train Ride, Yamaguchi

Japan’s Steam Locomotive train ride fr Yamaguchi train station to Tsuwano Train Station.. it takes about 2hrs in total. Quite disappointed that they didn’t have the preserved carriages as the brochure or my ticket claim to have. But Tsuwano’s a nice quiet town, interesting museum of Hokusai paintings, ceramics and tourists’ shops. u could rent a bicycle and cycle around town there.. as for me i took a walk and spent about 2hrs walking and exploring the town. After which i headed back to Yamaguchi via the normal JR train.. which was much faster… i would have died of boredom if i return with the steam locomotive.

Yamaguchi, Akiyoshi Cave and Plateau

it is here that i thought about Haruki Murakami’s Inklings.. maybe lurking around or just chilling out on the ceilings… very few tourists and not much locals over there.. 1200 yen for entrance fee.. no drinks.. no torch-light (bring your own)..anyway it’s my 1st time in a cave.. and i enjoyed the space and the mysterious element of it.. esp when it’s not crowded.. it somehow feels like an adventure..

If u’re in Yamaguchi.. do make it a point to visit this place.. scenic.. quiet.. vast and beautiful. After u exit the cave, walk 20 mins uphill and u’ll reach this scenic view.. sky was filled with rain clouds and the wind was pleasant… chatted with the lady selling the typical Japanese ice-cream and her friend who makes grasshoppers with wild grass… after that headed back to the hotel and got myself something good for dinner, fried rice & fried chicken for about 1000yen… got to fill myself with some oily stuff man..

Japan’s Science Experiment

While in Hiroshima i watched this wacky variety show… another one of those crazy and super fun ideas they thought about.. the effects of a rubber-band from 1m-100m… hahahaha imagine the pain and the anticipation….

Himeji Caslte

Himeji Castle, one of the must visit castles in Japan.. famous for it’s defensive architectural design, confusing maze that leads to the keep.. that goes in a spiral pattern so that the enemies can be watched and shot at.. well it wasn’t ever attacked by anyone, so that defense system was never tested.. hahahaha but it takes me about 2hrs plus to explore the castle…it’s huge and seems as if i was transported back in time, maybe we could all dress up and pretend to be some soldiers or someone of that era and u’ll just fit into the environment…. the original structures are still there, steep stairs, rooms, etc.. i prefer it this way than seeing one with a lift in a castle…

well before u visit the caslte.. maybe u wanna try visiting the zoo just beside the castle.. hahahahaa it’s not my interest to look at animals, whether i’ve seen it before or not.. inside a cage looking at me.. maybe waiting for a staring game.. rather visit these animals in their natural homes.. and have a cup of teh-o with each of them..

Hiroshima – Peace Pagoda

In the picture on the left, you will see the pagoda near to the top right corner.. it’s about 236m in height. Along the damn steep way up there are a few shrines u can visit…

The route up was very quiet.. no tourists, nobody in sight on this hot morning… and at certain points the path merge with the woods and suddenly u’re removed from the city into another space… along the way u’ll encounter some snakes… hahahahaha.. 1st time i saw so many snakes in one day.. ( even in my own studio at Jalan Bahar… only saw one in my 2 years there )

The Peace Pagoda was built in 1966 as a symbol of Peace from the people living in Hiroshima. It’s a nice chill out spot… no tourists, few locals coming and going for a walk or a smoke.. or just chilling out.. played the udu drum there.. and at one pt had a hard time trying to explain what it was… hahahahahaa

A picture of Hiroshima’s streetcar a.k.a trams

Miyajima Island.

Japan Railway Pass-holders-> free ferry ride to Miyajima Island, Hiroshima. I was there at about 8.30am, quite misty and cooling.

for animal lovers… they have deers chilling out all over the island, you can feed them…but they’ll pester you all the way, not to mention licking your butt too.

The Japanese there seriously got a super sense of humour….

on the cable-car up to the half-way point of the small mountain there….about 1200 yen 2-way..

in the pic on the left, if u click and see…u’ll see this little check-point at the back on the peak of the small mountain there.. that’s how far i walked.. but it was fun and an easy walk, just a little steep sometimes… haahhaaha

The journey up to the top of the 536m above sea level Mt Misen.

around the island, there are pagoda, shrines, monks, hungry deers, many japanese shops selling their traditional crafts, etc.. so i took my time walking around the little town before taking my lunch at a nice Japanese restaurant, where i had Okonomiyaki ( Hiroshima’s famous dish ) wooooooooooooooo.. it came in a giant serving.. i could only finish 3/4 of it…

A Day In Hiroshima

The A-Bomb Dome… the remains of the concrete building after the Atomic Bomb Exploded above it.. standing alone now at the site of ground zero… a memorial of war, chaos, helplessness, fear and also World Peace.

It’s an amazing place to be… once u get off JR- Hiroshima  station.. you greeted by  crowds, pretty girls of course… shopping malls, beautiful motor-cycles…etc.  Then when u enter the Atomic Bomb Museum.. wooo.. so many people are crying.. foreigners (gaijin), the young and the ol japanese people… i have to try my very best not to be affected by this emotional scene.. it’s even tough when u watch videos of survivors, or read about what happened to some of them at the time and after the bomb exploded.

Shadows left behind by those incinerated by the heat, ceramics that fused and melted, metals deformed.. imagine the heat man… and the heat on those dead / survivors skin.. well do make it a point to go Hiroshima… will post another set of pics of Hiroshima another day… Miyajima Island.. and some pics of food

Matsumoto, Japan

Matsumoto, Japan. one of the mountainous region in the country. An art museum that has collections of Yayoi Kusama’s works. It was a super great experience to be there personally to look at the her works. Also visit the Matsumoto Castle, and experience the life of the people living there..many many years ago. The stairs are damn steep…some beams are damn low.. i had enough of hitting my head during my homestay..so i’m skilled at avoiding them now… also interesting contents and design of the castles of Japan. Matsumoto is about 2hrs on the JR train from Nagoya Station.

Clouds

some pictures of the clouds along Kariya-cho, Tokoname, Japan. It’s just 5 minutes by bicycle to the spot where i always  sit there after work to enjoy the wind, and the beautiful scene.