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Japanese drummers Geisha District

November 26, 2016 by David Herd

Near Higashi Chaya District

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Japanese drummers Geisha District Kanazawa is located along the Asanogawa river only five minutes walk from the larger more popular Higashi Chaya District. Geishas are the traditional, female Japanese entertainers who regularly perform in these areas.

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Japanese drummers Geisha District

The district overlooks the Asanogawa river & seems rather quiet & peaceful.

That was until I heard the sound of drums

Fabulous Japanese drummers

The noise seemed to be somewhere up on the hill so I took some narrow winding steps up to the top. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time, I was walking through Kazue-machi, the old geisha district located along the river between Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge and Naka-no Hashi Bridge, when I heard these fabulous drums.  

 Five minutes they added a flute

Japanese drummers + flute

I was so happy to be able to see these wonderful street performers in action. About ten days later I had some more good fortune in Nagasaki when I saw some more fabulous drummers doing their thin. Check out my photo blog through THIS LINK.

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Japanese drummers Geisha District

  Chaya houses have a beautiful lattice called “kimusuko” on the walls of the ground floor.

Tiny streets

Japanese drummers Geisha District

As you can see many of the streets are just tiny narrow alleys in Kazue Machi Chaya District Kanazawa.

Tea House

Japanese drummers Geisha District

 The historical rows in this tea-house town have been designated as Japan’s cultural assets since 2008.

Lattice is called “kimusuko”

Japanese drummers Geisha District

A typical Chaya house which is noe a tea house or restaurant.

 Many interesting buildings

Japanese drummers Geisha District

So many photo opportunities in Japan which is one of the many reasons I love travelling here.

Torii Gate

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Torii gates usually mark the entrance to Shinto shrines, however they seem to be used in many other areas as well.

Another example

Japanese drummers Geisha District

This large Torii gate is quite different to the previous one.

Toyoko Inn

Japanese drummers Geisha District

My hotel was great value in a perfect location, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount. Make sure you are in the downtown one, it’s more convenient than the one near the station.

You can take a bus but I prefer to walk

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The Busses leave from the front of Toyoko Inn. Turn left just before you cross the river to get to Kazue Machi Chaya District Kanazawa.

Thanks for visiting my Japanese drummers Geisha District Kanazawa photo blog.

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

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Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

November 25, 2016 by David Herd

Two-story Chaya houses

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa, Higashi Chaya is one of three similar districts in Kanazawa. The cities tourism department holds a Geisha show in these Chaya districts every Saturday. Another district is Kazue-machi which is featured in another post.

Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

  A chaya house has a beautiful lattice called “kimusuko” on the walls of the ground floor.

A close look at the lattice

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

Hopefully the rather large body of the well fed FiveStarVagabond does not stop you getting an idea of the  “kimusuko”.

Old Japanese Geisha Town Kanazawa

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

I’m guessing this is probably where the Geisha girls perform every Saturday.

A couple of locals sharing a happy moment.

 Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

The chaya houses used to be in central Kanazawa but were moved into four districts away from the city centre in 1820.

Photo opportunity

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

We all love photos to help us remember these wonderful places.

Hello boys

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

I’m sure the big guy on the right had an Australian accent.

Smile please

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

TripAdvisor rate the Higashi Chaya District 3rd out of 167 things to do in Kanazawa so naturally the tourists (including myself) flock here with their cameras.

Magnificent blue sky

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

How lucky was I to have this beautiful sky?

My hotel was great value in a perfect location, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

Time to relax with an icecream

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

A rather unique tradition in Kanazawa is to sprinkle edible gold leaf on top of ice cream and other food. Check out my Omicho Fresh Food Market Kanazawa photo blog for other examples.

 Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

This whole area along with Kazue-machi which is close by, and Gion in Kyoto have been designated as Japan’s cultural assets.

Just across the bridge is Kazue-machi

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

 Kazue-machi overlooks the Asanogawa river.

sound of drums

Fabulous Japanese drummers

The noise seemed to be somewhere up on the hill so I took some narrow winding steps up to the top. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time, I was walking through Kazue-machi, the old geisha district located along the river between Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge and Naka-no Hashi Bridge, when I heard these fabulous drums.  

More great homes

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

 Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa really has quite a wonderful unique style.

If you are feeling lazy

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

These guys are at your service. 🙂

But first lets negotiate the price. 🙂

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

It seems like a very friendly negotiation.

Lovely shop

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

Lots of nice shops & tea houses in Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa.

Toyoko Inn

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

 My hotel was great value in a perfect location, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount. Make sure you are in the downtown one, it’s more convenient than the one near the station.

Thanks for visiting my Old Geisha Town Kanazawa photo blog.

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

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Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

November 24, 2016 by David Herd

Omicho Seafood Market

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa, Omicho was a delight to visit, the noise, the atmosphere & the food. I enjoyed a terrific lunch with edible gold leaf sprinkled on my sashimi.

Fresh seafood packed on ice

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

The only problem I found was finding somewhere to sit after you purchased some food.

Fresh crab very good

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

These look great but reasonably expensive at 4,500 Yen.

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

There were lots of species here I was not familiar with.

Salmon roe is absolutely fantastic

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

I could almost eat it every day. 

My hotel was in a perfect location just a short walk to the market, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

So many choices

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

The market really does have an enormous variety of seafood.

Fresh fruit as well

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Being Japan the quality is very high indeed.

I decided to have lunch at one of the popular restaurants

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Very busy and excellent fresh sashimi.

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa, very crowded

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Well it was Sunday lunch time so I guess that is one of the busiest times to be there.

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa, check this out

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

The sashimi came in three sizes, I chose the middle one, it was excellent.

How about the edible gold leaf?

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Kanazawa’s history with gold leaf began 400 years ago. Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) used to make gold leaf, Kanazawa now is the only remaining production hub of the coveted craft. 

Lets have a closer look

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Naturally the leaf is used in jewelry, cosmetics etc as well as the edible product you see here.

Check out my YouTube video

Omicho seafood market Kanazawa Japan

The salmon roe is absolutely delicious.

Fresh oysters

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

I really love fresh oysters but I decided they were a little too expensive and I have five more cities to visit. 🙂

A great selection of seafood

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Omicho Market has been around for over 300 years, initially however it only supplied the privileged towns near the castle.  Finally in 1904, the market was opened to the public and ever since then has been one of the most popular places to shop in Kanazawa.

Sushizanmai

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

 Sushizanmai is my favourite chain of Japanese restaurants with the best one at Tsujiki markets in Tokyo. I have also eaten at their branch in Osaka & Fukuoka.

The market is 10 minutes walk from my hotel

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

You can take the bus but I prefer to walk.

Toyoko Inn

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

 My hotel was great value in a perfect location with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

Thanks for visiting my Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa photo blog. 

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Hiroshima city food transport

November 22, 2016 by David Herd

Ōta River Hiroshima

Hiroshima city food transport

Hiroshima city food transport

 Hiroshima city food transport, as you would expect the top four or five things to see in Hiroshima revolve around the shocking event on August 6th 1945. Sadly 140,000 people lost their lives when U.S. airmen unleashed the first atomic bomb on the unsuspecting Hiroshima civilians.

Three days later of course the repeated the horror at the beautiful city of Nagasaki.

Hiroshima Peace Clock Tower

Hiroshima city food transport

One of many symbolic monuments within the Memorial Peace Park the clock tower marks the exact time of the explosion, 8.15 am. 

The castle

Hiroshima city food transport

Reconstructed in 1958 after being totally destroyed by the bomb, a must to see when visiting this very nice city. Check out my photo blog through THIS LINK.

 Hiroshima streetcars

Hiroshima city food transport

Streetcars or trams are a great way to get around the city, however I prefer the bus. If you hold a JAL rail pass the bus is free, this particular one called the loop bus leaves from in front of the Hotel Granvia beside Hiroshima station. There are two different routes which take you past all the Hiroshima attractions, you simply hop on & off as many times as you wish. For a super room rate with free WiFi just book through THIS LINK.

Covered shopping arcades

Hiroshima city food transport

They are a common feature in most Japanese cities, rain hail or shine you can move around & shop in comfort.

Japanese Craft Beer Café

Hiroshima city food transport

Close to the railway station & my hotel is Raku Beer a Japanese Craft Beer Café, an interesting selection of excellent beer.  

Pour me another please.

 Hiroshima city food transport

There is a happy hour daily from 5pm to 7pm.

 Another great meal

Hiroshima city food transport

Many restaurants in Japan are noisy, busy and a lot oif fun & atmosphere. This one was all those things along with terrific food.

Barbequed chicken

Hiroshima city food transport

To my surprise they also sold Jack Daniels & Soda in large mugs.

Jack & soda with Crispy burdock root

Hiroshima city food transport

Now there’s a new combination.

Crispy burdock root

Hiroshima city food transport

 Crispy burdock root, a Eurasian species of plants in the sunflower family, cultivated in gardens for its root used as a vegetable. Not only had I never tried it, I had never heard of it before, apparently the nutritional benefits are quite high.

 My new friend

Hiroshima city food transport

Made sure I always had a JD & lots of food. 🙂

Daikichi

Hiroshima city food transport

I tried to look up the meaning of Daikichi & got several different explanations. 🙂

Hiroshima city food transport

Hiroshima city food transport

One of my best dining experiences so far on my seven Japanese cities adventure.

So many interesting bars & restaurants in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima city food transport

In fact it’s a case of so many bars & such little time. 🙂

Hiroshima city food transport

Hiroshima city food transport

 Wandering through the back streets is a marvelous experience in Japan, I don’t know of any safer country except perhaps Singapore.

Hiroshima at night

Hiroshima city food transport

In all Japanese cites there is always lots of neon lights.

A happy group of tourists

Hiroshima city food transport

Japan is a place where you can’t help being happy.

Even this old fellow looks happy

Hiroshima city food transport

He seems to have a large collection of colourful dolls.

A typical corner bar restaurant near my hotel

Hiroshima city food transport

You don’t have to walk far in Hiroshima to get a cold beer or some food.

Opposite my hotel

Hiroshima city food transport

The bridge take you to an elevator down to the underground arcade to the station.

Toyoko Inn

Hiroshima city food transport

My hotel is in a perfect location close to the station and a short walk to the major Hiroshima shopping area.

 Underground plaza

Hiroshima city food transport

From the railway station you walk through this underground arcade which brings youout about 80 meters from my hotel.

Good band playing in the plaza.

Good band playing in Hiroshima shopping mall

As well as entertainment there are coffee shops etc here.

Toyoko Inn

Hiroshima city food transport

Location is perfect & very good room with free WiFi. For an excellent rate just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Hiroshima city food transport photo blog, please check out my Nagasaki city blog on THIS LINK.

   

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Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

November 21, 2016 by David Herd

Castle entrance

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958 after being destroyed by the atomic bomb on August 6th 1945. Originally built in 1590 and there is concrete bunker where the first radio broadcast originated after the 1945 atomic bomb.

Bridge across the moat

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Originally there were three moats however today only the inner moat remains.

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

554575b0-7417-4cfc-b0c5-20879feacadf

The keep is a stunning five story 26 meter high building, very popular for selfies as you can imagine. 🙂

Let’s take a selfie

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

The selfie is nearly as popular with ladies as their handbag mirror. 🙂

I climbed the stairs to the top

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

From here you get a wonderful view of Hiroshima. This building is now a museum with an entry fee of 360 Yen, or $3.25 USD as at November 21 2016.

View from the top

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Up to now I have been very lucky to experience terrific weather, so much better for taking photographs.

Hiroshima population is 1,196,853

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

 Curiously there are 40,000 more females in the city than males.

Mountains in the distance

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

 Hiroshima Castle is just north of the Atomic Dome and the Peace Museum.

The atomic bomb

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Certainly one of the most horrific events ever in the history of the world. Please check out my photo blog on the Peace Memorial Park.

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958,  Museum

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Many interesting exhibits in the five story museum.

Gold plated roofing tile

 Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Roof tiles don’t get any fancier than this. 🙂

Dating back to the 16th century

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

I have never seen a better looking roof tile in my life. 🙂

A Samuri suit

 Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

I’m guessing this is what your well dressed Samuri wore in the 16th century, my apologies for the reflection on the glass cabinet.

Adjacent to the castle

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Forgive me for not knowing the purpose of this gate & building adjacent to the castle.

One of the most interesting visitors at the castle

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

When a lady visits the castle she needs to dress to impress. 🙂

Many thanks for visiting my Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958 photo blog.

My highly rated hotel was in the perfect location next to Hiroshima station and close to tram & bus stops. For  a discounted room rate & free WiFi just book through THIS LINK. 

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Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

November 20, 2016 by David Herd

Atomic Bomb Dome

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as expected was an emotional experience that I will never forget. Seventy one years ago at 8.15 am on August 6th 1945 U.S. pilots dropped an atomic bomb immediately killing 140,000 people. The Genbaku Dome you see above was the only building left standing near the centre of the bomb’s blast.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

The A-Bomb Dome from the Aioi Bridge, the bomb exploded right above the building, however the vertical columns in the building were somehow able to withstand the downward force of the blast.

It’s amazing the building survived

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

The bomb actually exploded 160 meters from the Dome & as you would expect everybody inside was killed instantly.

The Bell of Peace

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Built in 1964 to symbolize the creation of a movement for a world without nuclear weapons and war.

Dedication of the Peace Bell

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Of course as we all know, three days after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima they also bombed Nagasaki. Many people believe it was not necessary to wipe out another 70,000 civilians as Japan was on the point of surrendering.

Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

 The Cenotaph is inscribed, “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.”

Cenotaph & park

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

A memorial is held here every year on August 6th.

Flame of Peace

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Since it was lit on August 1, 1964 it has burned continuously to symbolize a commitment that all nuclear weapons should be removed from our planet.

Children’s Peace Monument

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

At two years of age Sadako Sasaki was exposed to the bombing, she contracted leukemia ten years later and died. Shocked by her death, her classmates called for a monument to mourn all the children who died from the atomic bombing. Credit City of Hiroshima.

For me this represents the saddest memory of all

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

The mass murder of thousands of innocent children in Hiroshima & Nagasaki is for me the saddest part of this horrific event which we can only hope will never be repeated.

Magnificent trees

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Located as you walk through the entrance of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Trees beside the flame of peace

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

In the distance you can see the Atomic Bomb Dome or Genbaku Dōmu.

Goddess of Peace

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

 Representing 3 religions, Angel’s wings for Christianity, Face of Buddha, & Shinto emblem on belt.

Obama visits Hiroshima

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

An historic meeting with Prime minister Abe on May 27 2016. Here are their speeches.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Thank you for visiting my Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park photo blog, we can only hope such a shocking event will never happen again.

How powerful was Hiroshima?

Atom bombs size

Compared to weapons of today it could be considered small, however that is not the case, it killed 140,000 people. 

Robert Lewis, the co-pilot of the U.S. bomber “Enola Gay,” later wrote, “My God what have we done?”
That horror, encapsulated by those few words, continues to resonate worldwide.

My highly rated hotel was in the perfect location next to Hiroshima station and close to tram & bus stops. For  a discounted room rate & free WiFi just book through THIS LINK. 

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Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

November 20, 2016 by David Herd

Too much sashimi is never enough

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori was on my list travelling from Hiroshima to Kagoshima on the Shinkansen, so I decided to spend 24 hours in Kumamoto to see the earthquake damage to the beautiful castle.

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

One of my passions is Japanese food, which help make my visits to the great country a total joy.

As for the sake

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Well that’s another story, it kind of sneaks up on you after 2 or 3 small bottles. Made from rice, “Sake” is an alcoholic beverage peculiar to Japan. It has a long history dating back to the 3rd century A.D.

Yakitori

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Plus edamame washed down with cold beer, delicious.

Lots of choices here

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Often language can be a barrier in Japan, however in restaurants like this you just have to point. 🙂

Seattles best coffee

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Any idea who they may be having a go at, and I wonder what Starbucks thinks of the name? 🙂

Seattle’s other coffee

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

From what I have read about Seattle it always seems to be raining, perhaps that’s why everybody sits in coffee shops because it’s too wet to go outside. 🙂

Their coffee & cake suits me

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

I must admit I am a Starbucks fan.

Covered arcades

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Japan in famous for it’s covered arcades which are simply shopping walkways crisscrossing the cities. Many as you can see have circular transparent domes running along the roof line letting in light and sunshine.

Pachinko

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Japanese people seem to be addicted to these noisy gambling parlors which occupy prime positions in all of the busy parts of a city. The pachinko machine is like a vertical pinball machine with no flippers and a large number of relatively small balls. The noise inside these parlors is so loud it certainly must have a detrimental effect on the hearing of their customers.

Heavily promoted

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

Walking past you are nearly knocked over by the noise. 🙂

 Trams fares are only 170 Yen

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

A great way to get around the city, comfortable & cheap.

I think upstairs is some sort of shrine

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

I couldn’t quite work out if this was a shrine or a temple.

Part of the ritual

Kumamoto trams sake yakitori

The people visiting here would step through this circle a number of times before continuing upstairs.

Toyoko Hotel

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

 

My budget hotel was in an excellent location, good rooms with free WiFi, for a great rate just book using THIS LINK.

     

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Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

November 19, 2016 by David Herd

Kumamoto Tram

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle, I was travelling on the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Kagoshima & decided to spend 24 hours in Kumamoto to see the earthquake damage to the beautiful castle. I am very glad I stopped, firstly the damage was more than I expected, secondly Kumamoto turned out to be yet another very interesting Japanese city. The colourful efficient trams were a great way to move around the city.

Comfortable, cheap & efficient

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

My hotel the Toyoko Inn was in a terrific location but I couldn’t check in until 3 pm so I took a tram to the castle and walked around the perimeter. 

First glimpse of the castle

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

My first reaction was there didn’t seem to be much damage, however I was totally wrong.

Not too much damage on this side

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

However the further around I went the worse the damage was.

The extent of the damage is starting to show

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Naturally the castle is closed due to the damage and lots of work is being carried out.

Crumbling walls

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Very few structures have survived the centuries since the castle’s construction in 1607. The original castle keep burnt down in 1877 just before the siege in in the Seinan Civil War.

Three years to repair wall

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

 The city hopes to repair the main keep within three years, while the rest of the grounds are expected to require about 20 years to be fully repaired.

What a mess

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Naturally as you would expect the castle grounds are closed to the public indefinitely until further notice. Knowing the nature of Japanese workmen they will ensure the repaired buildings and grounds will be close to perfect for the public to once again enjoy this great Japanese castle.

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

Thanks for visiting my Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle photo blog.

Toyoko Hotel

Earthquake damages Kumamoto Castle

My budget hotel was in an excellent location, good rooms with free WiFi, for a great rate just book using THIS LINK.

         Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

         

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Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

November 17, 2016 by David Herd

Peace Park Statue

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

Nagasaki Peace Park remembers Atom Bomb

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb which was dropped on the city August 9th 1945 instantly killing 74,000 civilians. The 9.7 meter statue was created in the hope this horrific tragic event will never be repeated.

Terrible statistics

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

 Man’s inhumanity to man, Makes countless thousands mourn! Robert Burns 1784.

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

Nagasaki Atom Bomb

The right hand is pointing to the sky signifying the threat of atomic weapons, the left arm points horizontally to represent the wish for peace.

 Fountain of Peace

Nagasaki Atom Bomb

The fountain is shaped like the wings of an angel, it was constructed to remember the poor tragic victims who died searching for water.

Nagasaki Peace Bell

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

The Bells of Nagasaki were set up in 1977 and each year are rung at the moment of silence at 11:02 on the anniversary of the terrible event which instantly killed 74,000 people.

On 9 August 1945, the US dropped the second atomic bomb ever deployed in conflict, hitting the Japanese industrial city of Nagasaki. From BBC News August 2015.

School children of Nagasaki

Nagasaki Atom Bomb

 On October 24 2016 I saw these Japanese students paying respect at the Nagasaki Peace Park. I spoke to one of the teachers who told me they were here for a “peace lesson”. I told the teacher visiting Nagasaka had an extra personal meaning for me, I explained that my late uncle was a prisoner in the mines during the war, and how he was liberated by the Americans, put on a train & passed through the still burning city of Nagasaki 3 days after the atomic bomb instantly killed 74,000 people.

Here is my uncle’s story written in 1980, https://fivestarvagabond.com/soldiers-incredible-story/

This was a very special moving experience for me, seeing & hearing these beautiful Japanese schoolchildren singing for peace at the Nagasaki Peace Park.

Nagasaki students sing for peace

 More school children

Nagasaki Peace Park remembers Atom Bomb

 Heiwa Kinen-zo statue at Nagasaki Peace Park, an extremely humbling emotional experience reading about the 74,000 people who were killed instantly in August 1945. The marvelous statue was built to pray for victims of atomic bomb.

 Orizuru or paper cranes

Nagasaki Peace Park remembers Atom Bomb

There is a lovely story behind these colourful paper cranes that are sent by people from all over the world, they have really become a symbol of peace. 

A moving & symbolic experience

Nagasaki Atom Bomb

This statue provided perhaps the most moving and symbolic experience in my life, maybe it was the connection with my late uncle, maybe it was the emotion generated by the children that were here being taught about peace, whatever the reason I shall never forget this day.

How powerful was Hiroshima & Nagasaki?

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

Compared to weapons of today it could be considered small, however that is not the case, it killed 140,000 people. 

Robert Lewis, the co-pilot of the U.S. bomber “Enola Gay,” later wrote, “My God what have we done?”
That horror, encapsulated by those few words, continues to resonate worldwide.

Standing Boy of Nagasaki

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

Please follow think link for the full story.

A young boy carries on his back the lifeless body of his younger brother, in the devastated city of Nagasaki after the atomic bomb. An American military photographer, Joe O’Donnell, took a picture of him standing stoically near a cremation pit. No one knows the boy’s name, but the photo has become an iconic image of the human tragedy of nuclear war. This program follows the continuing efforts to deepen understanding of the photograph, while exploring the fate of thousands of “atomic-bomb orphans” and their struggles to survive the aftermath of World War II.

My hotel was in a perfect location only a 10 minute tram ride to the Peace Park. Rated highly by AGODA, book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate with free WiFi.

Thank you for visiting my Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb photo blog.

Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou) - Kyu Sakamoto (English Translation and Lyrics)

                                            Here are some more posts to check out 

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Slide show here.

 
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Battleship Island Nagasaki

November 16, 2016 by David Herd

Ferry to Battleship Island aka Gunkanjima

Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine

Battleship Island Nagasaki

 Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine, has been abandoned since 1974. The real name is Hashima Island commonly known as Gunkanjima which translates to ‘Battleship Island’. The ferry trip takes just 45 minutes to reach the fascinating deserted island. 

Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine

Battleship Island Nagasaki

Here is our first glimpse of the “ghost island”, and yes it does look like a battleship. 🙂

Lookout or bird’s nest?

Battleship Island Nagasaki

Not too sure what this little house was used for but it is a good spot for a lookout.

We are almost at the dock

Battleship Island Nagasaki

Only a hundred meters to go before we leave the ferry for an hour to walk around the island.

OK, here we are at Battleship Island Nagasaki

Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine

We are all given a number in a plastic holder to wear around our neck, I guess they don’t want to leave anybody behind.

Crumbling walls & buildings

Battleship Island Nagasaki

According to our guide the destruction of walls & building is totally due to the regular typhoons that have pounded the island over the last 40 years.

The power of a typhoon

Battleship Island Nagasaki

It seems incredible that typhoons & storms can reduce concrete buildings to rubble.

Japanese guide

Battleship Island Nagasaki

 Our guide was excellent and told us a lot about the history of Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine. For instance, from 1887 the island was a very busy coal mining facility that employed thousands of workers. In 1959 there were over 5,200 people living on the 6.3 hectare of space which was Battleship Island, this in fact made it the most densely populated place per square meter on the planet.  

The boys from Sydney

Battleship Island Nagasaki

Doug & Waz are two lads from western Sydney I met on the ferry, we hooked up together & explored the island, then back in Nagasaki enjoyed many ice cold beers followed by an excellent Italian dinner.

 Aerial view of  Hashima Island

Battleship Island Nagasaki

This shot puts the island into perspective, credit to  Kntrty, Flickr Source: Supplied.

 Video of Battleship Island

Hashima Island is called Battleship Island

My apologies for the wind noise.

 Happy tourists

Battleship Island Nagasaki

  The island has been featured in several films and recently  being the inspiration for the villain’s lair in the James Bond movie Skyfall.

More boats approach the island

Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine

There seems to be a huge amount of tourists visiting the island, TripAdvisor rate it 3rd out of 242 things to do in Nagasaki.

The power of nature

Battleship Island Nagasaki

It seems hard to believe typhoons can cause such devastation.

Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine

Battleship Island Nagasaki

So as you can imagine after the mine mine closed in 1974 sadly Hashima Island gradually was reduced to ruins.

Make sure you take this interesting tour.

Battleship Island Nagasaki

The cost was 4,300 Yen & well worth the expense, here are the ferry details.

My hotel in Nagasaki was only a three minute walk to the station & a short tram ride to the ferry terminal. Rated highly by AGODA, book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate with free WiFi.

Standing Boy of Nagasaki

Nagasaki remembers Atom Bomb

Please follow think link for the full story.

A young boy carries on his back the lifeless body of his younger brother, in the devastated city of Nagasaki after the atomic bomb. An American military photographer, Joe O’Donnell, took a picture of him standing stoically near a cremation pit. No one knows the boy’s name, but the photo has become an iconic image of the human tragedy of nuclear war. This program follows the continuing efforts to deepen understanding of the photograph, while exploring the fate of thousands of “atomic-bomb orphans” and their struggles to survive the aftermath of World War II.

Thanks for visiting my Battleship Island Nagasaki coal mine photo blog, please check out my Nagasaki city blog on THIS LINK.

  Here are some more posts to check out 

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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 
 
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Fukuoka Hiroshima Sapporo Sendai

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