Fukayama

Made it to Fukayama today around noon. It's nice how much distance you can travel on the Shinkansen conveniently and quickly. Though a good portion was coming back on a slower local line from Nagasaki that follows the coast south. You're forced to due to the local geography. Not that I'm complaining. It's an absolutely beautiful ride. I think this might have been one of the rides I read about that suggest specifically to take a route like this. Lucky for me I ended up on it without having to know!

First stop was to drop off my bag and while I was waiting for my phone to load the map a lovely young lady, named Yoko, came up and asked me where I was going. After telling her, she gave me a route and walked with me for part of it as it was on her way. Was a nice surprise to have some company while lugging my stuff around!

One thing I look for after getting off the train I usually go the local information counter. There's one at all the larger stations and it's a good spot to ask questions. Most will be able to speak English as well. Since I know I want to go to Onomichi tomorrow I thought it prudent to ask. At the counter I ran into a very kindly and uhm.. interesting Japanese man who took interest in me. After some miming and a good amount of trying to figure out what he was saying I figured out he was asking me if I was looking for local information. After I told him I understood and yes, he pointed me to the place I was standing right in front of. And so began 2-3 hours of walking around/being followed by my new friend.

The Fukayama station is right next to the Fukayama castle. So of course I went here first with my friend. He showed me around, sent me up certain spots to take a picture, and introduced me to a looooot of people. Well, sort of introduced. I have a feeling he was trying to get me a date a couple of times. Still not entirely sure but I at least knew how to excuse myself and keep him moving on. Silly fellow.

Here's my guide and I. A local band that had been performing was our photographer!

It wasn't the most sunny of days but the cherry blossoms are always fun to look at. There was another tree with blossoms that I'll have to take a picture of tomorrow so I can try and figure out what it was. I'll never get tired of looking at these (though you may if you haven't already!).

He was literally a guide. Using hand motions for follow, stop, go left go right etc etc. He took me to two shrines after I showed him one of the things I'm doing in Japan. He was a really nice fellow and I enjoyed walking around with him. Even if he was a little persistant. We were able to communicate to an ok degree. If I remember right he was from one of the islands not too far away. Manabe Island? Something like that.  We had a little misunderstanding and he thought I was going to Onomichi today (I'll go tomorrow) and we parted ways as I went to my "train" to go there. Thank You rail pass.

Since I felt like I should wait a little bit before going back out the gate. Since I didn't really want to be embarrassed and run into the man again. I sat down on the bench after taking these pictures.

Perhaps by sheer fate the lovely young lady whom I had run into when just arriving was on her way home and we picked up talking again where we'd left off. And in that saving me from having to risk leaving the station too soon. Yoko is super sweet, sugoi kawaii, and we ended up spending a good amount of time together in her home town (about 8 min train ride away). She'd been in Australia on exchange till January and has excellent English skills. 

She showed me to a local shine and I got my first fortune ever. They're written on little slips of paper that you then tie around a post to help your fortune come true. A fun little experience that I'd not had yet. After that we stopped and got some okonomiyaki for dinner. Hiroshima style. First time I'd actually got to watch it be made. It's somewhat like an omelet with cabbage and noodles layered underneath.  Not too far off and I'll be able to try Osaka style too! It's quite delicious.

On our walk around we passed the Chou-chou Pain Factory. I'm honestly curious what went into the translation. It looked like a good bakery though. We parted ways after dinner and I'm genuinely happy I ran into her after that first introduction. She's a very sweet and lovely person and was by far the highlight of the day. I like meeting people!

Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park and one of the 3 best views at night in the world

Went to the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park and Museum today. I'd have to say it's a very different feel than the one in Hiroshima. Maybe more of what I expected to find in the first place.

Monument marking ground 0.

The museum inside in particular is what I had first expected to find in Hiroshima. Nagasaki has a very sad history and the bomb sure didn't help. It really is such a horrible thing to have had happen once. And then twice is just stupid.

The geography of Nagasaki and city planning at the time is such that the bomb had a completely different result so Hiroshima. Due to the buildings being so close together, much of what would have stayed standing was then burned to the ground. It was literally an entire city put to the ground. They had projections that it would be decades before things would grow again.

But it grew faster than that. It's a truly pretty city. I love the mountainous area and all that it holds. I've always had a soft spot for them and I can tell it has an effect on locations that I like!

One of the caretakers of this temple really wanted to take my picture with the name. She was a very sweet old lady who also gave me a map to the local highlights on the area. There are two temples quite close together: Seisuiji and Sofukuji. If memory serves these were both Buddhist temples.

Stop for a little lunch of Tonkatsu. Grind up your own sesame seeds and then pour a sauce that into it that you then use to dip your food in. Quite good.

Then make a little friend you find in a pet shop/rescue along the way. This one was nice and relatively clam. Only playful nibbles. His neighbor (who was a bit older) must have had sugar for breakfast. He didn't stop moving and was more past a gnaw than a nibble.

China Town

And then to the Confucius Shrine and Historical museum of China. It was a little odd what they had in the museum of China. One, it was a little bit random to find (though because Nagasaki is a port city it had a lot of outside influence as well as population). Two, the things inside were random too. A selection sent from China and not necessarily what was related to the Chinese in Nagasaki. My take at least.

My candle on the right. Used a little bit of Japanese with the man keeping watch. Kind of getting better with it~

Then up we go to a mountain overlooking the city. It's supposed to be one of the 3 best night views in the world. I went up before night fell to get some additional shots.

Apologies for any crappy imagery. Still can't really pick what is going up. Have to kind of guess.

And dinner:

Rainy day in Nagasaki

Left Hiroshima today and on to Nagasaki. With it being spring break it sort of forced me to leave Hiroshima a bit earlier than I had anticipated because I was only able to book my hotel until Saturday. At this point I can't say that I'm at all sad about it! Actually, I'm quite happy it pushed me on sooner. I don't think that I would have made it to Nagasaki otherwise.

We'll start off with a few shots on the train ride here.

Nice family who sat across the way from me. The little girl used her English to say "Hello" and got a kick out of me replying. The tried to help me put my backpack on though it's not really something that anyone can help with. I think I might have stepped on his foot as he was moving the pack around as well. Really hope I didn't hurt him somehow... That's 250lbs of weight after all.

Once I got there I checked into my hotel right at the station. It's JR Kyushu Hotel (Japan Rail owned and operated) so right at the station. Definitely going to try and book these more often if possible. Stations are super convenient to have your hotel at. 1 - You're right there for arrival and departure. 2 - Stations are the center for a lot of things. Which means you'll have food and shops right there with you.

Come to find out, there is a train "cruise" line. Seven Stars in Kyushu it is called. As expected with a cruise they have little shows at their stops. Pretty funny that there's a rail cruise line but makes sense when I think about it. Not my cup of tea but I did benefit from it. I'll post a video at the end.

Random store I found while walking (one of those days with lots of walking). I had hoped to find a painting that I could send home or something. I still haven't seen any paintings at all, I hope I'll be able to find one reasonably priced before I leave that I can send home. For those that don't know I try to take a painting back as my souvenir. I believe these displays have to deal with the boy and girl days in May. There are dolls for the girls and these displays for the boys. Pretty cool tradition. Though I will say "holy cow" to the price tags on everything in this store. Not a place to shop for something to take home!

More walking. If you haven't guessed it was a super rainy day. I've never been in rain like this. In Thailand you'd have a quick storm that dumped a lot of water on you and went away right after. This was almost as heavy a rain as Thailand but never ended. It was going for the 4 hours I was walking around after getting off the train.

I don't know if it's different in Nagasaki or I just picked the right routes. Whatever the reason I walked past tons of schools.

Not sure how I ever run into things as I walk around but I seem to find them. This is a Air Raid shelter built into the mountain. You're only allowed into a small portion of it thought I imagine if you kept going you'd see a lot more inside. There wasn't anyone watching and I can't say I wasn't tempted to explore! That's the fun part...

Ladder to go up!

Not sure at all how I run into so much. Probably because there's just that much to see and run into! I've made a bad habit of saying "Ok, I'll just walk a little further until I see something new". I do it with picking somewhere to eat dinner too. Which usually means I eat and get back to my hotel a lot later than I had planned to.

If you look close enough hopefully you'll be able to read the information on this sign for the following tree.

I really like being able to get "above" everything. The geography of Japan is entirely to my liking. I couldn't be happier that I came to Nagasaki and got to see this city nestled between the mountains. It's the kind of place I enjoy.

And of course some cherry blossoms. Who would complain about those? It's past peak viewing time for them here so they've begun to fall to the ground a bit. But they're absolutely amazing. I thought I had seen them in Hiroshima. Yet I can say the trees there still needed time. When they're in full bloom they become a cloud of pink floating in the green. It's fun to see those random pink clouds in the forest as you ride along in the train.

Cool little transportation box for the elderly or disabled. It could be really hard for someone to get to their home in a lot of places around Nagasaki I feel.

Happy note for me. I found Japanese fruit snacks! I love fruit snacks... maybe a bit too much. Still no luck finding a Ramune. Guess I'll have to come back in the summer sometime.

Michi-san and pet bottles

On my way to Nagasaki today and shared a cab for the first time ever with a software developer who has business with Mazda here in Hiroshima. Was a very nice fellow on his way home.

As I only had some milk and an orange for breakfast I decided to grab something at the station while I waited. In line I met Michi-san (I hope I heard right and then spelled it right, I'm bad with names) who was on her way to Tokyo with her daughter. She had lived in Seattle for 13 years and is now in Hiroshima helping her mother. Which if course means I could talk to her in English.

I wish we would have had more time to talk as she was an extremely nice and lovely lady. It made me really happy to talk that sorry time in line. So glad to have met her! I wish her a safe trip and her mother well.

Also afterwards with some time to kill. I found a place for people to dispose of their pet bottles. Why they had a bottle for a pet or would want to get rid of their pet. I have no idea. But I guess it is convenient to have the option. (Image coming soon)

Hiroshima Castle and a brief bit about Hiroshima Peace Memorial Musem

Since I wasn't able to go through the museum yesterday. It was my first stop today. I'll keep to the more informative for this post. Below you can see the before and after models of the hypocenter in Hiroshima. I'm sure you can spot the difference.

The information displayed was quite different than what I had expected. There was a great amount of information on what Hiroshima was and why it had become a location for military use. Maybe it's the way history has been portrayed to me through my own experience but I thought for sure it would be far more graphic than it was. Instead, it was done in a very graceful manner. Going through the museum and reading the foot notes will give anybody a basic understanding of what nuclear weapons do. Which I think is a large point of the museum. To prevent future use and further progression as a weapon.

Of particular note is the wall that contains letters written to government officials anytime nuclear weapon development testing is done. I have a feeling nobody pays it any attention. But they really should.. Also disappointing is the country who has received the most letters in recent years. You'd never guess who!

The peace bell. Everyone should visit and actually commit to what it stands for.

 I then began my circuit around Hiroshima which would take me to Hiroshima Castle and shrines around this area. I even ran into one I hadn't plotted on my map! First was lunch at a "Sushi boat/train". Sushi goes past. You pick what you want. Commence to eat. Each plate has a designated price for what it holds. This was my first restaurant sushi and it was pretty good. It would be better if I knew what half of it was before biting it. There was only one that I was kind of neh about. Definitely a different taste to that of home.

Cherry blossoms are largely in bloom now in Hiroshima. There was quite a bit going on at the castle. Two brides were having their wedding photos taken as well. Probably trying to get it in before things get crazy on the weekend!

I'm a fan of the blossoms. The way the trees are spread out and located always brings some fun beauty to their location. I'm looking forward to seeing more and experiencing my first Hanami! 

I would have stayed longer in Hiroshima but somehow all the hotels I can find easily on the sites I'd use to find vacancy had no vacancy at all! I asked two large ones in person as well with no luck. I've never ever seen such an instance. And it's not just in Hiroshima. The cities around Hiroshima have nothing as well. Down side to how I am traveling and also having spring break + weekend + Japan going on. Oh well, that's how it goes sometimes. So tomorrow I'm off to Nagasaki. The city of hotels I could find a room in (and a bunch more, of course)!

Now, who feels like getting Crunky?

(ending on a bad joke is always a good idea if you ask me)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park - Konichiwa Sakura

I arrived in Hiroshima at around 5 this evening, which doesn't really leave for much time to go visit places. Being the ever so smart person I am (hahahahahaha, gassspppp, hahahahaha). I booked close by and was able to go as the sun was beginning to set and hung around till it had gone down. Here in Hiroshima the blossoms are opened farther than I've seen so far. It is already extremely pretty. I will go there again tomorrow as the museum closes earlier than I got to it. Plus I want to go there again.

It's a very sad thing. Not the park it's self. The park is extremely beautiful and inviting in it's design. It has a very open feel to it. But to know why it is there will get to you. To be standing in a spot that not long ago was home to a tragedy. Maybe I'm getting old or something since I seem very good at getting choked up. I hope nobody at the park will think odd of me if I am to shed a tear.

It's one thing for those who go to war to pay the price. But another for those that did not make that choice to pay it. Particularly the children. I'm not sure the process that any person can go through to come to the conclusion that you should decimate anyone's home. Too much of what men strive for now is that which will only progress themselves. Seeking power and greed over real happiness. Neither money or power will ever bring you a life with any meaning. And neither is worth the cost of a life.

You'll see a bell with an attached origami crane that is dedicated to the children in particular. A monument to the  children that had no part in what was taking place. It's not there only for those who were taken by the blast itself. The blast was't the only tragedy. The years and years of dealing with the radiation exposure caused just as much, if not more, as those first few seconds.

So far as I've journeyed it's largely been young children with their parents that I come across. For those that have seen me around kids, they'll know I enjoy being around children. Though I wish I had more confidence to interact with them. You never get near a baby bear if mama bear might not like it. It was still good to see all the children out having fun and playing. There are some really cute little ones here.

I would say that is what got to me most. The innocence of the children laughing and playing there. Do they know what it is that really happened here? Can ones so young truly comprehend what life is? I don't think that they can. For those that were part of what happened that day and the years to come. Did they really get the chance to find out? Were there two small friends holding flowers and playing by a fountain so many years ago as well?

If we learned one thing from what was done. Let it be that no one will ever do it again. 

Such weapons have no place in humanity as long as we wish to call ourselves that. Human.

Tomorrow the bell will toll.

Some Utah in Japan

This post is pretty much for my mother. You're welcome, Mom.

Well, sort of Utah. Something I associate with Utah at any rate. For those who live in Utah you've probably already guessed who I ran into. Yuuuup, the missionaries. This is a group of young men from the Chruch of Latter Day Saints (aka Mormons) who generally come out of Utah. I had a couple hours wait to get on my train and they had a relatively equal amount of time to wait for transfers. There was a Texan, a Utahn, and Australian, and one from Japan who I talked with.

The nice fellow from Japan actually wants to be an aero-space engineer and might end up studying at Utah State University if things work out. The young man from Australia might also go into engineering as it has interest to him too. They were all very nice, of course, and my longest English conversation since getting off of the plane. Good bunch of guys.

Also, lunch! From a bakery. Was pretty good