Kokuminshukusha Sun Road Kibiji Soja

... br>An interesting experience on the bus on Naoshima. The bus driver was talking to a group of four young women--maybe about storm damage from the recent typhoon, I'm not sure. But all four young women responded as a chorus--they were all saying the same things at the same time. This must be what the books on Japanese culture describe as "group think."

YASHIMA

Another great day! I took the train from Takamatsu to Yashima ...

... all the other temples buried at the Kukai shrine so really you can actually be at all the other temples here. Suckers! Forked over 500 yen to wander through pitch black in the basement of the main shrine. The walls are plaster and painted over with mandalas that you're supposed to skim with your fingertips. Thankfully, no strange images appeared in the dark and the changes of direction left me totally lost. If this is ...

... a bunch of other religious complexes on the island, and they are set in nice locales farther up the mountain, but much of the island is mountainous and forested, which drives tourists upwards via cablecar. But I balked at spending $20 for a couple of cable car rides and decided to hike up to the peak of Mt. Misen (which I promised myself I wouldn't do, as my legs were still recovering from Aso). Well, an hour and at least 1750 steps later (it was so harrowing, turning corners ...

Dopo qualche giorno a Kyoto si riparte , il riposino ci voleva perche` e` propio una bella citta` con tanti posti da visitare. Il viaggio di oggi e` stato qualcosa di tremendo sono passato attraverso Nara la vecchia capitale del Giappone , Osaka , Kobe , Okayama fino a fermarni a Kurashiki che ...

We had heard lots about ryokans, traditional Japanese inns, so were both very excited to finally experience one. We chose one in the town of Kurashiki as it seemed very traditional and authentic. After arriving at the railway station we walked to the ryokan to drop off our bags as it was too early to check-in, we took a walk around the old historic town centre which has retained its historical character. We visited the rural toy museum ...

We stopped off on the way from Kobe to Kurashiki at Imbe in the area of Bizen which is very famous for pottery and ceramics. Daniella had read in the guide book that there was a place where she could try her hand on the pottery wheel. It was a small town and there were not many restauarants open as it was a Sunday so we grabbed a bite to eat from a local supermarket. While Daniella did her stuff on the wheel, Jon took a ...

... vase will will give to Yoku tonight when we go to Hiroshima. The Omiyagai bag is filling up with gifts given to us--good thing we brought the bags! Well, I will have to sign off as the group is waiting for me. (Oh we went to the factory that makes this dried bean --sweet and tastes a bit like dates) alk to you soon amelia

Day Three after breakfast at the Young Inn we were picked up by Rikako to head out to their parents house, which is where we were staying for the night. A BBQ lunch was planned with the whole family and it was great. Plenty of tasty food and great company. We Spent the ...

... for dinner with hiroko and her sister Rikako (who also came to stay with us), and her husband. It was great to see them again and meet her husband. The yakitori was fantastic and everyone was very friendly. Photos of most of the above are in this album with a concious effort to include food shots! Speaking of food...check out the "australian meet pie" we found at an australian import shop! Another brief entry due to the time!

There were no alarms set this morning and what had been planned as a cooked breakfast very quickly became a cooked lunch. After a VERY relaxed meal, we headed off on a great walk to the top of what we called Mount Hattoji even though it probably wasn't! We had a great view of the surrounding area and saw a ...