Busy day trips

Well, Osaka isn't much of anything spectacular. It's a big place, but mostly shitty stores, business, fashion and pollution. Not much in the way of cultural heritage on its own. What Osaka IS good for, however, is a starting point for day trips on JapanRail trains. I have a railpass until June 10, so this was nice. My hotel was located a block away from the station, so traveling was convenient. On Tuesday I took a daytrip to Nara, which was a pretty nice place. Went to the Todaiji Temple, constructed by the Emperor Shomu, which houses the other Daibutsu (Giant Buddha). I did not see the Buddha since the entrance fee was a bit steep. Photographed the main hall and such, though.

Todaiji Temple, Main Hall housing the Daibutsu

The rest of Nara was interesting enough. Old temples, shrines, gardens and parks. Plenty to see and do.



On Wednesday I took a two-hour shinkansen to Hiroshima to visit the atomic bomb peace museum, and Miyajima- the Island with the famous floating red gate in the sea. On the way there, I stopped off at Himeji to view its famous and enormous castle.




On my way back to the station I stopped in a little shop to buy some furoshiki. I talked with the shop owner for a short while about washi, Japanese handmade paper. He informed me that a lot of Japanese papermakers are going to Nepal (at around 2000 meters, he said)to teach them Japanese papermaking. Apparently kozo and mitsumata, two of the three main fibers used in its production, grow very well there. I'll have to keep that in mind...Anyway, after Himeji I continued to Hiroshima. The peace museum was about what I expected, but it was still quite interesting. Lots of little kids around. I was interviewed briefly by a small group of kids as a part of an English class project. There were a number of interesting monuments and such.

The only remaining original building that "survived" the atomic blast

Atomic Bomb Peace Monument

I stopped by a beautiful little garden before heading to Miyajima. It was a beautiful little place nestled in the heart of the city. A beautiful place, and very reasonably priced. I guess you could say it was a beautiful little place!



The HIT of the day was by far seeing the floating torii (gate to a Shinto shrine) at Miyajima Island. The island is roughly 30 minutes southwest from Hiroshima by train and ferry. I timed it so I would arrive about 30-45 minutes before sunset at 19:15. Just as my ferry was arriving loads of moronic tourists were boarding the dock to LEAVE the island- just as the sun was setting! Thank god! It was absolutely beautiful, and all the better without the herds. Here are four of the over 60 photos I took. A bit excessive, maybe. But then again, when will I have another shot at it?