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Touring Japan - Part 1

Blogs > mrmin123
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mrmin123 *
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Korea (South)2971 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-28 17:49:05
September 09 2011 12:21 GMT
#1
[ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 ]


Background
All the way up to my sophomore year of college, my family and I made sure to visit Korea at least once a year. Then for five years I was unable to visit my home country due to school and work. Recently, I ended up having a year off, so naturally I decided to live and work in Korea for a few months. While planning my Korea trip, I decided to throw in a Japan trip because I didn't know when else I would have such a good opportunity to visit the country. I'm going to chronicle some of my experiences during my Japan trip in a series of blogposts. Hopefully the posts won't be too long, and I'll throw in some photos here and there to keep it at least a little interesting (click thumbnails for higher resolutions)! If you want just the pictures they're in a convenient flickr set. Anyways, on with part 1.

Day 0
My afternoon flight to Japan was delayed twice thanks to Typhoon Talas, but the trip itself was uneventful. The seat next to me was empty, and I fell into a comfortable sleep almost immediately after the plane took off. I woke up in time for the on-board meal, and I managed to enjoy half of a random Korean comedy movie before landing at Kansai International Airport. The sun was already setting, but it was still disgustingly humid and warm. After an irritatingly long passport check, I was soon on my way to Kyoto.

[image loading]
First photo in Japan!

My host, Katsuya, picked me up at the Nishioji station. We grabbed some food, then went to the grocery store to grab some food for the next few days before returning to his place. Katsuya's place was exceptionally clean and very spacious. The guy's also incredibly nice and polite. He mentioned that the guest after me is going to be the last guest for a while due to work circumstances, but if he is back in business the next time you need a place to stay in Kyoto, I highly recommend it.

Day 1
I should note that I didn't make my Kyoto sightseeing itinerary. A few days before coming to Japan, I met a fellow traveler on the subway in Korea. When I mentioned that I was going to Kyoto for a few days, she told me that she could forward me a nice Kyoto itinerary a friend had made for her. (Someone else's) plans in hand, I set off early the next day to Kiyomizu temple and its surrounding area.

[image loading]
Woo temples

The day was hot, humid, and rainy. Given the weather I decided to wear shorts, which ended up being the biggest mistake ever. By the end of the day I had 7 mosquito bites on my legs (and one on my left arm, and one on my bald head). One of them got pretty bad and exploded. It looks pretty gross, even now. Anyways. The temples were nice and all, but I wasn't exactly visiting in-season, so I wasn't swept away by them, either. No cherry blossoms, no red autumn leaves, no snow. But thanks to that it wasn't too crowded, and I managed to enjoy my temples in peace and quiet. In the area, I ended up going to Kiyomizu temple, Kodaiji temple, Chion-in temple, Yasaka shrine, and Marayuma park.

[image loading]
They're going to eat you!!

Somewhere in there I got lost and stumbled into what I later found out to be the Higashi Otani cemetery. A bit off the beaten track according to my host, but the number of tombstones and the view from the top of the cemetery were both breathtaking.

[image loading] [image loading]
Higashi Otani cemetery

When I was done with the temples, parks, and cemeteries, I ended up in Gion. Full of souvenir shops and the Nishiki Food Market close by, the place was teeming with Japanese tourists.

[image loading]
According to my host, some Japanese tourists like to sightsee Kyoto in kimonos

After wandering through Gion and its shops for a bit, I headed towards another part of Kyoto to see Nijo-jo castle, Kinakakuji temple, and the Kyoto Manga Museum (I do like my manga!).

[image loading]
Mangaaa

The museum ended up being more of a manga library with a very high entry fee, with only a few exhibitions catering towards non-Japanese speakers. For those interested in manga and with the ability to read Japanese, however, the place is probably a gold mine. Lots of manga, old and new, were available for reading. They have a small section for mangas translated into all sorts of different languages on the first floor, but its selection pales in comparison to the Japanese selection, which dates back all the way to the 60's.

I ended the (pretty long) day at Kyoto tower. After taking some photos from the observation deck, I decided to grab a drink at the 'Kuu' bar/restaurant a level below. When I asked the only other guy sitting at the bar if he was a local (in English) he jerked upright and exclaimed 'I AM J-J-J-JAPANESE.' I guess he answered my question. The guy (whose name I can't remember for the life of me) wasn't Kyoto-born, but he was living there now to study Buddhism and the area's temples. He stuttered when speaking English, but he had a better grasp of the language then most of the other locals I've tried speaking to. He was a jovial guy who kept on saying that the Japanese were 'f-f-f-f-fools that cannot speak e-e-english.' Fun times.

[image loading] [image loading]
From Kyoto Tower!

After parting with my stuttering drinking buddy I headed back home. Despite the numerous mosquito bites making my legs itch like hell, I managed to fall asleep pretty quickly after the long first day.


----------


[image loading] [image loading] [image loading] [image loading] [image loading] [image loading] [image loading]
more pictures in my japan 2011 flickr set


*****
Translator태양은 묘지위에 붉게 떠오르고 / 한낮에 찌는 더위는 나의 시련 일찌라!
Looms
Profile Joined May 2010
United States4624 Posts
September 09 2011 12:24 GMT
#2
I have always wanted to visit Japan, but I never got the opportunity. Needless to say, I am jealous
pred470r
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Bulgaria3265 Posts
September 09 2011 12:30 GMT
#3
Such an interesting blog. I can't wait for part 2, but I also have 2 questions.
#1 Why did you take a picture of a guy sleeping in what I assume is a park?
#2 What's up with the graveyards I thought that in the east they didn't have any graveyards because all people are suppose to get cremated after their death?
#3 What time of the day are the night pics taken at? I always imagined that streets in Japan were way more crowded with cars.
Skilledblob
Profile Joined April 2011
Germany3392 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 12:41:39
September 09 2011 12:41 GMT
#4
On September 09 2011 21:30 pred470r wrote:
Such an interesting blog. I can't wait for part 2, but I also have 2 questions.
#1 Why did you take a picture of a guy sleeping in what I assume is a park?
#2 What's up with the graveyards I thought that in the east they didn't have any graveyards because all people are suppose to get cremated after their death?
#3 What time of the day are the night pics taken at? I always imagined that streets in Japan were way more crowded with cars.


when the people get cremated you still need a grave for the ash.


nice trip OP I am looking forward to more pictures
TonyL2
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
England1953 Posts
September 09 2011 12:49 GMT
#5
Nice read Keep 'em coming
mrmin123 *
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Korea (South)2971 Posts
September 09 2011 13:05 GMT
#6
On September 09 2011 21:30 pred470r wrote:
Such an interesting blog. I can't wait for part 2, but I also have 2 questions.
#1 Why did you take a picture of a guy sleeping in what I assume is a park?
#2 What's up with the graveyards I thought that in the east they didn't have any graveyards because all people are suppose to get cremated after their death?
#3 What time of the day are the night pics taken at? I always imagined that streets in Japan were way more crowded with cars.

#1 That was at Maruyama Park. I was sitting down for a rest myself and the seat orientation basically pointed straight at the guy. I couldn't help but take a picture because he looked so content napping there.
#3 The pictures were taken between 7:30PM and 9PM.
Translator태양은 묘지위에 붉게 떠오르고 / 한낮에 찌는 더위는 나의 시련 일찌라!
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
September 09 2011 13:14 GMT
#7
if you ever visit again, msg me
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
RogerX
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
New Zealand3180 Posts
September 09 2011 13:38 GMT
#8
I always wanted to see Shibuya, get some pictures of Shibuya next time :D
Stick it up. take it up. step aside and see the world
rplant
Profile Joined May 2003
United States1178 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 13:40:00
September 09 2011 13:39 GMT
#9
Cool pics, thanks for sharing. That cemetery is surreal. I couldn't find a wikipedia page for it. How unusual is it for there to be such a high concentration of elaborate tombstones like that?

Edit: also what do all those little signs by the trees say?
Believing in God is like believing in a teapot orbiting Mars (Edit: wow I was a douche in 2003)
Saechiis
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Netherlands4989 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 13:49:49
September 09 2011 13:49 GMT
#10
Since when do geese let you cuddle them? That's so cute Or are they ducks? ... feeling a little Nal_Ra on the matter.

Anyways, hope you had fun!
I think esports is pretty nice.
fanta[Rn]
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Japan2465 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 13:53:52
September 09 2011 13:52 GMT
#11
Nice little blog, I wish you had gone to Ginkakuji instead of Kinkakuji but oh well!
Looking forward to more, enjoy your stay.

On September 09 2011 22:49 Saechiis wrote:
Since when do geese let you cuddle them? That's so cute Or are they ducks? ... feeling a little Nal_Ra on the matter.

haha i felt exactly the same, I kept referring to them as ducks the other day.
mrmin123 *
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Korea (South)2971 Posts
September 09 2011 16:03 GMT
#12
Clearly they were heron. :D
Translator태양은 묘지위에 붉게 떠오르고 / 한낮에 찌는 더위는 나의 시련 일찌라!
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 16:10:29
September 09 2011 16:09 GMT
#13
Fanta, I just took mrmin to the bar I took you and max

It's gonna be the official "meet cambium in tokyo" bar \ ^_^ /
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
mrmin123 *
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Korea (South)2971 Posts
September 09 2011 16:16 GMT
#14
It's too bad they were out of Yebisu. Hopefully next time!
Translator태양은 묘지위에 붉게 떠오르고 / 한낮에 찌는 더위는 나의 시련 일찌라!
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 16:34:41
September 09 2011 16:20 GMT
#15
On September 10 2011 01:16 mrmin123 wrote:
It's too bad they were out of Yebisu. Hopefully next time!




We can go to another place that definitely has it

It's called "The Glass Square", in the basement of my work building.
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
pred470r
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Bulgaria3265 Posts
September 09 2011 16:25 GMT
#16
Cambium your last two posts are pretty creepy. I mean wanting for people to "officially meet you in the basement of your building" sounds kinda scary.
xAPOCALYPSEx
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
1418 Posts
September 09 2011 16:27 GMT
#17
Man, Japan is beautiful. From the temples to the cemeteries to even the cities (coming from a person who despises most big cities), everything looks awesome.

I want to go to Japan so badly -.-

Eagerly awaiting Part 2, thanks for doing this! :D

Oh and those heron are pretty hilarious haha.
Grettin
Profile Joined April 2010
42381 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 16:31:23
September 09 2011 16:30 GMT
#18
I love travel blogs! (especially Asian countries) Too bad there wasn't any cherry blossoms or anything. I've heard those are fantastic.

Loved the photos also. That older man sleeping at the park bench.. really nice picture.

Give us part 2!
"If I had force-fields in Brood War, I'd never lose." -Bisu
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-09 16:35:13
September 09 2011 16:34 GMT
#19
On September 10 2011 01:25 pred470r wrote:
Cambium your last two posts are pretty creepy. I mean wanting for people to "officially meet you in the basement of your building" sounds kinda scary.


in the basement of the building I work in.
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
kainzero
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States5211 Posts
September 09 2011 16:39 GMT
#20
awesome pictures, i really like the color.
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