Land of the Rising Sun - It all started when I traveled to Japan in August 2013 for the Japan Young
Leaders Training Program (TPYL) under the Japan Government Technical Cooperation
Scheme program organised by Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chubu International Center and funded by the
Government of Japan for 3-weeks, from 31 August – 19 September 2013. There's absolutely no
way in which I can put the past 3-weeks journey into words that can even
describe the scope of how amazing and fruitful my trip to Japan was. I’ll start off by saying that Japan did meet my expectations and I was fascinated with the Japanese culture (people, architecture, customs, food, almost everything!).
- People are extraordinarily friendly and helpful, almost zero crime rate in Japan, and I felt extremely safe there.
- The country is very beautiful, with rich history and traditions, and
displays a very diverse sets of lifestyles, from family farming to
modern technologies.
- Japan is extremely clean and well-organized (neat).
- There are many stories about the Japanese toilets.
They are heated and have water jets coming from two different sides, so
you can choose a front or rear wash. I personally enjoyed the
washing! :)
The following is a brief summary of my 3-weeks journey in Japan.
We took JAL (Japan Airlines) from Kuala Lumpur - Tokyo (Narita) - Nagoya (Chubu). After arriving in Tokyo, we got on a local JAL flight to Nagoya. We flew right over Yokohama and Mt. Fuji.
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| They said that once you can see clearly Mt. Fuji in Japan you are very much welcome in there! |
Nagoya – Nagoya Castle - Osu Kannon Temple - Toyota Museum of
Industry & Technology - Nagoya City Science Museum - JR Nagoya Station –
Sakae Shopping District - Nagoya TV Tower - Oasis 21
Kyoto - Toji Temple - Kyoto Tower - Nijo Castle - Nishiki Market
Gifu – Colourful Town – Nagaragawa Commorant
Fishing Museum followed by Commorant Fishing Viewing + Dinner
Ogaki & Gujo Hachiman
Hida Takayama (Little Kyoto of the North) – Hida Takayama Museum of History
and Art – Takayama Traditional District
NAGOYA
Nagoya is Japan’s fourth-largest city, synonymous
to the leading Japanese auto-manufacturer Toyota. Its position along the pacific coast between Tokyo and
Osaka has helped Nagoya become one of Japan's major ports and an
economic powerhouse.
Places of interest in Nagoya:
(i) Nagoya
Castle – built back in the 1200's, but was
destroyed during the World War II. On the roof of the castle tower, with a height
equivalent to an 18-story building, there is a "Gold Shachihoko statue"
symbolizing the prestige of the Tokugawas. "Shachi" is an imaginary animal with
a fish-like body and a tiger-shaped head.
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Nagoya Castle - a beautiful example of the Japanese architecture
Nagoya - also known as "City of Technologies" in Japan | |
(ii) Osu
Kannon Temple - Located just South of Sakae and Fushimi. It is a great place to stroll and
take in the mix of old and new. Osu Kannon Temple is Nagoya's oldest and people come over to pray for passing exams, smooth work, or not get restructured right
now. Beside
this temple, is the entrance to the covered shopping streets
that comprise the Osu Shopping Arcade, Nagoya's answer to Akihabara! The surrounding area is home to a vibrant fusion of old-style arcades selling
everything including electrical items, snacks and toys etc.
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| The famous Osu Kannon Temple in Nagoya |
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| Osu Kannon Temple | |
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| The main deity of the temple is Kannon-sama, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy |
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This shopping arcade sell electronics (duty-free
shops included), Cosplay, anime and idol goods, clothes and
souvenirs
Shiyakusho subway-station in Nagoya | | |
(iii) Toyota Museum
of Industry & Technology –
Toyota, now world famous for its
cars, started life as a textile firm and this fascinating museum, housed in an
old red-brick textile factory, displays textile looms and a history of
automobile design in its two pavilions. Over-all, the Toyota visit was
really enjoyable, particularly seeing the school children on a field trip,
writing notes, trying to grasp and enjoy all the information at the same time.
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| Toyota started as a textile firm | | | |
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| Toyota Museum
of Industry & Technology | |
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| Robot playing a trumpet |
(iv) Nagoya
City Science Museum - Houses one of Japan's largest
planetariums and has interesting sections on modern technology, life sciences
and general science with a variety of hands-on exhibits for
children.
(v) JR Nagoya Station – The Nagoya Station (also known as meieki) was my favoutite spot in this Japan
trip. This place has everything, as it is locally known is Nagoya's one stop Railway station,
shopping destination and business centre! The station ranks among the
world's largest in terms of floor area. The Station also offers many amenities and opportunities for shopping at JR Nagoya Takashimaya Departmental Store and is a popular meeting spot in Nagoya. JICA Chubu International Centre is only about 5-minute walk towards north of
meieki and many of my favourite Nagoya sushi-bar, electronic mega-stores and departmental stores are in and around the
station.
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| But it is not well known as a center of fashion :( |
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Nagoya doesn’t lack for tall buildings too!
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Nagoya doesn’t lack for tall buildings too!
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| In love with Japanese Packaging |
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| In love with Japanese Packaging |
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| Conveyor Belt Sushi-Bar inside Nagoya Station |
(vi) Sakae District - Between and around the Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21 Complex
is the Sakae district which offers good departmental store shopping, restaurants
and night-life.
Sakae is the place to go shopping in Nagoya, the
place to meet friends, taste the best of Nagoya cuisine or to spend
some leisurely time in the
centre of Nagoya.
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| Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21 |
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| Sakae District |
(vii) Electronics - BIG CAMERA (one of the biggest electrical appliances discount
shop in Tokai area) and LABI are the two most popular electronic malls for its best bargain in town.
The 5-stories mega-stores sell everything, ranging from electronics,
to cameras to our all time favourite GUNDAM.
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| Gundam Madness |
KYOTO
After a few days exploring Nagoya, I moved on to Kyoto on a-day trip basis
via Shinkansen.
Shinkansen or bullet trains are the fastest and the most popular mode of transport. Nagoya and Kyoto are major stations on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Running at a speed of upto 300 km/h, the Shinkansen is known for its
punctuality, comfort
(relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward facing seats),
safety (no fatal accidents in its history) and efficiency.
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Myself at Kyoto Station
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| Fastest way to Kyoto / Tokyo from Nagoya is by taking the bullet train, the Shinkansen |
Today, September 7, 2013 though was Kyoto, but first: Breakfast!
Since the menu and shop was all in Japanese, I went in to a cafe nearby Toji Temple to get some egg, toast and of course the daily coffee!
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| Big Breakfast near Toji Temple, Kyoto |
Upon arrival, I headed to Toji Temple, one of Kyoto's five temples listed on the UNESCO World Heritage
list. The temple's most prominent attraction is its five-story pagoda,
standing 57 meters high and being the tallest of Japan's pagodas. The temple is about 500 meters southwest of Kyoto Station, making it a quick and easy journey by foot. Later on, I headed off on a local bus for Nijo Castle. This castle was built in the 1600’s
and was where the Chief Shogun lived. Once again, beautiful grounds,
incredible palace and castle, and cool moat and castle walls. Later in the afternoon, I then moved onto Nishiki Market, a major shopping area in central
Kyoto. This is a Japanese version of shopping malls. This covered market streets offer mostly small items, such as
food/snacks, souvenirs, clothes, and shoes.
GIFU CITY
Gifu, around 30km north of Nagoya
city, and accessible by either the Meitetsu or JR Line from Nagoya station is
worth visiting for its twin attractions of cormorant fishing (Ukai) on
the Nagara River and Gifu castle (Gifujo), perched on top of Kinka-zan, which
affords great views of the surrounding area even as far as the Hida mountains
and Mt. Hakusan. The cormorant fishing takes place at night from May 11 -
October 15 and visitors can book a place on the long, canopied boats hung with
paper lanterns to watch the birds in action as they catch, but can't swallow,
the local Ayu (Sweet fish).
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Gifu Castle
For more than 250 years, the Tokugawa Shogun ruled Japan |
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| Views of Hida mountains
and Nagaragawa River from Gifu Castle |
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| Nagaragawa Ukai - Cormorant Fishing on Nagara River |
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| Nagaragawa Ukai - Cormorant Fishing on Nagara River |
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| Nagaragawa Ukai - Cormorant Fishing on Nagara River |
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The "Colourful Town" in Gifu
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It took couple of hours from Gifu City to Hida Takayama. The road goes
through deep canyons and rugged mountains and
long tunnels.
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| More rural areas in the mountains
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| Okasan - Otousan's house in Yamagata-shi, Gifu |
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| Homestay experience with my host family - IInuma's family |
OGAKI
Ogaki is a small, relaxing town only 30 minutes from Nagoya. This town is best known for its connection with wandering Edo-period Haiku master, Matsuo Basho and famous for its delicious-tasting water. Ogaki was the final destination in 1689 of Basho's epic journey to the northeast of Japan. (Source: A Haiku Journey: Bashos Narrow Road to a Far Province (Illustrated Japanese Classics)
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| Mizu Manju, the summer sweets of Ogaki City |
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| Zen Garden in Ogaki for soul restoring |
HIDA TAKAYAMA (Little Kyoto)
Hida Takayama is an old town famous for its old street with preserved historical architecture from Edo period. Here is the only place where the whole town looks old. Everything is
made of wood, and the restaurants serve delicious Hida beef.The town is well-preserved and less tourist. If you fancy something a little less well-known but still very much suited to Kyoto, why not check out Hida Takayama. The place is still one of the less touristy spot in Japan.
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| Festival floats used for a yearly parade at the exhibition hall |
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| Takayama - Home of the Japanese Spirit |
Malaysia Airlines (MH):
Penang – Kuala Lumpur - Japan Airlines
(JAL): Kuala Lumpur – Tokyo (Narita) – Nagoya (Chubu) / Nagoya (Chubu) – Tokyo
(Narita) - Kuala Lumpur - Penang
Accommodation:
Chubu – Japan
International Cooperation Agency ( JICA) Chubu International Center
Ogaki – Ogaki Forum Hotel
Takayama – Country Hotel
Takayama
Yamagata - Homestay at IInuma's
Overall, Japan’s great, although I prefer it more in Spring when Sakura blossoms. There is lots more of Japan to visit. Sayonara until next time! I'll be back.
"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world "
**The photos were captured and edited with iPhone 5
Welcome
to Small World! This blog allows me to share my travel experiences with
others in a straightforward and far-reaching way. I often made great
use of other peoples travel blogs and websites every time I plan for my
travel trips as they often contained most updated information and
invaluable resources from their past travel experiences.
I really hope that you will find every piece of information contained within my blog
handy and useful for your upcoming trip.
Thank you very much for reading my post(s) and feel free to leave a comment.
The
writer is a passionate traveler who enjoys speaking to young keen
travelers about the freedom to get cultured and to taste the fullness of
life. Feel free to contact the writer: chengywong@gmail.com if you need any travel guidance or tips or if you have any burning questions with regards to your upcoming trip/ journey
- Be inspired but more importantly be inspiring -
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