Peace Memorial Ceremony 2009 (3)

My last post of Peace Memorial Ceremony 2009. Today, the ceremony was held in Nagasaki as it was the second city suffered from atomic bomb in 1945. In the first photo shows you a story teller performing in front of children at ceremony venue.
It was quite an experience to see many people from around the world, tourists, representatives from some countries, medias, etc.
Even I met this man :). I'm not certain about who he is. Probably a traveller. First time saw him at Hondori shopping center, located not far from Peace Memorial Park. I saw him again on the bridge among the crowds.
This lady came from the US together with her group to attend the ceremony. She was lost in origami birds making when I approached her.
We could make our own paper birds, too. There were students to help us by providing origami papers, manual instruction papers.

Peace Memorial Ceremony 2009 (2)

From the event on August 6th, I took so many photos, I can't resist to show you. Tomorrow, August 9th, the Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in Nagasaki. The first photo, a lantern by a Mexican.

Helping lanterns to float well.

Candles used to illuminate A-Bomb Dome.

Peace Memorial Ceremony 2009

Some souvenirs from Hiroshima yesterday at Peace Memorial Ceremony 2009. August 6th and 8th 1945 is remembered as the days when atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki which killed as many as 200.000 people in both cities.
This old lady is perhaps one of the survivors still alive today. She told story, sang songs and gave encouragement in front young women by the river.
Sending some prayer after floating a lantern in the river.
The lanterns floated in the Motoyashu river is an annual activity in the afternoon during the ceremony.

Envy

I wished it was me on that bike. The field is too large to explore by walking.

Where to Stay Tonight?

Toyoko Inn, a 3-star hotel where I took photos of the yesterday post. It's about 50m right in front of the station, the only one located nearest and probably the first choice of most visitors who come to Saijo .
They are offering discount I guess, now single only 4.095Yen and single-double 5.145Yen. Do you think it's the time to visit the town? :)

Morning Life

Saturday morning in Saijo, Saijo station, when it was expected sunny turned out to be raining. I wasn't complaining at all :). In the background with brown roof is Mitate Shrine, where Gion Matsuri is held every year.

And this one is Sake Houses area, right in the left of the station. Chimneys, yes that's the clue.

I wish you all a happy weekend.

Still Strong

Taken yesterday on my way to Kagamiyama Koen/Park, where the only bus stop nearest. Bushes were getting dense during summer, I saw some workers did the trimming.
But I got the feeling they must have left these untouched :). Don't know the name though, I love simple flowers.

More Green

How are you? Hope all is well. Back from Japanese lessons today, I went to rice field area not far from the university. The weather was nice, not too much different from two-three days ago, the sun was still hiding behind the clouds, perfect for taking photographs.

30-Minute Escape.

The freshest photo from Saijo taken today at around 6pm.

Growing Rice

This is the season when people grow rice, and they do need rain. As a small town, it's usual to find rice field side by side with houses in downtown.

Trapped

With no promise when to stop, it continues to pour down.

But it's always nice just to see the view from your window. Despite the hard rain people would take a risk to go out for some warm drink and fresh snack from konbinis nearby.

I Heart Tea

I do love this tea shop. But it takes 50 minutes and 650 Yen to get there. The shop is at Mihara station. Took the photo two weeks ago on my second visit to the town.

Clover Lover

Here again some decorations in front of a beauty salon. This one is the closest to my house. What I like is its natural decoration, and I fancy clover leaves :).

When It's Sunny

Looking out from 9th fl Sun Square building on Saturday last week, I saw an event held by YMCA on the rooftop of Fukuya shopping mall. Not quite sure what event it was, I think it was a part of their motto, Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

And another late news :), from one of my previous posts about the old JA building which was demolished a couple of months ago. It turns out to be a new parking lot. Oh no!

Kaori, you guessed it right :((.

Rusty on Sea Day

It's common to find small cans like this in Saijo hung on wall, bus stop, fence, etc. They function as ash tray and cigarette butts, or candy wraps container. What about soda can? In case you don't see trash bin, put it in your bag until you find one :).

PS: Today is Umi no Hi or Sea Day, it's a national holiday, a time when people go enjoy their time in the beach. Rumor has it, since July this year there was no national holiday, the government created this holiday. Brilliant idea if you asked me :). But it has been raining non-stop for two days now and most likely tomorrow, too. Not only I couldn't show you some photos from the beach, it ruined my plan to the cinema :). Anyway, I kind of enjoy the day, one of the peaceful days I spent so far just watching the rain and people past. It even was near the heavy rain in Indonesia with lightning strike, thunder and wind.

Kirin Lemon

A Kirin Lemon ad in front of a restaurant. It's probably an old Kirin ad, but you can see the same kind of bottles today :).

White Lampion

Saturday night's here again. I guess all restaurants and clubs are now full of people having some food or drink. A photo of a Japanese restaurant's entrance in Saijo Eki. Have a nice weekend.

The Mysterious Prince

Couldn't resist to snap some photos in a cinema in Hiroshima yesterday. Hope I'm not the only one among you who read and watch Harry Potter along with Quidditch Through the Ages, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I had a chat with my siblings yesterday about this hot issue and was quite proud that my memories still serves me well :).

How's each tittle of the novel translated in your language? In Bahasa Indonesia the 6th novel is translated "Harry Potter dan Pangeran Berdarah Campuran". And in Japanese it is Harry Potter to Nazo no Purinzu (Harry Potter and the Mysterious Prince).

A motorcycle and a postcard

Postcards, letters and small packages sent for you are distributed by JP Postal Postmen using this red motorcycle. Among the many newest and trendy designs of this kind of vehicle, our post office -in Japanese 'yuubinkyouku'- stick to the old ones. No complain, I love it.

And today, I received a postcard from Istanbul!.

Got this postcard from Delilah and Jack when they spent a month in Turkey. They are now somewhere in Egypt having the most fun trip ever :). Wishing them a happy, safe journey.

Used Scooter

Can't afford a new scooter? Why not a used bike? You can get it from as low as 40.000Yen (US$ 400).

Have a nice week, everyone.

Ready to Ride

Yesterday I posted a photo of an old scooter someone had left unused at the university's bycycle parking lot. Today it's time to show you brand new scooter being displayed at a store not far from the campus. What brands? Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vespa, you name it.

A new scooter cost range from about 190.000-120.000Yen (roughly US$1.900-1.200). Choose your favorite. I want the orange one :).

Early Retirement

Back to regular days. An old photo I took early in the spring this year at the campus. No, I won't talk about the season, just want to show you this abandoned nice scooter. It 's left right in front of parking lot for bycycle and has been there for months. Too early if you ask me :).

During the Festival

I'm back with more photos from festival yesterday :). Mikoshi is a portable shrine people bear on the shoulders by means of two or four poles. During the matsuri, people bring it around the shrine's neighborhood.

Following the mikoshi are several priests from the shrine who stop by at houses to give blessings.

He followed a pick-up car while playing some traditional Japanese songs whose melodies somehow made me felt sad.
This is Shishimai the lion. He entertained people as well as scared off children. I saw at least three kids cried because of him.

And what surprised me more was this dance club from university who did the same performance at Yukata festival, a modern dance and music, except that yesterday they wore traditional costume. With long and exhausting rehearsal, they deserve to show the dance more than once, don't they?

I hope you enjoy this festival as well.