Hanami at Kagamiyama Park

What a great time they had.

An intimate escape.

While others were speaking loudly, these people spending their time in silence using sign language.



The latest version of Mozilla Firefox vs Google Chrome. What do you think?
I now have them both installed in my PC. I'm happy to have me back again, hope it will last :).
Last week was like Hansel and Gretel missing some of their breadcrumbs, I lost track of some favorite daily photos I follow.
How are you all? Wish you a nice weekend and have some beautiful shots.
There's no more Sakura left, but I can't resist the feeling to upload my Sakura and Hanami shots. Hope you like them. They were taken at Kagamiyama Koen (Park) on April 12.

Hiro San: O hisashiburi, o genki desuka? (Long time no see, how are you?)
Yuri San : Haik, genki desu (Yes, I'm fine)

Ma ma desu...

Another burnt out Sakura photo, sorry... I just love the bench with garbage can and the red signs.

Don't forget Onigiri, rice ball.....
Care to try your own rice ball? I'll show you how to make it one day.....


Usually there's no Hanami without Yakiniku or at least having lunch under the Sakura trees :). It is a bbq party a la Japanese people.

Hanami today took place on the hill. I'm sorry the house in the background is blurred.

It seemed that the plan to Sakura sightseeing was not going very well, raining all day. I had to struggle with camera in my right hand and umbrella in the other hand :). Just hope the camera is okey since it got quite wet because of rain. Well, that's my excuse for not getting some good photos, haha....I did post processing, of course. Why it is always burnt out? Oh, from what I read last night, it's called white clipped.....
Hiro San : Hanami wa doo desu ka? (how was the hanami?)
Yuri San : Ma ma desu (it's just okey)

Hanami This Year

Finally spring comes with sakura blooming everywhere in Saijo.
I'm going to Sakura sightseeing tomorrow with friends.
What about spring in your place? Care to post more spring flowers?
Hiro San : Ashita wa Hanami desu ( We're going to see cherry blossoms tomorrow)
Yuri San : Haik, omoshiroi ne... (Yes, that will be interesting)
* Hanami = seeing sakura
Haru = Spring

Iwakuni Sayounara photos...

We've gone too far from Saijo through my postings today ;)). Nevertheless I did refresh my mind of this place.
Should you interested to go there too, Iwakuni Station on the Sanyo Main Line is about 45 minutes from Hiroshima Station, and is in the center of the city. From Saijo Station to Hiroshima Station, it takes 30-45 minutes by train depends on the train, regular or rapid.
I prefer going there by bus. Do the share with friends to rent a mini bus for a day. It just costs you about 4000 Yen and is worth it. There are some interesting place to see during the way to Iwakuni, why not stop and see what's there?

by the river...

Try to see the river along using one of these boats. This was taken on right side of the bridge end before entering Kikko Park. I forgot to tell you earlier that we have to pay for some amount of money at the locket (I think it's 500 Yen).
In the summertime on the Nishiki river, we can see traditional cormorant fishing where the fishrmen wear traditional clothing such as the noble’s headgear called “kazaore eboshi”, aprons, straw skirts, and straw sandles, perform this over 300 year old fishing technique. The fishermen control the cormorant, making them catch a fish, which is then retrieved from the cormorant’s mouth by the fisherman.

The Kintai Bridge....

A larger city view seen form the top of the castle and a better view of the Kintai Bridge.
I like this b/w version. The original colored one was quite colored flat.
Some info about the bridge, it was first constructed in 1673 by Hiroyoshi Kikkawa. The bridge stood until September 14, 1950 when it was destroyed by the typhoon “Kijiya”. The bridge began being rebuilt only a week later and was completed in 1953. It was a recreation of the original and was built using traditional techniques. Since the first reconstruction, the Kintai Bridge has undergone some renovation. The latest renovation was completed in 2004. Its five arches are a symbol of western Honshū.

Iwakuni Castle...

Like I promised you before, this is Iwakuni Castle.
Okey, so it seems that I don't have much idea about this castle to tell you, let me just quote some info from Wikipedia.
Iwakuni Castle (Momoyama Nanban-zukuri), as well as the preserved temples and buildings at the foot of the hill, provide a glimpse into old Japan. The castle was originally constructed in 1608 by Hiroie Kikkawa, but was destroyed only seven years later. It was reconstructed in 1962. Iwakuni Castle is situated at the top of Mount Shiroyama, and can be reached on foot or by cable car. The castle contains a history museum containing armor, weapons, and other artifacts of the Kikkawa family. From the top of the castle, you can get an impressive view of Iwakuni. The castle area also offers a large number of trails for hiking and exercise.
Well, in the upcoming post, I'll show you that impressive view and some artifacts from the museums :)).

How high can you go?

Taken on a cable car from a hill above the Nishiki River. I love those tiny people on the bridge and the roofs seem like buit from lego.

Hunting Omiyage at Iwakuni...

Some of the omiyage or souviners we can buy at the omiyage vendors before heading to the Iwakuni Castle. These are products of honey and beeswax. One egg-shaped beeswax candle cost 300 Yen each.

Tabemashoo....

Along the Nishiki River, people are enjoying their lunch time while sightseeing.
Some are even playing in the shallow river.

Sakura at Kikko Park

Sakura, seen from across the Nishiki River. On the other side of the Kintai Bridge, we can see enter Kikko Park The park has a big fountain and contains numerous shops as well as a variety of flowers. Kikko Park is also home to a sanctuary for white snakes. These snakes are found only in Iwakuni, and have been designated as special national treasures by the Japanese government. The white snake is a symbol of Benten, the Japanese goddess of wealth. The white snake is considered a sign of good luck in Japan. Many people come to pray to the snakes so that they might be successful in their businesess. Far in the background, on the hill is Iwakuni Castle.
We're going there later :).

Last Year Series in Iwakuni

I visited this place in the spring, April last year (2008). For me as a tropical person, it's a wow ;). Tourists from both Japan and overseas who visit Hiroshima and Miyajima often extend their travels to include Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In early spring, the sight of sakura, along the Nishiki river is unforgettable. What is famous in Iwakuni besides its cherry blossoms/sakura? This is the Kintai Bridge which spans the Nishiki river and is made completely of wood, without nails.

last year...

Spring is already here, yet not the Sakura (cherry blossoms). There's an event that is not gonna be missed by the Japanase during this season. Hanami festival or seeing Sakura.
I'm now waiting for Sakura to come, probably in the next two weeks.
For now, let me just show some photos I took during Hanami last year in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.