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

Orange Rules

Dontaku, a small bar in front of Saijo Station and little Nissan as bonus.
Hiro San : Ikimashoo (let's go)
Yuri San : Doko ni ikimasu ka? (where are we going?)
* kuruma = car

Kiiro Biru, for Yellow Theme Day :)

Hey, I got yellow fever, too :).
Just came back from wandering the old part of the city several hours ago. Got caught in the rain and wind, I headed home earlier. This photo was taken one block in front of Saijo Station . Still have no idea what building it is. My guess, it's a beauty salon. I'll ask my teacher :). There are two words on the board, the top one is in Chinese character or Kanji, and the word below written in Hiragana characters is "Katsuya", which is probably the name of the building.
I'll try to include some simple daily expression for each post. It helps me to review my Japanese lessons, and I hope you can enjoy it, too.
Yuri San : Kore wa hoteru desu ka? (Is this a hotel?)
Hiro San : Ie, kore wa biyouin desu. (No, this is a beauty salon)
Care to try the short talk?
* Kiiro biru = yellow building.

Try kimono

One of photo studio located on Saijo Boulevard. Try kimono you like and be photographed by a pro photographer. Haven't tried it, tho :)). Care to wear one?
* Shashin o torimasu = to take a picture.

Another finding from recycle store...

Aren't they awesome for serving green tea? I need to find well matched cups for these pots.
They're also nice for omiyage.
Ocha o onegaisimasu...

Okii...

Another tea cup I found at the recycle store last week. This cup can contain 0,5 litre of ocha. Ocha or green tea is an everyday drink for Japanese. At least that's what I see here.
Care for a cup of green tea, people?
PS: Okii = big

Have some tea...

Went to a recycle store last week and found some beautiful tea set. Saijo, despite its small area, has lots of recycle stores. As a university town of Hiroshima University, many people come stay in and move from Saijo quite frequently.
I'm gonna keep this for omiyage.
PS: omiyage= souvenir

Kagamiyama Koen Photo Series (3)

A rest room at Kagamiyama :). Henny, it's Sunday and you're showing a rest room??? Kagamiyama Koen is located on the hilly place. Behind the rest room, there's a space quite high for people to see the surrounding and conveniently located for throwing a party. Last year, we celebrated Indonesian Independence Day there. Take a walk at the left side of this building, the stairs will lead you to that place.

Kagamiyama Koen Photo Series (2)

I just heart autumn....

Kagamiyama Koen Photo Series (1)

Welcome to Kagamiyama Koen, the largest park in Saijo (?).
In the spring, the park is full blooming cherry blossoms and azaleas. Can't wait for them. Cherry blossoms will bloom around 1-10 April this year.
PS: Somebody please help me with the sky in this photo......

Meet My Bike...

Kore wa watashi no jitensha desu, this is my bike. Jitensha means bicycle. I got this bike from a friend who was going back to Indonesia. Well, if you can get one for free, why buy? :). Just remember that you have to register your bicycle at the Town Hall Office. This pic was taken in the autumn last year at the Kagamiyama Koen/Park, Saijo's main recreational park. The maple trees were already red.
I loved taking pictures during in the nearly-dark afternoon where few people came to the park.
This will be my first photo for Kagamiyama Koeng photos set. Care for a ride?
Happy weekend everybody.

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.