Blacksnail\’s Blog

There are many castles in Japan, but i only selected 1 to visit, which claimed to be the most beautiful castle in Japan – Himeji Castle. Most of the castles in Japan were relocated and rebuild, but Himeji Castle is still at the original place. 600Yen to get in here.

This post is specially dedicated to Zhuyi, YuQian, Mr Hao, Mr Yang and Ken – because they didn’t get to get in here.

Was with Miss April from China, we were in a same room in Kyoto.

Memory Games – Princess Sen liked to play this using seashell. Her story is quite interesting!

Princess Sen’s 3478 days in Himeji Castle
Princess Sen, whose life was filled with both joy and tragedy, lived at Himeji Castle for ten years. It is said that Princess Sen was an intelligent, charming, flower-like princess. A romantic story is still told of her ten years in the Himeji Castle where Sen spent 3478 days, the happiest of her stormy life. She was the granddaughter of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Her father was the second Shogun Hidetada. Her mother was O-eyo, a famous beauty who was the daughter of O-ichi, Nobunaga’s little sister. Princess Sen inherited her mother’s intelligence and beauty. When she was seven, in 1603, she married Hideyori, a son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At the age of nineteen, in the battle of Fuyu-no-jin, during the Winter War, she escaped from the flames of Osaka Castle to beg for the lives of Hideyori and Yodo, her mother-in-law and aunt. She was saved by Sakazaki Dewa-no-kami. On her way back to Edo Castle, she had a fatal encounter with Honda Tadatoki, a son of the lord of Kuwana Castle, Honda Tadamasa.

At first sight, Sen fell in love with Tadatoki, a handsome and intelligent youth. Soon after, they were married. This is not an unusual story today, but in the days when marriages were often based on family connections and politics, it was very unusual that a couple’s single-minded passion resulted in marriage. After one year, Sen and Tadatoki moved into Himeji Castle when his father, Honda Tadamasa, was transferred to Himeji. Nishi-no -maru, the Western Enclosure, was built especially for them. Kesho-yagura, or Boudoir Turret, which still exists, was built for Sen. She would rest there while walking from her quarters to pray toward Tenman Shrine which could be seen in the distance from the castle. Musashino Palace, the young couple’s residence, was annexed later. The Hondas were responsible for developing Himeji into a more beautiful and elegant castle.

The couple is said to have been extremely harmonious, almost like well-matched dolls. After giving birth to two babies, Princess Katsu and Prince Kouchiyo, Princess Sen spent the best 10 years during her life at Himeji Castle. Her most touching memory was a moon-viewing party which was commemorated by a renga or linked poem celebrating the birth of her first son, Kouchiyo. The linked poems by the family members give us a glimpse into the happiness of the Honda family.

A sorrowful fate awaited her after these happy days. Sen’s first son met a premature death at the age of three and her husband passed away when she was only thirty years old, eleven years after her marriage. She went back to Edo with her daughter, Katsu, heartbroken whenever she recalled the good memories of her life at Himeji Castle. Sen became a nun and was called Tenju-in. She never remarried but lived for forty more years, remembering Tadatoki in her heart.

__________________________________________________________

 <- complicated door

<- a sink

=
<- you know this guy? 不倒翁is designed according to his face. He is Damo from china.

 <- Samurai! got fake moustache also, so that they look more mature.

 <- fish tail at roof. Angela said she saw this in Ninja Anime.

<- View from 6th Floor

the small little holes at the walls are for guns.

The Voluntary Guide said Pierce Borshman shot a movie here.

 <- Well

 <- Okiku Well

 A maid named Okiku overheard a plot by a retainer to overthrow the lord. She informed the lord, who took steps to prevent the uprising. But the retainer found out that Okiku was the one who had ruined his plan.

The retainer removed a valuable dish, then accused Okiku of stealing it. On that charge, she was killed by being thrown in the well. For many years, castle residents then heard the wronged woman’s sobs coming up from the well, and heard she counting “one dish, 2 dish, 3 dish…. 9 dish” then stopped.

Snail praying at the highest floor of Himeji Castle – Its not easy to ring the bell.

View from Highest Floor of Himeji Castle!

Bottom line: Its so tiring to visit a castle! the steps are very steep, and the castle is huge!

I also saw this Hakone Castle, But didn’t get in, cos is too small and infamous. 400Y to get in

The Chubby kid was sitting on Yu Qian’s Lap! Hold it, Yu Qian! Left to right: Mr Yang, Zhuyi, Yu Qian, Ken. and Mr Hao was holding the camera!

There is a mini zoo here. Free admission.
<- Squirrel like monkey

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Hokkaido’s Odori Park
Fun and Sweet Family outing at the park

 
<- i joined the picnic for a while
<- i wanted to ask her to take a picture of me, but due to miscommunication, she thought i want to take a picture of her. haha.. so she posed like this, and so i took her pic instead

Old Folks Tapao lots of food from Home
Was sleeping on the train to Biei, and woke up cos i smelled food. Wah… so much how to finish? why nvr offer me? 😦

Male Escorts @ Sapporo
These 2 male escorts with sophisticated hair showed me their price list. 1 hr about USD40. Not very expensive. but i don’t have money to eat also. Take umbrella lagi.

Cart Pulling Men – They wear short and tight pants, quite sexy. I forgot how much they charge for this service. Really pity them, as they pull the cart by running.

Asakusa Cart Men

Otaru (Hokkaido) Cart Men

Spiderman!
Saw this while on my way to Tsukiji Fish Market. wonder if he got any life insurance.

 

School Girls
– Most of them wear really short and wear heavy make up.

Yoyogi Park, Tokyo – Sunday.
I went back to Tokyo on a Sunday just to see what people do here during weekend. I was there at 5pm, pretty late, but they didn’t disappoint me.

1st I saw a lot of harajuku girls

<- cool

Then I saw People partying in the park! – Foc – I didn’t joing as i was carrying big bags.

Then I saw free performance!

Well these japanese just want to show their talents, they do not ask for anything from you. I can see FREEDOM here!

Shibuya – Tokyo
I was here to see how crowded this place could be… and I saw this guy giving free hugs. He signaled me if i want his service. After a while, i saw girls went to him.

Kiyumizu Temple – Kyoto
Saw this man when i was trying to appreciate Kiyumizu Temple, one of the nominees of new 7 wonders. So manja one. hehe

Gion – Kyoto
It was 5pm, and a lot of people standing by with cameras for Super Stars?? No no.. is for Geisha! Geishas are really like superstars. They walk to the taxi once they get out from their house, and taxi driver already stood outside standing by. Geishas do not welcome camera, so we have to be quick

Hiroshima
Hiroshima is probably famous for being one of the victims of atomic bomb. The attack was at 8 15am on 6 August 1945. They built a Atomic Bomb Museum here, and until now, these places are still full with cranes. Cranes Symbolize Peace! Japanese fold millions and millions of cranes to remember those poor victims.

Most Wanted People!
I saw these 3 faces everywhere in Japan, from North to South. And i saw this very cute notice in Nagasaki. hehe… with their actual height.

Hiphoppers at Osaka – Namba Jr Station
It was a Friday night, they do great moves!

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Owakudani Volcano- Hell Valley – Hakone
this place is quite smelly, cos the volcano is producing sulphuric gas. we can’t stay in this place for long. This hello Kitty is so cute!!

I had bus sick when going up to this place and when i leaving this place. I puked in a toilet near this Hell Valley. But When took a bus from this valley, I can’t hold to puke anymore, I was looking for a plastic bag, but i can’t find any, I was holding a Big Map, so i puked into the map. After all the puking i felt so good. was about to relax then i realise there is a small hole on the map, and all my ramen and sashimi is leaking out. Even more tissue paper also canot stop the leaking. There was another lady on the bus, but dunno why she take no action. At the end of the bus trip, “Gomenasai! Gomenasai” to bus driver. I wanted to help him to wipe, but he said no need. 😛

Biei of Hokkaido
I was there for the lavender farm, and met a group of taiwanese students, we all heading to the same place. I felt so young again with these students! Let’s get a bike!

Lake Kawaguchiko (Ride 30mins bike to see this)

Ice Cave 280yen admission @ Fuji – its -5 Degree Celcius, and the passage is really small. 2 hrs bike ride

but we really enjoyed it!

 where is mt fuji??
 

at Saiko Lake (physco), people flying plane and yatch. 1 Hrs Bike ride
 

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At Tokyo

Khaosan Tokyo Smile http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/smile/index.html – 2000 yen per night – get free drink from bar downstairs!
The location is quite good, very near to Sensoji Temple and the Namibesu Shopping Street. a lot of food outlets, even baskin robins is less than 5 mins walk. View from the Bridges was great! and Asahi Beer Building is cute. But room is pretty small.

Odaiba Onsen (hot spring)
No proper bed, just a v nice resting sofa with own tv. Cost Additional 1500Yen

At Hokkaido
Ino’s Backpacker Hostel at Hokkaido http://www.inos-place.com/
is 3400 Yen. very expensive for a bed. But the hostel is v nice and comfy.
 

Fuji
K’s House at Lake Kawaguchiko, Fuji – 2700 yen include free pick up. I love this place!!
http://kshouse.jp/fuji-e/index.html

See the view from my room.

Laundry time! Seriously, i nvr use a Dryer b4. 300 yen to use both washing machine and dryer. Free Detergent!

at tatami matted living room, with Guilm from France. I brought him to the hostel as he was completely Lost. haha! 😛

 with Miho, a very interesting lady who works in K’s house for the time being

Cow boy – Prakash (Sri Lanka) and Cow Girl – Miko

Chatted until 3am with Andy (china), Guilm, Prakash and Miko. Us checking out the Flat Screen Plasma TV room.

Kyoto
J-Hoppers @ Kyoto 2500 yen
Spacious and nice too! Location is excellent (near Kyoto Station and very near to 7 eleven! Staffs are nice and helpful! But i didn’t take much interesting photos there. But is Highly recommended! By giving them your favorite photo in japan to them, they will give us free internet access.

http://www.j-hoppers.com/

Hiroshima
J-Hoppers @ Hiroshima 2500 yen
It suppose to be a nice place, but i think Hiroshima sleeps early at night, so going to the hostel at nite don’t make me feel safe. and I hate the receptionist! he is so calculative and not flexible! http://hiroshimahostel.jp/

 Very traditional room.

Osaka
Namba Capsule Inn @ Osaka – 2500 yen include breakfast, yutaka, toothbrush, towel.
This is the most interesting hotel! and i finally got some privacy. http://web.travel.rakuten.co.jp/portal/my/info_page_e.Eng?f_no=15705&f_ptn1=kaigai
Location is not bad, just make sure u get out of Namba subway station at Exit 31. and is very near to Namba JR.

 inside my capsule

Got Porn show to watch, here’s the menu. but have to pay after 5 mins preview.

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Nihon Sankei – Top 3 Scenic View of Japan, I went to 2 of the three.

1. Miyajima of Hiroshima 4th July 2007

Arrived at 5pm, but is dried. I love the color of the tori…

But at least i can walk around it to see it from different angle and I can feel it…. but a lot of crabs around, so have to be careful!

Was about to leave this place by ferry, and Met Miss April from China who lost her way earlier just arrived. I met her in Kyoto earlier and we took same train to Hiroshima. So I joined her again to see the night view.

Me Washing my feet

2. Amanohashidate of Kyoto 7th July 2007

Its about 3 hrs Train from Osaka, but i think it worth the ride! Amanohashidate means “Bridge of Heaven”. I love this place as there were less tourists and the scenery is great!

 You will see people posing like this!!

<- let’s do it together, honey!

So i Did it too!

And this is what i saw!

A bridge at the Sky! (Sea become sky, sky become Sea).

Took a ropeway up 320 Yen per ride (4 mins). then i chose to walk down (8 mins).

Took Boat ride back to Train Station 520 Yen (12 mins), video below taken on the boat ride. Passengers feeding seagulls with prawn crackers, these seagulls were with us all the way. so cute!

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