Blogs from Kure, Hiroshima, Japan, Asia

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Asia » Japan » Hiroshima » Kure March 29th 2014

Since my pass ran out last weekend, this week was spent much more locally. Without the train rides to write on, the days slipped by so I'll just recap briefly here. I still got some sightseeing in, but also had time to study Japanese and catch up on things. I've been following Uncle Ron's Road to Recovery, and I am glad to see that he will be discharged from the second hospital soon. I'll be flying back on his birthday, too, so there's a chance we'll both get home on the same day. Instead of recapping day by day, I'll just review the more exciting aspects of the week. Studying After the weekend, I used some time to catch up on rest and to finally get some serious studying in. They say the best way to ... read more
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Asia » Japan » Hiroshima » Kure March 11th 2014

Squat Toilets Yes! Finally! This is how I’ve been using public toilets all my life, but these ones are made for squatting. I’m all for taking your time at home, but when you’re on the road, you don’t need a throne. Just squat and go! Caution: you may have to buy toilet paper from a vending machine before you go. Check. Butt Rinsing Just press the button that says おしり(oshiri) and a wait in suspense as you hear the mechanical arm slowly extend. Then it’s a surprise jet of warm water to your behind. Do you have to use it? Not if you have toilet paper. But you can use both. There’s a mode for women (ビデ) but I can’t say how it is. Heated Seats Come on, is this really necessary? Sure it’s nice in ... read more
Choose your Flush

Asia » Japan » Hiroshima » Kure February 28th 2014

Just wanted to let you know that everything went well traveling and that I made it to Ellen's house last night. On the plane ride over they showed Frozen, and I watched it in Japanese. In the title song, "Let it Go," the words "let it go" are replaced with "daijoubu, daijoubu." After I landed in Narita, I made it through customs, exchanged money, and made it to my domestic flight to Hiroshima. I was able to use the public internet to tell Ellen that I made it and that everything was going surprisingly well. Bachi! As soon as I said that, we were told that our flight was cancelled and we were taken to a separate room where we would receive our baggage. While there, I met an older man who asked me to watch ... read more
The Sea
Here Come the Bunnies
Feeding Time

Asia » Japan » Hiroshima » Kure May 22nd 2013

Wednesday, 22nd May 2013 Ohayou gozaimasu, Hiroshima. Using the city as my base, I took a 45-minute train ride along the eastern seaboard which would bring me straight to Kure City. Home to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (海上自衛隊, JMSDF), there were two museums worth exploring on the ground. The JMSDF Kure Museum and the Yamato Museum (separate admission charges applies) were located next to one another. Given the time constraints, I opted for the free JMSDF Museum which offered me great insights on the submarine operations in safeguarding the sovereignty of Japan's waters. Housed together with a de-commissioned submarine vessel, I was able to relate to the maritime jargons given the nature of industry I was working in. There were also exhibits depicting life-sized sleeping quarters and the various kinds... read more
Akishio Submarine
JR Kure Station
The exhibits within




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