Memoirs of a Mark Hibbert

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Used my Japanese Rail Pass to "see a bit of the country", so got on the famous Bullet trains and headed west of Tokyo to Kyoto ,Hiroshima ,Miyajima and Himeji.

Kyoto

Capital of Japan for over 1,000 years , Kyoto was about 5hrs by bullet train west of Tokyo , which I traveled with fellow English travellers I met . Fell asleep on the train so missed what was described to me as some impressive views of Mount Fugi!.

When we got there we went to see a couple of the temples near the station.

The next day on my own I visited Sanjusangen-do which houses 1001 gilded statues (photos not allowed 😞 ). Also visited the famous Kiyomizu-dera, which is a temple up on a wooden platform overhanging the valley with some spectacular views. It is one of Kyoto's defining sites and a temple has been on this site since 798!

Also visited Gion, which was the setting to the film and book "Memoirs of a Geisha". The wooden buildings there still function as exclusive teahouses where Geisha hold court.

Walked along Philosophers path (2km), which leads to the Temple of Silver Pavilion (Ginkaky-ji), where the Garden takes centre stage.

The tower you can see in the Picture is Kyoto Tower.

Hiroshima

After two days in Kyoto I headed to Hiroshima, made famous for the American bomber than dropped the first atomic bomb in anger. Hiroshima is home to The Peace Memorial Park Museum. Took some pictures of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall which has been left as ruin as a constant reminder to all who visit Hiroshima of the destruction the A bomb caused.

Unfortuanely my battery of my camera ran out, and I only have pictures from of Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall!!!!

The Peace Memorial park also contains the Childrens peace monument, monument in memory of the Korean victims of the bomb (approx 2000 that had been basically brought over as slave labour from the Japanese occupied Korea!), and the Memorial Cenotaph with Flame of peace that will not be put out once the last nuclear weapon on earth has been destroyed.

Did feel a bit awkward, when there was a very large group of Japanes children all praying by the Childrens Peace Monument and they kept looking up to stare at me. Glad I can't read minds....


The Museum was very enlightening, showing some of the horrific things that happened during the A bomb.

Miyajima

This is the venerable shrine of Itsukushima-Jinja, who's vermilion gate rises grandly out of the sea is a beautiful site. Also inhabited by wild dear that roam the streets and don't allow you to eat any food in piece.

Himeji

This quality building was the backdrop of the Bond film "You only live twice" and also in the last Samurai. It apparently is the most impressive of Japan's surviving 12 feudal-era fortresses (not sure where the other 11 are). Also in Himeji visited the beautiful 9 linked traditional style gardens.

Made friends with Janet and Janice who looked around the gardens and Castle with me, and I don't think that the local children on a school visit had seen any foreigners before because we got asked for photos on numerous occasions, and even asked to dance in a video whilst holding up our name plates!!

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Photos

Sanjusangedo
Afraid no pictures were allowed to be taken inside!

Comments

[anonymous]

Hey Mark, Do u have only 1 t-shirt???

[miles]

blog
Keep em coming Mark. Looking forward to China and beyond.