Category Archives: Japan

Hiroshima

Posted on May 31, 2007 by

I journeyed west on the Shinkansen from Kobe. My JR Pass was activated to take advantage of its benefits. The train journey took quite long — probably an hour or two? Hiroshima bore witness to one of the most cataclysmic … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiroshima, Japan

Around Kobe

Posted on May 31, 2007 by

I had a conversation with a 72 year old Japanese gentleman this morning. He was traveling alone — pretty impressive for someone his age — and was staying in the same dorm. We tried our best to figure each other … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Kobe

Himeji

Posted on May 29, 2007 by

It was a last minute decision to make a trip to Himeji, thanks to the recommendations of the two travelers I met in Kyoto. Since I book my accommodation on the go, I get some flexibility in my itinerary. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Himeji, Japan

Little wooden boards

Posted on May 26, 2007 by

I was quite fascinated the first time I saw these. Commonly found at Japanese shrines are little messages written on little wooden pieces known as Ema (絵馬) left behind by visitors passing through. Oddly, I spent quite some time poring … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Kyoto

Engrish

Posted on May 26, 2007 by

They never fail to amuse people. There is no short of English tortured and twisted in hilarious ways all over Japan. They are everywhere — in museums, toilets, restaurants, train stations, on T-shirts, … . T-shirts with English word there … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Kyoto

Kyoto explored

Posted on May 26, 2007 by

The next few days were spent in Kyoto. I had originally wanted to stay for 3 days, but I later extended my trip to 4. There was just so much to see in the city and its surrounding area. Cycling … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Kyoto

First day in Kyoto

Posted on May 25, 2007 by

The rain brought relief to the heat of the day before. I was cycling in Nara and the weather felt no different from that in Singapore. Cycling would have been a more pleasant experience if not for the heat. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Kyoto

Touch down in Japan

Posted on May 24, 2007 by

I arrived in Kansai early in the morning fairly fatigued even after the short rest I had on the plane. The bright “ohayo gozaimasu!” greeting at the aerobridge brightened me up somewhat. The immigrations went rather smoothly. And then I … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Nara