Onomichi is sometimes called "town of slopes" or "town of literatures". Because Onomichi has many alleys on the mountain surface. Those streets were loved by many writers. It also commands a fine view of Setouchi Islands.
Himeji Castle is one of the most beautiful castle in Japan. Only a few wooden keeps are now existing in the country. That's why it is designated World Heritage.
Korakuen Garden is counted as three major Japanese gardens.
Amanohashidate is famous for its beautiful shape. The name "Amanohashidate" means "A bridge spanning Heaven". It is counted as three major Japanese scenery as well as MIYAZIMA. Why do Japanese old people like counting three major something?
I had been Hyogo PREF for a month because of newbie training. I hadn't visited most of the area, so I went to sightseeing a lot during the time.
First, I visited Arima Hot Spring. It is chosen as the three major hot springs. We can take a public hot spring without staying overnight. One of public hot springs, Kin-Sen(Golden Spring), has rusty bubbling water containing iron and salinity.
Then I took a aerial tramway to the top of Rokko mountain. It possess a commanding view of Kobe city, but I couldn't enjoy the view because of the fog. I took a cable car to the foot of Rokko mountain and headed for Kobe city.
This picture is a view from the aerial tramway. The fog added a mythical touch.
It is a night view of Kobe city. The tower in the center of the picture is Kobe Port Tower. I went up to the observatory to enjoy the view. There were many couples. I was only person to come there by oneself.
The building behind it is famous Hotel Okura. Maybe the hotel commands a greater view than the tower.
Next weekend, I took Shinkansen and went to Yamaguchi PREF. It was an hour and a half trip from Himeji to Shinyamaguti. At Shinyamaguti, I had to wait a bus an hour.
I visited AKIYOSHI calcareous cave. It's total extension is about 8790m and we can walk about 1500m of it. It has all kinds of stalactites and stalagmites.
It is so dark that it is difficult to take good pictures without tripod. I took those pictures with fixing my elbows to handrail.
And then, I went to MIYAZIMA. ITSUKUSHIMA shrine is famous for its romantic scenery. When the tide comes in, its torii (shrine gate) is on the water, and when the tide goes out, we can close to torii on foot.
Today I went to Shibuya and Harajuku to buy clothes. I often go around there on foot because my favorite shops are scattered all over the area. I enjoyed walking while watching sophisticated people. There are lots of foreigners who walk around and take pictures of the area.
I planned to buy a jacket and T-shirts but I couldn't find ones to my liking. I thought better of it and I'm going to go to Shinjuku next week. It is easier to walk around for shopping in Shinjuku than Harajuku because Shinjuku has many department stores (you don't have to walk a long distance and needn't to remember places of flag shops).
After returning Japan, I really feel it that Tokyo is one of the largest city in the world and living in Japan is very convenient (and prices are not as expensive as what foreigners think).
I began working at a company from this April. To my surprise, I saw again a man whom I met in Turkey, although I didn't get to know many Japanese. Now, I'm under training, and have to participate in a study tour next week. So I bought a wheeled carry-on enough for a week trip. Can I go there in backpacker-style?
I'm going to start working from
I came to Athens by way of Delfi. Landscapes of Greece are anything like dynamic. I went to Aegina Island by ferry. It wasn't driven ashore by good fortune.
Tomorrow, I'm planning to set out for Egypt. If possible, I'm going to take a midnight train to Aswan on the same day.
OK, I missed the bus. An agent told me that the arrivel time was 20:15 and the departure time was 20:30. I went to the station 10 minutes before the arrival time. Despite this, my bus had already gone. But because of my clamour, the agent send me to the next station by his car, I could catch up with my bus without problems.
After 3 days staying in Istanbul, I left the city. It was supremely impressive city. I enjoyed sightseeing, shopping( I could buy Mavi Jeans at a low price) and cruising ( I went close to Black Sea).
I got on a midnight train to Greece(Thessaloniki). The train was 5 hours late, so I had only 4 hours to do the sights of the city. Then I took another train, and came to Kalambaka, here. Kalambaka is famous for monasteries on gigantic rocks, "METEORA". The sceneries were absolutery splended. How could people built such buildings?
I learned spelling "Cappadocia" is majority.
Yesterday and today, I took an excursion tour including underground cities and Ihlara valley which is difficult to go by oneself.First day, I walked around on foot, but I gave up because roads are very steep and there is remaining snow.
There are lots of Japanese in Cappadocia in this season. Maybe the number of foreign tourist is relatively small, so Japanese tourists are standing out.
I'm leaveing this town and going back to Istanbul tonight. I have to take a bus in 15 minutes...
I left Japan on February 29th, and arrived in Turkey on March 1st. It was over 24 hours flight including waiting times. The time difference between Japan and Turkey is 7 hours, so I'm still sleepy in the early evening.
I did the sights of Istanbul and left there the day before yesterday. Then, I visit Ephesus, and today, I'm in Pamukkale. I wish I could explain what these cities looked like, but it is difficult for me now (I might do when I return cousulting dictionaries).
I'm leaving Pamukkale by tonight midnight bus, and going to Kappadokia. I expect it will be one of the best spot in this trip. I'm going to spend 3 days in Kappadokia, and go back to Istanbul and spend more 3 days. Then, I'm going to Greece.
See you again.
