Photography Archives - Page 11 of 19

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

It was a painful, yet life changing experience at Nagasaki Peace Park couple of weeks back, so I took off to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial today. Commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome or Genbaku Dōmu, it is the only structure left standing near the hypo-center of the first atomic bomb which exploded on 6 August 1945, and it still remains in the same condition as just after the explosion. The structure is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting down of Shinkansen at Hiroshima Station

Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima

Bus to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

On the Bus to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima

Hiroshima Prefecture Regional Timber Company Memorial

Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima

Red Bird Monument at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Atomic Bomb Dome

Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima

Commemorative Tower in memory of deceased children at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

A commemorative tower in memory of the deceased children due to the Atomic Bomb explosion over Hiroshima

Crossing the Motoyasu River

Motoyasu River along Hiroshima Memorial Park

Atomic Bomb Dome from the other side of the Motoyasu river

Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima

Children’s Peace Monument

Children's Peace Monument at Hiroshima Memorial Park

Peace Bell

Peace Bell at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Flame of Peace

Flame of Peace at Hiroshima Memorial Park

Hiroshima victims memorial cenotaph

Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Miniature Model of the destruction of Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb explosion

A model of the destruction of Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb explosion

Charred tricycle at the Atomic Bomb Museum in Hiroshima

A charred tricycle caused by the Atomic Bomb explosion in Hiroshima

Burnt uniform

A burnt uniform from the Atomic Bomb explosion in Hiroshima

Twisted metal bars

Twisted metal from the force of the Atomic Bomb explosion in Hiroshima

Fused roof tiles

Fused roof tiles caused by the force of the Atomic Bomb explosion in Hiroshima

Damaged Buddha

A damaged statue of Buddha caused by the Atomic Bomg explosion in Hiroshima

Origami paper cranes created by Sadako

A bunch of cranes created by Sadako while praying for her fight against radiation poisioning

View of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park from the top floor of the museum.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Waiting for the bus to JR Hiroshima Station

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Thanks for reading. I look forward to your reviews and questions. If you are looking to explore more of the Hiroshima region you can read my journal on the Hiroshima Peace Pagoda or follow my story as I stop on my way home at Fukuyama to explore the lovely Fukuyama Castle.

A walk to Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding area, then known as Tosa, during the Edo Period. Mani & I hike up the castle, the only one in all of Japan to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing.

Early morning view of Kochi

View of Kochi city from JR Kochi Station

Statues

Statues of local heroes Ryoma, Nakaoka, and Nanpeita at JR Kochi Station

On the way to Harimaya bridge

Kochi trams are operated by Tosaden

Harimaya Bridge

Ranita at Harimaya Bridge

On the way to Kochi Castle

Walking to Kochi Castle

Shopping area

Shopping street in Obiyamachi

Sunday Market

Sunday Market Kochi

Otemon gate

Ōtemon Gate of Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle walls

Walls of Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle Gate

Gate to Kochi Castle

Otakasa Hill

View of Kochi City from Otakasa Hill

Pine Trees

Pine trees in Kochi Park

Entering Kochi Castle

Entrance to Kochi Castle

Honmaru

Homaru & Tenshukaku of Kochi Castle

Closeup shot

Kochi Castle

Inside Kochi Castle

Leaving for Tokushima

Ashizuri Train from Kochi

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The Awa Odori Musical

This weekend I was lucky to witness the Awa Odori, a traditional Bon dance. It originated in Tokushima Prefecture and is danced to the lively call of “Yatto San, Yatto, Yatto. The dance has a history of about 400 years, and is one of the largest festivals in Japan.

Watch this space for the full story.

Train ride to Tokushima

Tokushima

View from Tokushima Station

Tokushima Station Building

Shinmachibashi Street

Awaodori Kaikan

Hut

Ranita at Henro Pilgrimage Hut

Musical performance

Musical performance at Awaodori Kaikan

Awa-odori dance performance

Awa-odori Dance

Awa-odori dance performance

Awa-odori Dance

Awa-odori dance performance

Awa-odori Dance

Awa-odori dance performance

Awa-odori Dance

Mani participating in Awa-odori dance performance

Ranita dancing to Awa-Odori

Awa-odori Museum

Ranita at Awa Odori Museum

Awa-odori Costumes

Dance costumes displayed at Awa Odori Kaikan

Awa-odori Instruments

Instruments displayed at Awa Odori Kaikan

Awa-odori Miniatures

Miniature model of the Awa Odori festival during ancient times

Awa-odori Miniatures

Miniature model of the Awa Odori festival during ancient times

Awa-odori Paintings

Painting of Awa-Odori dances during feudal times

Awa-odori Paintings

Awa-Odori during old times

Awa-odori Paintings

Painting of villagers dancing to Awa-Odori

Awa-odori Robo dancer

Robot Awa Odori dancer at Awaodori Kaikan

Awa-odori Mannequins

Awa Odori mannequin dancers

Train to Osaka

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A stroll at Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden is a chestnut grove garden, one of the most famous historical gardens in Japan. The garden is situated in the city of Takamatsu and dates back to the early 17th century. The garden has six ponds and thirteen mounds strategically placed to use Mt Shiun as a background. Different flowers bloom all year round with the scenery changing with every step I took.

Matsuyama Station

Train to Takamatsu

Seats on the Shiokaze Express

Ticket counter at Ritsurin Koen

Ticket Counter at North Gate - Ritsurin Garden

Viki at Ritsurin Koen

Viki at Ritsurin Garden

Bust of Yorinaga Matsudaira

Bust of Count Yorinaga Matsudaira

Wide expanse of greens

Wide expanse of green at Ritsurin Garden

Mani at Ritsurin Koen

Ranita at Ritsurin Garden

Tsuru Kame Pine Tree at Ritsurin Garden

Walking around the park

Walking around Ritsurin Garden

North Pond

Hokko - North Garden of Ritsurin Koen

Rows of Pine

Row of Kuromatsu Pine Trees at Ritsurin Garden

Walking towards South Pond

Ritsurin Garden

Okedoi-taki Waterfal

Okedoi-taki Waterfall at Ritsurin Garden

Walking to South Pond

Viki at Ritsurin Garden

South Pond

South Pond at Ritsuren Garden

Visitors taking a boat ride at the South Pond

Boat rides at Ritsurin Garden

South Pond with Mount Shuien in the background

Nanko Pond at Ritsurin Garden

South Pond

South Pond at Ritsurin Garden

Viki on the Engetsuki Bridge

Engetsukyo is the largest of the 15 bridges in the park

Back to Takamatsu Station

Takamatsu Station

Leaving for Kochi

Shiokaze Express

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Tanabata Festival at Ogawa River

Mani & I go to the banks of the Ogawa River to celebrate Tanabata Festival where 50,000 blue led lights are floated along the Ogawa River. Tanabata celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively. According to legend, the Amanogawa (Milky Way) separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of July.

Shimonoseki Kaikyokan

In Shimonoseki

JR Shimonoseki Station

Akama Shrine Hill

Mimosusogawa Park

Kanmon Bridge

Site of Dannoura Battlefield

Battlefield mark of the battle of Dan-no-ura at Mimosusogawa Park

Statue of Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune

Statue of Minamoto no Yoshitsune at the site of Dannoura Battlefield

Statue of Taira-no-Tomomori

Statue of Taira no Tomomori at the site of Dannoura Battlefield

Walking to Shimonoseki Kaikyokan

Ferris wheel at Haikarat Yokocho

Shimonoseki Kaikyokan

Shimonoseki Kaikyokan

Blue Whale Skeletal specimen

Blue Whale's Skeletal specimen in Shimonoseki Aquarium

Swirling fishes from the Kanmon Strait

Fishes from the Kanmon Strait

Luna Lionfish

Luna Lionfish (Pterois lunulata)

Prickly leather jacket

Prickly leather-jacket (Chaetodermis penicilligerus)

Scrawled Filefish

Scrawled Filefish (Aluterus scriptus)

Sea Anemone

Horned Boxfish

Lactoria Cornuta (Longhorn Cowfish, Horned Boxfish)

Japanese yellowtail

Japanese yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata)

Eel

Fishes from the Kanmon Strait

Slender Mudskipper

Slender Mudskipper (Periophthalmus gracilis)

Sea Lion

Sea Lion at Kaikyokan

Catching the Shimonodeki local to Kokura

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An evening stroll at Kokura Waterfront

Kokura city is the gateway to the Island of Kyushu from the Japanese mainland. We go for an evening stroll along the dazzling Kokura Waterfront up to the 400 year old flat land Kokura Castle built towards the beginning of the Edo Period.

Reaching Kokura

Ranita at JR Kokura Station

Walking to hotel

Walking to JR Kyushu Hotel Kokura

Checking in at JR Kyushu Kokura

JR Kyushu Hotel Kokura

Riverwalk Kitakyushu

Ranita in front of Riverwalk Kitakyushu

Statue on Ogaibashi Bridge

Kitakyushu City Hall

Kitakyūshū City Hall standing over Murasaki River

Kokura Castle Entrance

Strong winds at Kokura Castle Garden

Kokura Castle Tower

Gate of castle tower

Kokura Castle Gate

Dusk setting over Kokura castle

Kokura Castle

Hanging out at Starbucks

Relaxing at Starbucks

Kitakyushu City Hall

Kokura Castle reflection off Kitakyūshū City Hall

Kokura Riverwalk

Katsuyama Bridge

Shops along Uomachi Gintengai

JR Kokura Station

Katsuyama-dori

JR Kokura Station at Night

Picking food from Station

Inside JR Kokura Station

Back at hotel

Room at JR Kyushu Hotel Kokura

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An African Safari in Beppu

Waking up in the quaint town of Oita

Walking to Oita Station

Oita Station

Catching the train to Beppu

Catching the Kamegawa local train to Beppu

Beppu Station

On the Kamenoi bus to Beppu African Safari Wildlife Park

Bus ride to Beppu African Safari Park

Midway stop at Ritsumeikan

Ritsumeikan APU Academic Office

Back on the road

Ride on the Kamenoi bus to Beppu Safari Park

Into the hills

Beppu countryside

Finally at Beppu African Safari Wildlife Park

Beppu African Safari Park Entrance

Safari Bus

Beppu African Safari Bus

Animals on the Safari ride

Viki feeding a bear at Beppu African Safari Park

Ponies

Ponies at Beppu African Safari Park

Petting Koharu

Petting Koharu - the lion cub at Beppu African Safari Park

Had some food at the restaurant

Restaurant at Beppu African Safari Park

Gibbon enclosures

Gibbon at Beppu African Safari Park

Meercats

Meerkats at Beppu African Safari Park

Kangaroo Park

Kangaroos at Beppu African Safari Park

More kangaroo

Kangaroos at Beppu African Safari Park

Back at Beppu Station

Stores inside Beppu Station

Catching the train at Beppu station for Kokura

Waiting for the train to Kokura

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Fun on Aoshima Beach

We walk down to Aoshima beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Miyazaki. Facing the beach is Aoshima Island, which appears like a pendant from the sky. The island is known for its subtropical plants and straight lines stones called devil’s washboard or Oni no Sentakuita.

Waiting for Streetcar at Asahidori Station

Getting off the streetcar at Kagoshima Chuo Station.

Getting off the Streetcar at Kagoshima-chuo Station

A lovely sculpture at the Kagoshima Chuo Station

Sculptured group of young Satsuma

All set to catch the train to Miyazaki

Mani at Kagoshima-chuo Station

Getting down at Miyazaki.

Getting down at Miyazaki Station

Reaching Aoshima Station

Aoshima Station

Haniwa clay models

The Haniwa are terracotta clay figures that were made for ritual use and buried with the dead as funerary objects during the Kofun period of the history of Japan

Haniwa clay models closeup

The Haniwa are terracotta clay figures that were made for ritual use and buried with the dead as funerary objects during the Kofun period of the history of Japan

Walking to Aoshima Beach through Miyako Botanical Garden