NIKOLE.ver[s].THE.PLACE: Japan

Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

April 24, 2009

Day 097 : Fukuoka

Today's time was spent getting from Kyoto to Fukuoka. Tomorrow morning I catch my flight to Beijing!

I spent most of today doing practical things like laundry and planning. Nothing too exciting. I figured this lack of blogging material was a good chance to give a 'shout out' to my dear Japan Couch Surfing friends. I am a member and firm believer in www.CouchSurfing.com. Check it out of you haven't heard of it before (It's been written up in the NYT a number of times).
I've had a blast surfing my way through Japan, meeting some awesome people along the way. There were Crystal and Jacob in Saporro who taught me how to salsa dance with Japanese men, Erin in Takamatsu who recommended and donated one of her books to me (It's been so long since I've read a book for fun...Thanks Erin!), Antoinette in Osaka who introduced me to the a killer Izakaya, Kimi in Fukuoka who totally teased me by only being able to spend a few hours with me (She promises to surf my couch back home though...), and finally Shoji in Kyoto who, well, is just one of the most fun-loving, generous, and genuine people I have ever met. Shoji has a wife, three daughters, and a spare house that he dedicates to Couch Surfers from around the world - all out of the genuine goodness of his heart.

April 16, 2009

Day 095 : Kyoto

Today I got an early start to experience the Sagano Bamboo Forest in the morning sunlight. It was pretty spectacular, despite a few too many tourists. From there I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon walking along the Katsura-Gawa River, observing the friends and families as they enjoyed a Saturday afternoon in the sun.

These people love baseball...

I made it back into the city just in time to catch some sunset street scenes.

Click here for Kyoto photos!

Day 094 : Kyoto

I arrived in Kyoto this afternoon. After dropping my stuff off with my lovely couch surfing host, Shoji, I headed into the city to check it out at sunset. Throughout my stay in Japan everyone has been telling me how lovely Kyoto is. I guess it is pretty picturesque, especially during cherry blossom season!

Click here for Kyoto photos!

Day 093 : Osaka

I like Osaka...a lot. For me there is something very different about this city. Maybe it's a bit edgier and grittier (as gritty as Japan can get) in comparison to what I have experienced so far. Or maybe it's because I had the crazy capsule hotel experience. Who knows. Anyway, I spent the whole day wandering around till my feet were super sore. It was worth it though. I was smiling the entire time.

For a minute I thought I was in America...

Then I realized I was still in Japan...

After a long day I retired to my capsule, smack in the middle of Amerika-Mura. The capsule was surprisingly spacious. I fit in it perfectly. My luggage though, that was another story. What was I thinking leaving my bag outside of my capsule during the day while I wandered around? Sure enough, as soon as I returned I was attacked by capsule hotel employees telling me I needed to put my bag in my locker. But how am I supposed to fit that big bag in the little locker?!? So my bag spent the night behind the front desk while fell fast asleep in my cozy little capsule...

Click here for Osaka photos!

Day 092 : Naoshima

Today I took Alex's advice and made a visit to the little island of Naoshima, about an hour ferry ride off the coast of Takamatsu. It's safe to say that this was one of my most enjoyable days in Japan thus far (Thanks Alex!). Once I arrived I immediately rented a bicycle and began exploring.

Naoshima is more or less an art island, as it is the home to two different art museums (The Benesse House and The Chichu Art Museum) both design by Tadao Ando. Unfortunately I wasn't able to photograph (or even sketch!) hese places. I think my favorite part of the island was the 'Art House Project' in a small seaside town on the east coast. Seven of the houses in this village have been handed over to various artists and architects. Each individual has created his own unique installation using the given space. My favorite was the Minamidera House Project. The shell was designed by Tadao Ando, and the art installation was done by James Turrell. Unfortunately I don't have any photos as it was all about experiencing and adjusting to the black box. You'll have to see it for yourself!

Haisha by Shinro Ohtake

Go'O Shrine by Hiroshi Sugimoto

Kadoya House by Tatsuo Miyajima

View from the Ferry. Upon arriving in back in Takamatsu I headed straight for the train to Osaka!!!

Click here for Naoshima photos!

April 15, 2009

Day 091 : Takamatsu

I had a very pleasant day today visiting the Shikoku-Mura Open Air Museum in the outskirts of Takamatsu. It was much like the Shirakawa-Go Village I visited in Takayama, minus the masses of people eager to buy souvenirs.

Click here for Takamatsu photos!

Day 090 : Matsuyama

Matsuyama!

Click here for Matsuyama photos!

Day 089 : Matsuyama

This morning I took a super speedy Shinkansen train ride from Beppu to Matsuyama. Anyone that knows their Japan geography would ask, 'But why?!?'...True, it is much quicker to hop on a fairy just across the Sea of Iyo, but I thought I would make the most of my 3 week unlimited Japan Rail Pass. And glad I did! On the way I passed this crazy seaside city. At first I thought I was daydreaming of an imaginative Archigram or Super Studio project...but no, this was for real!