hiroshima (fukuoka, nagasaki, nara, kyoto)
the southern part of japan was beautiful, since the cherry blossoms start blooming from the south to the north. they were in full bloom when i visited hiroshimaand the peace memorial park. i spent a few days there, visiting all of the museums and a bomb sites, which were incredible. other than the museum exhibits, the most powerful sight was the a-bomb dome. since the bomb was dropped almost directly above it, the building is still standing (the frame of it anyway) and serves as a reminder to tourists and residents on a daily basis. it was personally important to me as a japanese-american to visit the site, and i am so glad i did.
afterwards i made my way to fukuoka, nagasaki, nara, and then kyoto, where i visited the temples and shrines i studied a few years ago in the ‘buddhist art and architecture’ class (art h 350 i think). it was really amazing to finally see all of the grand buildings in person, and i was really able to appreciate the sights because of the info i learned in class. can not explain the feeling of tranquility that is evoked as i walk around the grounds. the most extravagant piece is the ‘kinkakuji’, in kyoto, which is right on the water. the gold reflection against the green japanese garden is priceless.
JAPAN (sushi at 6 am)
i have been doing great, just traveling all over japan…and eating…and eating …and eating. haha. but i love the food here! this past weekend, miriam, (who i went snowboarding with) came down to tokyo with her friend and we went out to a club called shibuya nuts. it is a hip hop club that was recommended by carver, (in shibuya) and we got to catch a japanese hip hop show which had a bumping beat and energetic vibe.
we danced till about 6 am, but the highlight was definitely eating sushi afterwards at a restaurant around the corner…and then catching a train to the famous fish market (tsukiji) to eat more sushi. i never thought i would eat sushi that early in the morning! then we slept for a few hours at a comic/internet cafe and woke up at noon to people watch in harajuku. i really wonder where the people get their inspiration for!
JAPAN tokyo
a few days ago, i was able to meet up with carver ( a friend from university) which was really cool. i didn’t know he was in japan, but he sent me a message a minute after i updated my status on facebook…and we happened to be at the same train stop! it was cool to hear his stories since he studied here last year, and he also showed me around a shopping mall called 109, which has NINE floors of women’s stores. the fashion here is crazy. the girls dress up like they are straight off the runway, and all look like dolls…kinda like gwen stefani’s “harajuku girls” but even more outrageous.
i have been laying pretty low compared to south america, but the times i have gone out have been off the hook! the party scene here is incredible, and i have found a new favorite drink. it is currently plum wine with fresh grapefruit….yum! i don’t know how i worked 6 years at the restaurant without tasting it…
JAPAN tokyo
i started my japan trip in tokyo, where i met up with my dad. since i was on sushi withdrawal, we went out for sushi, and i really think it was the best sushi ever. period. since then, i have been eating like 20 times a day and loving every bite! i also tried to stalk evo morales(the president of bolivia) with the news crew at our hotel, but was unsuccessful….i wish i had a good story.
the subway system is pretty self-explanatory since half of it is in english (next to the kanaji characters) and there is always someone i can ask for help. so i have been able to get around and go sight seeing without much hassle. i also spent $48 on a 10min cab ride so i guess this encouraged me a little as well. haha…i was so used to 30min rides that cost $2, so i didn’t even look at the cab fare when i entered the cab. lame.