[Japan Travel]: Kobe - Day 2
Hello~
Now, here's finally Day 2 of my Kobe trip (^-^)
It was a very busy day. I went to a lot of different places which involved a LOT OF train rides.
I wasn't very lucky later on - it was quite horrible ... but the day ended with a Happy End nevertheless ... I guess ;P
Kobe - Day 2 (January 3rd, 2010):
Early in the morning I went at first to Hyogo (Tsu no Michi).
There are quite a few shrines and also a Daibutsu (huge Buddha Statue).
The Mitsuishi (not Mitsubishi! XD) Shrine.
Very small, but it's on the way to the larger and more interesting Wada Shrine, so it's worth stopping by :)
On my way to the Wada Shrine. Cute!!!
How to pray correctly XD Actually it seems to differ from temple to temple and shrine to shrine, so most Japanese people usually don't know what exactly to do either. That's what I was told by some of my Japanese coworkers anyway.
What's shown here seems to be the most common one, though? That's what I always have been told to do and always have been doing ever since XD
Old lucky charms and o-mamori from the last year. Such a waste :(
Wada Shrine welcomes you with its HUGE red gate (*___*)v
Awesome!! Omikuji in different colors. Really beautiful <3
More pastel colored omikuji (*_*)
Snakes!!! You'll see and understand why very soon :)
Okay, let's go to the snakes!
Uwah!~
There are living creatures as kami's messengers in shrines such as the ox of Tenjin-san, the fox of Oinari-san, the dove of Hachiman-san. In Wada Jinja a white snake is the messenger.
It's said that your wish will be fulfilled if you write it on a white snake.
Byebye, Wada Shrine, there's still a lot more to see, so I had to hurry up XD
Walking along the Hyogo Canal.
So cute! ^-^
On my way: images and reminders of the warrior, Taira Kiyomori.
Random flower XD
Gravesite of Taira Kiyomori (see above).
Japan is said to be so clean, but actually it wasn't very clean here. I'm not sure if the photo really shows it that well, though.
Noticed something German yet again XD
hesaki: That's ONLY for you!!! <33333
Shinakawa Canal - Canal Promenade - said to be very beautiful and relaxing ...................... construction works YET AGAIN!!!!! (-__-
)
The only real picture I was able to take of the Canal in the end ...
Hyogo Daibutsu in Nohfukuji Temple.
My second Daibutsu that's outside. The first one was in Kamakura a long time ago (September 2007) (^-^')>
Facts about the Daibutsu.
I'm not sure if you really can grasp how big the statue was from just the photos ^^;
Still at the Nohfukuji Temple :)
And byebye! Off to the next destination XD
A short train ride later I was in Akashi. Why? Castle!!! (*__*) ....
Well, the main building doesn't exist anymore and I have a policy not to go for ruins, but this is different as still parts of the castle were there (^-^')>
There's a huge park in front of the castle and many people were playing around, taking a walk etc. - that's when I found this kite in the tree XDDD
There's also a famous bridge in Akashi (Akashi Kaikyo Bridge), but it's only really interesting at night, so I went there again later that day XDDD Ahaha~ Yah, that day involved a lot of train rides (^-^')>
Back at Sannomiya St. - in the center of Kobe, I had lunch. As it was REALLY super cold, I chose a warm noddle soup (*__*) -> Udon (forgot the exact name XD)
As I was already close to it, I decided to FINALLY go and visit the IKUTA (Toma XD) Shrine! <333333 One of the main reasons why I wanted to go to Kobe!
It took way longer than planned, though, because there were SO MANY PEOPLE!! (January 3rd, everybody has still holidays -__-; ....) ....
And then I noticed why there were so many people! There was a festival at the Shrine! *headdesk*
Thus it was impossible to take good photos of the shrine ... without 13252341234 people on the photo in the end -__-;
Oh well, it was still interesting, though :)
Yah, so many people that they had to regulate the passenger traffic XDDDD
I guess they were busy, too.
Old omamori.
Wow, quite a lot (O___o')
UWOAH!!! (O________________O'')
There was also a Taiko performance (*o*)v
Back on my way to Sannomiya St. - I just HAD to take a photo of this statue XDDDDDD Ahem.
And after quite a long bus ride
I finally arrived at Maya Cable Station in order to go up to Mt. Maya (摩耶山).
You even had to change calbe cars once XD ... so it took quite a while to get there XD
WAH!!!
Wow, already an awesome view although that was only at the station where we had to change cars.
And it was already SUPER cold, although it was still daytime and we were still not up there yet x__X
690m, not really that high :)
And I finally arrived where you have the so called "10 million dollar view" (*__________*)v - especially at night (so of course I had to stay until it would get dark! - although it was already very cold!!!!!! Minus degrees!!!)
Rokkosan (Mt. Rokko is close to Mt. Maya) Pasture - Kobe Cheese House. I sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wanted to go there!!!! (*o*)
"Like a scene taken from a storybook, Rokkosan Pasture is an relaxing rural spot where you can interact with cows and sheep. In "Makiba Yume Kobo" in the park you can try your hand at making cheese and sausages. In the Kobe Cheese House you can see how cheese is made and try some original cheese dishes in the restaurant."
Although I come from a country with a lot of cheese and I've seen cheese production back home, I really wanted to go!
Remember that I said, that I was kind of unlucky during my vacation? Soon you'll know yet another reason why I said that!
Anyway on the way to my final destination was also Mt. Maya Tenjoji Temple.
It's an old Shingon Sect temple at the top of Mt. Maya. It is said that the temple was founded in 646(!) by the hermit Hodo who came from India on a cloud of brushwood. From the Edo period the temple has been popular among people as a place to pray for a safe birth.
It was really a nice temple, especially because you had an awesome view from up there!
Anyway when I left the temple, I asked some other Japanese tourists how far it is to the Cheese House. There were buses as well and most people used cars to travel anyway. The buses only ran once per hour, so not really an option for me.
I was told that it's probably about 20-30min. if I walk, maybe a LITTLE bit more. I needed to confirm that first, because it was already 3:30pm and the Cheese House closes at 5pm. Also, I needed enough time to be back at the "10 million dollar view"-observation platform by sunset to take awesome sunset photos.
I thought if it's only half an hour, it wouldn't be a problem.
( ´_ゝ｀) ...
4:30pm and I still wasn't there. It was a long walk up the mountain, very cold, very lonely, but with a nice view. I walked and walked and somehow the Cheese House I always could see wouldn't get any closer. I was really about to give up but then thought, I should still try.
4:45pm I finally arrived. I asked a person in charge of the parking slot when the last bus will go back down, because I wouldn't have enough time to get down the whole way before it gets dark - furthermore I was really out of breath by that time.
The very nice old man was very worried and told me to better go back ASAP, because the last bus already left and it's too dangerous to walk that path back alone once it gets dark (around 5:15pm ...) ...
I told him I came all the way up here, so at least I wanna go to the souvenir shop real quick. He let me through and I ran in order to get there before they close (5pm).
Heidi (^-^)
Of course almost no people were there anymore and almost everything was closed. No cows or sheep anywhere :/ ...............................
All in vain ;o; .......
Then, I went back .... having a race against the sunset .... many cars passing by .... it was getting darker and darker. It was freezing cold and I was REALLY angry
that I was so unlucky at that time.
I really walked FAST although I had not much energy left. It was about 5km ONE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I had the feeling that I was almost down there again, I stopped a few times to take photos of the sunset. Of course the trees were in the way the whole time ... it was a shame that I couldn't reach the observation platform for the "10 million dollar view" on time for sunset ;o;
Now it was REALLY getting dark ... and then I also came across this sign ;o; ...... WTF!!!???? AAAHH!!!
Finally back where I wanted to be and took photos like crazy.
At that point my face and especially my legs hurt so much from being freezing cold! I think I've never been so cold in my life although I'm used to VERY COLD temperatures in Germany, but usually you're not out for such a long time on a mountain with a strong wind and minus degrees .... I couldn't feel my legs anymore it was really not good at all.
So I went inside the CableCar station, there was a small heater, so I waited there until it was completely dark. Unfortunately my body wouldn't warm up again. I thought I would get sick for sure.
Then, finally it was pitch-dark. It was definitely a 10 million dollar view! I wish I had a better camera, so I could give you a better impression of how awesome it was!
Despite the fact that it was really unbearable cold, the view was really awesome (*_*)
I tried to enjoy it as much as possible and took as many photos as possible with my frozen fingers.
I love that photo (*_*)
Then, it was time to go back down (around 6pm). It took a looong time. Remember that you have to change cable cars once.
And ... when I finally was back at the bus stop I had to find out that the next bus wouldn't come any time soon -___- ... I had to wait for over 40 minutes! It was so horrible because it was still so cold and there was nowhere to go and wait. I really thought I would freeze!
I was shaking the whole time ;o;
Back at Sannomiya St. I got a really good dinner and stayed there as long as it took to warm me up again.
Usually I don't order extra drinks, but this time I needed something hot, so Yuzucha was my choice!
Still cold, but full, I went to my last destination of the day. Back to Akashi, well not really actually I got off a station before that, because you can see the bridge (Akashi Kaikyo Bridge) better from there: I think it was Maiko St. but I can't remember.
When I arrived there it was already quite late and I didn't want to waste much more time outside (cold!), so I asked a train station officer where the best spot is to take photos of the bridge. While asking there was suddenly a Japanese guy behind me, saying that he'll show me the way as he lives here and knows a really good spot. At first I was a little bit suspicious, but he seemed to be nice enough, so I agreed.
He was about my age (maybe a little bit younger) - handsome and very nice. We talked a whole lot while walking towards the bridge. Although he spoke with Kansai dialect, I was able to understand him perfectly well. It was really nice, because I think that was pretty much the first time that I had a conversation with a Japanese guy my age that was not a coworker or a department store salesman or whatever (*___*)v
And then I was really lucky because right when we came the bridge changed colors (only happens once an hour!) and it changed into rainbow colors (that's what the bridge is famous for.
Unfortunately it doesn't look that spectacular on my photo, but it was! That's why I took this photo (see above) from wikipedia in order to give you a better impression. Please also have a look at this.
It almost felt like a date - looking at the illumination with that Japanese guy XDDDDDD
He asked me if I wanted to go closer to take some more photos, but because he seemed to be really cold, I thought it's better to let him go home. Apparently he lives so close to that bridge that he can see it every night from his balcony. Must be awesome (*_*)v
We said our goodbyes and that was it.
I probably should have asked him for his メアド, but I didn't have the courage to do so.
I guess he only helped me because he's a nice person - and I didn't want him to get into an awkward situation because a strange foreigner is suddenly asking him about his contact address and stuff ....
Oh well ... (^-^)> ...
Uhm yeah .... I guess the last part of this day was good after all.
What remains are the great photos. The memory about the cold weather and my unlucky things are almost gone by now.
Camera used:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5
Thanks for reading.
グッドナイト(つ∀-)Zzzzz
Now, here's finally Day 2 of my Kobe trip (^-^)
It was a very busy day. I went to a lot of different places which involved a LOT OF train rides.
I wasn't very lucky later on - it was quite horrible ... but the day ended with a Happy End nevertheless ... I guess ;P
Kobe - Day 2 (January 3rd, 2010):
Early in the morning I went at first to Hyogo (Tsu no Michi).
There are quite a few shrines and also a Daibutsu (huge Buddha Statue).
The Mitsuishi (not Mitsubishi! XD) Shrine.
Very small, but it's on the way to the larger and more interesting Wada Shrine, so it's worth stopping by :)
On my way to the Wada Shrine. Cute!!!
How to pray correctly XD Actually it seems to differ from temple to temple and shrine to shrine, so most Japanese people usually don't know what exactly to do either. That's what I was told by some of my Japanese coworkers anyway.
What's shown here seems to be the most common one, though? That's what I always have been told to do and always have been doing ever since XD
Old lucky charms and o-mamori from the last year. Such a waste :(
Wada Shrine welcomes you with its HUGE red gate (*___*)v
Awesome!! Omikuji in different colors. Really beautiful <3
More pastel colored omikuji (*_*)
Snakes!!! You'll see and understand why very soon :)
Okay, let's go to the snakes!
Uwah!~
There are living creatures as kami's messengers in shrines such as the ox of Tenjin-san, the fox of Oinari-san, the dove of Hachiman-san. In Wada Jinja a white snake is the messenger.
It's said that your wish will be fulfilled if you write it on a white snake.
Byebye, Wada Shrine, there's still a lot more to see, so I had to hurry up XD
Walking along the Hyogo Canal.
So cute! ^-^
On my way: images and reminders of the warrior, Taira Kiyomori.
Random flower XD
Gravesite of Taira Kiyomori (see above).
Japan is said to be so clean, but actually it wasn't very clean here. I'm not sure if the photo really shows it that well, though.
Noticed something German yet again XD
hesaki: That's ONLY for you!!! <33333
Shinakawa Canal - Canal Promenade - said to be very beautiful and relaxing ...................... construction works YET AGAIN!!!!! (-__-
)
The only real picture I was able to take of the Canal in the end ...
Hyogo Daibutsu in Nohfukuji Temple.
My second Daibutsu that's outside. The first one was in Kamakura a long time ago (September 2007) (^-^')>
Facts about the Daibutsu.
I'm not sure if you really can grasp how big the statue was from just the photos ^^;
Still at the Nohfukuji Temple :)
And byebye! Off to the next destination XD
A short train ride later I was in Akashi. Why? Castle!!! (*__*) ....
Well, the main building doesn't exist anymore and I have a policy not to go for ruins, but this is different as still parts of the castle were there (^-^')>
There's a huge park in front of the castle and many people were playing around, taking a walk etc. - that's when I found this kite in the tree XDDD
There's also a famous bridge in Akashi (Akashi Kaikyo Bridge), but it's only really interesting at night, so I went there again later that day XDDD Ahaha~ Yah, that day involved a lot of train rides (^-^')>
Back at Sannomiya St. - in the center of Kobe, I had lunch. As it was REALLY super cold, I chose a warm noddle soup (*__*) -> Udon (forgot the exact name XD)
As I was already close to it, I decided to FINALLY go and visit the IKUTA (Toma XD) Shrine! <333333 One of the main reasons why I wanted to go to Kobe!
It took way longer than planned, though, because there were SO MANY PEOPLE!! (January 3rd, everybody has still holidays -__-; ....) ....
And then I noticed why there were so many people! There was a festival at the Shrine! *headdesk*
Thus it was impossible to take good photos of the shrine ... without 13252341234 people on the photo in the end -__-;
Oh well, it was still interesting, though :)
Yah, so many people that they had to regulate the passenger traffic XDDDD
I guess they were busy, too.
Old omamori.
Wow, quite a lot (O___o')
UWOAH!!! (O________________O'')
There was also a Taiko performance (*o*)v
Back on my way to Sannomiya St. - I just HAD to take a photo of this statue XDDDDDD Ahem.
And after quite a long bus ride
I finally arrived at Maya Cable Station in order to go up to Mt. Maya (摩耶山).
You even had to change calbe cars once XD ... so it took quite a while to get there XD
WAH!!!
Wow, already an awesome view although that was only at the station where we had to change cars.
And it was already SUPER cold, although it was still daytime and we were still not up there yet x__X
690m, not really that high :)
And I finally arrived where you have the so called "10 million dollar view" (*__________*)v - especially at night (so of course I had to stay until it would get dark! - although it was already very cold!!!!!! Minus degrees!!!)
Rokkosan (Mt. Rokko is close to Mt. Maya) Pasture - Kobe Cheese House. I sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wanted to go there!!!! (*o*)
"Like a scene taken from a storybook, Rokkosan Pasture is an relaxing rural spot where you can interact with cows and sheep. In "Makiba Yume Kobo" in the park you can try your hand at making cheese and sausages. In the Kobe Cheese House you can see how cheese is made and try some original cheese dishes in the restaurant."
Although I come from a country with a lot of cheese and I've seen cheese production back home, I really wanted to go!
Remember that I said, that I was kind of unlucky during my vacation? Soon you'll know yet another reason why I said that!
Anyway on the way to my final destination was also Mt. Maya Tenjoji Temple.
It's an old Shingon Sect temple at the top of Mt. Maya. It is said that the temple was founded in 646(!) by the hermit Hodo who came from India on a cloud of brushwood. From the Edo period the temple has been popular among people as a place to pray for a safe birth.
It was really a nice temple, especially because you had an awesome view from up there!
Anyway when I left the temple, I asked some other Japanese tourists how far it is to the Cheese House. There were buses as well and most people used cars to travel anyway. The buses only ran once per hour, so not really an option for me.
I was told that it's probably about 20-30min. if I walk, maybe a LITTLE bit more. I needed to confirm that first, because it was already 3:30pm and the Cheese House closes at 5pm. Also, I needed enough time to be back at the "10 million dollar view"-observation platform by sunset to take awesome sunset photos.
I thought if it's only half an hour, it wouldn't be a problem.
( ´_ゝ｀) ...
4:30pm and I still wasn't there. It was a long walk up the mountain, very cold, very lonely, but with a nice view. I walked and walked and somehow the Cheese House I always could see wouldn't get any closer. I was really about to give up but then thought, I should still try.
4:45pm I finally arrived. I asked a person in charge of the parking slot when the last bus will go back down, because I wouldn't have enough time to get down the whole way before it gets dark - furthermore I was really out of breath by that time.
The very nice old man was very worried and told me to better go back ASAP, because the last bus already left and it's too dangerous to walk that path back alone once it gets dark (around 5:15pm ...) ...
I told him I came all the way up here, so at least I wanna go to the souvenir shop real quick. He let me through and I ran in order to get there before they close (5pm).
Heidi (^-^)
Of course almost no people were there anymore and almost everything was closed. No cows or sheep anywhere :/ ...............................
All in vain ;o; .......
Then, I went back .... having a race against the sunset .... many cars passing by .... it was getting darker and darker. It was freezing cold and I was REALLY angry
that I was so unlucky at that time.
I really walked FAST although I had not much energy left. It was about 5km ONE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I had the feeling that I was almost down there again, I stopped a few times to take photos of the sunset. Of course the trees were in the way the whole time ... it was a shame that I couldn't reach the observation platform for the "10 million dollar view" on time for sunset ;o;
Now it was REALLY getting dark ... and then I also came across this sign ;o; ...... WTF!!!???? AAAHH!!!
Finally back where I wanted to be and took photos like crazy.
At that point my face and especially my legs hurt so much from being freezing cold! I think I've never been so cold in my life although I'm used to VERY COLD temperatures in Germany, but usually you're not out for such a long time on a mountain with a strong wind and minus degrees .... I couldn't feel my legs anymore it was really not good at all.
So I went inside the CableCar station, there was a small heater, so I waited there until it was completely dark. Unfortunately my body wouldn't warm up again. I thought I would get sick for sure.
Then, finally it was pitch-dark. It was definitely a 10 million dollar view! I wish I had a better camera, so I could give you a better impression of how awesome it was!
Despite the fact that it was really unbearable cold, the view was really awesome (*_*)
I tried to enjoy it as much as possible and took as many photos as possible with my frozen fingers.
I love that photo (*_*)
Then, it was time to go back down (around 6pm). It took a looong time. Remember that you have to change cable cars once.
And ... when I finally was back at the bus stop I had to find out that the next bus wouldn't come any time soon -___- ... I had to wait for over 40 minutes! It was so horrible because it was still so cold and there was nowhere to go and wait. I really thought I would freeze!
I was shaking the whole time ;o;
Back at Sannomiya St. I got a really good dinner and stayed there as long as it took to warm me up again.
Usually I don't order extra drinks, but this time I needed something hot, so Yuzucha was my choice!
Still cold, but full, I went to my last destination of the day. Back to Akashi, well not really actually I got off a station before that, because you can see the bridge (Akashi Kaikyo Bridge) better from there: I think it was Maiko St. but I can't remember.
When I arrived there it was already quite late and I didn't want to waste much more time outside (cold!), so I asked a train station officer where the best spot is to take photos of the bridge. While asking there was suddenly a Japanese guy behind me, saying that he'll show me the way as he lives here and knows a really good spot. At first I was a little bit suspicious, but he seemed to be nice enough, so I agreed.
He was about my age (maybe a little bit younger) - handsome and very nice. We talked a whole lot while walking towards the bridge. Although he spoke with Kansai dialect, I was able to understand him perfectly well. It was really nice, because I think that was pretty much the first time that I had a conversation with a Japanese guy my age that was not a coworker or a department store salesman or whatever (*___*)v
And then I was really lucky because right when we came the bridge changed colors (only happens once an hour!) and it changed into rainbow colors (that's what the bridge is famous for.
Unfortunately it doesn't look that spectacular on my photo, but it was! That's why I took this photo (see above) from wikipedia in order to give you a better impression. Please also have a look at this.
It almost felt like a date - looking at the illumination with that Japanese guy XDDDDDD
He asked me if I wanted to go closer to take some more photos, but because he seemed to be really cold, I thought it's better to let him go home. Apparently he lives so close to that bridge that he can see it every night from his balcony. Must be awesome (*_*)v
We said our goodbyes and that was it.
I probably should have asked him for his メアド, but I didn't have the courage to do so.
I guess he only helped me because he's a nice person - and I didn't want him to get into an awkward situation because a strange foreigner is suddenly asking him about his contact address and stuff ....
Oh well ... (^-^)> ...
Uhm yeah .... I guess the last part of this day was good after all.
What remains are the great photos. The memory about the cold weather and my unlucky things are almost gone by now.
Camera used:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5
Thanks for reading.
グッドナイト(つ∀-)Zzzzz