Oh Deer!

Before todays visit to the island of Miyajima I was warned that the deer could be... bold.  By bold I mean they started trying to eat Seto's wheelchair when he and Kyle were last there.

One of the deer grabbed the bag I was holding and proceeded to tear open the box of coffee sachets within.  All I could do was watch in stunned silence as many onlookers clearly gained amusement from the ongoing spectacle.

Do NOT trust this deer!

The journey to the island went well enough, taking only 25 minutes by ferry.

Miyajima is home to a famous shrine.  This particular shrine is unique as it has a Tori out in the water.

At the shrine I decided to add to my ema collection and get another omamori.  This time it was one for finding ones life partner.  Unfortunately, upon returning to the hotel I discovered my second piece of bad luck.  I'd managed to lose the omamori.  I think the Shinto Gods are trying to tell me that I'm going to be single forever.  Zetsubou!

The island also featured a nice aquarium.  It's relatively small (certainly not on the same scale as The Deep, in Hull) but nice.

Furthermore, when jumping between Kyles room and my own (sorting out who has the correct souvenirs for when we check out) I discovered that I had managed to lock my keys in my room.  This is really not my day!

Despite the slight mishaps I had a great time today.  As we are returning to Misato tomorrow this was our last day with Seto.  Meeting Seto again has been great.

For the return to Misato we're travelling by Shinkansen this time.  i don't think I could survive another overnight bus and I fly back on the 13th so I'm going to make the most of the remaining time I have in Japan.  Time to swap the dry heat of Hiroshima for the humidity of Misato and Tokyo.

And lastly, a little proof that the Deer do in fact steal and attempt to eat whatever they can get away with:

Thief!

またね！

I skipped a day - Kimono Time

in the day before the trip to Hiroshima, we visited Askukusa.  Boasting a large shrine and traditional market place in the middle of busy Tokyo, this provided an opportunity to see one of the many interesting facets of the city of Tokyo.

I'm visiting another shrine - this is becoming a habit!

As this area is close to the Sky Tree, it provided an opportunity to get a closer look at it ahead of a full visit.  I'm planning on seeing the observatory when we get back from Hiroshima.  As Kyle doesn't have a head for heights I', going to do this one alone.

Tokyo Sky Tree, seen from Askukusa

While touring the market, we found a stall selling Kimonos.  I couldn't resist - I'm going to post a picture of me wearing it later but for now, here it is!

A cotton Kimono

Another enjoyable day.

On to Osaka and Hitroshima

After spending a few days in Saitama we've moved on to the next leg of the tour.  Hiroshima.

The reason for going to Hiroshima is to visit Setoguchi San (せとぐち　さん).  For those who didn't follow the "Seriously Shinto" blog, Seto is a friend of Kyles whom I met when I was in Tokyo back in February.  I was a little nervous about meeting Seto last time but was happy to find out that he thinks I'm cool.

In order to save costs for Kyle and to see a little more of the countryside of Japan, we opted to travel by coach (Willer Express).  Here are a few samples of the pictures:

Because the coach trip is actually 2 separate journeys (Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Hiroshima) we got to spend a little time in Osaka.  By a little time, I mean enough time to frantically try to find the bus terminal and then enough time for a nice relaxing dinner.

As it turned out, the bus terminal was in the Sky Building.  Sky building is a landmark building complex featuring an observatory at the connection between the 2 main towers.

Osaka Sky Building

In the part of the complex named "Fun Fun Plaza" there is access to the observatory along with a large number of restaurants (レsツラン) in the basement.  After selecting a suitable venue, a nice meal of Katsu Curry and Plum Wine (that plum wine is powerful stuff!) we had plenty of time to wait while checking in.

If you are thinking of using this cheaper alternative to the Shinkansen please bear in mind that all announcements are in Japanese.  That being said, the staff spoke good English and were very helpful and friendly.  I think this service is quite popular with both locals and Gaijin.

After arriving in Hiroshima I can safely say that there is a reason I don't do overnight buses/coaches.  I can't sleep in an upright position!  I have the same problem with airline flights.  All being said an done, we got to our destination and it didn't cost the earth.  If you need something a little more comfortable, Willer seem to offer a range of seat types (certain coaches have improved seats) and this goes up to what I can only describe as a "first class style reclining pod".

Following our arrival we had some time before checkin (try checkin is at 14:00 and we arrived at 06:00) so after grabbing some breakfast, we dropped our bags off at the hotel and did a little exploration.

We managed to find a small Shinto Shrine near to the hotel, providing Kyle with an opportunity to expand his ever growing Ima collection (and to have a chat with the priest of the shrine).

August 6th was the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima so we journeyed to peace park to attend the somber ceremony and to pay our respects to the 140,000+ people who died during and immediately after this attack.

Unfortunately, a group opposed to nuclear power chose to use this rememberance day to launch a protest - something I found rather disrespectful and distasteful.

For a long time I've believed that nuclear weapons are an incredibly bad idea, but anyone who thinks they are a good idea should go to this place.  This, ladies and gentlemen, is the reality of nuclear warfare - over 70,000 lives wiped out in an instant and a further 70,000 died in the immediate aftermath.  I hope we never allow such a weapon to be used again.

After this somber visit, we went to the Starbucks in the NHK building (they have an office in Osaka) and proceeded to consume our respective body weights in iced drinks (this certainly made me wonder how much  I've managed to undo my recent weight loss).

Finally we were able to checkin, grab baths/showers and freshen up ahead of meeting Seto.

After meeting Seto we visited the war museum, bought a new hat to add to my collection (I didn't bring any of mine and I burn easily!), grabbed dinner from a street seller and went to a nice little bar Seto knows.

One of the bar staff is an old friend of Seto's so we spent the evening chatting away and downing long island ice teas.  Suitably fresh, we called it a night and headed back to our respective abodes.

So far, this is proving to be a very nice trip.

Day 3 in Japan - So Hot...

I've been a little lax in keeping this thing up to date.

It's the start of my 3rd day.  At the time of writing, it's Saturday morning in Japan, and Friday night in the UK?  Time zones are difficult to get used to.  But another thing that can be difficult to get used to - the heat.

The day I arrived was the hottest day of the year so far, the second day was only slightly cooler.  I was warned that August is an incredibly hot month in Japan but I really had no idea.  Those who may have seen some pictures I posted before from Japan of the ubiquitous vending machines will start to realize why they are there.  The ability to grab a cold bottle of water has been a Godsend.

Didn't get up to much on day 1, mainly settling in.

I went back to Akihabara on day 2.  In one of the stores I saw I well made Yu-Gi-Oh! figure that I've decided to purchase.

Getting from Misato to Akihabara, I've found that the most efficient way is to go to Shin Misato station (Mushashino line, 1 stop) and then get the Tskuba express to Akihabara.  Only problem there is that Tskuba Express is not part of Japan Rail so I can't use my JR pass on that leg.

In the evening we grabbed dinner at a nice traditional style restaurant.

On the way back I noticed that the Seven Eleven had some Melon Bread (メロン　パン) - Something I can never resist!

Things are getting off to a slower start from before as last time there was a lot to cram in to 8 days.  This time round the pace is much more relaxed and there's a little more time to get used to the warmer conditions.

During the night (while we were talking to Setoguchi San in a skype call) I experienced my first earth quake. Given that this occured just seconds after not using the correct honorific, I did wonder if the 2 were linked.  Earthquake was a small one (Likely a 2), small ones are quite commonplace.

Most of today is going to be getting final preparations in place for going to Osaka/Hiroshima.  Going to get the overnight bus tomorrow.

Frankfurt and Beyond

It's currently around 10:00 in sunny Frankfurt, which means I have nearly 4 hours before my flight to Tokyo.

Seeing as I'm in Frankfurt again (and my departure gate is exactly the same, given that it's next to the exact same pretzel bar) I've decided to grab a beer and a pretzel while I wait.

The good news so far is that there is free WiFi for half an hour, which I'm currently using to post this and check a few email/social network updates.  Afterwards I expect that I'll shell out for paid hotspot access in an hour or 2 just so I don't go completely crazy.  As I recall, last time it seemed quite reasonably priced (and is provided by T-Mobile and Deutche Telekom).

Bad news is that I've found that keeping a big box of batteries (for my camera) in my hand luggage wasn't a brilliant idea.  Hasn't stopped me getting anywhere but at both Manchester and Frankfurt the security staff did want to check what they are.  On the way back, they go in the suitcase!

Anyway, I'm relaxing now while I wait for my flight.  For those who are interested, I'm flying on one of the new A380 SuperJumbos.  I flew on one last time I went to Japan and I have to say they are really comfortable and certainly quieter than anything I've ever flown on before.  Hopefully I should arrive fairly refreshed.  At least I hope I do as I'm landing at 08:00 - got a full day ahead of me!

またね！

Start of Vacation (Sorry - Holiday)

Just a quick status update.  This post is brought to you from the departure lounge of Manchester airport.  Having woken up at silly O'Clock in the morning, I'm starting my trip to Japan.  Whike out there, I'm going to be staying with my good friend Kyle and later visiting Setoguchi San.  It's a little early for long writing and I'm currently typing on my phone so I'll post a little more once I hop on to WiFi hotspot in Frankfurt.

Tired...

Learning A Little About Falung gong

Today I visited the art of Zhen Shan Ren exhibition which (at the current time) is is displaying at the Corn Exchange in Leeds.

For those who are not familiar, the exhibition draws attention to the suppression faced by practitioners of Falun Gong within China.

I'd prepared myself for what I was going to see on an intellectual level but it couldn't prepare me for the raw emotion involved in such an exhibition.  This is not an exhibition for those who just want to see pretty pictures!  What I saw gave me an insight in to a horrific world where abuses that would seem completely alien to a westerner are the tragic norm.  This is a world where people are taken without warning, tortured without mercy and even murdered, all with the tacit approval of the state.  And what monstrous crime could these people have committed?  Their only crime was following a system of belief that the state does not endorse.  A system of belief that the state does not control.

It's origins are varied but it draws heavily from Buddhism.  Falun Gong became publicly known in 1992 where it enjoyed popularity.  Unfortunately, it proved to be an influence to rival the Communist Party.  In 1999 the Communist Party of China executed a nationwide crackdown on this "heretical" organisation.  Since then Falun Gong practitioners have faced a merciless campaign of intimidation and torture by a government which has been seen to enjoy increased respectability in recent years.

At first I was intrigued by the spiritual element of the exhibition.  I've been interested in Buddhism for a while and as a result found those parts of the exhibition to be fascinating.

Later I saw a representation of the repression, horror and violence that Falun Gong followers in China face every day.  The images I saw hit me with the force of a bomb.  The reality was hit home.  People are taken from their homes, indoctrinated, and tortured until they reject their "heretical" beliefs.  This is not something I expected to see in the 21st century.  This is something that I'd expect to read about in history books.  This sounds more like the Spanish Inquisition than the present day.

Seeing image after image of tortured soul I felt a well of anger building up.  This was not directed against just against the government orchestrating these acts, it was against the governments and peoples who tacitly approve these acts - myself included.  We do business with the PRC, we lend legitimacy to them and their actions.  WE are just as responsible because WE support them.  Through our moral cowardice we failed to make a stand against a holocaust in our own time.  I don't want to know how  history will judge us.  The only thing I'm sure of is that we are just as morally bankrupt as as those who said they were "only following orders".

Innocent men, woman and children are taken in to custody under the auspices of the "6-10 office".  They are subjected to indoctrination, torture, even murdered.

"Murdered" is putting it lightly.  In some instances, they are carved up for their organs, body parts - while they're still alive!  Some 3200 Falun Gong followers are believed to have been murdered by the regime.  Many have been orphaned and ostracized for their parents beliefs.

As cold as I may seem, even I found it difficult to avoid breaking in to tears.  Despite all of this, Falun Gong practitioners still believe in good.  After living through such horrors (which only seeing accounts of, make me think that the world is rotten and that humanity i s doomed) they still see a hope that I will probably never understand.  the fact that they can cling to such belief in humanity demonstrates not only the strength of their resolve but their hope for humanity.

I've said before that Edmund Burke once said - "All that is necessary for evil to triumph if for good men to do nothing"

We do nothing.