To Everywhere in Japan ~加賀 Kaga Yunokuni No Mori

加賀藩文化村 

Kaga Traditional Culture Amenity- Traditional Handicraft Village
Yunokuni No Mori

http://www.yunokuni.jp/mori/en/

Ciao!

To Everywhere in Japan ~立山 / 東尋坊

Rookiez is punk'd - Complication

立山 Mount Tate / Tateyama

Mount Tate is located along the Alpen route, in the southeastern part of Toyama Prefecture. The highest peak goes up to 9,892 ft. It is regarded as one of the 'Three Holy Mountains' in Japan. The transportation can only take us up to 8000 ft and then if we wanted to go to the peak we would have to hike, but unfortunately we don't have time for that. 

Blending in with the elementary students

I'm such a kid

Mikuri Pond

Could not resist but to ask for a picture with these brothers. The elder brother is so loving towards the younger, he would keep asking if he was feeling okay. And the younger brother is just adorable! The man standing behind us is the Oji-chan, he's watching me closely in case I try to kidnap them.

Why do you hate me...... Okay bye..

A picture of me and a friend I met on the trip

Apple and vanilla ice cream

黒部湖 Kurobe Dam

And finally we arrived at the Kurobe Dam. It is the tallest dam in Japan with height over 600 ft. The dam was built post World War II and the construction was not easy. The project costs Kansai Electric Power Company 1.3 billion, 7 years and the lives of over 100 people.

 Double rainbow

Another day begins as we head out to 東尋坊 Tojinbo. Apparently we stayed at a hotel sponsored by Sanrio, and there are Hello Kitty themed rooms provided. I wonder what a Hello Kitty themed hotel room would be like, but I am quite satisfied with just taking a picture with the human size Hello Kitty.

東尋坊 Tojinbo

Here we are in Tojinbo! Tojinbo is obviously famous for its unique cliff rocks formed by strong waves and erosion, but there is also another reason for its popularity. The place is believed to be cursed and haunted by spirits of dead people. A legend has it that a Buddhist priest whom was corrupted in mind was dragged and thrown down the cliffs, and people believe that his ghost still wanders around at the same area and curse the cliffs with wind and waves. Despite the legend, the tremendous amount of suicides in Tojinbo is actually the true reason why the cliffs has such a horrifying reputation. Tojinbo is one of the most popular sites for suicides in Japan with as many as 25 suicides annually.

 I still cannot believe such a beautiful place would be famous for suicides. Well, I am nobody to judge other's decision. The ones who are dead would not come back to life, but I hope the ones who are still living could understand the beauty of life. It is only when we are living that we get to feel all kinds of emotions, even sadness and despair. It would get better and we have got to believe that. I know I'm an optimist and that is the person I chose to be, because I refuse to waste time in despair when there is only so little of time left to feel happy. 

Ciao!

To Everywhere in Japan ~Part 1

Nobodyknows+ - Kokoro Odoku

Since I have been travelling these years, I decided to dig out all my travel pictures and share on this blog!

These pictures are from last summer when I went to Japan with my mom. 

Please, a round of applause for my mom before we start. My mom is a true traveler and I am merely a passionate follower of her footsteps. So thanks mom for taking me to these beautiful places. (Please keep feeding me; In a few years, it would be my turn to take you to places.)

We landed in Nagoya and left in Osaka. Our first stop was Hida 飛驒市 in Gifu, which is known for its production of sake.

  

飛驒古川 Furukawa Village in Hida

The village is listed as one of the World Heritage sites. It is an extremely quiet and peaceful place with a population of only around 1,600. 

One of the benefits of living in a small town is having nice neighbors who willingly fix your roof when its broken.

The village is full of creative handcrafts and artworks including this metal piece. 

And of course I would not miss a chance of getting ice cream.  

白川鄉合掌村 Shirakawa Village 

Shirakawa village was created 300 years ago when the villagers escaped deep into the mountains from war.  The village got its name from the shape of the roofs which is said to look like palms held together. But there is also another meaning to the name. Winters are brutal in Shirakawa so the villagers built the roofs this way to avoid the snow from piling up. It could take up to 200 people to renew the straws of a roof. So when one family needs to repair their roof, all the other villagers come to help. There is a unique bonding in the community and that is why the name also indicates unity. 

金澤市 Kanazawa City of Ishikawa

We went north and passed by Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa, before getting to Mount Tate. Kanazawa has one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan - 兼六園 Kenroku-en. 

柿木畠商店街 Kakinokibatake Shopping District

Ciao!