Hikone Castle (Hikonyan on YouTube)

Hikone is a city located just in the middle between Kyoto and Nagoya. There is the Hikone Castle, which was built in 1600’s, and is now designated as a national treasure.

This year, the mascot character “Hikonyan”, created for their tourism campaign has become very popular, triggered by the video clip introduced on the YouTube. It has been played more than 200,000 times in total.

There were groups of very excited girls exclaiming “Kawaii!!!” and taking photos in front of the Hikone Castle.

and brodcasted to all japan.

Hikone Castle – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hikone, Shiga – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
hikonyan

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Keibunsya-Bookstore : Kyoto Trip Part 2

Keibunsya-book store is a place I always stop by when I visit to Kyoto. This book store is really worth a visit. Keibunsya is “a select shop of books, and things around books” with adjoining shops of Zakka, CD& DVD and an art gallery.

It is like a landmark which sends out various cultures from Kyoto to the rest of the nation.

If you say that you wanna check out the most interesting place in Kyoto, I’d definitely recommend the Keibunsya .

keibunsya

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Kyoto Tower : Kyoto Trip Part 2

The Kyoto tower just stands out most, around the Kyoto station. But in fact, the local people in Kyoto think that the Kyoto tower is a shame for them.

They say because it looks like a stick of candle that is kind of indicating a stereo type of Kyoto, and it is not as high (131m) as to be called a “tower” etc.

There are souvenir shops, a book store, restaurants and even a hot spa inside the Kyoto tower. So why don’t you visit?

Kyoto Tower – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Welcome to Kyoto – Kyoto Tower -

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Autumn in Kyoto : Kyoto Trip part 1

Hey, I’ve just been to Kyoto by bullet train! In this time of the year in Kyoto, “Koyo”（紅葉）- autumn colored leaves are the best thing, more than anything else.

At temples and shrines, there were many people from all over Japan to enjoy the beautiful “Koyo” landscape.

Maybe due to the global warming, the season of “Koyo” has been shifted year by year. You know it’s already December, and we say it is the best time for the autumn leaves. That sounds a bit wired, don’t you think?

The photo of Maiko（like “Geisha”）is probably a tourist in that costume. They said that the make-up services for the tourist have been very popular recently. This is not a real Maiko, so don’t mistake!

Autumn leaves (koyo) in Japan
Japanese fall foliage destinations in Kyoto – Autumn in Japan
Kyoto Winter Special 2008

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Chichu Art Museum (Benesse House trip : part 3)

The Chichu Art Museum is exceptionally superb even among the great Tadao Ando’s works.

While it has its own artistic appeal, it also somehow brings out the attraction of works by Claude Monet, Walter de Maria, James Turrell and so on so splendidly.

Unfortunately I was not able to take the photos of the art works themselves, but I hope you’d enjoy the architecture of the Chichu Art Museum.

Well, there was also a little garden mimicked the Monet’s Water-Lily Pond near the Chichu Art Museum, which I found very so uncool….

Chichu Art Museum
The Chichu Art Museum (Studio International)

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Naoshima Benesse House trip : part 2

Most buildings of the Benesse House are the works of architect Tadao Ando.

And inside & outside of the buildings, you would find the various modern arts by Bruce Nauman, Walter De Maria, Cai Guo-Qiang and so on.

The concept they drive is that you’d see the entire island itself as an art space, so not only the Benesse House, but also those traditional Japanese houses preserved on the island exhibit artworks.

The rich nature of the island is also one of the important artistic elements of the Naoshima island. That is why the Chichu Art Museum has been built under the ground.

In this way, it would not spoil the beautiful natural landscape.
Read the rest of this entry »

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Naoshima Benesse House trip : part 1

Yes, I’ve just been to Benesse House – Benesse Art Site Naoshima! The Benesse House is located on the Naoshima island of Setonaikai Sea. From Tokyo, it is a 3 1/2 hrs trip by air & ferry.

by shrk

On the first day, we left the Haneda airport at night, and it was about 22:00pm by the time we arrived at the Takamatsu airport. Had the famous Sanuki Udon noodle and went to bed on that night.

Next morning, we were going to the Naoshima island by ferry.

Benesse House – Benesse Art Site Naoshima
Naoshima travel guide – Wikitravel
Naoshima, Kagawa – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Haneda Airport

The domestic terminal airport, Haneda Airport is conveniently located for a trip by air within the country.

Most international flights use Narita Airport,but in case some of international flights use Haneda Airport.

The nickname is “Big bard”. You must be careful as it has got Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You’d be in trouble if you take a wrong one by mistake!

It is quite a fun place with many stores such as the famous Japanese confectionary shop “Toraya”.

BIG BIRD(Haneda Airport)
Tokyo International Airport – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TORAYA English Web Page | TORAYA Confectionery

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