Stone Buddha in Usuki, Oita

The Cosmic Buddha in the Furuzono Gallery

Usuki Daibutsu Stone Buddhas are about six kilometers away from JR Usuki Station. It seems there's a free bike rental service at the station. Could be possible to go there by bike I wonder. Also accessible by bus from Usuki Station. I went there by car from Beppu with my guests so it was too easy. 


The Buddha sculptures, designated as national treasures, are roughly 1000 years old. There are four galleries and two of them are easy access with gentle slopes. One of the two is the best of the four: Maha Vairochana or the Cosmic Buddha flanked by 12 others is magnificent. Once the Buddha's head was dislocated and was sitting on the ground. After discussing what to do for ten years, researchers agreed that the head be restored. 


When in Usuki, don't miss the Inaba Residence built for the former Inaba lord to stay when he was back in Usuki coming back from Tokyo. It has a lovely garden which retains the old samurai house garden atmosphere yet with a tinge of the modernity from the Meiji period. The house was built in 1902 in the Meiji period but looks like an authentic senior samurai house from the Edo period.


Oita Prefecture has many stone Buddhas sculpted from the tuff-hillside, making a striking difference from other parts of Japan.

Buddha's head sitting on the ground

On the premises of Chuson-ji

Medicine Buddha specializing in eye diseases are here!

This is a little weird but attractive; lots of eyes drawn on the banner. Pray here if you have trouble with your eyes. 

Pure Land embodied in Motsu-ji garden

Motsu-ji garden in March

Pure Land where Amitabha lives might look like this in winter. This is the Motsu-ji garden, Iwate, Tohoku.

What remains of warriors' dreams

Stone monument at Motsu-ji temple

The summer grass 'Tis all that's left of ancient warriors' dreams
 - Haiku poem composed by MATSUO Basho (1644-1694) 


Translated into English by NITOBE Inazo (1862-1933), the author of Bushido, who was born in Iwate, Tohoku.

Sake making: before and after

Saccharification and fermentation are happening
in the same vat at the same time.

This white bubbly mixture eventually becomes the one below: fresh out of the pressing machine, the sake retains a bit of carbon dioxide; thus you feel a tingling sensation that can only be experienced here in the sake factory. The photos are from Kirei Brewery in Saijo, Higashi-hiroshima. 






It was toward the end of the sake making season in March. I had a chance to tour their factory. And after the tour, a luncheon at a nearby Japanese restaurant. Only women were invited to this gathering of the sake factory tour and lunch. We had a hilarious time!

Fresh out of the press

Bird's eye view of Takamatsu

Takamatsu Port and City

Takamatsu is a friendly city. It now has a high potential of becoming a key port in the Seto Inland Sea. 


Takamatsu Port and Takamatsu Japan Railway Station are within a walking distance to each other and an elegant hotel soars in front of the JR station.


This is where you can take a boat to Naoshima and other islands. Something extraordinary has been happening on Naoshima and Takamatsu is a good place for you to stay if you are not staying in Naoshima.


The food is good especially if you appreciate Japanese food including fresh fish and Udon noodle. Some of the restaurants serve creative Japanese cuisine. The famous and reasonably-priced Udon noodle is what you shouldn't miss in here. You can choose from several options how you'd like your Udon served, chilled or hot, how much soup you'd like, what toppings you'd like to have, etc.


This photo was taken from a high plateau called Yashima, a former island where battles were fought between the Taira and the Minamoto in the 12th century.


Near Takamatsu lies Kinashi, some place you should go: the community is noted for Bonsai trees. Some can be several hundred years old and cost a fortune. Surprising and truly remarkable. 

Feel the height of Akashi Strait Grand Bridge

46 meters high !

It was a bit scary and really thrilling to stand or walk on the glass, covering part of the bridge promenade floor where you are invited to walk. Forty seven meters above sea level ! See the marvel of bridge construction technology. Akashi Strait Grand Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world, nearly four kilometers long. 


When the great Kobe earthquake shook the Kobe and surrounding areas in 1995, the bridge was under construction. One of the anchorages shifted one meter closer to Awaji island but nothing more happened and the bridge survived the earthquake well.


Last year, when the Tohoku region was devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing Tsumami waves, Tokyo Sky Tree was under construction. This tower also survived the tremor. We'll see a ray of hope in the technology we developed.  

Leading to Awaji Island

Ando's museum in Kobe

Mikaeru on the roof

Mikaeru is on top of the museum. This guy is visible from a distance, leading you from a nearby railway station  via the museum road to the museum. I think I saw the guy as soon as I went out of the JR Nada station building. Mikaeru, a combination of Mi (to see and to be lovely) and Kaeru (to return) wishes that you would bring back the experience on what you've seen at the museum and that you would come back again. The name also evokes Kobe's restoration from the earthquake devastation in 1995.


Ando's architecture is always enjoyable. Loved the roof slabs.


Here's a bit of information from the museum web site about the architectural features of the museum.

The other side of the museum.
The museum stands at seafront. 

Tokyo Sky Tree makes a new skyline

The grand opening of Tokyo Sky Tree is coming soon. 

Here's their web site.

Nezu Museum designed by KUMA Kengo

Approach to the museum

Nezu Museum has a Japanese garden where you can take a stroll in addition to a fine collection of artworks and others. Architecture, displayed items, and gardening can be enjoyed here. An oasis in the middle of Tokyo.




Their web site says:
The Nezu Museum collects more than 7,000 objects including calligraphy, painting, sculpture, metalwork and arms, ceramics, lacquer, bamboo crafts, textiles, and archaeological work . 


For details about the museum, click here to check their official website.  

The garden is dotted with may stone lanterns.

Marine Station of Naoshima

Slender Marine Station

I was on the island of Naoshima before my guests arrivede. The driver and I greeted the guests a little before 10:00. When I took this pic, therefore, it was still early in the morning before the Marine Station became busy with tourists.


What a perspective the architects, SEJIMA & NISHIZAWA, created. 


It was a moment I loved my job, enabling me to come back to this island many times.

'Three Squares Vertical Diagonal' by George Rickey

Rickey's squares & Benesse House on the hill

It was a clear blue sky day in Naoshima. George Rickey's squares inhabit the glass with the backdrop of the blue sky. Couldn't resist taking a picture.

Naoshima's Slag Buddha

88 statues fit perfectly well in this specific location

My guests and I went to Naoshima on Saturday. Chuchu Art Museum was rather crowed with group tourists. Many were from Korea, which has often been the case in recent years. I should study Korean to welcome them though I had a little chat with a few Korean ladies in English. At this moment, what I can say is just hello in Korean and give a smile of hospitality. 


The photo was taken near Lee Ufan Museum, entitled the Slag Buddha 88. Before the inauguration of the museum, my guests and I watched this artwork only from car windows. This time we stood in front of them. Much better. 


The slag was made from industrial waste illegally dumped on the island of Teshima where Teshima Art Museum designed by NISHIZAWA Ryue lies.

Towada Art Center photos

Here are the photos of Towada Art Center, which I wrote about in the previous article, designed by NISHIZAWA Ryue. Great to have a museum like this in your neighborhood. Every season, every day, every time, the museum will offer different outlooks. Which will enrich your experience.

Flower horse in the snow

Artwork on the wall

Two artworks seen at the same time look collaborative.
The one into the inner square opening is by Yoko Ono.