Streetcar, winter version

Though still in February and cold as it should be, the seasonal changes are palpable. Definitely, spring is coming around. The streetcar in Hiroshima currently keeps its winter version but soon those of spring style will be ready. The photo shows one of the two latest models of HIRODEN streetcars in downtown, nicknamed Piccola.

Piccola street car

Grand GANGI staircase on the river

Grand GANGI at Kusunoki-cho

This must be one of the oldest traditional GANGI staircase in Hiroshima. Fantastic view from the boat. And the A-bomb Dome looks like this from a river cruise. There are currently six rivers flowing in the city of Hiroshima, tributaries of Otagawa river. No wonder many GANGI stairs have been made, about 400 including old and new in the central area of the city. With GANGI, boats can be moored regardless of the height of the tide. Very clever, practical, and fun. 

DOME seen from the river

Motomachi apartment complex seen from the river

This is my favorite piece of architecture. It is aging but historical symbolizing Hiroshima's rehabilitation after the end of World War II. The photo was taken from the GANGI taxi boat. See the skipper and the guide with their GANGI boat.

KITTE building in Maru-no-uchi, Tokyo

First a glance from a distance. Looks good. Then I went inside and briefly looked around. The atrium and top light together have you connected with the day's weather and light. Just the right size to browse around the stores. Each floor has distinctive interior design. Architect KUMA Kengo did a beautiful interior job. Do not miss the basement, which I missed (shame!), but I didn't miss the roof top garden. There you are looking down on Tokyo Station. Somehow, the station, cars, and other items below look like miniature models. Loved the naming too. KITTE in Japanese means stamps; an appropriate name to a former post office building and there still is a post office inside. KITTE sounds similar to Kit-te, meaning "please come." Sounds so cute.

Now and Before

Exterior; the glassy high rise part is added

Tokyo Station looks smaller than life from KITTE roof top

Dancing all night

The ladies are dancing all together at a store where things Japanese are sold. They sell good items with good prices. The store named Takumi, is on the fifth floor of the Sun Mall building in downtown Hiroshima.

KITTE in Tokyo

From KITTE roof top

KITTE atrium

KITTE exterior on the right; Tokyo Station on the left

KUMA Kengo's interior design

KITTE building in Marunouchi, Tokyo, shows KUMA Kengo's sensitivity. Every floor shows his affection and respect to heritage of this country. He was in charge of interior design of this building complex located next to JR Tokyo Stn. A former post office renovated into a commercial building embodies its history yet lives its second life greeting countless flows of visitors.

Guardians at Sekizan Zen-in

Notice this one is closer to the entrance to the hall than many others

This is one of the paired guardians at one of the halls located on the premises of the temple. They were made of wood if my memory serves right. If so, this is an older style. Once these lion-like aminals were inside the room, holding the lower end of a kind of curtains on the floor. These imaginary guardians retain the original style more than many others sitting completely outside. Commonly, one of the pair has a mouth open and the other closed, but this pair both opens the mouth like howling lions. Cute with a close look at them!

Soba buckwheat noodle store in Kyoto

facade of the old noodle restaurant

This is an old dining place all right. Kyoto has many of them. After all, the emperors and nobles were here in the old capital of Japan; food, utensils and clothing became sophisticated thanks to their consumption and the budinesses in Kyoto have kept their pride, heritage, and history for such a long time. These old establishments are called SHINISE. Your sense of evaluation would be sharpened by knowing their products and services.

my lunch!

Winter peony at Tokugawa Garden

Even in the middle of winter, flowers bloom with affectionate care and attention. Winter peonies were in bloom at the garden next to the Tokugawa Museum where Tokugawa clan's heritage is displayed.

Snowy Kyoto

snow trees!

My fellow guide and I took advantage of a snowy day in Kyoto. Going to Sekizan Zen-in was my request. Iris and jasmine went there and saw gorgeous snow and heard the head monk of the temple chanting a Buddhist scripture in one of the halls. 

Hotel Anteroom Kyoto

Facade of the hotel

Inner lobby

Hotels should have characters and it was mostly why I tried this hotel and in fact staying here was one of the major purposes of my travel this time. There were a few glitches like wi-fi was slow for some reason - could have been due to poor performance of modem or very snowy weather ? - but the staff were helpful, polite and friendly. And as a whole the hotel was artistic and clean. It had characters. Let me share a few pics.

Breakfast venue with artworks.

 

Everyday they serve different types of smoothies. Healthy and refershing way to start your day.

Okunoshima itinerary model

Here is an example of an okunoshima tour itinerary for your reference. I wanted to respond back to a comment from a visitor to this blog but could not due to system complications. I am out of reach to my PC for the time being. Let me try submitting an article for her reference.

Okunoshima access (ferry &train table)

http://www.qkamura.or.jp/ohkuno/access/images/jikokuhyo.pdf

There should be a JR train arriving at TADANOUMI Stn from MIHARA at 9:52 (this could be updated in the middle of March by JR).

Leave TADANOUMI Port by ship at 10:05;

Arrive on the island at 10:17;

Leave the island at 12:45;

Arrive at the port at 12:57;

Leave TADANOUMI Stn for MIHARA at 13:15;

Transfer at MIHARA and go to HIROSHIMA.

Enjoy your journey.

Peace Park on a snowy day

snow silently falling in Peace Park

It was a tour with snow but at the start of the tour, major part of the talks was given in the Rest House where tourist information is housed, benches are available and it is warm. It was one snowy, quiet day and I could not resist taking a few pictures while giving a tour. This is one of them: the main wing of the peace memorial museum completed in 1955. Lifted by stilts, the building serves as the gate to the park and symbolizes the resilience of people standing up once again. By raising the structure, TANGE secured his axis of vista that he laid on the ground: the impressive alignment of the A-bomb Dome, Flame of Peace, Cenotaph, and the original wing of the museum that is at right angle with the Peace Boulevard.

Ocean view from naoshima

one winter afternoon

This pic was taken from Chichu Cafe, Chichu Museum where I can't resist taking photos every time I go. 

Ritsurin Garden from the boat on the pond

Sengi rock formation in the pond

a bit of the boat is seen at the bottom of the pic

The pics were taken from an occasion of boat riding on the waters of Ritsurin Garden. This boat ride needs reservation and seats are limited. Quite popular.

Full moon rises above this stretching pine tree