The second visit after a long interval.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Saijo city in ehime is blessed with crystal clear water from under the ground
In this city, the Komyo-Ji temple whose main hall was designed by ANDO stands. Naturally groundwater is welling up in this city. Th same water surrounds the main hall of the temple.
UCHIKO snaps
UCHIKO can be easily visited from MATSUYAMA by car. The area was once thrived with wax making. The old streets with former wealthy merchants ' houses remain. The Kamihaga residence is open to the public. The old-fashioned UCHIKO-ZA is a theater and has survived as such thanks to local people's' effort and passion. About 100 years old.
Aonagi or blue lull in the wind is a sleek hotel designed by ANDO
Originally built as an art museum and only that part was open to the public and the other part closed, the renovated building now hosts overnight visitors. It just recently opened. It's a very sleek hotel that provides you with something very special. It has two swimming pools; an outdoor public pool for every body staying there and an indoor private pool which has to be reserved in advance. The private one, if my memory serves right, has an onsen water jacuzzi. The number of the rooms is very limited and the ANONAGI SUITE has a splendid ocean view.
The hotel is out of nowhere but more people will come finding out the path leading to it.
The painting farthest below is a gift to the hotel by ANDO the architect.
Adventure in Higashi Iya or east Iya
Buckwheat noodle making can be tried with a local cerebrity Ms. Tsuzuki in Higashi Iya. She starts making the noodle by milling the soba buckwheat grains. She is a splendid folk song singer, too.
Iya has a pair of vine bridges as well as NOEN or wild monkey cargo. Humans or their luggage can be carried across the river.
Try the Ochiai village whose significance is recognized by the central government. It looks like a Togenkyo or a fairly land on the hillside.
Adventure in Nishi Iya or west Iya
Iya is still remote and that's the way it attracts people. In ancient times, Iya sheltered defectors and refugees. It might still cradle those who would like to be away from busy every day affairs and think about life. Here are pictures of West Iya first.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Awaji Yume Butai is unique
Once a barren hillside due to the soil taken away for the construction of a big airport but miraculously restored with great architecture and flower beds, the Awaji Yume Butai was complete in 2000. 
The Hyakudan-en flower beds - unfortunately no picture this time - were made not only to restore the land but also to pay condolences to the dead in the Kobe Awaji Great Earthquake which hit the area in 1995.
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