It was actually an attractive city- the “San Francisco of Japan”- built on a hill. The interesting thing was that you couldn’t tell which cities were a-bombed and which ones they just screwed up on their own. Their cities are so ugly- like living inside a factory. The construction is Soviet-esque and they haven’t bothered to bury any of their phone/electrical wires. Given the beauty of their gardens, it’s hard to believe that they don’t see the ugliness of their cities.
We took the tram to the Peace Park and saw the huge statue. It appeared to be pointing to the next town, saying, ‘Bomb over there”.
Not the most inspiring park in the world. The whole site was filled with Japanese school children. The A-bomb Museum was actually very well done- with maps and videos explaining what happened that day and the following weeks, months and years. At the end of the exhibit, they had a chronology of the events leading to the bomb and once again, the Japanese managed to ignore their part in the war. It left a really bad taste in your mouth for the whole museum. Interestingly, the detailed chronology on their wall exhibit was only in Japanese- the only place in the museum without English translation. It made you wonder what bits of historical inaccuracy they were pushing on their citizens.
We had a great lunch at yet another Indian restaurant…more vindaloo, perfectly spiced. Then, with the rain clouds approaching fast, we did a hit and run at the Fukasai-ji Zen Temple. The original temple was built in 1628 but burnt down by the A-bomb fire.
The replacement temple, built in 1979 is in the form of a huge turtle, carrying on his back an 18M high figure of the goddess Kannon. What a strange site.
We jumped back on the train and headed back for our last night in Japan. Tomorrow- Korea.
We had a great lunch at yet another Indian restaurant…more vindaloo, perfectly spiced. Then, with the rain clouds approaching fast, we did a hit and run at the Fukasai-ji Zen Temple. The original temple was built in 1628 but burnt down by the A-bomb fire.
The replacement temple, built in 1979 is in the form of a huge turtle, carrying on his back an 18M high figure of the goddess Kannon. What a strange site.
We jumped back on the train and headed back for our last night in Japan. Tomorrow- Korea.
More observations:
** The Japanese look through you. It’s almost as if we don’t exist. There are no children yelling, “Hello” or anyone smiling or even acknowledging our presence. It’s as if they have a mask on- showing no emotions at all and have no interest whatsoever in foreigners. On the other hand, if you ask them for help, many of them will drop what they’re doing and walk you to the place you’re looking for- as if it’s their obligation to do the right thing for you.
** Their entire society seems to revolve around commercialism. Everywhere you look there are more shopping opportunities. Their train stations are completely surrounded on all sides (including underground) by malls and stores and kiosks selling everything imaginable.
** These are truly the strangest people in the world.
** The Japanese look through you. It’s almost as if we don’t exist. There are no children yelling, “Hello” or anyone smiling or even acknowledging our presence. It’s as if they have a mask on- showing no emotions at all and have no interest whatsoever in foreigners. On the other hand, if you ask them for help, many of them will drop what they’re doing and walk you to the place you’re looking for- as if it’s their obligation to do the right thing for you.
** Their entire society seems to revolve around commercialism. Everywhere you look there are more shopping opportunities. Their train stations are completely surrounded on all sides (including underground) by malls and stores and kiosks selling everything imaginable.
** These are truly the strangest people in the world.
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