Himiji Castle: Under Wraps

Yesterday, I headed west to Himeji, home to the famous Himeji-jo Castle. As you might have heard, the main keep of the castle in now being renovated. These renovations will take until late 2014. This means that you cannot enter the keep itself, but you can still enter the castle grounds. I hope people still visit Himeji: it's such a friendly little town and they really have their act together in terms of tourism. Here's a view from the approach to the castle:


Here's a view from within the castle grounds. I kind of like the contrast between the traditional lines of the castle and the modern lines of the steel superstructure:

Giant Kaleidescope in Nagahama

Yesterday, I visited the town of Nagahama, in Shiga-ken. After passing through some very ordinary scenery, you finally get to Nagahama and enter the extremely attractive Kurokabe Square area. Here, if you look carefully, you will find one of my favorite sights in Shiga: the Giant Kaleidescope:


You actually walk into the thing and turn a wheel that makes fantastic shapes appear above you. It's like some sort of moving stained glass window. Here's a shot I took from inside the Giant Kaleidescope:

Hikone-jo

Yesterday, I took the train out to Shiga-ken to visit Hikone and Nagahama (see above for Nagahama). In Hikone, I visited Hikone-jo Castle, which is a fine original (as opposed to reconstructed) castle. Paired with Nagahama, it's a nice day trip from Kyoto.

A Nice Day in Nara

Yesterday, I spent a nice day in Nara doing research for the next Lonely Planet guide to Japan. In addition to finding some great new places for the book, I was able to enjoy the warm fall weather, the fall foliage and I even caught the tail end of the Nara Marathon. Every time I visit Nara, I'm impressed with the city and its people. They really welcome tourists and they are up to some creative stuff. Naramachi, in particular, is a good example for other cities in Japan about how to make creative use of their traditional neighborhods. The energy there is very positive.

Here are two of Nara's famous deer who have just finished making a pilgrimage to Todaiji Temple's Nigatsudo Hall:


Here's the classic view of the pagoda of Kofukuji Temple rising over Sarusawa-no-ike Pond:


I also found a great new lunch spot for people with kids. It's called "Silk Road" (although the Japanese name is more evocative of Nara: "The Last Stop on the Silk Road"). There are two great model train systems lined with counters where you can sit and work the controls of the trains as you eat. This is a great addition to an already super kid-friendly city. You can find Silk Road in the Yume Kaze Hiroba, which off the main road shortly before Todai-ji.

Sudo Genki: Mind Shift - You Gotta See This

The other day, my friend put me onto an incredible band/performer/dancer: Sudo Genki. Believe it or not, this guy (all the way on the left in the pic below) is a former mixed martial arts fighter. He's the Japanese ubermensch. Click on this link to see this incredible video.

Kieran and Hiroe Go for a Bike Ride

We just got a bike seat for Kieran. Hiroe has been taking him all over town in his new seat. He loves it. I caught up with them along the Kamo-gawa riverside yesterday and snapped this pic.

More Art from the Kyoto Metro Art Museum

The other day, I had a spare moment and I walked into the Kyoto Metropolitan Museum of Art (Kyoto Shiritsu Bijutsukan). On the first floor, there was a show of art from students at Kyoto's junior and senior high schools and on the second floor, they were holding the annual "Dokuritsu" (Independent) art show, which showcases the works of some of Japan's best working artists. As usual, I was blown away by the incredible natural level of talent on display. There is a lot of doom and gloom talk about Japan these days, but a people with this level of talent and creativity have a lot of potential and the future may be a lot brighter than some critics imagine.

Here is an oil painting by a woman named Miho. Somehow, it reminded me of the orchids in Borneo's Maliau Basin:


This is a paiting called Hogoku, in which a catfish slithers through an imaginary world. I don't know why I was so taken with this one, I just was.


Here's a painting called Avallon. I love the way the leaves echo the pattern of the stones in the chateau. This seems like a modern take on cubism with a touch of Seurat thrown in for good measure.


Here's one of the student works. The words say something to the effect of "Please watch your photography manners." It's written in geisha dialect and it's to remind people to stop harassing Kyoto's geisha. This is a sentiment I strongly endorse.