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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Apr 08, 2010 02:00 PM Superexpress like a taxi...
When I was first time in Japan some 20 years ago I was surprised that their superexpress trains go every 15-20 minutes... Now I use them without any limits, using my railpass.
I have been today to Himeji to visit the most magnificent Japaneese castle. The castle is really beautiful, especially that is surrounded by cherries in blossom -a lot of them! Entry to the castle cost 600 yen - it is worth to spend.
Then I took Hikari superexpress to Kyoto, to see again after years the big Buddhist temples near the station. Entry to Highashi and Nishi temples is still free but I found the biggest temple in Highashi covered by the special, modern roof. Temples are still impressive.
In the afternoon I took the Hikari back to Osaka - to see one more castle and famous aquarium - all in one day!
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Apr 07, 2010 02:00 PM Sayonara, my nicest minshuku!
Shikoku Island. Japan.
Minshuku is usualy a little Japanese-style guesthouse. Hard to find if you dont know local language - no English script on the building... I like minshuku... I prefere them to the crowded backpackers institutions like Miyajima. For single tatami room you pay the same price like for the dorm bed in backpackers or YH: 3300 yen.
In Tokushima on Shikoku I stay in the Sakura-ji minschuku located just 150 m from the station. The lady owner do not speak any English, but is very polite. Me too! I got free yukata (mens version of light kimono) to wear, daily portion of green tea and every evening he were preparing for me Japaneese-style bath in the only bathroom.
Today it was the time to say -Sayonara! I was really very sad to leave this place. I went by train to the picturesque Iya Valley in central Shikoku. Nice landscapes there, but I must go north soon...
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Apr 06, 2010 02:00 PM Pilgrim on Shikoku Island
Few travelers go to Shikoku Island. It is off the main trail. Okayama is the only gateway to Shikoku if you travel by rail...
Shikoku is the island of the shines. In 8th century holy Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi started the pilgrimage from temple to temple around the island. Today thousands of Buddhist do that - mostly in segments, because all circuit covering 88 shrines is 1400 kms long.
I started early from the first temple of Ryozenji - very nice and atmospheric place, then walked onward to Gokurakuji to meet there a group of "real" pilgrims dressed in white, with traditional straw hats - you will see them the pictures. They were singing in the temple very nice. Then 2,5 kms walk to the next temple - Konsenji, and again 5 kms to Dainichiji through the bamboo forest. In the fifth temple - Jizoji rain started. I decided to come back to Tokushima. I visited 5 temples of 88... Not much maybe. But enough to feel the atmosphere of the pilgrimage on the unusual trail...
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Apr 05, 2010 02:00 PM Miyajima - World Heritage Site
Just 25 minutes from Hiroshima by local train or almost an hour by tram on the coast lies Miyajima-guchi. You will find there a ferry port and a backpackers institution. The reason to get there is famous Itsukushima temple on the Miyajima island nearby. You can stay like me in the Backpackers Miyajima - they charge 2500 y per bed in the 4 beds dorm. In fact it is 24-beds dorm because little rooms are separated only by courtains... Coin for the 5-min shower and free tea/coffee are included. They are located just 100 m from the ferry.
For those who has the railpass JR ferry is free. (otherwise pay 340 yen). Already on the approach to the island you will see famous "floating" red tori gate - one of the best known monuments of Japan. It is immpressive! The secret is to come to the island in the high tide time. When I was coming back from the island in the evening tide was low and it was possible to walk to the tori... They charge 300 yen for the entrance if you want to go into the temple. But there are more temples and pagodas on the island and you can climb to the summit of Mt. Misen for the view of the picturesque Inland Sea dotted by the little islands. The view is nice... Miyajima is tourist-crowded but still definitely worth a visit!
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Apr 04, 2010 02:00 PM Hiroshima...
No comments... Everyone knows this name. It was a sunny day when I was walking the streets of Hiroshima. Once in the ruin, now it is huge and elegant city with more then a million people living there. High buildings in the centre, heavy street traffic and street cars - that how they call trams. Some of their street cars are old junks driven by the drivers in the white gloves... Funny...
From the station I was walking about 2 kms to get to the Peace Park where A-bomb Dome stands like in 1945 - to remember those tragic days.
I took a photo of the Eternal Flame, memorial building, Korean and children monuments...
There is something else to see in Hiroshima: the old castle surrounded by the cherries in full blossom. I have been also there to take the pictures for you. I hope you will see them soon...
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Apr 03, 2010 02:00 PM For the Easter to Nagasaki
I start to use my Japan Rail Pass today. The first segment of rail travel will be to from Kagoshima to Nagasaki. With a pass I can reserve my seats in the trains for free but I think there is no need... We will see...
-------later;
The train was half empty. Japan Railways are efficient and operate on time. In Nagasaki I left my backpack in the station locker (400 yen)and went to visit the city.
What to see? There is of course A-bomb memorial and a new catholic cathedral (the bomb completly destroyed the old one). Some people say that the big statue in the Peace Park remind them Russian Socialism-time sculptures.
But Nagasaki has also interesting history: you will find there many old colonial buildings and monument of 26 crucified catholics...
I had a nice walk along the river with stone bridges and cherries in blossom... Nagasaki has tram lines going to all places of interest - the most convenient for the tourist is to buy day ticket for the trams (it costs 500 yen)
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Apr 02, 2010 02:00 PM Yakushima or Ebino volcanoes?
Japan has many attractions for the foreigners, but I have the time and budget limits so very often I must make a difficult choice. We have the sun today!
I wanted to go to the island of Yakushima - it is on the World Heritage list because its 2000-3000 years ol Japanese cedar trees. But on arrival I recognized that first- I need at least 2 full days to be there (the ferry from Kagshima sails 4 hours and costs 9000 yen for round trip) and second - there is limited public transport on Yakushima so it will cost much more to moove or spend extra time for hitchhiking.
Second choice was Ebino-kogen plateau with the volcanos and nice volcanic lakes. I did it today. Return train ticket to Kirishima-Jingu station cost me 2800. Then bus 800 each way. On the bas route to Ebino I visited interesting Shinto Temple Kirishima Jingu. Then from Ebino I started 4,5 hours walk around three volcanic lakes and then to the crater rim of Karakuni volcano. The trail was partly muddy an not much English singns on the way but I survived and the view from the level 1700 m was great. Descent to the picturesque Onami Lake in the other crater nearby war even harder. I missed the only return bus. I use a hitchhiking to get to the station. Lucky me! Great day!
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Apr 01, 2010 02:00 PM Good Friday in Kagoshima..
No more rain, we (the backpackes from Japan, Norway, Spain, France, Portugal, Germany and Poland living in Little Asia GH) do hope that tomorrow we will see the sun. It is so nice to share tavel experience sitting on tatami and sipping Japanese green tea.
In the evening local lady prepare Japanese dish (like rice with vegetables) and you can buy a plate for 280 yen, if you want. I will try today...
In the morning I took a long walk through the central Kagoshima to the bay. Cherries are in blossom, also other flowers. Opposite of the city on the little island in the bay there is picturesque volcano Sakurajima - he main landmark of Kagoshima. Unfortunately it was dark and hazy for the good picture. I visited the famous gardens and residence of Shimizu clan - the main place of interest in Kagoshima (entry fee- 1000 yen).
San Francis Xavier landed here in 1549, bringing christianity. I found his monument, landing place and Catholic cathedral Church - the church was empty. Why? It is Good Friday today! But I forgot that I am in Japan...
Happy Easter to all of you!
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Mar 31, 2010 02:00 PM Cherries in blossom... - good news from Japan
It is not easy to plan such a long voyage, but if you do a good work it is very rewarding! I was thinking about traveling through Japan during the cherry-blossom time... And Kagoshima welcomed me in blossom of its cherries. What a view! The ferry arrived with one hour delay... No city bus at the terminal. I took my backpack and started to walk to the railway station.
Just 150 m from the station there is lovely place for the backpackers: Little Asia Guesthouse. Cozy place - they charge 1500 yen per dorm bed and 2500 for crampy private room. You can use the kitchen to boil your everyday rice. Sorry, there were rain in the afternoon so I will wait till tomorrow to walk around the town.
Great newswaswaiting in my mailbox: I finally got a special permit from Russian Authorities to enter Chukotka. Hurrra!
I am so happy! The world is wonderful even if it rains... Let`s boil a big bowl of the rice now!
Yours
Dabrowski-san in Kagoshima, Kyushiu.
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Mar 30, 2010 02:00 PM Sailing north - to Kagoshima
Is is not a problem to find a long-distance ferry going north of Naha-Okinawa. The last expensive ticket to Kagoshima cost 14200 yen for 25-hours voyage.
It was still dark when I said goodbye to the Harumi hostel in Naha and walk about a kilometre for the first monorail. Huge, new ferryboat of *A-line* was waiting. We departed at 7 am.
Last expensive class is tatami room for some 60 people. Everybody has his little futon-materace and blanket. Showers and toilet are clean. The most important for me was that there is hot water & green tea distributor - so you can take and drink as much as you want.
On the way to Kagoshima - it is some 700 kms, we visited few other islands taking cargo and passengers. The most beautiful was Yoron-to. In April starts a new period in Japanese schools. On every islands we visited there were farewell celebrations organized for departing teachers with music, dancing and -Banzai, banzai!! shouting - I had a lot of fun!
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