Skip to main content

Evening in Okayama

10/08/2009

We headed towards Okayama from Hyogo buying the 18 seijun ticket.
We headed straight to Okayama but then again we did not stop at the Okayama station.
We took the Marine Liner train towards Takamatsu- a city in Shikoku. Traveling across the islands means traveling over the sea. A long bridge connects all the islets over the sea. The highway run overhead,I mean over the railway tracks.The best view is from the highway they say. Hundreds of little islets can be seen in the sea among the mist of the summer. The sea stays calm and majestic below us showing the pride it holds towards it s own beauty. It was so beautiful. I heard that the best scenic period is the winter when the air is clearer.
To reach there we took the Marine liner rapid train which runs every 40 minutes across the main island and the shikoku. If you are going to Takamatsu to just to see the bridge over the river you also may have plans to get back to the main island in the first available train. Take this in to notice. The first available train leaves the Takamatsu station 3 minutes after the Marine liner reaches the station. If you miss this you will have too wait 40 minutes for the next train. We did cause the Marine liner got late due to heavy rains and when we reached Takamstsu the train had already left.


3.1 The Bridge connecting Honshu and Shikkoku


3.2 The Sea below The Railway Line


3.3 Hundreds of Islets in the Sea


3.4 Islands Seen Far Away in The Sea

On our way back we got down at Ochamiya where my sensei s friends were waiting for us at the station. Then we headed to Okayama by the car to enjoy the light up of the Okayama castle.
It was so nice and serene in the night at the castle garden. The castle it self was beautifully lit up. But we could not drive away the thought that it might have been better to see the castle in the day time. The glory of the castle in its blackness at the day time might have never been compared to what we saw at night. Okayama castle is a castle different from other castle, Its walls are painted black. This is why this castle is called the crow or ravine castle. In Japanese they call it ujou jo or karasu jo.
That night Mr and Mrs. Isobe were kind enough to bring the supper to the castle garden so that we could enjoy an out door supper with a starry sky over head. It was simply amazing. The supper was a Sushi rice some very tasty chicken legs and tea. It was ideal for a night like that. A new experience.


3.5 The Castle garden Illuminated at Night

Photos all rights reserved.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by..
Please feel free to leave your thoughts here..!!
Every word encourages me.. Thank you..

Popular posts from this blog

Tateyama Alpine Route - Murado Station

19/07/2010 Another dream coming true. I always wanted to go there.I was collecting leaflets, pamphlets about this but never thought of   going due to the high costs. Well, luck was upon me this one time. It was early morning of 5.45 and I was waiting for my sensei s vehicle in front of  Toyama Station. I did know the plans for the day but that we were going to Tateyama. Were we going to Kurobe Dam too, or going to Kurobe Dam?Were we going to take the Alpen Route or go straight to Kurobe? Surprises were waiting. We reached Tateyama Station and I knew it is my dream coming true. Weather and information of the day  It was around 14degrees at the top of the mountain while it was nearly 36degrees at the foot. We were simply above the clouds and the temperature difference was too much to bear. It was cold in the summer. Early in the morning when we passed the Murodo staion on our way to Kurobe dam it was clear all around. in the aftern...
6 comments
Read more

Gassho Dsukuri houses of Gokayama

An ancient house The firehouse The goods used to cook The ladder used to go upstairs The upstairs The goods used for cultivating and making rice balls Ancient goods used to make flour Ancient Toliet Tools used to cultivate In these gasshou made houses . the roof plays the main part. Its  so strong that it holds the thick layer of snow which falls every winter.  Even in the hottest summer , inside of the house is cool and very soothing, Houses are very ventilative and spacey. Tool used to make the roof The tools used to make the roof There are example houses to visit for 200yen and it will make you understand more about the ir culture. These villages have a proud history and a culture which are still alive. The young ones take their heritage to younger ones and so proud to see them. I would recommend you to visit their in a festival season so that their culture is also can be witnessed. All Rights R...
2 comments
Read more

Ainokura of Gokayama,Toyama

Gokayama means five hills. These special five hills are named as UNESCO world heritage for it s old  village still left unharmed. The ancient kokiri dancing village The beautiful village of Ainokura The entrance to the village The ancient roof This roof is called "gasshou dsukuri" meaning -the prayers hand architecture-. This roof style is so strong that its compatible for the extremely heavy snow fall in this area in winter. From here onwards are some of the houses still left to date. This houses are still strong and man made. Even in the scorching sun the temperature inside the house is cool and it is said that it is the same in the winter. It was marvelous to see this little village, where in winter visiting this village is difficult due to several routes are closed due to heavy snow fall in winter. All Rights Reserved.
4 comments
Read more