Project meeting at Hiroshima

We had 3 day meeting with all of project members at Hiroshima. Hiroshima is located in 300 km west from Kyoto. Actually it was my first visit to Hirosima. Intelligent person might have heard of this place as the first place in human history to be attacked by atomic bomb at the end of WWII. So I was exiting to visit this place as a person sincerely hoping the peace of earth. Unfortunately the period when I can stay there was limited in just 3 days. So I woke up very early morning on the first day, and rushed to Hirosima by bullet train, Shinkan-sen.
street car runing around Hiroshima station.

Symbolic monument, Hiroshima Genbaku Dome (World cultural heritage). Genbaku means atomic bomb. And this construction was Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. On August 6, 1945, the bomb exploded approximately 600 m above this city, and all of constructions in this area were crushed and burned by tremendous heat and air blast. But accidentally the frame of this building was left, because the bomb exploded just above this building and the blast came from almost directly above. I was so moved facing to this monument, and felt great sorrow seeing the many displays at memorial museum.

Fernando was enthusiastic to take a picture of small birds rather than Genbaku dome.

Senba-duru, a string of one thousand paper cranes. This is often used in praying recovery from sickness. In other aspect, however, it is the symbol of peace, and used in praying victory at sports game.

On the 3rd day after finishing meeting, I had 3 hours until the train leaving. So I rushed again with Fajar, Santos and Akinob, to visit Miyajima, another World’s cultural heritage.

What is this? (The answer is located at bottom)

Itsukushima shrine at Miyajima was constructed on the sea over 1400 years ago. But in these years, this shrine was suffered from flood due to rising sea level.

Ohtorii, the gate leading to shrine. But of course we can not walk.

It’s my bottom! Don’t take it!

Autumn

Maple trees aflame with red and yellow leaves. In my home town, the peak, when they show beautiful gradated colors, is from the end of November. Biologically, however, this phenomenon means that they are recycling nitrogen in pigments into the other parts of body, which will be left in winter. In other words, people are very excited seeing old plants just before senescence. Plants are great!

To have welcome lunch party for Prof. Fernando Siringan from University of Philippine, we went to a traditional restaurant, “Shino” located close to Kitayama St. The decollations of the room and lunch box were also arranged to the atmosphere in Autumn.

A part of lunch menu

Jelly with some fruits, loquat or pomegranate

Koshien Stadium

Prof. Bill Burnett, who is visiting professor from Florida state univ., love baseball like as me. So we (Bill, Rene, Hiroki, Masako and me) went to Koshien Stadium, which is located 2 hours trip from our institute.

Koshien stadium is very popular baseball stadium, because it is home stadium of Hanshin Tigers, which enthusiastic Osaka people loves, and championship of high school baseball games are held in this stadium. Since I was child, I have hoped to watch baseball game in this stadium. So dream has come true!
Most exciting thing is that we blow up long-shaped balloon in the seventh inning, and simultaneously release it into the sky. I’m not sure why and when we started this custom in this stadium. But it’s really fantastic event! I stuffed the balloon with my dissatisfaction and frustration, which had been accumulated in my mind through usual life, and have released it!

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Releasing!

Go to meet Santa

I went to “Honolulu Hale” located in east side of South King St. to see “Santa and Mrs. Santa”, because I could not feel the atmosphere of December as far as I stay around UH campus. The meaning of “Hale” is building, hall or restaurant in Hawaiian local language. That’s really nice Christmas illumination, but it would be better if we had snow. There was real Hawaiian Santa Claus wearing breeches inside building, and tourists were welcomed to take photo with him. But I was shy to aks him.

Though you can not understand the real size of Santa with this photo, it’s big. Is the size of our head similar to that of little toe of Santa? It’s exaggeration.

Tantalus

I visited Tantalus hill, which is located 10 minutes drive from my apartment. This place is popular lookout place of night view. Because I’ve heard that the way to access this place was difficult especially at night, I’ve never visited it. Today, I tried to go there during day time. Although the sightseeing from the top of “Diamond Head” is actually fantastic, this place is also good. First of all, we can directly access here by car, though it takes a half-hour to walk up to Diamond Head scenic place. Next time, I’ll try to go Tantalus night time.


(This is night-view taken in September)
(Click following blue colored Japanese phrase, to jump next page)

続きを読む

North shore

I drove northern area at O’ahu, North Shore, a Mecca for the surfers. Unfortunately they didn’t have big wave today. Most of surfers seemed to be beginner. We may see big wave in winter. I recalled old movie, “Big Wednesday”, though I forgot detail.

Moanalua Park

I’m not sure. But probably this tree is the one which most of Japanese people know well.

The picture of this tree is used at TV commercial of a Japanese company, "HITACHI", for long years. Most of Japanese people can sing the BGM of this CM. ♪What tree this is? What a magical tree this is, cause every one knows this tree ~ ♪ It's very cozy place to hang out.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is located in 15 minutes drive from Honolulu. Long time ago, here is volcano, and this bay has been formed by the wave erosion through many years. It's very beautiful beach.

Though most of corals inside the reef were not healthy, here is good place for the beginner of snorkeler and children to watch marine life.

Ringtail surgeonfish? or Yellowfin. Even if you dont want to enter the sea, here is worthwhile to enjoy sightseeing.