Woo-hoo! I have money to buy a PSP!
You know another thing I can't get used to? Watching Sesame Street in Japanese. :P
Anyways, today was the second and final day I visit Mie on this trip. We were going to visit what many people regard as the best castle to visit in Japan - Himeji-jo. Known as the "white egret" (the castle is white), Himeji-jo is very popular because the main castle is still in its original wooden structure.
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This is Suma Beach. While on the train ride to go to the district of Akashi where Mie was working, I noticed this beach front; therefore, I decided to get off and visit it. Besides, I left my hotel quite early, so I had time to kill. |
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Naturally, a shrine is located near the beach. |
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Breakfast at Mister Donut. Not bad, but it does not have the same taste as Tim Horton's... also, they did not sell Boston Cream donuts! Boo-urns!!! |
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This is Akashi. I had a bit of time to kill; therefore, I went exploring around the city. |
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A well-known convenience store. At first, I thought this place was called Sun R Us (just like Toys 'R Us); however, I was mistaken when I learned that the 4th letter was a K, not an R. So I thought it was called Sunkus, but I was wrong again. It's pronounced "Sunks". I ain't going to bother disputing it since I'll probably be mistaken again for some odd reason. :P |
I met up with Mie in the early afternoon - she had to work early in the morning to assist a student. Man, the Japanese people work very hard almost every single day! Anyways, once we met up, we went to the city of Himeji and check out Himeji-jo.
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One of the many statues that Mie and I passed through while walking up the main street towards the castle. |
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Himeji-jo in the background. |
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Getting a little bit closer to Himeji-jo. Next time I come to Japan, I'll try for the Spring season... all these naked trees in the pictures doesn't really make the pictures all that attractive. |
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Another view of Himeji-jo. |
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Heading towards the entrance. |
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Another pic of the famed castle. |
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A pic of yours truly with Himeji-jo in the background. |
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Now it's Mie's turn with Himeji-jo in the background. |
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Holes along the castle walls - gunners can fire from these holes or toss hot water or oil down the holes for suspected climbers. |
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Another open picture of Himeji-jo. |
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One great thing about going through Himeji-jo is that you can take pictures of the castle inside. This is one of the displays they had in the castle - the figurine in the orange kimono is Princess Sen. |
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Who was Princess Sen? Read this info and you will find out... |