(Side note: In the event the video links aren't working, I will fix them when I return from the trip. It's really hard to get decent internet, which is wonky. So I will be sure to take care of that when I get back to a more reliable net connection.)
Since it was a weekend, we did a ton of sightseeing, which was just fine by us since we hadn't really seen too much except for when we could. As we left Aso, we headed to the Shirakawa Riverhead. Which sounds like it could be fairly boring, but instead, it was quite pretty. The drive was also really lovely:
We also were getting some really nice weather up there in the mountains, so that was very welcome. We weren't sure what to expect at the riverhead, but we were pleasantly surprised.
We stopped at the first pool of water to drink it fresh - it's mineral water from the mountains, clean, crisp. We met this adorable lady who was speaking English to us and we had to take a picture. And give her a little gift of a pin.
So we were amazed at this part, which was just really cool. The water comes up from this point and nearly 40 tons of water move in through here every day.
I think, if given the chance, we would have stayed here all day to watch it. At least I would have. I didn't really want to leave, it was so peaceful.
So we bid the place adieu as we headed over to the Takamori Spring Tunnel Park. This is really interesting. They were trying to build a railway thorough the area, but kept having issues with the water. So after a while, they decided to abandon the original project and make it into a tunnel park. Another situation where we weren't entirely sure what to expect but it was pretty amazing.
But wait. That was just the entrance to the actual tunnel. Once we got inside, it was just colors and sights a plenty. They have competitions where schools send in decorations and it was recently a holiday so it was decorated all the way to the end:
But we got to the end and that was the part we were all just amazed at. There was a waterfall of water droplets that just were suspended in mid air and moved both ways. We figured it was some light trick or some beads or something suspended. Eventually, Ling-Ling reached out and we realized it was water droplets.
Let's see if this video works.
We really couldn't stop looking at it.
As we left, it struck me that such a thing in the United States probably doesn't exist. Because the truth is, if we were going to build a railroad, then dammit, we are going to build a railroad, water be damned. And we would have worked really hard to figure out a way for that railroad to go exactly where it needed to be. And if we had a lot of water problems, well, we'd figure those out as we went along. Or re-route the train and turn the area into something else entirely, but I highly doubt we might have made it into what it is here in Japan. The Shinto and Buddhist nature in them make them understand or at least attempt to function together much more in nature. They were telling us that in Japan, you might open the window and hear bugs. To them, they hear the bugs individually, that certain ones make certain noise at certain times of the year, so they know the season by listening to the bugs. That it's music and not just noise. In the US, we would have probably gotten a bug zapper and that would be that. I just find that the delicate balance the Japanese find by placing an emphasis on nature as well as innovation and creativity is something we can learn from.
So after that awesomeness, we went to the Tsujunkyo Bridge. The area we were in was all rice paddies and terraces. But the problem was trying to get water up to areas that were higher. So they created an aquaduct. That alone would be fairly impressive, but also fairly boring to see. Don't get me wrong. It was really pretty. However, because all of dirt and rocks get stuck moving that kind of water to higher ground, they let out the water on weekends and holidays through the aquaduct.
This is what it looks like:
Nice, right? So then you walk up to the top where all those other folks are, and the views are just great.
And then, noon hit. Time for the show. This adorable little man in a uniform and matching hat comes by with a big old hammer and lets one side to immediate "oooooohs" and "aaaaahs". Then he came over to the side we were on and did the same. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:
Pretty cool. Oh, and we made a new friend.
So then we went inside where a very nice man explained to us how they made the aquaduct and pointed out the area we were in, which was quite helpful to finally see it all on a map.
Then it was off to another 16 course lunch. I'm exaggerating, but it seriously feels like it. Because we were running a little late, they brought it all out an once. I think when you're eating a meal and it's one course at a time, you don't realize how much you're eating except that you're getting full and you're patiently waiting until the rice course, which we are assured is the last course before dessert. So when it was all out in front of us, it was entirely overwhelming. I didn't bother taking a picture. It was too much.
But I did find this statue. Y'all know at this point I cannot resist.
So then we went to Kumamoto Castle, which was just phenomenal.
Of course there's a castle mascot outside of the temple...
And the passage of darkness to confuse enemies and disorient them.
And the view of Kumamoto from the top of the castle.
It was spectacular.
So we finally checked into the hotel - very, very nice. And we went to dinner with the Governor of Kumamoto and Prefecture members and were treated to a traditional Japanese dance.
And made friends with the waitress
And once again, found ourselves having an entirely huge, but entirely and utterly enjoyable meal. And found some sake we really loved. So off we were to the bars to grab a drink before a round of karaoke. Our hosts in Kumamoto got her friend to open up the bar for us and get the mics warmed up. So we made friends at the karaoke bar. Come on, people that know me, y'all know I can't give up a good opportunity to karaoke! We partied until about 11ish and headed back for some rest.
By the way, the song of choice here is "We Are the World". There comes a time, I suppose...
(You should now take this time to stretch. Get up. Run to the bathroom. Grab a drink. Settle in for a spell. I told you this post would be long, and so you were warned. Get back to work and come back for more. Or just keep reading.)
The next day, we started off the day at the Yachiyo-za Theatre in Yamaga City. Given my background in theatre, as well as Dale's classes about Japanese theatre, I was more than ready to see this place. Impressive. The acoustics are amazing because of the wood, they have a manually revolving stage floor, elaborately painted ceilings with replicas of old ads that were on the ceiling at the time. It was opened in 1911 and was known for kabuki and still holds regular performances.
Did I mention that there's not a seat in the house? Literally. The audience sits on tatami mats. All day because kabuki is an all day occurrence. The guide showed us a picture of the place filled with over 1,200 school children for a recent performance. Unbelievable.
The ceiling, with chandelier from the US
We then left the theatre for a tour of Chinyonosono Sake Brewery. I should probably also mention that we have all developed a taste for sake as well as the Japanese drink, souchou. It's all very tasty. We picked up a few bottles before heading on a sightseeing tour of Tamana City. Where we visited... an alcohol store and sampled... sake. There is a theme developing.
And found this guy.
We then went to the Rengein-Tanjoji Temple and were given a tour by a monk. It was originally built in 1177. A thorough tour, complete with incense and washing of hands - and we were allowed in places only monks are allowed in, so it was really cool. And beautiful. And not all too surprisingly, very zen and I could have stayed there all day. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
And then the monk took us up in the mountains to get a good look at the huge temple bell that is said to be heard for miles around - the largest bell in all of the world.
But then, as you walk further, you see this.
It actually took my breath away when I saw it, I felt like I could stay there and meditate for a while. But of course, we were on a schedule. Thought we did find a few minutes to feed the fish.
Absolute feeding frenzy.
So then we headed back to our hotel to have dinner with the Labor Democratic Party Youth Division members of the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. Another huge meal, this time, Chinese. And the lovely gentleman sitting next to me who worked for the Kumamoto Prefectural government decided we should try different types of souchou and local sake. Oy. At one point, I had five drinks in front of me and wasn't sure what to do with myself.
So we left to go to the bar with a few of them and see the Kumamoto Castle lit up at night. I didn't get a great pic of it, or else I'd share. It's very pretty with nothing in the background, but the lights illuminating the castle.
We then went to... karaoke. Surprise. The same place. We had made friends. Let's just say it was a longer night that any of us anticipated. Much longer. Because we were being urged to stay, songs were being thrown in for us, drinks were suddenly finding their way to our table and in front of us... it is hard to sometimes say no when you're being treated but we had to draw the line somewhere since we had to get up early to catch a flight in the am.
So there is your twofer for two full days in Kumamoto Prefecture. I have to say, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves outside of Tokyo. We certainly have spent more time as a group in a more social setting, which is always fun. But the hospitality and personalities in Kumamoto will definitely stick out in all of our minds because I think we all really loved our time there. I know I certainly did.
And let's not forget Kumamo, either, can we? We couldn't get enough of this little guy and we certainly got enough stuff to remember the Kumamoto mascot.
Sayonara, Kumamoto, konichiwa, Nara! We are on the last leg of this trip and while it feels like we've been traveling in Japan forever, it's also somewhat hard to believe it's coming to a close.
Stay tuned for the Nara pics and updates. I think I've written more than enough for one post. Until then.
Location:Somewhere in the air
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