That day when we celebrated my mother’s birthday in a lovely little town.
TIPS
Rent a bike! Go around the city in the style of locals —just don’t get lost. I don’t know how to ride a bike I am a failure in life Also, read up on what you should do when in shrines or temples. There are specific sets of actions to clean up one’s hands and body, make use of the incense, throw coins for a prayer, et cetera. Research (or a convenient english brochure) is your friend.
Day 6
TRANSPORTATION Shinkansen
There we went, fast as a bullet. Ha. The other option was to take an 8-hour bus, and no, we weren’t having that.
And complete the experience! Buy yourself a bento box from one of the station kiosks and enjoy! I only had a vague idea of what I was eating on the way to Hikone, but it tasted yummy.
CULTURE GARDENS AND PARKS Hikone Castle
When I think of castle, I think of those European ones with intricate maze gardens and lots of breakable vases (kind of like the one we visited in Austria). The palaces and castles in Japan seem to be built with comfort, function and simplicity in mind –still beautiful, but just right for the Asian size. Or something.
Hikone Castle is the most significant historical building in Shiga, one of the 12 remaining Japanese castles which still have their original keep, and one of the 4 castles listed as a national treasure.
I may have enjoyed using panorama mode too much
Look, a secret door! Most of the castles we visited were built with war in mind. Hence, the history of moats, watchtowers and secret doors.
Japanese-style gardens are the best. I could spend an eternity dreaming in places like these.
Just to give you an idea: the serving of yakisoba costs Y500, which is roughly P180 or USD4.
FOOD Suikoden
And the food:
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I. Credits and Love
II. Japanese Quirks, Signs and Life
III. Tokyo: Part 1
IV. Tokyo: DisneySea
V. Tokyo: Part 2
VI. Hikone Interlude
VII. Kyoto
VIII. Osaka
IX. Osaka: Universal Studios Japan
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jari m 