nutcase23’s Japan trip – Tourist Traps

With the recent conclusion of my Japan trip and the return to my warm and fuzzy room (not that the accomodation there was bad. Just that my room has the smell of home, literally), I could finally access some proper internets and watch my anime decently.

And now that my catching up with the online world has conluded, I can finally do this little post.

Everything after the jump folks.

To swat off any comments about why didn’t I go to Akihabara or what not, I’d just like to say that it wasn’t in the itinerary.

And as much as I’d like Washinomiya Shrine to be in Kyuushuu, it ISN’T. (Bah)

Sunrise from the plane

The flight set off at 1am in Singapore time and needless to say, I didn’t exactly sleep well.

I touched down at Fukuoka Airport, a decent sized airport though not as big as the one in Singapore. ^^

And so for the next few days, I visited the various tourist traps in Kyuushuu, hopping from destination to destination.

Pick-up point of Fukuoka Airport

My first stop was a branch of the NHK TV Station in Fukuoka.

Not a very big place and I personally think it was catered abit more towards the children. Still, it was nice seeing Domo-kun.

Empty studio

Photo spot for kids?

Domo-kun plushie!

Next stop was the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum (I did say it was a study trip).

It was quite educational in my personal opinion. The museum artfacts were interesting but the story told to us by a survivor was probably the most effective at getting the message across. To me at least.

The center pillar at the back holds the registry for atomic bomb victims

Interestingly, we  managed to get onto the papers. I have no idea why though.

I personally find reading vertically a headache =P

Close by is the Nagasaki Peace Park, in the center of which is the supposed epicenter of the nuclear blast.

In it, various statues and sculptures are placed in display, donated by various countries it seems.

Supposed epic center of the blast. 500 meters up that is.

I paid a visit to Kumamoto Castle as well, probably the biggest tourist trap in the itinerary list.

Still, it was nice to get a look up close at the artitecture and engineering employed in those times. Nails and cement didn’t exist then I believe. Imagine your house being one giant jig-saw puzzle.

How to build your house without nails 101

Contrary to popular belief, computers existed back then and this is a replica of the War Room.

The first thing that crossed my mind was my Pokemon dungeon guidebook…

The scenery up there was pretty decent too, even though it may be mostly urban scenery.

Yet another tourist trap I visited was Mt. Aso.

Never seen a mountain that tall before (then again, Singapore has no mountains). The trip up the blasted place was not pleasant though.

It was very foggy that day and you watching the rolling green disappear into the white mist from the bus window can only be so interesting. Not to mention that the road was so damn meandering that I was pretty much ready to hurl when I hit the top.

So yeah, nothing to do up there except stare at the mist which in its own way was kind of mysterious.

Nothing to see here……move along…

Next stop was the Takachiho Gorge which apparently boasts some nice scenery…

A love declaration I think. Though people usually carve it on trees and not on sign boards.

I also paid a visit to the Asia Pacific University in Beppu as part of the study trip. It’s quite a nice place with a wonderful view all around.

NUS on the other hand is full of stairs and gets a nice wonderful view of the sea port. Wee~

Anyway, Beppu is apparently famous for its hot springs and white steam can be seen spouting from various places in the city.

Imagine having your University right next door to onsen paradise. (Nope, no onsen near NUS)

White steam spouting everywhere…..

I paid a visit to one of the more famous spots there called Umi-jigoku (literally sea hell) where hot water bubbles up.

Oooooooo…..

Gotta love Engrish

Apparently they had one of these around

Anyone care to hop in? :D

From Beppu, it was back to Fukuoka where I visited the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It’s no Washinomiya but it works =P

I tied one too ^^

No anime related ones here though

I wish the person all the best

This ends the Tourist Trap part of my Japan trip. Stay tuned for the others which will show my wanderings around during my trip. ^^