Kyushu Countryside

Well Japan just keeps getting better with a few minor hiccups of course but what would traveling be without them.

From Nara I spent the night in Kyoto before heading off early in the morning for the train down south. It was a very lovely train ride. I had to switch trains twice to get to Kumamoto. The one train ride between Hakata/Fukuoka and Kumamoto was especially nice. It is a new line so the first class seating was very nice with wood panelling and glass and they are very accomodating. There were only 4 of us for the whole ride and I think the gentlemen thought it a little strange that a backpacker be riding in first class. I also think one of them was a Yakusa, (Japanese gang) as I spotted part of his tattooing and his briefcase and wallet had scull chaining. Not to mention that he was dressed with very expensive clothing...But on the other hand why would they take the train...

When I got to Kumamoto I realized that I was missing all of my shopping that I had done in Kyoto as it was in a separate large shopping bag...I forgot it while transferring trains in Hakata. So when Takayoshi and Kimiko Tanaka (my grandmother's cousins) greeted me at the train I did not have a smile on my face. But luckily Takayoshi talked to the Lost and Found and they called the Station and Daikichi me (excellent luck) they had found it and we arranged to have it sent to the house.

Relieved the Tanaka's took me to The Kumamoto Castle where all of the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. They line both sides of the road going up to the castle so it is just like in Victoria and Vancouver except these trees are a lot older and therefore more brilliant. We went all over the grounds and you can go into the tower which is very tall and designed for defence. And the main castle was recently redone as it burned down at one point so everything is new except they used old building techniques so there are no nails in the entire structure.

Then it was time to head to their house in the country. It is so nice to be out of the city. It is so quiet and peaceful here. I got to try some interesting Japanese (kumamoto specific) delicacies such as raw and cooked horse meat, and raw clams (?) some shell anyways which is definitely not as good as oysters.

The next day, March 31, we met up with the Tanaka's daughter's husband's brother in law Elias, (sorry folks my family is always confusing I know) and we took him with us to Hitayoshi which is about a 2 hour drive. This drive takes you directly through the mountains. We had to drive through 23 tunnels in a row, the longest one was 6km long. Elias is from Ethiopia so I had someone to talk English with. We went to a doll museum for the doll festival. There were thousands of Japanese dolls of all different kinds and all of their regalia it was very overwhelming but extremely interesting. It is housed in a small old castle and you have to keep climbing stairs and room after room is just filled with so many dolls. Then we went for Udon...mmmm. oiishi desu kata.

Then we came back to the Tanaka's for dinner which was amazing of course because Kimiko is a wonderful cook. And after dinner Elias showed us a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which involves roasting the beans, grinding and then heating its special pot. Very very interesting and a cool cultural experience I never would have expected.

April Fool's Day, I went to see Takayoshi where he inspects strawberries and he showed me the different varieties and how stringent they are when inspecting...If one has a tiny defect in the container the whole package is not sent. But it allowed me to taste the varieties,　who knew there was more than one kind and that it would taste so different. So cool and sooo sweet.

Then Kimiko took me to see where they make paper fans, its just a tiny little shop but man do they punch those out. It was very interesting to see how skilled they are.

Later I went to go see Takayoshi do Yumi (Japanese archery). He is very skilled. And then I got to try it! My first shot and I hit the target!! Everyone there clapped for me. Haha but then my next couple were not so good. I think I was concentrating too hard. But I took a break and then afterwards when I did it again I got the target. I called it Beginner's Luck but everyone was impressed. For this specific archery which they only do in Kumamoto like this you are kneeling on the ground so your target is very low and there are so many steps which makes it an art form before you even shoot the arrow. I feel so lucky to have been able to try a good Japanese experience for sure.

After dinner I got to go to my first Japanese Onsen, which is a natural hotspring but unlike in Canada or in New Zealand where I have been before, the men and women are segragated because you go naked. This one is especially nice because there are some pools outdoors so you can be amongst the stars. There are different levels of hotness in the pools and there is also a sauna. I feel very relaxed!

Photos to follow. lots of love, I am missing all of you at home. But I am enjoying my time here for sure.