HIMEJI
Yeap! We timed our visit to the Himeji Castle on this grand opening day, after a 5-year face lift operation.
Image above: The grand opening sign in the Himeji Station
As soon as we stepped outside the train station, the shiny and white Shirasagi Jo stood proudly at a distance. We joined thousands of visitors for this festive event.
Image above: White Shirasagi Jo at a distance
The castle retains its original structure since inception, without any damage by war, earthquake or storm. But the usual wear/tear throughout the years was enough to call for renovation. It looked absolutely stunning! Too bad the cherry blossoms were only spotted on a few trees. The few that we did see, they were gorgeous!
Needless to say there was a long queue at the ticket booths. Tour groups went to one, and individual tourist went to the other. All very orderly.
Once inside the castle grounds, there was an even longer queue to get inside the castle. Once inside the castle, you had to carry your own shoes and walk around with your socks on! We did a complete tour of the inside, all the way up quite a few floors.
Image above: Himeji Castle
Image above: Himeji Castle
Image above: Himeji Castle
Image above: Himeji Castle
We had lunch here in Himeji. Found a ramen shop in an alley next to the station. Again we enjoyed another bowl of ramen, with gyoza. By mid-afternoon, we took off by train to Kobe.
Image above: Ramen shop in alley, Himeji
Image above: Ramen and gyoza, Himeji
KOBE
We went to the waterfront in Kobe. We were reminded of the 1995 “Great Hanshin” earthquake.
Image above: Kobe, reminder of the great earthquake
Image above: Kobe, the re-built waterfront
Image above: Kobe, Hotel Okura near waterfront
Image above: Kobe waterfront
Image above: Kobe waterfront
Image above: Kobe waterfront
Image above: Good eats in Kobe
Image above: Good eats in Kobe
Image above: Good eats in Kobe
Returned to Tennoji at night and took a walk around the station area. Lots of people were in and around the station. Most restaurants were crowded with diners.
NARA
Day trip to Nara couldn’t be easier. Take the JR Yamatoji Line Regional Rapid Service, and in 38 minutes you have arrived!
To our disappointment, there was hardly any flower to be found in Nara.
Image above: Nara, but no flowers
Image above: Todaiji
Image above: Sorry, the name of this structure escapes me! Anyone?
Image above: Mother and child
Image above: OK, I did see this!
We decided we might as well go to Fushimi Inari Shrine from here. The JR Local Line took 69 minutes for this rather short (distance wise) trip.
INARI (FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE)
I found this shrine interesting primarily due to the numerous (some says thousands) torii gates that line the hill side. It is easy access from Kyoto, only 1 station away from Kyoto Station, I think.
Image above: Inari, the main gate
Image above: Kimono-clad ladies, Inari
Image above: Inari shrine
Image above: Torii gates in Inari
Image above: Torii gates in Inari
Image above: Torii gates in Inari
Best way to return to Osaka was by train via Kyoto. In Kyoto, transferred to the Kansai Airport Express.
Up Next: Part 4, Transit Osaka to Tokyo, and show time in Tokyo