We checked out of our hotel in Kyoto, sent our large bags ahead to Nara, and took the bullet train to Himeji, where there is a famous castle. We spent the day there, and then took a complicated succession of trains through Osaka to Nara, stopping in Kobe to have some Kobe beef. Ken-san stayed with us through the whole process to make sure we got on the right train.
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The pricing model of bullet trains seems to be that most of the cost is walking through the gate -- long-distance runs are much more cost-effective than short ones. But they definitely go fast.
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The plaque reads:
"The "shachihoko" of the tenshu (main tower of the castle) or the roof ornament on the ridges of the roof of the castle are abstract representation of fish in the sea. The ornament is a charm to guard against fire and ward off disaster. These shachihoko are replicas of the ones on the castle.
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On the way to the castle, we stopped at a takoyaki stand.
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Takoyaki is little bits of octopus cut up, put in batter, fried into little balls, and covered with sauce and bonito flakes. Such a fresh, yummy snack.
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A group shot in front of Himeji Castle, which dominates the city.
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A room illustrating princesses playing a game.
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Put the round gun in the round hole, ...
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Guns exhibited inside the castle.
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Decorative fans. Right next to this was the one item in the castle you weren't supposed to photograph , which is a paper cake plate made out of scraps of paper by an imprisoned shogun. Definitely for the Prisoner Inventions file.
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Getting your picture taken in front of the castle.
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Our picture taken in front of the castle.
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A sign here read:
Sack Turret (Suicide Quarter)
It is not clear when this place came to be called so. There seems to be some stage setting for that. The wooden floor in the building is similar to where suicide was performed. The platform looks like the coroner's seat, and the well nearby resembles where swords and a severed head were washed. But the building and the wall have gun and arrow holes. Besides it is very close to Lord's residence. Therefore it is a very important defensive position.
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The garden sold candy in the form of logs.
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See the castle poking through between the buildings?
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We stopped at a teppan-yaki restaurant (like Benihana) in a large hotel in Kobe to have some Kobe beef.
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The beef was very good, but the restaurant wasn't as special as it was expensive.
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On to Nara
