Duncan and I decided to visit Japan. We took Singapore air and they rule!
My parents live in a place outside Kamakura called Katase Enoshima – it’s takes a while to get home from the airport.  Narita Express and several local trains got us to the little beach-side town.

Before I go through our trip, here are some general observation and comments :
Their train system is amazing.  It’s like the veins in your body.  I am Japanese and can read signs, but without my Dad’s detail instructions on where to get on which train and transfer at what station with destination names and express or local, it probably would’ve taken us a lot longer to get to places.  The pay system is even more amazing.  You get a prepaid card called “suica” or “pasmo” and you tap away – the machines does all the calculations of your fares.   Masses of people move rapidly like ocean waves in all directions without bumping in to each other.  You would never dare to stop and look at signs in the middle of the stream.

People follow rules and has common courtesy even when no one is looking.
In trains and public spaces, they don’t talk on the phone.  They have this thing called ” manner mode” (ie silent mode) and if you hear a ring or if someone were to talk on the phone, all eyes are upon you.  People get in line to get on the next train.  No one cuts in or disturbs order.

there are no trash and they are WAY ahead in the recycling game

we did a lot of walking and climbing stairs.  A lot of people ride their bicycles as well.  No wonder they are a non obese bunch even with tempura and fried food.
I’ve noticed several renovations and developments around town and the public spaces has gotten alot friendlier for physically impaired people.  I see a lot more escalators and elevators.  However most people don’t use them because it is faster to run up the stairs, and every second counts when you are trying to make your connecting train in rush hour.

There is a fun thing called the stamp rally.  A lot of the tourist spots will have commemorative stamps.  you can also get stamp books if you want to document your trip.  Here are some from various tourist spots:

So anyways, it’s been 8 years since Duncan’s been to Japan.  I’ve visited my parents on several occasions, but everytime I visit, there is something new.  Here is our trip this time.

this is the view from my parents condo roof.

We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo to see the Ghibli layout exhibit.  When we got in, they were doing a special event where the voice actor girl and the theme song singer girl from Ponnyo were there to greet the guests. The exhibit was VERY extensive and substantial.  tons of layout art on display from the really old shows like Heidi all the way up to Ponnyo

No photos allowed inside except at the end where you can lay on totoro for a shot.

We then headed back to Kiba station to go to Mitaka for the Ghibli museum. Once we got to the Mitaka station, we decided to walk instead of taking the cat bus. As we were walking along the river we encountered a crowd of on lookers and bunch of cops.  One of the lady told us that the emperor will be coming out from the Yamamoto Yuzo Memorial Museum.  So we joined the crowd in the rain and waited.  Lots of cops and secret services roamed the area.  At last, the white bikes came out and there came the car with the emperor!  the Emperess was waiving at the public.  I reckon this is once in a life time experience.  Mom told us later that the lives of the Royal family, especially the empress are inhumane. The media has stressed them beyond sane mental capacity.  and yet they keep the smile on their faces and represent Japan in many international occasions.

Ghibli museum was a lot of fun.  We weren’t allowed any photos inside, but the 3D zoetrope is still my favorite.  The work/desk area display is so inspiring.

We took a family trip to Hakone – the active volcanic area that is an old hot springs resort.  From Hakone Umoto, we took the Hokone Tozan train up the mountain area. It is a switch back train with special break systems.

Our first stop at the Hakone open air museum.  A lot of Henry Moore works, but also other contemporary sculptures installed outdoors.

From Gora station we took the cable car slowly up to So-un zan station, were we then board the ropeway.  What a scene from the ropeway.  Can anyone guess where this is? This is the crater area created in the last eruption and is fuming with Sulfuric gas.

It is the perfect temperature to boil and egg and the egg turning black is the proof of minerals in the hot springs.

The next day, we stopped at Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History. This is where mom works as a volunteer assistant to the resident geologists.  She also helped with the installation of the special exhibit which features the history and landscapes of the Hakone Volcanos.

Then we went to the Odawara castle.  The castle itself is a reproduction since the original was destroyed.  But the exhibits inside are all authentic.  It includes samurai armors, weapons, real ninja stuff, daily items and furniture etc.

Outside we heard some commotion and it was the summer festival taking place with the “essa hoi” dancing competition.  The younger generation are reviving this very old style of dancing with modern choreography.

Since it was raining, and you have to pretty much walk everywhere, we’ve used almost all coin lockers available at each station and museums.  Very convinient, but it eats up your cash.

Our family used to live in Kamakura for a short time while I went to junior high.  My commute to school was a walk through the Hachimangu shrine.  Offcourse back then I had no interest nor appreciation for this historic city.  I know my way around, but I only know the tip of the ice burg when it comes to knowledge of his old capital and it’s history. On this trip, we walked and walked through some of the places I’ve never been before.

By the way, Choro-Q is a toy.  it;s a small pull back cars also known as “penny racers”.  It’s a toy that everyone – all walks an ages likes to collect.  Many entities will create their version of choro-Q.  For example, a car company will definitely have limited edition cars.  Trains will too. and new ones come out periodically.  We got one for the Enoden train.
Enoden is a fun train to take to kamakura.  We had just seen it in a Kurosawa movie called “hi and low”. here is a view while it runs through the streets.

Sasuke Inari – this shrine worships the god of agriculture for good harvest.  There are statues of foxes all over the place.

Zeni arai benten is where people go to wash their money for good fortune. Nowadays with the bad economy, you will sight people seriously washing their bills.  We walked up and over the mountain called “kewai-zaka” and to Kencho-ji

There are several spots in Kamakura where there were blood sheds.  For example, there are yagura’s where the entire Ho-jyo- family committed suicide before getting captured to the enemy.  They died with vengeance and without a proper burial.  These location still emits a eery and sad air.

We walked and walked and walked.  Pretty pooped out!

In a last minute change of plans, we decided to go to Kyoto on an over night trip.  I actually wanted to see old houses and alleys of Tokyo but to be fare to Duncan, the majority rule was that we should take Duncan to the “real” Japanese places. Dad had planned and arranged everything for us so that all we have to do is follow his precise directions.  We took the Hikari bullet train from Odawara to Kyoto.  The train is FAST!!  It runs at about 185 miles per hours, and within 2 hours, we were in Kyoto.

This is one of the newer models N700 Nozomi

We then took the kintestu line and made a visit to Nara.  I have no memory of it, but I was born in Nara and spent my first 6 month of my life there.  Although now a small parking lot, I located where the old house used to stand.  I hear it was a traditional style house.
Todai-ji and the great budda

the infamous deers of Nara park

Kyoto all day tour.  Luckily my dad booked us on an English tour. It was nice to be on a bus for a change.  I had forgotten how punctual Japan is.  We were to strictly be back on the bus at a set time for all stops.  Our points of interest included Nijo castle, Kinkakuji, Emperial Palace, Heian Shrine, Sanjusangen-do, and Kiyomizu temple.

We felt like we’ve seen enough temples for now.  There’s only so much you can take in.

We tried to relax and just took a stroll around the neighborhood and the Koshigoe fishing port.

through out the week, we had rain and cloudy weather, but was able to see Mt Fuji ever so slightly.

If you know how to read the menu and can order exactly what you want, the restaurants are good.  But mom’s home cooking is the best. Duncan enjoyed the variety of drinks you can get from the vending machines – especially the canned coffees.

the flight back to LA was only 9 hours.

We had a pet sitter, but our kitty Phantom survived the trauma of being alone, and was very happy to see us.

You can see the rest of the photos from this trip on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/akiko11/sets/

clutter of electronic noise in the sky

oh, and here’s some “real” clutter..

another last minute post for Illustration Friday

15 lake ave.  Smell of the garage and autumn air approaching.

this is take 2 (above)  after the one I did several weeks ago (bottom) that didn’t come out too well

Went to see an exhibit on Japanese art from the Edo period.  This is the first time I saw works by an artist names Ito Jakucchu and was very inspired.

some studies I did from the exhibit.  The long vertical format creates very interesting compositions

Ito Jackchu’s study of cranes in simplified shapes.